Coronation Street fans were stunned to spot Maxine Peacock partying in Brighton last night - with the love-rat who got her pregnant and the man who killed her.

Maxine, aka TV actress Tracy Shaw, was on the town to celebrate the Brighton debut of the steamy stage play The Blue Room.

Tracy, 29, teamed up with Coronation Street actors Stephen Beckett and Brian Capron after the opening night at the Theatre Royal, dodging the paparazzi and questions about her rumoured split from husband Robert Ashworth.

Earlier in the day she happily posed for a photo call to promote the play.

As well as causing a storm by wearing no clothes on stage, she appeared for the photo call without her wedding ring.

Fans gathered outside the theatre to greet the star last night, with several managing to get her autograph.

A theatre spokesman said: "Brian was there to support her. She had to leave in a hurry at the end because the paparazzi were on to her."

Theatre critics have described the erotic play, which runs until Saturday, as "pure theatrical Viagra".

Her part has drawn vast attention, chiefly because she appears naked with co-star Jason Connery, son of ex-James Bond Sean.