The Bailey family are heading to Coronation Street and we can't wait. Here's what we know about them so far...
Coronation Street has got a whole new family arriving later this year, and viewers couldn't be more excited.
The family is made up of mum Aggie Bailey, played by Lorna Laidlaw, dad Edison - also known as Ed - Bailey, played by Trevor Michael Georges, and their sons Michael, played by Ryan Russell, and James, played by Nathan Graham.
The family are set to arrive in early June and according to soap insiders they will 'rub a few people up the wrong way, but are soon firm favourites in the community'.
Here is what we know about the family so far...
1. They're the first black family to ever appear on Coronation Street
When quizzed about why Coronation Street has never had a black family before, producer Iain MacLeod admitted: "Short answer - I don't really know.
"Manchester has a large proportion of black residents so it did feel sort of overdue we did this and represented modern Manchester a bit more accurately."
2. They're moving into Number 3 Coronation Street
It has been revealed that the new family have bought Number 3 from Norris Cole, and that they plan to revamp the house when they move in this summer.
Emily Bishop called Number 3 her home for a long tome, before Norris Cole took it on after she left, and Coronation Street boss Iain MacLeod revealed that redecorating wasn't an easy decision to make: "It's an iconic set so it wasn't a decision that we took lightly, but it felt like they would 100% revamp it and put their own imprint on it, so that's what we're doing.
"I'll be sad to see it go. I might go down on the day they uninstall the set and try and nick some wallpaper!"
3. One of the characters is a CBeebies star
Ryan Russell, who plays the eldest son of the family, Michael, will be familiar to viewers with young children because he is a CBeebies House presenter.
Speaking about his new role on Coronation Street, Ryan said: "It's an absolute pleasure to join the team at Coronation Street. It's truly a blessing and a privilege to join such an iconic show.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of exploring Michael and working with the rest of the cast."
4. There's a fifth member
As well as two grown up sons, Edison and Aggie also have a super-successful daughter called Diana. Coronation Street boss Iain MacLeod hinted last week that viewers will have to wait a while before we get to meet her, because the character won't be arriving in Weatherfield until later in the year and the part hasn't even been cast yet!
"In age terms she is half way between James, 19, and 27 year-old Michael," revealed Iain. "Her birth will have roughly coincided with the death of Princess Diana so she is called Diana or Dee Dee or Princess by her brothers because she is whatever the female equivalent of a Golden Balls is."
5. The matriarch of the family will be VERY familiar to soap fans
If you think you might have seen mum of the family, Aggie, somewhere before, that's because you have. Actress Lorna Laidlaw spent eight years playing the legendary Mrs Tembe on BBC lunchtime soap, Doctors.
Talking about joining Coronation Street, Lorna has confessed: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining this iconic show. It's the meat and two veg of the nation's soap diet and has been part of my family for more years than I care to remember."
Aggie, who is a pharmacy assistant, has been described as friendly, fun and outrageous.
6. Someone is harbouring a huge secret
The youngest son of the family, James, arrives in Weatherfield with a huge secret. The character, played by actor Nathan Graham, has been described as a LGBTQ+ character who is a talented Weatherfield County footballer.
Until now James has kept his sexuality private, but will come out as gay to his family soon after they move to Weatherfield. The soap plans to explore what it means for someone in sport to come out as gay.
It has also been revealed that actor Nathan must have some sort of amazing skincare regime because while his character is just 19, he is actually 28 in real life.
He recently confessed: "I've never lied about my age. Sometimes I still get asked for ID. It was only towards the end of last year that I stopped getting asked for ID when buying a lottery ticket!"
7. They're going to buy the builder's yard
Edison and his eldest son, Michael, are set to buy the builder's yard after clubbing together to purchase it from the Grimshaws.
Former property developer Edison has worked hard and played hard to get to where he is today and he's looking forward to setting up a building business with his son.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
