Antony Cotton has signed a new \'Coronation Street\' deal.
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."
