Coronation Street actor John Savident has been welcomed back to work by fellow cast members almost two weeks after being injured in an alleged attack at his home.

Savident, 62, will resume his familiar role as butcher Fred Elliott at Manchester-based Granada Studios.

He has been resting at his London home since the alleged incident in his luxury Manchester flat on 1 December.

Tracy Shaw and Steven Arnold, who play his screen daughter-in-law and son, Maxine and Ashley, welcomed the actor back to the studios.

Mr Savident said he was disappointed that his injuries meant he had to be written out of the historic live episode marking the soap's 40th birthday.

"I would loved to have been part of TV history but it was not to be," he said.

"Throughout Friday I was feeling really nervous - it was as if I was involved.

"I was nervous on behalf of everybody because I knew how much the cast and production team were pulling together."

The actor also missed meeting the Prince of Wales, who visited the studios as part of the celebrations last Friday.

Savident spent 12 hours at Manchester Royal Infirmary, being treated for two stab wounds to his neck and cuts and bruises following the alleged incident.

"It could have been much, much worse," he said.

"My wounds are healing well and I am starting to feel a lot stronger in myself," he added.

Michael Smith, 28, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and robbery.

The case against him has been adjourned until 5 January.