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CLAIRE SWEENEY on why her Corrie role is a dream come true

- ALISON SLADE

CORONATION STREET
MON, WED & FRI, 8PM, ITV1 SOAP

There’s a shock in store this week for Coronation Street battleaxe Evelyn Plummer when her troubled daughter Cassie – Tyrone Dobbs’ biological mum, whom Evelyn claimed died years ago – pitches up on the cobbles.

The role marks an exciting new chapter for actor and presenter Claire Sweeney, who famously played fiery Lindsey Corkhill in C4 soap Brookside on and off from 1991 until 2003.

We caught up with the 52-year-old star to find out more…

How did this part come about, Claire?

My agent got an email asking me to do a self-tape audition and Corrie wanted it the next day. The scene was a two-hander and Cassie is lying in a hospital bed. I filmed it in my own bed, which wasn’t appropriate, really, because it’s silver and very over-the-top! Then they asked me to do a chemistry test with Alan Halsall [who plays Tyrone].

Where were you when you heard you had the job?