Alan Halsall has admitted there are "ups and downs" with a blended family, but his daughter "comes first".

Alan Halsall and his ex Lucy-Jo Hudson

Alan Halsall and his ex Lucy-Jo Hudson

The 'Coronation Street' star - who is dating former 'Corrie' actress Tisha Merry - co-parents six-year-old Sienna with his ex Lucy-Jo Hudson, and while he doesn't have "a great deal of communication" with his former co-star, his daughter has a lot of love in her life.

Alan said: "There's always going to be ups and downs with a blended family.

"So long as Sienna comes first in all of it, that's all that matters. Sienna's got her mum and dad, and she's also got [Lucy-Jo's partner] Lewis [Devine] and Tisha. It's just a case that everybody loves her.

"Of course there will be differences of opinion; so long as we're in that loving way when Sienna is around.

"We don't have a great deal of communication, it's only ever about Sienna and that's all it ever needs to be."

Tisha has praised Alan as a great dad, admitting he is "so caring and loving".

She said: "He's such a good dad; he's so caring and loving.

"He notices everything and his communication with Sienna is so strong. I would love that for our child if we have one."

And Alan admitted the couple have "discussed the future together".

Speaking in a joint interview with OK! magazine, he added: "You always talk to each other about your aspirations, don't you?

"What you'd like in terms of family, etc. We've never had a proper serious sit down but we've discussed the future together."