Charlie de Melo, best known for playing Imran Habeeb on Coronation Street, has confirmed he’s joining the cast of an iconic BBC One show – and fans are over the moon
Charlie de Melo, a former Coronation Street star, has landed a thrilling new part in the upcoming BBC series of Doctor Who.
Making his screen debut in 2017, the actor portrayed Imran Habeeb on the ITV serial opera. It’s also reasonable to argue that Imran contributed to a number of significant plots on the cobbles.
But to the dismay of his followers, Imran unfortunately passed away in 2022. Viewers will remember that he died in a vehicle accident with his on-screen wife, Georgia Taylor, and his off-screen girlfriend, Toyah Battersby.
However, Charlie has secured a position on the next BBC series Doctor Who, one year after leaving. The soap opera star used his X, or former Twitter, account to confirm the news.
He commented, “Keeping this quiet has been a minor torture,” next to a picture of himself. Extremely happy to be a part of this amazing machine.”
“Two 60th Anniversaries on two titans of British television,” Charlie continued, alluding to his participation in Corrie’s 2020 six-decade celebrations. “It’s a niche feather in my cap, but I will wear it with pride,” he continued.
In The Giggle, the third of three Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials, Charlie will play Charles Banerjee. This month, the episodes will be shown on television.
David Tennant and Catherine Tate are expected to return to the Doctor’s side. The renowned comedian portrays Donna Noble, a former partner.
Not only Charlie, though, is a former cast member of Corrie joining Doctor Who. After four years on the serial opera, Millie Gibson, who portrayed Kelly Neelan, left last year.
She later became a member of the Doctor Who cast, where she will play Ruby Sunday. Ruby is rumoured to be Ncuti Gatwa, the new doctor’s partner.
Excitement over a possible Coronation Street reunion erupted among fans in Charlie’s post’s comments section. “Charlie and Millie reunited how exciting congrats,” someone commented.
A Corrie reunion is probably not in the works, though. “No, they won’t, he is on the 60th anniversary specials, with David Tennant as the fourteenth doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble,” wrote one devoted follower of the venerable programme. Ncuti Gatwa is pursuing them with Millie.
Other fans were still over the moon to hear Charlie’s big career news. Someone else penned: “Another member of @itvcorrie joins @bbcdoctorwho . That’s brilliant.”
A third gushed: “What fabulous news. Massive well done and big congratulations Charlie.” Former Corrie star Tony Maudsley, who plays George Shuttleworth, also penned: “WooWhooooooo!! YES Charlie!!”
Millie even shared her excitement at Charlie joining the Doctor Who cast with a slew of happy face emojis. Meanwhile Peter Ash, best known for his role as Paul Foreman, wrote: “Nice!”
