Hebden: 'Mary should stay in Corrie'

Coronation Street actor Malcolm Hebden has revealed that he wants co-star Patti Clare to remain in the soap for "as long as possible".

The duo's characters Norris Cole and Mary Taylor are currently taking centre stage in the ITV1 show with a Misery-style storyline taking place in a remote cottage.

Although the plot leaves Norris never wanting to see Mary again, Hebden is adamant that the character should stay in Weatherfield for a long time to come.

Speaking to Inside Soap, he explained: "Patti Clare, who plays her, is a real find. I want her to hang around as long as possible, because what she brings to the show is really special. She's such an inventive actress."

On what it was like to film their latest story, he added: "It was strangely enjoyable, despite the hell of being cold and exhausted! I don't see any other soap doing a story as strange as this - it's a real one-off. I've no idea how the public will respond to it."

Clare's first Coronation Street episodes aired in late 2008 and she has appeared on and off since then.