This Morning star Ben Shephard has teased making a Coronation Street cameo after surprising an ‘amazing’ soap star.

Fans of the ITV soap are currently attending An Audience with Coronation Street, a UK tour that offers fans an intimate experience with some of the programme’s biggest icons.

Kicking off the London leg of its tour on Sunday night (September 14), Dev Alahan actor Jimmi Harkishin, Leanne Battersby actress Jane Danson, Chesney Brown’s Sam Aston and Mary Taylor’s Patti Clare were in attendance.

On top of having Rita Tanner actress Barbara Knox in the evening’s ‘legend slot’, those in attendance were treated to a surprise appearance from Ben.

Emerging onto the stage in a blanket wrapped in Mary’s face, Ben paid tribute to an iconic scene where Patti’s character had a blanket with the presenter’s face on it.

In the opening moments of Monday’s edition of This Morning, Ben revealed to his co-presenter Cat Deeley how his appearance came to be.

“I made my West End debut last night at Dominion. I was invited by Sharon Marshall for the Coronation Street tour. They’re currently doing a theatre tour around the country.

Ben Shephard with Patti Clare at An Audience with Coronation Street (Image: ITV)
“Last night they were at the Dominion and as a surprise for the amazing Patti Clare, who plays Mary, they brought me onto the stage.

“We had a meeting of minds. Famously in Corrie she got a Ben blanket during lockdown to keep her secure and happy. I now have a Mary blanket,” he said.

Stating that the ‘question is whether he’ll be able’ to make his way to Weatherfield, Ben isn’t ruling out making his debut on the cobbles

“What Patti was suggesting was that I need a cameo in Preston’s Petals and spend the day with Mary on the street in Coronation Street.

“The audience were quite up for it, I have to say,” he teased.

Cat replied: “If you go, can I go and spend the afternoon sleeping in the Rovers. I’ll just be in the corner in the Rovers.”

Branding his experience at the ‘spectacular’ event a ‘really wonderful evening’, Ben noted that the audience ‘were just great’.

Corrie is no stranger to having major cameos, with Lorraine Kelly, Cliff Richard, Cheryl Cole, Peter Kay and Ian McKellen just some of the names who’ve popped up over the years.

An Audience with Coronation Street will arrive at Salford’s The Lowry on Saturday (September 20), with Jack P Shepherd, Bill Roache and Simon Gregson among those taking part in the matinee and evening shows.