Janet Dibley 'joins Coronation Street'

Janet Dibley has joined \'Coronation Street\'.

The former \'EastEnders\' actress - who played Phil Mitchell\'s (Steve McFadden) former lover Lorna Cartwright in the BBC One soap in the late 90s - is set to appear on the cobbles as Weatherfield\'s Bessie Street Primary head teacher Melinda.

A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "This is a coup for producers. Janet was a big favourite on \'EastEnders\'. But now she\'ll be spicing things up at \'Corrie\'."

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Janet will be seen on our screens over the festive period as Melinda, who works alongside Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) on a Nativity.

A \'Corrie\' spokeswoman revealed Janet will appear in seven episodes, but she is said to be keen for a lengthier stint on the soap.

This comes after the former \'Doctors\' star made her \'EastEnders\' debut in 1997 as alcoholic Lorna, who met Phil at his AA meetings and began an affair with him, despite the Walford hard-man being married to Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) at the time.

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After Phil broke up the affair, Lorna attempted to reignite their fling only for him to turn her down, and she tried to take her own life.

Fortunately, Phil stopped her, and she later admitted herself into a detox programme.

Janet returned to the soap for a brief spell in 2016 when Phil met her at an alcoholic support group which she was leading.

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Despite initially departing the group upon seeing her, he eventually returned when she vowed to help him just as he helped her in the 90s.

As well as soaps, Janet has appeared in a number of Kay Mellor\'s TV dramas, such as \'Band of Gold\', \'The Chase\', and popular Noughties series \'Fat Friends\' alongside James Corden, Lisa Riley and Ruth Jones.