Corrie's Savident for Holby cameo

Coronation Street star John Savident is to appear in BBC medical soap Holby City.

The 74-year-old actor - who played the renowned Fred Elliott in Corrie for 12 years until 2006 - will play a character slightly less sure of himself in the Holby Christmas special.

John - who was much loved as bossy butcher Fred - will play Rupert Popol, a posh old man who has run someone over and doesn't remember what he's done.

Injured and shaken up, Rupert is seen by registrar Sacha Levy, played by Bob Barrett, at Holby general hospital in an episode to air during Christmas week.

Businessman and Rovers landlord Fred bowed out of Corrie in 2006 when he died of a heart attack on the way to the church to get married.

John said he left the soap because he was "simply tired of the five episodes per week grind".