Waking the Dead and The Royle Family star Sue Johnson could be heading to Weatherfield to play the role of Stella Price’s (Michelle Collins) mother.

It would be a second stint on the ITV1 soap for Johnston, 68, who appeared as Sammy Chadwick’s wife in the early 1980s.

“Everyone is thrilled. She’s a brilliant actress,” an insider is reported to have told The Sun. “We can’t wait to have a member of the Royle Family walking down those famous cobbles and enjoying a drink in the Rovers."

The source added: “Sue would be a perfect addition to Weatherfield. She is the only person we are talking to about the role. She is keen and we’re keen so it should hopefully be a done deal very soon.”

A spokesperson for Coronation Street told RadioTimes.com: “We are currently looking to cast Stella’s mum but we would never comment on who we may or may not be interested in for any role.”