Corrie Street; EXCLUSIVE STAR DATES SET GIRL.

Byline: BY BRIAN ROBERTS 

CORRIE star Gray O'Brien may play a villain but he is a soap softie when it comes to make-up girl Jill Farrimond.

Sources say the gritty Scot, who plays murderous factory boss Tony Gordon, and bubbly Jill have become inseparable since they started seeing each other a few weeks ago after meeting on the set.

It is just the latest real-life Corrie romance and comes shortly after Alison King - who plays sultry Carla Connor - and sound assistant Adam Huckett revealed they are expecting a baby.

Gray, 40, and Jill, 42, both single after failed marriages, have become hot gossip at the Granada studios in Manchester.

A Corrie source said: "He and Jill seem really loved up. On location they're always cosying up.

"Jill is a confident, bubbly, fun, girl. She and Gray have really hit it off."

Gray has been working all hours on major Corrie storylines.

Smarmy Gordon figures significantly in the murder of Liam Connor and soap bosses are said to have "big plans" for him.

And what little spare time he has appears to be with Jill.

Gray spent a night at Jill's cottage last week and two evenings later she ended up at his apartment.

Other Street romances include Charlie Lawson, who played Jim McDonald, and make-up girl Ellie Bond. Vicky Entwistle married props man Andy Chapman in 2003.

CAPTION(S):

NEW LOVE Jill is single after her marriage split; SOAP BADDIE Gray is a big hit