CoronationStreet beauty Michelle Keegan has made a secret pass at rugby league hunk Mark Flanagan.

Michelle, known to millions as barmaid Tina McIntyre in Corrie, has sparked up the romance with the St Helens forward, whose team is nicknamed The Saints.

It comes just two months after the 25-year-old actress split with The Wanted’s Max George, 23

Michelle has since been snapped with her former boyfriend Brad Howard but a friend has said that she is in fact “very keen” on Mark, 24 – who has emerged as a rising star of the Super League.

The two have apparently been sharing flirty texts and were last seen chatting at a mutual pal’s birthday party in Oldham.

The friend added: “Michelle and Mark really hit it off.

“They’ve been texting quite a bit, teasing and flirting with each other, and they’re planning to get together again soon.

“Michelle is a fan of rugby league and he’s definitely her type. It’s early days but watch this space.”

The friend added that the pair were slightly wary of “awkwardness” the news may cause Mark’s teammate Jon Wilkin, previously linked to Michelle.

She split with pop star Max in July after they called off their engagement six months earlier.

It came as photos emerged of him kissing another girl in a club.

A Coronation Street representative for Michelle last night declined to comment.

Source: Mirror.