'Coronation Street' star Andrew Lancel 'surprised' by NTA nod

Coronation Street star Andrew Lancel has expressed his delight over his recent National Television Award nomination.

The actor, who plays evil Frank Foster on the ITV1 soap, is in the running for the 'Serial Drama Performance' prize at the ceremony, which will be held in London in January.

Lancel's Coronation Street colleagues Alison King (Carla Connor), Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow), Jane Danson (Leanne Barlow), Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald) are also nominated in the category alongside stars from EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.

Frank has recently been at the centre of high drama on the cobbles after raping Carla when she called off their wedding. The current storyline has seen him continually protest his innocence to the authorities and Weatherfield's residents.

Lancel told the Liverpool Echo of his NTA nod: "I was surprised because I'd only been in Corrie for a few months, whereas I was in The Bill for seven years.

"With the exception of the fabulous Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky, and Simon Gregson, who plays Steve, the nominations for that category have gone to those of us who were involved in the rape storyline. I was chuffed because people seem to have got a hold of what we were trying to do with that storyline."

He continued: "I've been on screen now for eight months and I'm really pleased Ali and I are up there to represent Corrie. The reaction since I've been on the cobbles has been great.

"The Bill was hugely popular but Corrie hovers above the hemisphere. People must vote for Corrie. It is a great northern drama and it deserves to pick up the big gongs."

National Television Award bosses revealed the full longlist for the upcoming ceremony at the end of last month.

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