<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Profile </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Conman </Td> </Tr> <P> Lionel Hipkiss, using the alias Mel Hutchwright, is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, Coronation Street, played by Ian McKellen . He makes his first on - screen appearance on 1 May 2005 and is last seen on 22 May 2005 . </P> <P> In March 2005, it was announced that British veteran actor, Ian McKellen, had joined Coronation Street for ten episodes as a "dodgy novelist". Producer Tony Wood said: "We are delighted that an actor of Ian McKellen's calibre has agreed to appear in the show, it is a testament to the direction we have been taking the show in the last 12 months . Ian will be perfect as Mel Hutchwright and the cast and crew are looking forward to working with him on what promises to be a very funny storyline ." </P>

Who did ian mckellen play in coronation street