Antony Cotton 'signs new Corrie deal'

Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has signed a new 12-month contract with the soap, according to a report.

The 34-year-old, who has played factory worker Sean Tully since 2003, finalised his deal late last week, The Mirror claims.

It is thought that the actor decided to stick with the serial amid speculation that he was quitting to join ITV1 comedy Benidorm. The rumour is said to have spread through Coronation Street's green room last Friday, but has now been quashed.

A source said: "Antony was off on Friday and out of the blue everyone was talking about him quitting to join Benidorm."

Cotton has previously made no secret of his desire for a long future in Coronation Street. In an interview last year, he admitted that he would be unlikely to leave the programme of his own accord.

Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald), Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) are also thought to have landed new Corrie contracts in recent weeks.