Corrie's Charles signs one-year deal?

Craig Charles has reportedly agreed to stay on Coronation Street for another year.

The 45-year-old actor, who plays the unlucky-in-love Lloyd Mullaney, signed a £155,000 deal with producer Phil Collinson last week, says the Daily Star.

"Craig's over the moon. A lot of other big names are only getting six-month contracts, so it shows how much Phil values Craig," an insider revealed.

"He has taken a bit of a back seat in terms of storylines in the last year or so. But Phil wants him to have a major impact while he's at the helm. Craig is a ratings winner. He's a popular character and a great actor and ITV want to make the most of that," the source added.

It is thought that the deal will make Charles a flagship star on the show behind the likes of Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan), Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and Bill Roache (Ken Barlow).