Claire Sweeney is sipping a cup of tea while gazing at the ocean from her hotel room in balmy Barbados with her eight-year-old son, Jaxon. It's a moment of deep gratitude for the actress, whose Caribbean New Year escape has been three years in the making following countless Covid cancellations. Claire earned just £5,000 during lockdown when the entertainment industry was decimated. But the former Brookside star has started 2023 more in demand than ever.
Since turning 51 last April, her career has soared with an unrelenting schedule that included starring in 9-5 The Musical and Proud Cabaret's Cabaret All Stars, hosting her BBC radio show Claire Sweeney Meets and filming Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder with Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley.
"I'm so grateful at 51 years of age to have had one of the best years of my life," says Claire. "I'd sold my house in Majorca in 2019 a year before Covid so luckily had the savings from the sale to see me In Barbado with her son Jaxon through, but it was tough. I'm just so proud that I've been in the industry for nearly 40 years and I'm still working and loving what I do." Claire lives with Jaxon in a four-story townhouse in London that she bought for £1.2 million in 2006. She also has an apartment in Pimlico and two in Liverpool that she rents out. Her success comes not only from her talent but from her determination to provide for her son, who she shares with former IT professional Daniel Riley.
Denne historien er fra January 23, 2023-utgaven av OK! UK.
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Denne historien er fra January 23, 2023-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Savoury saviours
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Chef Nadiya Hussain on the money-saving cooking tips and vital life skills that she teaches her children.
THE WILD ONE - Nobody tried to change me that was who I am
Rock star Suzi Quatro on leading the way for women, being true to herself and her 60th anniversary tour
CELEBRITIES PUT ON THE GLITZ FOR TV'S BIGGEST NIGHT
Famous faces gathered at the National Television Awards last week to celebrate the best of Britain's TV talent
IN THE PINK - I feel like myself again now I'm back in the Strictly family'
After documenting her brutal cancer journey, Strictly favourite Amy Dowden shares her joy at returning to the dance floor
STYLE COUNSEL - My friendships are one of my greatest successes'
As stylist Gok Wan celebrates his milestone birthday, he reflects on his personal losses, biggest achievements and plans for the future
STEP BACK IN TIME - STARS ENJOY A DAY AT THE RACES
A host of celebrities attended the Goodwood Revival festival last week to see the classic cars and fabulous retro fashions
GOOD CLEAN FUN - 'I really like to organise things I find it therapeutic'
Sort Your Life Out presenter Stacey Solomon on how tidying up helps her shut out anxious thoughts, the reason she only shares happy memories on social media, and why it's husband Joe Swash who puts out the bins
SHINING BRIGHT - KATE'S MESSAGE OF HOPE
Her emotional health update video made it clear that the Princess of Wales' family comes first, says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond.
My family will always be my main priority'
Model and actress Caprice invites OK! into her stylish home to talk about fame and why nothing beats being with her kids.
