Antony CottonAntony CottonCorrie star Antony Cotton has been targeted by anti-homosexual thugs.

The gay star, who plays gay factory worker and barman Sean Tully, was outside the soap's Manchester studios when he was surrounded by a gang of eight teenagers.

Antony, who won Inside Soap's most popular newcomer award, was subjected to a tirade of verbal abuse and feared the mob might become violent.

He called Corrie security on his mobile and the gang fled when two minders came to his rescue.

A witness told the Daily Mirror: "These lads looked like serious trouble. They homed in on poor Antony for whatever reason. They were like a pack of animals.

"It was awful what Antony went through and he was clearly upset.

"Their language was despicable. They seemed capable of anything judging from the tones of their voices - they were clearly strongly anti-gay."

Bosses at the soap have alerted the police. A spokesman said:

"It is unfortunate that some very small-minded people were outside the studio gates and became involved in what we believed was an unsavoury but isolated incident."

Antony went back to work to complete two scenes, but was described as "shaken".