Bradford actor Chris Fountain is set to get hearts fluttering in Weatherfield, as Coronation Street’s new bad boy.

He is joining the cast of the nation’s favourite soap, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, playing the grandson of the late Jack and Vera Duckworth.

Tommy Duckworth returns to the cobbles, unaware that his grandfather, Jack, has recently died, and his quick wit and charm soon attract the ladies of the Street.

Brought up by his maternal grandparents, after his mum Lisa Horton’s death, Tommy has been living in Blackpool.

Corrie fans will know that, as a baby, Tommy was cruelly sold by his father, Terry Duckworth, to his grandparents, leaving Vera distraught and Jack vowing to disown his son.

Tommy was last seen visiting the Duckworths in 2000. Now grown up, he soon proves to be a chip off the old block.

Chris, 22, of Wibsey, starts filming in the New Year and will be seen on screen in late March.

He said: “I’m delighted to be joining Coronation Street, especially as I’m playing a Duckworth.

“I’m looking forward to upholding one of the most celebrated names in soap. I can’t wait to start filming.”

Producer Phil Collinson said: “I have long admired Chris, right back to his first appearance on our screens as a young boy in Bob and Rose.

“He has the perfect balance of looks and charm and will, I am sure, create a brilliant successor to Jack.

“The ladies of Weatherfield had better watch out!”

Chris started acting in Buttershaw St Paul’s Amateur Dramatic Society.

Aged 15, he joined Hollyoaks, playing troubled Justin Burton, a role that won him a British Soap Award for Best Actor.

“He left Hollyoaks last year and has since appeared in BBC1 drama Five Days.

In 2008, he was runner-up on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, after training at Bradford Ice Arena, and since then he has performed in national tours of the live show.