CORONATION Street star Nick Cochrane - alias Andy McDonald in the soap - has been recruited by Radio Wave as a presenter.

And while his Street family try to contact him in Spain as his father lies injured in the soap, Nick is calmly taking charge of the station's noon to 2pm slot until May 8.

He has taken a year's break from the show to concentrate on a theatre tour and a pantomime in December.

But he is due to return to the Street next year.

He said: "I'm having a ball at the moment.

"I'm in the careful hands of Radio Wave at the moment because obviously, I don't know what everything does.

"I'm an actor primarily, but I would possibly consider being a DJ if I was out of work and it was lucrative. I'm enjoying it no end.

"I think I'm at a point where I can spread my wings and try to do different things.

"It's making my CV look better anyway.

"I even did some panto this Christmas."

So does this spell the end for Andy McDonald Street?

"I start back in Coronation Street around January or February next year.

"I was fifteen when I started on the show and I have a lot of friends there.

"It's hard work, but it's not something that you think of as a bother to do.

"And it's the best show ever on television, so you're always going to be proud to be in it."

Despite Nick only appearing as a guest on shows before, the Wave's programme director Simon Tate said: "I am delighted that Nick is joining our team. He's a natural on radio."

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