Boxer Bell joins Corrie for guest stint

Boxer Stephen Bell has signed up for a guest role in ITV soap Coronation Street.

The 34-year-old, who was captain of the England boxing team at the Commonwealth Games in 2002, is playing a soldier in bad boy Gary Windass's (Mikey North) new Army plotline.

Bell started filming for the drama in Manchester today. It is believed that he arrived on set with a black eye and cut to his face after losing out to John Simpson during a boxing match in Newcastle on Saturday.

Speaking to The Times, he commented: "They knew I was boxing this weekend, but I hope they won't be too upset."

Meanwhile, a Weatherfield source told DS: "Stephen's playing a squaddie friend of Gary as part of his Army storyline. He's in for four episodes to begin with but he may be seen more in the future, depending on how Gary's storyline plays out."

Bell, who has previously appeared in Shameless and worked as a model, will be seen on screen for the first time at the end of February.