The new kid on the Street

IAIN de Caestecker is coming soon to millions of homes across Britain. The schoolboy has vanquished fierce competition over two gruelling auditions to win a prime role in Coronation Street. Aged just 12, he will spend three days each week filming in Manchester alongside household names such as Les Battersby, Mike Baldwin, and Vera Duckworth.

Iain, of Jordanhill, Glasgow, is the latest child recruit to the Street, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next month. He joins a growing batch of

talented youngsters adding a youthful energy to the long-running soap.

Storylines covered by fledgling actors have tackled some of the most controversial issues in recent years, such as teenage pregnancy.

Although Iain remains tight-lipped on details of his particular role, he reveals it will be a challenge to him as an actor and a plot that fans of the show can get their teeth into. The script involving Iain is to develop in the New Year.

He said: ''I've not been told many of the story details myself, but I can say it's a really good part and I'm impatient to get started.''

The fair-haired pupil of Jordanhill Secondary and member of the Scottish Youth Theatre is excited by the project that may launch him on the path to becoming as famous as his idol, Ewan McGregor - especially, he adds with enthusiasm, if he can be in a Star Wars light-sabre battle.

But he is no stranger to the movie world, already having appeared in The Little Vampire, which starred Alice Krige and Richard E Grant, and forthcoming episodes of BBC television series Monarch of the Glen.

Speaking with a confidence beyond his years, Iain laughs as he says his twin sister Nicky, also a budding actor, is a

little jealous of his Street role. And older brothers Gordon and Calum have been teasing him about his impending fame.

''If people start to recognise me on

the Underground, then that will be cool,''

he says with a grin.

His favourite characters in the Granada soap are Les Battersby and troubled teenager Tyrone Dobbs, played by actors Bruce Jones and Alan Halsall. ''I like Coronation Street and have watched it with my mum. She and Nicky enjoy it. It will be so strange to see me doing my bit among the cast. I'm not sure if I'll be able to watch myself, it's a bit embarrassing.

''I just found out that I got the part

on Friday. I hadn't even got back from the final audition in Manchester, but

they called my home and let my

mum know.''

Casting agents spread their net wide to find the right young person to make a mark in Weatherfield. They contacted the Scottish Youth Theatre in Edinburgh for names of likely candidates.

Iain went for his first try at the part two weeks ago in a mass audition at the Moat House hotel in Glasgow. He recited a poem and was singled out from

hundreds of other youngsters. A reading in Manchester followed before he was given the role.

''It looks as though I will be down south for three days a week for a couple of months,'' he said.

''My school is very understanding about my acting and I am usually given homework and projects to work on while I'm away. I don't really get homesick and will have a chaperone with me anyway. I'm just looking forward to meeting the other cast members. There are lots of younger char- acters there now too, like Sarah-Lou and David Platt. They are all talented people and I think it will be an experience to work with them.''

He adds that his friends take his unusual hobby in their stride.

''When The Little Vampire came out in the cinema a bunch of us went to see it. They seemed to like it and it was great seeing my name on the end credits.

''I've worked on the stage too and had a small part in a Greek tragedy along with Maureen Beattie at the Fruitmarket in Glasgow. I think I prefer doing television work if I had to compare the jobs I've done.''

Despite his age, he says he is ambitious and is determined to make a long-term career out of his work. Advice he has been given on doing a university degree has been taken on board, but it is acting that beckons. ''I think drama school will be an important step for me. I would love to be as famous as Ewan McGregor. He is a great actor and I admire the way he is Scottish and such a big name. Not many actors from this country have become as well known and as admired in America and all over the world.''

The young man enjoys dramatic parts but also harbours a desire to break into comedy at some point in the future, being an admirer of US comic actor and writer Steve Martin

He said: ''I really enjoyed the premiere of The Little Vampire. It is an amazing feeling when people within the industry start to notice you and appreciate your work. I've had a lot of advice and support since I became interested in acting.''

His mother Linda is determined his young head will not be turned by all the fuss surrounding her talented son.

''I am very proud of Iain, but I am very proud of all my children and their achievements. While he is this young I see his acting as a hobby he enjoys. We'll see what the future holds.''

Meanwhile the budding TV star is revelling in the idea of joining the UK's longest-running soap.

''It is amazing, and a bit unreal, to think that millions of people will be watching what I do,'' he said.

''I can see the dangers of some actors getting big-headed, but I won't go that way - my family wouldn't let me anyway. They'd be too busy pulling my leg.''