Stephanie Cole teases Corrie Sylvie arrival

Coronation Street newcomer Stephanie Cole has confirmed that fans can expect a mix of wit and outspoken behaviour from her character Sylvie Cropper.

Sylvie - the estranged mother of established character Roy (David Neilson) - makes her debut on the soap in Monday's double bill as she turns up to visit her son.

Over the past few weeks, press reports have tipped the new arrival to cause a stir in Weatherfield with some ill-tempered antics. Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Roy's wife Hayley, has also described Sylvie as "quite fierce".

Speaking to TV Choice about her character, Cole commented: "She is an extremely proud woman. She's also very acerbic and can be quite breathtakingly rude - but still gloriously witty at the same time."

Discussing Sylvie's relationship with her son, she continued: "She hasn't had much contact with Roy since he left home at 16, perhaps because she found him a bit of an embarrassment.

"Nowadays we'd recognise that Roy might have Asperger's Syndrome, but back then she thought his oddness was some sort of reflection on her child-rearing skills. I think she might have secretly been pleased to have him off her hands."

Cole, best known for her roles in Doc Martin and Tenko, also confessed that she shares some similarities with Sylvie.

"I do believe in the art of complaining, which is something I'm sure Sylvie is very good at. We must complain if restaurant service is poor, or if the person at the shop is a miserable git!" she joked. "But I'd never be as rude as Sylvie - I hope not!"

Cole's casting in Coronation Street was announced in December.

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