Benji Compton swaps Coronation Street chat for the thrills of speedway as a key rider for Kent Kings.

Compton is an award-winning hairdresser back home in Bradford and enjoys his job. But the man headhunted by promoter Len Silver to replace sacked Kent captain David Mason is delighted to be back in speedway after a four-year absence.

The former England under-21 international said: “It’s nice to get out of the salon and race instead of talking about Coronation Street.

“There’s Corrie chat all the time but I can’t stand the programme. I get a bit of stick for being a hairdresser but it doesn’t bother me.”

Compton is confident the Kings will improve and has turned down Premier League advances to race at Central Park.

He said: “I love the set-up at Kent. The team just need a bit more track time and I’m sure it will come good. I’d like to stay next season, too.

“Bradford will be in the Premier League next season and I’ve been approached by a Premier League team already.

“But the bike I’ve bought is nowhere near good enough, so I need another year in the National League before I think about moving up."