FORMER Coronation Street star John Savident doesn’t appear to be missing Weatherfield.
He’s currently rehearsing for the role of shoemaker Henry Horatio Hobson in a new production of Hobson’s Choice.
Set in 1880s Salford, it begins at the Chichester Festival on July 27.
But Guernsey-born John almost turned down the job because he didn’t want another northern role.
He told BBC1’s Breakfast today about his years on the cobbles as butcher Fred Elliott – killed off last year.
And he said fans are disappointed to learn that he has a posh voice in real life and is nothing like Fred.
“Somehow people now have forgotten what acting is like.

“They’ve got the whole thing mixed up.
“They don’t turn round and think: ‘Ah, he’s fooled me into thinking that he’s a northern backstreet butcher. If he’s done that, he must be quite good at it.’
“They think you are him and they’re disappointed when you’re not.”
As for his return to the stage:
“I’m having such a good time – and why did I ever leave it?”
Hobson’s Choice / Chichester Festival Theatre