Duffy 'always hoped for Corrie return'

Keith Duffy has revealed that he "always" planned to return to his role as Coronation Street's Ciaran McCarthy.

The actor and Boyzone star signed up to reprise his part on the ITV1 soap late last year. He had previously quit Weatherfield in February 2005 to spend more time with his family.

In a new interview with DS, Duffy has now explained: "Well when I left back in 2005, it was always the plan at some stage to try and get back on the Street after spending a bit of time at home and whatever."

The singer confirmed that the first major step to his comeback occurred last year when he invited Corrie's executive producer Kieran Roberts and other former Weatherfield colleagues to see Boyzone on tour.

Duffy said: "On that night we were chatting and I was saying I'd done [Dublin soap The Clinic and Irish soap Fair City] and that I'd got my trade - my apprenticeship if you like - with Coronation Street. If it wasn't for Corrie, I wouldn't have got these other jobs. I said I'd love to return knowing the game a lot better and knowing what I'm doing is a lot better - being a lot more confident with the character. Things just started from there, really."

The 35-year-old was eventually invited to Manchester for a meeting with series producer Kim Crowther, where plans for his return were finalised.

Asked how long viewers can expect to see Ciaran for, Duffy replied: "A minimum of six months. Enough time to get into some trouble, I'd say!"

> Click here to read our full interview with Keith Duffy