Self-proclaimed “Del Boy of Ramsbottom” Francesca Mannyng will be returning to the cobbles of Coronation Street for the second time in her acting career.

The mother-of-one will be taking on the role of a bouncer, facing up to the mouthy Becky McDonald, in an episode airing on March 1.

Francesca’s character feels the force of Becky’s temper after throwing her out of a pub. It leads to a catfight, until Becky’s husband Steve steps in to break them up.

Francesca is no stranger to the Street, having appeared as Les Battersby’s first girlfriend following his split from Janice in 2002.

“I try to fit in acting when I can and I am auditioning for things all the time, but the Coronation Street role was the most recent. It was a lot of fun,” she said.

Acting is by no means the only outlet in which Francesca has found fame.

She has enjoyed chart success as a singer, songwriter and performer. Francesca’s songs, You Are The One and Still To Believe are featured on a number of Top 40 compilation albums, including Clubland 6 and Ultimate NRG 4.

She said: “I love to perform, having a background in dance and acting. It is performing that really drives me.”

Describing herself as a “Jack of all trades”, Francesca also manages to fit in working as a fitness instructor, running her own company FitFantastic.

She takes five classes a week — at Hawkshaw Methodist Church and Ramsbottom Civic Hall — from low impact aerobics to boot camp sessions and caters for all ages and fitness levels.

“I started working as a fitness instructor 15 years ago, while at university, to provide an income during my studies and it is something I have carried on with. After years working in gyms that did not care about the individual, I decided to set up on my own.”

The sessions also sparked a good social life. She said: “We go out for coffee and meet up regularly outside of class.

“Getting people out and meeting others as well as catering to their fitness needs, is what the classes are all about.”

Sylvia McDermott, aged 69, is a regular at Francesca’s daytime classes. She said: “There is a great atmosphere in the class. It is a breath of fresh air for the area where there wasn’t anything similar before. She has a great personality, works us hard but it isn’t too serious. It is a lot of fun.”

To find out more about FitFantastic, email fracnescamannyng@aol.co.uk