Cotton wins ratings battle

Coronation Street star Antony Cotton's new ITV1 chat show has pulled in top ratings for its first episode.

That Antony Cotton Show, which features a mix of celebrity guests and comedy, attracted two million viewers to beat Richard and Judy on Channel 4.

Cotton, who has played Sean Tully on the soap since 2004, is taking five weeks off in order to appear on his chat show.

The 32-year-old, who won ITV1 celebrity talent show Soapstar Superstar by singing Copacabana, told the Manchester Evening News that he had "butterflies" and was "full of adrenalin" before his debut.

Abigail's Party actress Alison Steadman and Ray Quinn from the X Factor were the first two celebrity guests to sit on Cotton's cream leather sofa.

He has promised that his mother - who was backstage for the first show - will guest star on the programme as a roving reporter.

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