Coronation Street casts West End star Jodie Prenger as new Rovers Return barmaid
SHE’S trodden the boards in West End smash Annie and in One Man Two Guvnors – and now Jodie Prenger is about to mark her mark on the cobbles.
The actress, who won Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC talent show I’d Do Anything back in 2008, has been cast as George Shuttleworth’s no-nonsense sister Glenda in Coronation Street.
And just when the undertaker, played by Tony Maudsley, thinks the chips are down after running into school bully Frank Bardsley, actor Simon O’Brien, Glenda’s arrival certainly perks him up.
Speaking about joining the show as Glenda, who will be seen on screen in August as a barmaid at the Rovers Return, Jodie said: “I know I sound like a soppy sod, but it’s been on my bucket list to be in Coronation Street since I was little. It’s an honour, it truly is a very special moment in my life.
To be part of something my family and I have loved for so long.”
Teasing what’s to come, she added: “What a character, oh I have to say, total dream part.
Read More on Coronation Street
“I can’t wait for you all to meet fun and sassy Glenda, George Shuttleworth’s sister. I love Tony Maudsley already, what a fella!
“Your first day on the cobbles is one of the most nerve wrecking experiences you’ll go though and everyone was just so gloriously lovely, kind and welcoming. It was, and is, everything I expected, and more.”
Corrie producer Iain MacLeod added: “Glenda sails in fresh from the cruise ships with a whiff of the exotic, quickly making best friends and enemies in equal measure.
“The character is loads of fun and has echoes of classic Coronation Street females of old. Jodie is a fabulous talent and we are all very excited to have her aboard. She has felt very Corrie since the moment she stepped onto set and I think the viewers will love her.
Most read in TV
The role fulfills a lifelong dream for Jodie, who began filming on the famous cobbles this week.
After Jodie won the BBC talent show in 2008, she went on to play Nancy in Oliver in the West End.
She has had a hugely successful theatre career playing Miss Hannigan in Annie and appearing in One Man Two Guvnors at the Haymarket Theatre in London.
She took on the title role in the UK theatre tour of Shirley Valentine and more recently she played the lead role of Kelly in the world premiere of Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends the musical.
Jodie also starred as Helen in the National Theatre Production of A Taste of Honey, a performance inspired by watching early episodes of Coronation Street.
Coronation Street airs on ITV and is available on ITV Hub.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Showbiz team?
Email [email protected] or call us direct on 0207 782 4220 .
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.