ITV Coronation Street's Claire Sweeny issues Alan Hasall I'm A Celebrity demand after being 'fuming'

Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney has issued a demand over her on-screen son Alan Halsall as she supports him on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

The actor, who is famed for playing Tyrone Dobbs in the ITV soap, is now among the many Corrie stars to head Down Under and take part in the ITV reality show in which a bunch of celebrities swaps their luxurious lives for the basics of a camp in the jungle, having to win food through tough trials.

Alan's stint Down Under is actually a year late as Alan, who is famed for playing Tyrone Dobbs in the ITV soap, was due to take part in I'm A Celeb's 2023 series before he had to undergo surgery. An ACL injury put him out of action and into regular rehab to recover.

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But he's making up for it now and has seemingly settle into camp life with his fellow stars and Claire couldn't be happier with how he's getting on - but did think one thing was needed and told how she was left 'fuming' when her co-star was confronted by Dean McCullough in scenes aired last weekend.

Speaking to exclusively to the Manchester Evening News, the actress, who plays Corrie's Cassie Plummer, said: "For me, he wasn't getting enough air time because I know how wonderful he is. I didn't like it when he had that spat with Dean. I was fuming! I got really protective over Alan.

"He deserves to me up front shining because he's funny, he's fabulous and he's kind and he's part of the history of Coronation Street. He's been there so long and we've watched him grow up and he's become a lovely man." She added: "He's lovely, we just need to see more of him!"

Claire was talking to the Manchester Evening News as she prepares to launch Knowsley Safari Park's latest Christmas experience. Its festive extravaganza, Enchanted, is making a spectacular return this winter, from Saturday November 30 until Monday 23 December with the addition of a Santa Panto, a mini theatre show combining the magic of Father Christmas with all the fun of a pantomime.

Running several times each evening during every Enchanted event, the whole family can have fun capturing memories on the spectacular light trail with new illuminated animals, including giraffes and a male lion with his cub, as well as family favourites such as the moving Rainbow Road, icy-blue Arctic Arcadia and of course, the Talking Tree.

Claire will be officially launching the event on Saturday, telling us: "Knowsley Safari Park was a huge part of my childhood. I used to go when I was a kid - it was a special treat to go. I just remember the gales of laughter when the baboons jump on the cars and press their bums on the window or pull the windscreen wipers up. I've been wanting for years to take my little boy back and we've never really got round to it...

"This is perfect. For my son to experience Knowsley Safari Park with the added excitement of Christmas lights, the trees, the illuminated animals, the food, the drink and there's a pantomime this year for the first time.. To share that with my mum and my little boy, it's going to be joyful."

Enchanted tickets are available now from £10, with special discounts for members. Under 1s and carers are free of charge. Santa Panto tickets are available to Enchanted ticket holders at a cost of £10 per child and £5 per adult. Access to Enchanted is from 4pm until 8pm. Santa’s Grotto tickets (weekend daytime only) are £20 per child, in addition to a regular Safari admission ticket.