Coronation Street newcomer Katie Redford has revealed that landing a role on the soap is a dream come true.

The 19-year-old actress beat off dozens of hopefuls for the part, and will make her debut on the ITV show as tearaway teenager Bethany – the 14-year-old daughter of Sarah-Louise Platt (Tina O’Brien) – in coming months.

Katie Redford
(Jo McLintock)

“Until I’m actually on set, I genuinely don’t think it will sink in that I’m joining the cast of Coronation Street. I know it sounds cliched but it really feels like a dream come true,” she said.

Bethany will arrive unannounced in Weatherfield from her home in Milan, where she has been living since her mum got a job with Gail’s half brother Stephen Reid.

Tina O'Brien
Tina’s back as Sarah-Louise (Ian West/PA)

She will be followed by her furious mum, who is determined to take her wayward daughter back to Italy. But the pair end up staying, where they will cause headaches for Bethany’s grandmother Gail and their relatives, no thanks to their fiery relationship and Bethany’s eye for the boys.

The Corrie role is the first TV job for the Nottingham-born starlet, who trained with the National Youth Theatre and has completed her first film, Urban Hymn.

Helen Worth, Tina O'Brien and Sean Wilson in Coronation Street
Bethany’s birth aired in 2000 (Granada TV/PA)

“Bethany Platt is going to be such a fun and witty character to play and I hope everyone enjoys her return as much as I’m going to!” Katie added.

Producer Stuart Blackburn said: “Full of mischief and with a real lust for life Bethany is an unpredictable force of nature who will bring joy and chaos in equal measure, turning their household upside down.

“Life has just got a lot more interesting for the Platts and anyone who crosses Bethany’s path,” he added.

Emily Walton as Bethany Platt
Emily Walton and her twin sister Amy played Bethany until 2007 (Granada TV/PA)

Viewers last saw Bethany in 2007, where the character was played by twins Amy and Emily Walton.