Keegan: 'Corrie kiss scene was strange'

Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan has admitted that she found it "strange" kissing new co-star Ben Price on his first day of filming.

The 22-year-old's feisty alter ego Tina McIntyre will be seen locking lips with Price's character Nick Tilsley on the ITV1 soap next week.

Reflecting on the plot twist, Keegan told The Mirror: "I had to do those scenes with Ben on his very first day - I'd never even met him before. He's really nice but to be honest it did feel strange kissing a stranger.

"It's a weird job. I go into work, meet new people and have to snog them - and get paid for it! You do get used to kissing someone but when it's someone new it feels a little bit awkward at first. And Tina's going round the Street at a rate right now!"

On how her family might react when they watch the episode, she added: "I'm all right watching kissing scenes with my mum, but it's awful when my dad's there, I just cringe. My toes curl - it's horrible and he sits there in silence. He just won't speak about it!"

Tina kisses Nick after they meet at a city centre bar, unaware that he is Gail Platt's (Helen Worth) son. The pair later come face-to-face again at the Platts' home on Christmas Day.

Former Footballers' Wives star Price was cast in the role of Nick earlier this year, taking over from Adam Rickitt, who played the part on and off between 1997 and 2004.