Ben Price extends Corrie contract

Coronation Street newcomer Ben Price has extended his contract with the Weatherfield soap, keeping him on screen until the end of 2010.

The actor signed up to play Nick Tilsley on the ITV1 show last October. He took over from Adam Rickitt, who appeared in the role from 1997 to 2004.

Speaking of Price's first few months on the cobbles, a source told The People: "He's fitted in well. He keeps his head down, works extremely hard - and it's paid off.

"Bosses are really pleased so they've decided to extend his contract to keep him in the show even longer."

A Coronation Street spokesman confirmed: "He'll be on screen until at least the end of the year."

Price had appeared in Footballers' Wives and Casualty before making his Weatherfield debut. He recently told DS that he believes his incarnation of Nick is 'edgier' and more confident.