[Scarlett.]

Coronation Street bosses have confirmed that the soap will introduce a new disabled character named Howie in the autumn.

The show's team have put out a public casting call as they begin the hunt for the right actor to play the role.

Writing on Twitter, Coronation Street's casting director Janet Hampson described Howie as a "cheeky chap" in his 40s who will have a visible disability.

A Coronation Street spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News: "Howie is a new disabled character that is being written into storylines starting on screen in the autumn.

"He will be connected to a current cast member, although that's all we can say at this stage."

Auditions for the new role are expected to take place over the next few weeks.

Current character Izzy Armstrong, played by wheelchair user Cherylee Houston, is the first disabled Coronation Street regular and has been on screen for four years.

DS

[Marsh.]

I wonder if they give him a Dalek chair like Izzy's.

[alex_front2]

I hope his physical ability is not the raison d'etre of the character and there's more to him.

[Jessica.]

Howie got an owie

[Cherie]

oh God a "cheeky chappie".

[alex_front2]

Originally Posted by Cherie

oh God a "cheeky chappie".

To be fair cheeky chappies normally are found in EE.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by alex_front2

To be fair cheeky chappies normally are found in EE.

True

[Marsh.]

Yeah and they turn out to be anything but a cheeky chappie.

That's usually code for "We've hired someone for their looks to get our lady viewers all wet and he has no prior acting experience and you'll be cringing at how wooden they are. But hey, they're fit".

[Crimson Dynamo]

They should open a Pizza Express in the street

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by alex_front2

I hope his physical ability is not the raison d'etre of the character and there's more to him.

Well Izzy is a character in her own right, so I dont think they'd make his character revolve around his disability.

[Rob!]

Izzy whizzy and Owie Howie will have races

[Smithy]

soooo, where is he

[Marsh.]

He got a flat tyre on the way to the studio.

[Scarlett.]

Guessing he's Sinead's friend

[Marsh.]

Oh yeah, the Hollyoaks dude.