Battle Of The Corrie Hairdressers!

There may be tussles ahead for Audrey as Rula Lenska’s character Claudia bursts back onto the Street…

- Sue Crawford

She’s one of the most recognisable faces on television and if Rula Lenska has her way, we’ll be seeing a lot more of her over the coming months.

For not only is she back on the cobbles of Coronation Street after seven years away, but despite turning 70 last year she has absolutely no intention of becoming a lady of leisure.

“The idea of retiring is awful to me,” she says firmly. “A – I can’t afford to retire, and B – it makes you feel useful. When I’m not working, I feel as though I’m not actually contributing to society – apart from being a mum and an adoring grandmother.”

Rula previously spent two years in the show as Audrey Roberts’ formidable hairdressing rival Claudia Colby and was “thrilled” to receive a call inviting her back, particularly as she was surprised to land the part in the first place.

The actress, who was born Countess Roza Lubienska and is descended from Polish nobility, explains, “If somebody had asked me, ‘What is the least likely programme you think you’d be invited onto?’ it would have been Corrie, because I’m a bit cut-glass posh.