Ex-'Coronation Street' star Angela Griffin defends Michelle Collins's accent

Former Coronation Street star Angela Griffin has defended Michelle Collins's attempts at a Northern accent.

Collins joined the ITV1 soap in June as Stella Price, but has since received criticism for her fake Northern accent.

Griffin defended her accent, telling the Sunday Mirror: "I think Michelle Collins is brilliant and a fabulous actress. I've heard her Northern accent and think it's ace!"

As for whether Griffin would ever return to the show as Fiona Middleton, she added: "I would never say no. I'd never turn down a job because I'm self-employed!"

Former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay and current actress Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Collins's on-screen daughter Eva, have also insisted that there is nothing wrong with her Northern accent.

Producers are said to have handed Collins a last chance storyline to help viewers warm to Stella.