Antony Cotton "best friends" with 'Coronation Street' child stars

Coronation Street star Antony Cotton is said to have developed an "incredible fondess" for the four-year-old twins who play the child of his character Sean Tully.

The Weatherfield favourite has become "best friends" with Connor and Liam McCheyne since they joined the ITV soap earlier this year and said that he is looking forward to working with them again for a Christmas storyline.

The McCheyne twins even helped celebrate Cotton's 36th birthday last month, after which he told friends: "I've had a lovely day, particularly the bit I spent with Liam and Connor McCheyne. They made me beautiful cards, which I will keep forever."

Commenting on the boys' special relationship with their "telly dad", a source told the Daily Star Sunday: "Antony makes no secret of his fondness for the two boys - he has bonded with them in an incredible way since they joined Corrie earlier in the year.

"They have just finished some scenes which will see them going back to London to stay with their mum Violet (Jenny Platt), who has recovered from back injuries she suffered in a car crash, but are expected back for another stint around Christmas time."

Cotton signed a new Coronation Street contract back in July.