PRESTWICH actress Casey Lee Jolleys is looking forward to a new role next year - as a real-life mother.

Casey Lee shot to fame as a Thai bride in Coronation Street earlier this year.

She played the role of a conwoman who posed as Thai bride Orchid Pattaya to rip off besotted suitor Fred Elliott.

Casey Lee, who lives in Prestwich, said: "I must have been pregnant when I was still on Corrie, but I didn't realise it."

Her baby is due in January, which put paid to her plans to star in the pantomime Aladdin at St Albans.

Married to businessman Michael a year ago, she said she was "absolutely delighted" at the prospect of motherhood.

"I want to be a full-time mother and not miss out on any of the important things.

"I'd like to perhaps look at work in the New Year, but there is certainly no rush. I'm just trying to stop myself rushing out and buying things for the baby."

The couple plan to find out the sex of the baby in November, and have arranged for the birth to take place at the Princess Anne maternity unit in the Royal Bolton Hospital.

In the meantime, Casey Lee will be trying to relax a bit more.

She added: "I still get people stopping me in the street and asking about Fred Elliott.They want to know what I've done with his money."