The right MOVES

Brookside star SIMON O'BRIEN on joining Corrie, property development, and inspiring Stephen Graham

- ALISON SLADE

Romance: Simon : as Corrie's Frank

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Thirty-five years after his Brookside alter ego, Damon Grant, was fatally stabbed, Simon O'Brien is back in soapland. The 56-year-old, now best known for presenting shows like Find It, Fix It, Flog It, pitches up in Corrie this week as Sean's new love interest, Frank.

TV Times caught up with Simon to talk soaps, Stephen Graham, and eating with Will Smith...

So, what can you tell us about the character of Frank?

He has been trying to use dating apps and is very inept, so he has got a date in the Rovers with someone inappropriate, and that's where he meets Sean. Frank likes to think he's quite witty, and Sean finds him funny, and they soon hit it off.

Frank is a Scouser and went to school with George, the undertaker - they have a past...

Is this a conscious move back into acting, or will you just see what happens?

The latter, but I would so love this to be a springboard to get the acting going again, because I enjoy it. Presenting is easier in some ways because you don't have to rehearse, but it's all on you - I'll start at 8am and won't stop until 5pm, and I'll be on camera the whole time.

Acting was always my first love, and presenting was accidental.

Big break: Simon (left) with Brookside co-stars Paul Usher, Shelagh O'Hara, Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson

How does it feel to be back in soapland?