Coronation Street newcomer Phill Whittaker arrived onto the cobbles last summer. The character was at the centre of one of the ITV soap’s juicy storylines, as he was introduced as Fiz Stape’s new love interest after her long-term relationship with Tyrone Dobbs broke down following his affair with Alina Pop.

Phil is played by actor Jamie Kenna, who has swapped Hollywood films for Weatherfield – and he could be the soap’s new ‘villain’. Here is everything we know about the star:

Jamie, 47, is best known for playing Big Marc in football hooligan drama Green Street, which featured Charlie Hunnam and Elijah Wood. He has also appeared in the dystopian action thriller Children of Men, alongside Michael Cane and Julianne Moore, directed by Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuaron.

READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street: Real life of Gemma Winter star Dolly-Rose Campbell – dramatically different look and sexuality acceptance

He also had a role as Billy Mills in BBC’s hit period drama Peaky Blinders and in the action film The Bank Job with Jason Statham. Jamie has featured in other soaps too, with parts in The Bill and in Eastenders, where he played Vince Franks in 2007.

When he announced to his Instagram followers that he would be joining Corrie, he said: “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be joining the cast.” The breakthrough came years after his first attempt.

“It’s an interesting one,” Jamie said of how he got the part to the Manchester Evening News. “I auditioned for a different part about two years ago and got really, really close. So, basically down to me and the guy who ended up playing it.

Jamie has refused to be drawn on the name of the character he went for so as not to be ‘disrespectful’ to the actor who got the role. But, despite the initial disappointment, it seems he impressed the show’s producers.

“I got really close and they were really, really complimentary with feedback and it was genuinely very close,” Jamie said. “So Gennie Radcliffe [casting director], and Verity [ MacLeod, Corrie’s assistant producer] were really nice and sweet and said they’d definitely try and get me in the show.”

Eventually, the role of Phill Whittaker came around, which Jamie’s agent put him forward for. And, in the end, Jamie didn’t have to audition for the role, which was originally set to be for ‘seven or eight episodes’, and was offered the part outright.

“So, the audition process kind of happened two years ago for a completely different part,” Jamie said. “And it was a totally different character.”

Jamie posts regular updates to his social media page, with snaps on set and with castmates dining in Manchester restaurants. He also has musical talent, sharing videos of himself playing guitar and singing, and performing at festivals and gigs where he lives in Brighton.

Jamie keeps his personal life fairly private, however it is known that the actor is married. He previously dated West End star Hannah Waddingham, of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso.

To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.