Corry star wounding: jury selected

Potential jurors about to try a man charged with wounding Coronation Street actor John Savident were asked today if they knew anyone in the soap’s cast.

The trial of Michael James Smith in connection with the alleged attack on the actor, who plays butcher Fred Elliott, is due to start at Manchester Crown Court tomorrow.

Smith, 28, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, is accused of wounding Mr Savident, 62, with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm on December 1 last year.

He is also charged with robbing him of a wallet, credit cards, keys, a watch, a ring, money clip, an invitation card and cash on the same date.

Forty-nine potential jurors were assembled in court where Smith pleads not guilty to both charges.

Judge Harold Singer told the jury panel: "John Savident is, as you may know, in fact known more popularly as Fred Elliott in Coronation Street.

"If you watch Coronation Street you will recollect that Fred Elliott is the burly butcher."

He went on to ask the potential jurors if any of them knew any of the actors or staff on Coronation Street or anyone involved in Granada Television.

There was no response, but when the judge went on to ask whether any of them "had read any article about this incident involving these two men, the details of which you think you remember", eight of them raised their hands and were asked to stand down.

The eight women and four men selected were told to return to court at 2pm tomorrow for the start of the trial.