Ex-Corrie star unveiled as new face of Sky1

Former Coronation Street and Waterloo Road actress Angela Griffin has been unveiled as the new face of Sky1's daytime lineup.

The star will front a new live daytime chat show called Angela and Friends from November alongside a revolving roster of co-hosts.

The series will cover "the latest showbiz stories, lifestyle trends, viewer comments, features and special guests" as well as a daily "lifestyle club looking at books, films, health, beauty and fashion".

The commission is for 90 episodes - 18 weeks - each of 90 minutes. "This show is a real departure for both her and us," said Sky1 head Stuart Murphy. "This is the start of our strategy to focus significant money on one or two key daytime slots and promote them heavily."

Griffin added: "I'm thrilled to have been given the opportunity to develop another side of my career and work with such a dynamic team. It's going to be a lot of fun and I can't wait to get started - I'm dead, dead excited."