Everyone was raving about Simon Delaney after his debut on Coronation Street last night

He's a long way to go to rival Big Jim McDonald, but this was a good start.

Conor Heneghan

He’s come a long way since Bachelor’s Walk.

Irish actors have been fairly few and far between in Coronation Street, the longest running soap in the world, down through the years, but when they have appeared, they have certainly made their presence felt.

Keith Duffy made his mark as ladies’ man Ciaran McCarthy during his various stints on the show between 2002 and 2011, while nobody will ever forget the impact made by Big Jim McDonald, played by Charlie Lawson.

Big shoes to fill for any Irish actor or actress called to star in Corrie then, but Simon Delaney didn’t appear to feel the pressure in his debut appearance in Weatherfield on Friday night.

Playing a salesman called Phil, he first popped up in Underworld selling jewellery and also made his way to the Rovers for an obligatory point at a later stage in the episode.

How long Phil will be hanging around those famous cobbled streets remains to be seen, but judging by the reaction on social media, including Delaney’s fellow cast members, it could be for some time yet.

You can catch up on the episode on the TV3 player here.

https://twitter.com/SimonDelaneyEsq/status/873257711416352769