ITV Coronation Street fans ‘work out’ where they’ve seen newcomer Pete Lang before
Coronation Street newcomer Pete Lang has made his entrance onto the cobbles, and viewers were swift to recognise where they’ve spotted the actor previously.
During Monday’s instalment of the ITV soap (October 13), actor Andrew Hayden-Smith made his first appearance as Pete, who was spotted in the Bistro downing beverages with Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) and Gary Windass (Mikey North).
The threesome raised their glasses to a fresh business partnership as Pete is poised to join the builder’s yard team.
Nevertheless, Pete is also destined to become entangled in a dark storyline as Theo tightens his grip on his tormented boyfriend, Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce).
Scaffolder Theo abandoned his spouse and children after developing feelings for undertaker Todd, having buried his sexuality since enduring conversion therapy at the hands of church clerk Noah Hedley (Richard Winsor), reports the Daily Star.
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In a disturbing development, Theo has grown increasingly controlling towards Todd, cutting him off from his relatives and mates, before resorting to physical aggression.
In upcoming episodes, Pete will find himself staying overnight with Theo as part of his warped and cruel manipulation.
As Pete appeared on screen, some Corrie enthusiasts found themselves puzzling over where they’d encountered actor Andrew Hayden-Smith before, whilst others highlighted he’d previously featured in Byker Grove and Hollyoaks.
Taking to Facebook, one viewer enquired: “Who is this actor? It’s driving me mad.”
A second responded: “Andrew Hayden-Smith, he played Ben Carter in Byker Grove and DS Armstong in Hollyoaks.”
A third commented: “Ahhh Hollyoaks, that’s where I recognise him! Thanks”, whilst another remarked: “He played Ben in Byker Grove.”
“Andrew Hayden-Smith from Byker Grove”, one viewer confirmed as another noted: “I think he was a police officer in Hollyoaks at one point?”.
Andrew portrayed Ben in the BBC coming-of-age drama Byker Grove, which also featured Ant and Dec, from 1997 to 2000.
In 2016, Andrew joined the Chester-based soap as PC Gavin Armstrong in Hollyoaks before departing again in 2017.
The actor has also played Jake Simmonds in Doctor Who in 2006 and provided the voice for Mark in Doctor Who: Classic Doctors New Monsters (2025).