Cheryl Cole is to visit the Rovers Return as part of a specially written scene for this year’s Text Santa appeal. Scriptwriters on the ITV soap have penned a storyline that will see the Girls Aloud star arriving in Weatherfield looking for childhood friend Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan). The pair are expecting to be traveling to Newcastle for Cheryl’s mum’s Christmas party – but, this being soapland, events don’t go entirely to plan.

The pop singer said of her cameo: “Coronation Street has always been a part of my life, we’d all watch it as kids every night. It’s surreal to be part of something I’ve watched my whole life. It’s great to be able to support six wonderful charities and I really hope that this year’s appeal makes a difference to many lives.”

The charity fundraiser – which airs on Friday 20 December at 8pm on ITV – will also feature stars from such shows as Downton Abbey and Britain’s Got Talent highlighting the work of 2013’s chosen charities. The cast of Corrie is also expected to feature in behind-the-scenes footage from their Fairytale in Weatherfield sketch – a special song featuring The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan that will be part of the Text Santa online Advent Calendar.