Coronation Street: Sarah Harding to join cast as 'feisty character' set to rival Tracy Barlow

The former Girls Aloud singer will begin filming in May

Sarah Harding attends the UK Premiere of Run For Your Wife at Odeon Leicester Square on 5 February, 2013, in London, England (Gareth Cattermole/Getty)

Thirteen years after she first appeared on TV in Popstars: The Rivals, Sarah Harding is to tread the cobbles in Coronation Street.

The former Girls Aloud star will make a guest appearance in four episodes to be broadcast in the summer.

Harding will play a feisty character who will make life difficult for troublemaker Tracy Barlow, ITV has confirmed. Exact details about her storyline are not known yet but it is understood that her character could return.

The 33-year-old joins former Popstars alumna Kym Marsh in the cast, who has played Michelle Connor since joining the soap in 2006.

Many fans have questioned whether the announcement could be an April Fools, but ITV has confirmed that the news is true.

The singer’s previous acting credits include St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, Run for You Wife, Bad Day and Freefall.

Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn said: “Sarah is proving to be a gifted and exciting actor and I'm absolutely delighted to have her on board, the viewers are in for a treat as her character will be right at the heart of a massive new story for the Barlows.”

Read more: So, what are Girls Aloud doing in their solo careers again?