Coronation Street‘s Julia Goulding has spoke about her real-life friendship with one of the soap’s newest cast members.

Farrel Hegarty recently joined the ITV show at Lou Michaelis, one of Chensey Brown’s neighbours from hell alongside her partner Mick (Joe Layton).

But while she’s a new face for many Corrie fans, Hegarty and Shona Platt actor Goulding go way back.

“Yeah, we’ve known each other getting on 20 years nearly, I think,” Goulding told Digital Spy and other press outlets.

“She went to drama school with my best friend from Manchester, and then when I lived in London, I went to a different drama school. We were just all a big gang in London.

“It’s wonderful having her here. I’ve not yet done any scenes with her, but I did ask [producer] Kate Brooks if, possibly, maybe at some point we could… she’s wonderful. She’s settling in well, and she’s just perfect for Corrie.”

Goulding also agreed that Shona and Lou “absolutely” have similar upbringings and would likely get along.

While one of her long-time friends has just joined the cast, one of Goulding’s on-screen family members recently left: Max Turner actor Paddy Bever.

“I’m devastated!” she said about his departure. “I love Paddy so much. I mean, I could actually be his mother, it’s ridiculous.

“I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him. I would love to see him, at some point, maybe come back, but I don’t know. I don’t know where his life is going to take him. It’s really sad to lose him.”