A FORMER Coronation Street star who went from the cobbles to cheese making will be one of the stars of Bradford's inaugural food and drink festival.

Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt for 21 years, will be joined by top television Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo at the two-day event in October.

The two foodies will demonstrate their talents alongside chefs from the district and representatives from local food businesses.

Both will also be taking part in book signing and Sean, who rund an award-winning cheese company, will have a stall at Bradford Food and Drink Festival, which takes place on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 on Northgate and Rawson Road.

One of the organisers, from Bradford Council’s Market Service, Diana Greenwood said: "Bradford is really buzzing at the moment in terms of food and drink, with lots of new ventures opening to complement the established businesses in the city.

"The location of the festival is ideal, as people will also be able to visit the highly regarded Oastler Shopping Centre as well as the city’s burgeoning Independent Quarter with its numerous new bars, restaurants and brewery.

"We are really excited to have secured these two excellent chefs and can’t wait to see what they cook for us."

The Markets Service is working with local businesses and Jamie’s Ministry of Food, to bring a wide range of high quality locally produced goods, mouth-watering street food and drink, as well as exciting street entertainment to the festival.

Organisers said the event was being designed to complement the great food offering already in Oastler Market, as well as new bars and venues which have opened in the Independent Quarter area of the city.

Gennaro is a highly respected chef who has worked in some of London’s most popular restaurants, such as Antonio Carluccio’s Neal Street Restaurant.

In 1999 he opened his own restaurant, Passione, in London which was awarded Best Italian restaurant in 2005.

He is well-known for the BBC series Two Greedy Italians, mentoring Jamie Oliver, and his regular appearances on Saturday Kitchen.

Sean is a well-known actor, playing Martin Platt in the Nation’s favourite soap Coronation Street from 1984 to 2005.

After Sean left the street he decided to fulfil his lifelong passion for cooking and spent a year training as a chef, working at a number of Michelin starred restaurants including, Northcote Manor at Langho near Blackburn.

In 2009 he started a new venture, The Saddleworth Cheese Company with best friend of 30 years Mark Revell.

His cheeses have won numerous awards and Sean is now a Patron of the International Cheese Awards and a respected cheese judge.