Coronation Street star Chris Harper has been announced as the new Barnardo's celebrity ambassador.

Harper, who plays convicted sex offender Nathan Curtis in the ITV soap, will support the work of the charity, and commented 'Since joining the cast of Coronation Street I've had the privilege of helping to shed light on the hidden crimes of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Working on Corrie’s grooming storyline has helped bring these issues into the public consciousness, something that organisations like Barnardo’s have been working tirelessly to do for decades. That’s why I’m delighted to announce that I’ve joined Barnardo’s as a celebrity ambassador. Even after my character Nathan is locked up I’ll be doing my bit to help Barnardo’s support vulnerable children who have been sexually abused'.