Jimi Mistry to join Coronation Street

Coronation Street is welcoming a new star to its cast – Jimi Mistry.

The Hollywood actor and ex-Strictly contestant will join Coronation Street later in the year, said The Sun.

Jimi, who is engaged to dancer Flavia Cacace after partnering her in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing, will play a personal trainer and friend of Gary Windass (Mikey North).

His character, Khalid, is set to stir up trouble in Weatherfield with his charming ways and wandering eye.

Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn said: "I'm thrilled to welcome Jimi to Coronation Street. With credits that include East Is East, The Guru and Blood Diamond, getting him on board is a real coup.

"Jimi's character is going to have a swift impact on the lives of many in Weatherfield."

The actor is set to start work in September, with his first scenes screening in November.

Coronation Street is about to undergo a big shake up, with Michelle Keegan who plays Tina McIntyre and Sue Johnston who plays Gloria Price leaving, while Beverley Callard rejoins the cast as Liz McDonald.

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Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.