CORONATION STREET - CRAIG CHARLES OFFERED NEW THREE-YEAR CORRIE CONTRACT

Craig Charles has been offered a new three-year contract with ITV soap Coronation Street.

The former Red Dwarf actor, who plays cab driver Lloyd Mullaney in the show, had previously only been offered short-term contacts and has expressed his joy at the new deal.

"I'm delighted. Corrie is a great place to work and there are some fantastic storylines being lined up for me. Life is good right now - I'm a very happy man," Charles said.

The actor has suffered a number of set-backs in recent years, including being suspended from the ITV soap in June 2006 after revelations regarding his alcohol and drug addictions were reported in a number of national newspapers.

Charles returned to the show, however, early in 2007 after a successful stint in rehab.

Another former Red Dwarf actor courted controversy recently. Daniel John-Jules, who played the character Cat in the cult TV show, was arrested in February after allegedly threatening a binman with a knife.

He was later released on bail.