Coronation Street fans have admitted to feeling ’emotional’ as it was revealed that one of the long-running show’s stars will team up with an Emmerdale actress.

Sydney Martin is often heaped with praise for her portrayal of Betsy Swain in the ITV soap, having made her debut in the role of DS Lisa Swain’s daughter last summer.

It marked Sydney’s big break and she recently marked a whole year in the role and shared a sweet message on social media. In a photo shared to her Instagram page, she could be seen beaming for the camera as she held onto a cake with a ‘1’ candle burning on the top.

Alongside the post, the 23-year-old soap star gushed: “1 whole year of Betsy Swain. So incredibly lucky & grateful. I [love] my job.”

Now, she’s confirmed she’s set to take on another role alongside playing teenager Betsy in Weatherfield, and it will see her join Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick.

They will both be starring in an upcoming short film, called Through The Eyes Of Bairns, which tackles the issue of domestic abuse.

Michelle, who is best known for playing village vet Vanessa Woodfield in Emmerdale, will take on the lead role of Rose, with a description revealed that the character ‘always had a strong moral compass but she’s thrown for a loop when her estranged father asks to see her on his death bed’.

It’s now been confirmed that Sydney will portray the young adult version of Rose. The new was shared on the film’s Instagram page with the caption: “Introducing the incredible Sydney Martin who’ll be playing the role of Young Adult Rose.

“During flashbacks, we’ll see how Rose came to be estranged from her father, Ivan, all those years ago. Rose has always been headstrong but as we watch her grow and discover who she is, Rose also uncovers the dark secret of who her father really is and just what horrors he’s capable of…”

Resharing the news to her Instagram Story, Sydney gushed: “I’ll be playing a younger version of @missmichelleharwick – what a privilege! With the most loveliest team, how lucky am I!”

And fans have been left excited by the new project too. @daisysmidgeley said: “Sorry sydney is playing a younger michelle in a short film??? omg!!” @gretaglls replied: “How amazing is this!!!” @temultslaudna shared: “Omg this is so cool.”

@charityslimo commented: “I’m so emotional at them playing the same character. Sydney is the perfect younger michelle im so happy #emmerdale #corrie.” @thatsmypeachx posted: “Not Sydney playing a younger version of Michelle Hardwick in a short film.”

@swarlanations wrote: “Michelle Hardwick and Sydney Martin playing the same character in a short film? Take my money!” @monmeliasgf added: “This is so unbelievably special to me no one gets it SYDNEY AS YOUNG MICHELLE. I’m emotional.”

It comes as plans continue to take shape for a crossover between Corrie and Emmerdale. It was announced in May that the hour-long episode will air in January 2026 as ITV and STV announce a new hour of soap schedule, which will see half hour Emmerdale episodes air at 8pm, followed by 30 minute episodes of Coronation Street at 8.30pm.

Producers of the two soaps say the special episode will have “everlasting consequences for everyone involved”, saying the two shows’ universes in Manchester and Yorkshire had been linked in an “ingenious way”.

They say the episode will be self-contained, but its events will have “repercussions for both communities and see them linked forever as familiar faces depart and exciting new characters arrive into both soaps”.