Derek Jacobi is to become the latest in a long line of big-name stars to appear in Coronation Street.

But unlike other guests - such as Ian McKellen, who stole the show when he stopped over in Weatherfield - if you’re not paying attention you might miss Jacobi altogether.

The I, Claudius star won’t utter a word of dialogue and is merely slated to appear in the background of the Rovers Return pub as a nameless regular during an upcoming episode.

Jacobi, who declared his love of the soap in a 2007 Daily Mail interview, filmed his cameo last week when he visited the Corrie set in Manchester.

A spokesman for the show said: "We have tried for years to try and sort out a role in the show for Sir Derek but we have never quite managed it.

"We are as big a fan of his work as he is of ours. He is an Equity member, so there was no problem getting him on set.

"It is highly unlikely viewers would spot him but we hope it made his day."