Keegan: I can't wait for baby bump

Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan has revealed she is "really excited" about donning pregnancy padding for her surrogacy storyline.

The soap star's character Tina McIntyre is set to have a baby for Gary Windass and Izzy Armstrong, and Michelle can't wait to don a fake bump.

She told TV Times: "When Natalie Gumede, who plays Kirsty, wore pregnancy padding, I used to stroke it every day and treated her like a real pregnant lady.

"I bet I'll start eating more and getting out of my chair really slowly without bending my knees."

The 25-year-old soap star has been shortlisted for Sexiest Female, Best Actress and Best Dressed Soap Star at the 2012 Inside Soap Awards.

Michelle - who last week picked up Best Soap Actress at the TVChoice Awards - said she reckons viewers can connect to her character.

"I think people vote for me because they can relate to Tina, especially girls. I don't think it's because she looks great. Tina doesn't make a lot of effort with her appearance, which is brilliant for me.

"I go into make-up, have a bit of base put on, some mascara and then I'm done. It'll be no different with the baby bump."