WHEN Coronation Street bosses decided to introduce a new character they knew the purrfect Bolton businessman to help them out.

The show's producers were looking for a female with attitude, an independent streak and someone who had to be a bit of a tiger!

Now they've found the former sex kitten turned glamour puss they wanted from hordes of hopefuls - on the books of Kevin Horkins's pet agency.

For Celia, the newest recruit to Weatherfield, is set to become the Street's fifth cat and the pet of barmaid Natalie Horrocks, played by Denise Welsh.

Kevin, who adopted Celia from an animal sanctuary, has supplied pets for the show in the past, including Jack Duckworth's prized racing pigeons and Mavis's budgie.

As well as his agency for four-legged stars of the screen he also runs Spex Express in Great Moor Street, Bolton.

And he's confident that Celia, who plays tabby Tiger, will prove to be a real eye-opener when she forms the focal point in the rivalry developing between Natalie and barmaid colleague Samantha.

Kevin said: "The producers asked me six months ago to look for a cat. They wanted something which looked televisual and is happy to be handled.

"We had auditions and slimmed it down to about a dozen possibilities. Then I got a call from my friend who runs an animal shelter to say she had the perfect cat."

Now Celia, 10, has become a constant companion for Kevin, who added: "She's gone from rags to riches. She's a real star!"

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