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Acclaimed actress Stephanie Cole is about to join Corrie as Sylvie Cropper, the outspoken mother of café owner Roy.

Famous for her roles in war drama Tenko, comedy series Waiting for God and more recently Doc Martin, Stephanie will join the cast in early 2011 and be seen on screen from March.

Sylvie arrives in Weatherfield to stay with Roy and Hayley – and she makes her presence felt from the start.

Stephanie said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining. In any great drama, be it on television or on the stage the writing comes first, and Coronation Street is brilliantly written.

"When I worked at Granada Television a lot in the 1980s I used to play bridge with Doris Speed and I remember thinking ‘maybe one day they will offer me a role on Coronation Street’ well that day has finally come and I am thrilled.

"I am a huge Roy and Hayley fan, so to be joining their family on screen is a privilege for me and I can’t wait to get started."

Producer Phil Collinson said; "I am delighted to welcome Stephanie Cole to the cast. I have long been an admirer, from the brilliant dramatic performances she gave in Tenko, to the side splitting Diana in Waiting For God - she is one of this countries finest actors. Life at Roy's Rolls is never going to be the same again"