A NINE-week-old baby is already set for his five minutes of fame - playing the part of a newborn baby in Coronation Street.

Teddy Wallwork was just three weeks old when he filmed scenes playing Maria Connor’s new arrival.

His parents Claire and John travelled with the Granada crew to Southport where Maria, played by Samia Smith, from Eccles, gives birth on a beach during a day out with on-screen friend and factory boss Tony Gordon.

The couple, of Hazel Avenue, Little Hulton, got Teddy the role through Salford-based casting agency Laine Management. Claire, 29, said: "A few babies have been used to play the part and Teddy’s role isn’t permanent but he was the one they used when Maria’s baby was first born.

"After the beach scenes they filmed him in a room at Granada which had been made into a hospital room.

"Teddy’s got fair hair, with even a cast of red at the minute, so I wasn’t sure they’d use him because Maria is so dark and her husband Liam was dark, but that didn’t seem to matter.

"I think he was picked because he was one of the smallest babies. He was only 6lb 3oz when he was born and the filming was only three weeks later."

Claire, who works for Salford City Council’s customer services, said Teddy was quite the little star.

She said: "Teddy was really well behaved. I think one of the scenes they had to do a couple of times but most were done with one take.

"He was just having a good look around and there was no screaming. We went together so John helped me a lot and we just tried to fit his feeds in around the filming so that he didn’t cry. Luckily he was really good.

"The cast and crew were brilliant and couldn’t do enough for us. The girl who plays Maria was really nice and so was Grey, who plays Tony."

Teddy filmed for five days over four weeks and his parents have been told his first TV appearance will be July 3.

Claire and John, 30, a baker at Sayers in Bolton, are now looking forward to watching their son’s big moment.

Claire said: "All the family can’t wait to watch it and we’ll save it for him when he’s older."