Marsh defends Collins' 'Corrie' accent

'Coronation Street' star Kym Marsh has defended new arrival Michelle Collins after soap fans criticised her northern English accent.

Former EastEnder Collins, 50, arrived on the cobbles earlier this month as Stella Price, the new manager of the Rovers Return.

Marsh, 35, currently on maternity leave after giving birth in March, told new! magazine: “I think viewers are finding it hard to accept because she was such a big character in 'EastEnders' and they still see her as Cindy Beale, which is not fair.”

The actress, who plays barmaid Michelle Connor in the soap, said: “People should give her a chance. She’s only just joined Corrie and it takes time to settle in.”

Of an internet campaign set up by fans to bring back actress Denise Welch as Natalie Barnes on the ITV1 soap, Marsh said: “I’d love for her to return – my days at work would certainly be entertaining!”

Recently Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson defended Collins’ accent, saying he was happy with the performance.

“I think her accent’s great. I think the thing is people will just get used to it. Within a couple of weeks she’ll be Stella, she won’t be Cindy any more,” he said.