I'm living the DREAM!

JODIE PRENGER tells TV Times how joining Corrie fulfils a lifelong ambition

- ALISON SLADE

CORONATION STREET

MON,WED & FRI, 8PM, ITV SOAP

Has there ever been a more H natural fit for Coronation Street than Jodie Prenger? A strong, northern woman in a show about strong, northern women, the 43-year-old star - who shot to fame when she won BBC1 talent search I'd Do Anything in 2008 arrives on the cobbles this week as George Shuttleworth's sister, Glenda.

The role was created especially for her, and it's a dream come true for Blackpool-born Jodie, who says appearing in Corrie has been on her bucket list since she was a kid.

TV Times caught up with her to talk about her road to Weatherfield...

How did this part come about?

There was always a bit of talk, but I did a show in Manchester last year called Hushabye Mountain [penned by Corrie writer Jonathan Harvey] and that was when things started to move. Then there was a phone call... and a lot of tears!

I was in Ikea at the time with my mum - I must've petrified about 30 people! My agent said, 'We've got an offer from Corrie. Well, I screamed and I cried. One woman nearly dropped a cactus, God love her. I wanted to tell the world, but I couldn't tell anyone.

Tell us a bit about Glenda...

I've taken a lot of my nan, a bit of my mother, and I'm just playing her with heart. She's a very genuine person - she loves her brother. She's fun, sassy and full of energy, and she's just come off a stint working on a cruise ship.

She's very colourful, including with her hair - I've gone from blonde to red, which I love. She instantly hits it off with Sean, but you can tell that Eileen's a bit dubious. And there's a really fun friendship formed with Mary.

Do you feel it was your destiny to be in Corrie?