Ryan Connor's a Rusholme Ruffian

Ryan Connor's band will turn up to play at the church youth group soon on Coronation Street. And in real life, actor Ben Thompson, who plays Ryan, sings and plays guitar in Indie band Rusholme Ruffians.

Listen to Rusholme Ruffians and see pictures on Myspace and the official band website. You can also catch them in action at an NSPCC charity gig on Saturday 14th March at Radcliffe Borough FC.

See more Corrie actors' official websites here.

See Ben Thompson's band live in Bury

Ben Thompson might better known to Coronation Street fans as Ryan Connor but in his time away from the cobbles, Ben's in a Smiths tribute band called Rusholme Ruffians. Read more about them here.

The band recently performed at Radcliffe Borough FC on in a sold-out show, raising funds for the NSPCC. And tickets go on sale next week for the band’s next show at The Met in Bury on Friday, July 10.

Find out more at the band's website: http://www.rusholmeruffians.co.uk or their Myspace site where you can hear some of their songs: http://www.myspace.com/rusholmeruffianacoustic

Ben Thompson swaps Street for singing

Ben Thompson is leaving Coronation Street soon when his character Ryan Connor heads off to University in Glasgow.

In an interview with The Bolton News, Ben reveals: “It wasn’t my choice to leave Coronation Street, but a new producer came in and wanted to shake things up. I am one of the characters that sadly wasn’t part of the plan.  I am sad, because it has been the biggest part of my life for the past four years. It has given me the freedom to work on my music, though. Writing music is something I have always done, but I’ve never been able to focus on it before because I had to do Coronation Street. It’s nice to be able to do something completely different to acting.”

Ben will return to Coronation Street later this month to film scenes for Christmas. He is also starring as Prince Charming in Cinderella this Christmas in Lytham St Anne’s.

Have a look at all Corrie actors in pantomine here.

Find out more about Ben and his band The Rusholme Ruffians at their Myspace site where you can hear some of their songs: http://www.myspace.com/rusholmeruffiansacoustic

Ben Thompson on bands and Batman

Ben Thompson, who plays Coronation Street's Ryan Connor, plays in a band called Rusholme Ruffians when he's not working on the cobbles. He says the band play songs that "are a bit post punk, a bit Joy Division, but then also a bit Oasis and very Smithsy as well." You can listen to them online here.

And Ben also reveals that he'd love to play Batman.

Back on the cobbles, Ben's character Ryan Connor and girlfriend Sian are plodding on nicely but it says here that the presence of another girl will soon muddy the waters of young love.

See also: Ryan Connor look-a-like