Feisty Ayla to take on sexy Tina's role: Coronation Street bosses hire relatively unknown actress Sair Khan 'to replace Michelle Keegan's glamour'
With Michelle Keegan, who's been voted Sexiest Soap Star for five consecutive years, set to leave Coronation Street later this year, the soap's bosses are looking for the next big thing.
And they're convinced northern lass Sair Khan, 26, is just that.
It's reported that Corrie bosses have hired Sair, who's a relative newcomer to the world of TV, to boost the soap's glamour.
Newbie: Actress Sair Khan is set to join Coronation Street, playing Ayla Nazir, with her first scenes being aired in June
The 26-year-old actress, whose only prior TV role was an appearance on Doctors, has been selected by bosses of the ITV soap as they hope she will be able to attract as much male attention as the departing stunner who plays Tina McIntyre.
In an official statement, the youngster said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the cast of Coronation Street. As a northerner I've grown up watching the show and so can't quite believe that I'll soon be walking on the famous cobbles.'
Sair will be part of the first Muslim family to ever feature in the Manchester based soap and will play Alya, the daughter of personal trainer Khalid 'Kal' Nazir played by former EastEnders star Jimi Mistry.
Tina on the cobbles: Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre, will be leaving Coronation Street later this year
ITV say, on their official website: 'Sair was one of dozens of actresses seen for the part and in the coming weeks she will be joined by an on-screen brother and grandmother yet to be cast.'
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'Alya is a good-looking girl who has just graduated from university and is back living with her family.
'She mixes brains and beauty so you can imagine there are going to be a few of the men of Weatherfield who will be interested in her.
'Alya is both intelligent and intriguing when she comes in.'
Pioneering: Coronation Street is getting its first Muslim family with the introduction of Kal Nazir's - played by Jimi Mistry, left - daughter Ayla (Sair Khan)
Although Sair has more experience in theatre than television, she is said to have impressed in her auditions.
Michelle's character Tina is set to be killed off next month, less than two years after fellow beauty Helen Flanagan abandoned her role as Rosie Webster, and bosses are reportedly keen to introduce some new eye candy.
The source added: 'Despite limited experience, Sair did brilliantly in auditions and now we just can't wait for her and the rest of the new family to get started.'
Sair's first scenes will be aired in June.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2594125/Corrie-bosses-hire-relatively-unknown-actress-Sair-Khan-hope-replace-Michelle-Keegans-glamour.html#ixzz2xdsVfewd
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