20 years on Coro JENNIE STILL FEELS THE FIZ!

THE STREET FAVOURITE’S HEART IS BREAKING – AND THE ACTRESS IS MISSING HER LEADING MAN, TOO

- Judy Kean

When Jennie McAlpine auditioned to play unruly teenager Fiz Brown in Coronation Street, she didn’t think she had much chance of getting the job. Two days earlier, she’d dislocated her shoulder in a fall and she had to do the audition with her arm in a sling.

To her great delight, the 17-year-old got the part and she didn’t mind that she was only scheduled to appear for five episodes. But she made such an impression as the fiery redhead that the producers extended her storyline and now she’s just celebrated her 20th anniversary on the show.

“I can’t quite believe that I’ve been pretending to be Fiz for 20 years,” exclaims Jennie, 37. “I remember that frightening but brilliant first day like it was yesterday.”

At the time, it seemed unlikely her character would become a stalwart on the show. Troubled Fiz was fostered by Roy and Hayley Cropper, and quickly butted heads with the kindly couple after accidentally setting fire to their flat. After a row with Roy, she falsely accused him of hitting her and was sent off to another family. But a few months later, she was back, working as a machinist at the underwear factory. The writers created storylines involving her mum Cilla (played by Wendi Peters) and brother Chesney (Sam Aston), and an on-off romance with mechanic Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall).