Antony Cotton has signed a new 'Coronation Street' deal.
Antony Cotton
The 44-year-old actor will continue to play Sean Tully until at least autumn next year after holding talks with bosses about his future and penning a new big-money cobbles contract.
He told the Daily Star newspaper's Hot TV column: "I had a meeting about my future. I didn't sign up straightaway. You have to negotiate a little bit!
"It will be my 17th year. I'm so pleased because I love being on the show. It's a nice set."
The soap star - who is also a long-term supporter of the Armed Forces charity SSAFA - feels like he has "three families" because of his work life.
He explained: "I spend more time with my 'Corrie' family than I do with my real one.
"I'm very lucky. I have my three families - my real family at home, my 'Corrie' family and then my military family."
Antony also teased his character's future storylines as he hinted Sean will be involved with a "returning" old favourite later in the year.
He said: "Towards the end of this year, I've got a big storyline. I will be working with someone that the audience may have seen before ... maybe someone is returning!"
His contract announcement comes a year after Antony signed his previous 12-month extension to keep him on the ITV show, and he admitted at the time he thought his initial 'Corrie' stint would be short lived.
He revealed: "I genuinely thought I'd be here for three months.
"I thought that would be really great - regular work then off to the next job. So I'm amazed it's 15 years. I'm proud of Sean. He's been a beautiful part of my life for so long now."
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