THE York girlfriend of Coronation Street's hottest new star is taking bets on when his already notorious gay kiss will be screened.

Helen Garnham, 21, from Heworth, has been dating Chris Finch - who plays gay nurse Karl Foster in the hit soap - for more than three years. They met when he was a student at York St John College.

Chris, 25, is Coronation Street's first openly gay character in 42 years, and his kiss with sexually-confused Todd Grimshaw, which has been heavily featured in national newspapers, is set to provoke a storm of controversy.

Helen, who is raising money to help save a rare turtle species on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, has organised a charity sweepstake with friends to predict when the kiss will hit our TV screens.

Chris is also joining her on a sponsored cycle ride through York and hopes to help her fill shopping bags at Asda Supermarket in Monks Cross to raise funds.

"Chris is very convincing in the soap!" said Helen, who needs to raise £1,335 to join conservation charity Earthwatch down under.

Helen and Chris are set to appear at Asda on Sunday, April 18.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Helen should phone Earthwatch on 01865 318831.

Updated: 15:10 Wednesday, April 07, 2004