Coronation Street actress Samia Smith, who plays hairdresser Maria Connor in the soap, was with her property developer husband Matthew Smith in Sale yesterday when they discovered a dead body.
The couple made the discovery when they had gone to investigate a dog's desperate barking from inside a red Vauxhall Combi van. They were thought to have been visiting Samia's family who live near to the quiet street where the van had apparantly been parked since Friday.
Officers have confirmed the body was of a 26 year old man from Northern Moor, his death is being treated as suspicious and police are awaiting results of toxicology tests.
Samia and Matthew who live in Alderley Edge, were married at St Philip's church in September 2005 and are expecting their first child next month.
