Antony Cotton will play out a "very serious story" in ‘Coronation Street’ over the summer.
The 42-year-old actor admitted he was "taken aback" when he was told his character Sean Tully would have such a hard-hitting plot, and has teased fans the storyline is not what they would expect from his alter-ego.
He said: "I’ve just begun the first part of a storyline that’s going to run for quite a while over the summer.
"It is a very unusual storyline, very serious and not what people would expect from Sean.
"It will come good but it’s a very poignant and serious story.
"It’s not what I expected and I was taken aback when I heard what it was."
Despite being surprised about the plot, Antony admits it is "close to [his] heart".
He said: "But it is a subject that’s very close to my heart and I will reveal all in time."
Antony recently signed a new one-year extension to his ‘Corrie’ contract, and despite hinting he gets "down and despondent" at times from playing the same part, he is "very grateful" to ‘Coronation Street’.
He added to the Daily Star newspaper: "There are always ups and downs but on the whole it’s been nothing but a joy and I am very grateful to ‘Coronation Street’ for the opportunities it’s given me.
"If I get down or despondent with the idea I am still doing the same thing, I very quickly remember I wouldn’t have as rich a life or experience if it wasn’t for ‘Coronation Street’."
Antony – who joined the soap in 2013 – admitted last week he is "proud" of Sean.
He said: "I genuinely thought I’d be here for three months.
"I thought that would be really great – regular work then off to the next job. So I’m amazed it’s 15 years. I’m proud of Sean. He’s been a beautiful part of my life for so long now."
Antony Cotton set for ‘serious’ Corrie storyline
