PA Coronation Street, Ian McKellen 22/4/05Sir Ian McKellen in CorrieLord Of The Rings star Sir Ian McKellen promises to add to the comedy value in Coronation Street.

The veteran actor plays hilarious novelist Mel Hutchwright who turns up at nerdy Norris' Weatherfield book club.

Lancastrian Sir Ian, who plays Gandalf in the movie trilogy, admits he is fulfilling his last acting ambition by appearing in the ITV soap.

These first pictures of his new role show Mel stunning the book club by turning up to meet them in person.

The club had read his steamy bodice ripper, Hard Grinding, but had not been able to decide whether their favourite author was a woman or man.

Blanche (Maggie Jones) wrote to the publishing company to clear up the matter.

But the author, with large-rimmed glasses and fisherman's-style cap, meets them personally and sets up home with Emily (Eileen Derbyshire) and Norris (Malcolm Hebden) before it becomes apparent that the literary idol is not all he seems.

The 65-year-old began filming in March and will appear in 10 episodes in May. He said: "The script is hilarious".