Coronation Street has unveiled its newest cast member – 19-year-old Lucy Fallon, who will take on the role of Bethany Platt after the actress who was hired originally was dropped when it was discovered she lied about her age.

The soap dropped Katie Redford, who said she was 19, after it emerged that she was 25 – and would have turned 26 by the time she made her screen debut as the 14-year-old character.

Fans discovered her real age when they looked her up online after she landed the part as Gail McIntyre’s granddaughter.

Fallon, who is from Blackpool, started filming this week. The part in the long-running soap is her first TV role.

She said: “Walking on to the set was surreal and nerve-wracking but everyone has been really welcoming and I am thrilled to have been given this great opportunity.”

She will be seen on screen in March.