Alan Halsall can't imagine leaving 'Coronation Street'.

Alan Halsall and Lucy-Jo Hudson

Alan Halsall and Lucy-Jo Hudson

The 32-year-old actor joined the soap as Tyrone Dobbs 17 years ago and still finds the show a "challenge" with every new storyline.

Asked if he can see himself not being in 'Corrie', he said: "I wouldn't like to think so. I am challenged there all the time. I had the brilliant domestic abuse storyline the other year."

Alan has particularly fond memories of working with Elizabeth Dawn and the late Bill Tarmey - who played Vera and Jack Duckworth - but their improvisation skills meant he was occasionally edited out of scenes because they made him laugh so much.

Speaking to OK! magazine, he recalled: "They were legends. Samia (Smith) and I once had to be cut from a scene as we just couldn't stop laughing when Liz was battering Bill with some washing.

"It wasn't scripted - it was supposed to be a little rant, but Vera battered Jack with the washing and then threw the basket at him. Samia and I just exploded with laughter."

Alan - who is married to Lucy-Jo Hudson - was devastated when Bill left the show.

He said: "When he left they were some of the hardest scenes I had ever had to film. It was like saying goodbye to him. As soon as they shouted 'cut', I was hone. It was one of the few times in my life that I couldn't stop crying."