Corrie's Gascoyne praises screen son

Coronation Street star Chris Gascoyne has joked that his screen son Alex Bain acts like an "old man" on the soap's set.

The actor, who plays Peter Barlow on the ITV1 show, revealed that the 8-year-old regularly supports Weatherfield newcomer Anthony Valentine (George Richards) and Street veteran Bill Roache (Ken) during filming.

"After each scene, he gives Anthony Valentine and Bill Roache a kiss and a cuddle and tells them well done," Gascoyne is quoted by BANG Showbiz as saying. "Alex really is like a little old man himself sometimes!"

The star added that Bain was thrilled to receive the best young actor prize at the Inside Soap Awards last month.

He commented: "He couldn't wait to come in and tell me all about it the day after it happened. He said, 'I've got something to tell you, I've won an award'.

"To wind him up, I said, 'You didn't! It must have been for someone else'. He was so made up about it, though, so I was quick to tell him not to go getting a big head!"

Bain joined Coronation Street as Simon Barlow last year following Gascoyne's return to the show.