Fleet: 'Corrie's Siege Week like a movie'

James Fleet has praised Coronation Street for its upcoming Siege Week plotline.

The actor, who guest stars as the villainous Robbie Sloan in the serial, described the episodes as being "like making a film".

He told the Daily Record: "They gave us more elbow room on the schedule and it felt to me like we were making a film. They were happy to go again if we made a mistake.

"The crew and the actors were both very professional and very good. I'm full of admiration for them. It's a great show and they've got some great people in it."

Speaking about the show's longevity, he added: "There is a real sense of history about the show. You walk into the studio and there are these pictures of Elsie Tanner and Ena Sharples.

"It pulls you up short thinking, 'Bloody hell, I'm in this programme'. You just know all the names, all the people.

"It reminds you that people who are sniffy about soaps need to be given a good talking to. The actors here do stuff which a lot of rather snooty actors wouldn't be able to do."

The star, best known for portraying Hugo Horton on The Vicar of Dibley, plays a pivotal role in next week's drama which begins tonight at the earlier-than-usual time of 7pm.

> Fleet: 'Corrie's Robbie Sloan an enigma