Rob Donovan - Milton Fanshaw

Milton Fanshaw, played by Robert Vaughn, made his first on-screen appearance on 27 January 2012. Milton was introduced as a new love interest for Sylvia Goodwin (Stephanie Cole). The character and casting were announced on 2 November 2011. Vaughn had a three-week guest stint with the show. Of Vaughn's casting, Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson commented: "I am delighted to be welcoming The Man from U.N.C.L.E. to Coronation Street. Robert was a huge part of my childhood and a magnificent actor. I am looking forward to seeing the impact this exotic character has on the ladies of Weatherfield." The actor began filming his first scenes on 7 December 2011. Steve White from the Daily Mirror reported that Vaughn would be using the former dressing room of Betty Driver (who played Betty Turpin). The dressing room had been locked after Driver's death in October 2011. Milton is a wealthy American man who meets Sylvia while she is away on a cruise. itv.com said Milton "puts the cat firmly amongst the pigeons." Will Thorp (who played Chris Gray) called Vaughn's casting "incredible", while a Coronation Street insider said Vaughn's casting had given the show's cast a "massive boost." Jaci Stephen of the Daily Mail said Milton brings "some light relief" to the show.

Milton is first mentioned as an American guest on Sylvia's cruise. Until Sylvia's son, Roy Cropper (David Neilson), banned her from talking to him on the phone, Sylvia called Milton up each day for hours and then charged it to Roy's Rolls. After that, they Skyped each other, after Sylvia heard about it from Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) who'd been trying to contact estranged girlfriend, Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson). Milton and Sylvia become close and is first seen when Sylvia and Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) have a competition to see who can play the best music. Mary Taylor (Patti Clare) later sabotages the competition by bruising Norris' hand so he cannot play. Sylvia later takes Milton to Nick Tilsley's (Ben Price) Bistro claiming that it is her son Roy's restaurant. When Milton finds out the truth Sylvia apologises to him and he accepts. He says that even though Roy isn't rich he does have good qualities. He later draws up a plan to go into business with Roy and rename Roy's Rolls Beef Incounter and make it a steak house. When Roy declines Milton's offer Milton decides to go it alone and carry on with his plan without Roy. He decides to buy Ashley Peacock's (Steven Arnold) old butcher's with Sylvia but when Roy confronts her saying she is ungrateful for everything he and Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh) have done for her she changes her mind and tells Milton she doesn't want to go into business with him.