Antony Cotton has been friends with Kylie Minogue for 20 years.
Antony Cotton
The 'Coronation Street' star - who is known for playing knicker-stitcher Sean Tully in the long-running soap - has revealed he feels so honoured to be performing to one of the pop star's tracks as part of Disco Week on 'Dancing on Ice' this weekend because they've been pals for over two decades after meeting at a party in Manchester.
Speaking on 'Lorraine' on Wednesday (17.01.18), he said: "The theme is disco and I'm doing my routine to a Kylie track - it's very fitting actually because Kylie is releasing her first new music in quite a while on Friday.
"I've known Kylie for a good few years now. Her best friend Willie is from Manchester and that's how I met her probably about 20 years ago."
And, although he didn't receive an overly high score when he made his debut on the ice earlier this month, the 42-year-old actor feels "fighting fit" for this week.
He said: "I'm OK actually, I've kind of gone through that side of things.
"I had a bit of a groin injury, a wrist injury, a bit of ankle trouble but that's plateaued now so I seem to be fighting fit."
And he's adamant he won't be taking any stick from acid-tongue judge Jason Gardiner.
He said: "I've known Jason for 20 years and I know the real Jason. He's a tough judge and he texted me and said: 'Please, please, please be good because if you're not, I'm going to let you have it.' But I've got a couple of lines if he starts."
Anthony will be going up against his co-star Brooke Vincent - who portrays Sophie Webster on the show - from this weekend but he's certain there's no rivalry.
He said recently: "It's strange because I am fiercely competitive but with Brooke, if someone said: 'It's either Brooke or you.' I'd say: 'Let Brooke go and win, let her do it.' "
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