Blanche's voice gets final Corrie airing

Coronation Street fans will hear Blanche Hunt's voice one last time in the Weatherfield favourite's funeral episode, it has been revealed.

The acid-tongued battleaxe is to get an on-screen send-off later this year after passing away during a holiday in Portugal.

Speaking to Toronto's Star newspaper, Katherine Kelly - who plays Becky McDonald on the soap - explained that the emotional storyline was created "so people can say goodbye to the character".

She added: "The brilliant writers have found a very clever way of getting her voice into the episode."

Meanwhile, Antony Cotton (Sean Tully), who was also interviewed by the publication, paid tribute to the late Blanche actress Maggie Jones. Jones died last December following a period of ill health.

Cotton said: "She's irreplaceable and was universally adored by the public and also the cast and crew. She was part of the furniture."

Kelly and Cotton were interviewed in Toronto to promote Coronation Street's Canadian airings on CBC.