AN ACTOR from York today revealed he was delighted that Coronation Street bosses have extended his contract on the show.

Andrew Dunn, 50, who stars as Janice Battersby's "live-in lover" Roger, had previously signed a three-month contract with soap chiefs which saw him return to the street in June, after a stint in the show earlier this year.

But now Andrew will appear in Corrie until at least November, after bosses took the option of extending his contract by three months. The latest move means this is Andrew's longest stretch in the soap to date, with him appearing in more scenes than ever before.

The actor, who lives off Haxby Road, today revealed that he hoped he will be asked to be a permanent character in Coronation Street.

"I was delighted when the contract was extended," Andrew said. "Hopefully they'll ask me to stay on for longer - I feel I have got into my character more, and I'm having a fantastic time doing it."

The actor was the subject of much attention from people in the city when his character Roger whisked Janice (Vicky Entwistle) off to France last winter.

Plumber Roger returned to Weatherfield after his three-month spell abroad, during which time he was doing up a property.

He has now lent Janice's daughter Leanne Battersby £10,000 - Roger's life savings - to fund her restaurant business venture and has moved in with her mother in order to save money.

The star said he could not go out in York without being recognised by members of the public as Roger - and that they did not hesitate to call out to him, "You shouldn't have lent Leanne the money!" and "Can you come and fix my bike?".

But he said people were "nice and smiley about it".

Andrew said his latest period in the show had at times been more intensive than the last one - some weeks he has been working six days out of seven. He said he hoped the extension of his contract would mean another step up the ladder in terms of his acting career.

* Andrew will also launch an open day at York Theatre Royal on Saturday between 10am until 4pm. For further details, phone the theatre on 01904 550149.


Other roles

* Casualty - Andrew Dunn last month played a bin man who rescued a baby from a dust cart* 55 Degrees North - Andrew played Sergeant Rick Astell in the BBC drama two years ago * Dinnerladies - The star played Tony in Victoria Wood's situation comedy * Holby City - Andrew played a drunken wife beater* Heartbeat - in the last ten years, Andrew has played three different characters in the drama.