Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward confirmed to be joining Coronation Street

Shayne Ward has been confirmed to be joining the cast of Coronation Street and is set to make an appearance on the cobbles in August.

He is said to have signed a one year contract with the soap and will be play Michelle Connor's (Kym Marsh) distant cousin Aidan Connor. Aidan is meant to have grown up on the same estate as his relative Michelle and her boss/sister-in-law Carla Connor but lost touch as the trio got older.

However, he makes his way back into their lives when he hears that Carla has been having trouble with managing her underwear factory.

Aidan will reportedly make quite a stir among the female residents of Weatherfield but when it comes to the men it's a different story. The character is said to quickly make enemies with Tracey Barlow's ex-husband, Robert Preston.

The 30-year-old singer-turned-actor rose to fame when he won the second series of The X Factor and has gone on to have four solo albums and star as Stacee Jaxx in the West End production of musical Rock of Ages.

Ward, who will start filming for the show next month, announced to the Mirror just how thrilled he was to have landed the role, saying: "On hearing the news I had been offered the part on the show I was in total disbelief. It still hasn't sunk in."

"Shayne Ward the lad from Manchester, given such a role on such an iconic show," he continued, admitting it was something he'd always wanted to do. "It is an absolute dream come true. I'm excited to walk down those famous cobbles."

"My family and friends know just how much this means to me and I cannot wait to do them all proud. 2015 has been a great year for me so far and I look forward to joining the Coronation Street family."

Producer and writer for the long-spanning series Stuart Blackburn said that while Ward wasn't necessarily their first choice on paper, his audition convinced the soap bosses otherwise.

"When Shayne came in and auditioned, we knew he was up against some very stiff competition. But he blew us away from the very get go delivering a charm and a swagger that is perfect for the character. I can't wait to see him in action," he told the Mirror.

His imminent involvement in the show seems to have gone down well with Corrie fans, with so many tweeting their excitement about him joining the cast.

Aidan will be followed by more Connor family members in the next upcoming months, as the character's father and sister make their way onto the street.