The return of Phil Mitchell to Eastenderland may have been a bit of a (dull) flash in the pan bid to get more people to tune into the Beeb’s flagship soap but I may have to break a habit of a lifetime and watch some Corrie in the next few weeks.

Why? Because Ian McKellen is going to be in it. I kid you not - he’s going to be in 10 episodes of the this years prizewinning ongoing television serial. Still don’t believe me? Well you can read it straight from the horse’s mouth too.