Coronation Street fans have been speaking out in their droves as Claire Sweeney made her triumphant debut. The former Brookside star has swapped Liverpool for Greater Manchester as she takes on the role of Cassandra Plummer in the ITV soap.
Her casting was revealed back in April and she made her first appearance on screen during Wednesday night's trip to the cobbles (June 28) as Tyrone Dobbs' real mum. Evelyn Plummer comes face-to-face with her daughter Cassandra after previous secret contact.
Cassie tracked down her mum to the street but when Evelyn spotted her, she ignored her. But later, Evelyn received a call which stopped her in her tracks before she was seen hurrying into A&E reception, explaining that her daughter has been admitted as an emergency.
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Evelyn then appeared by Cassie's bedside, who had overdosed, but Evelyn wanted to know how Cassie found her, with her daughter admitting she had come to Evelyn looking for money before finding out that she has been living with Tyrone for all this time and didn't tell her.
The pair had an emotional confrontation before Evelyn admitted to Cassie that Tyrone thinks she is dead. But viewers were left distracted as they realised the real-life age gap between Claire and actor Alan, who is famed for having played mechanic Tyrone for more than 20 years.
Alan is 40-years-old, and turns 41 in August, whilst Claire has only recently turned 52, meaning they are just over 11 years apart. Taking to Twitter after making the realisation, @CentralCeeSocks said: "IRL there is only 11 years age difference between Clare Sweeney and Alan Halsall! #Corrie #Brookside."
@TheGrumpyBitch asked: "Wasn’t Tyrone’s mum originally Margi Clarke? Love @clairesweeney but the age gap? #corrie." @Darryl__Jason posted: "Googling Alan Halsall’s age (40) and Claire Sweeney (52) So Cassie had Tyrone when she was 12! #Corrie." @xViCkIx_ wrote: "So Tyrone is supposed to be this mystery women’s son, but they look the same age? Okay Corrie. #CoronationStreet #Corrie."
@runninoncaffine commented: "Why the f*k she Tyrone mum age gap etc don't seem right #Corrie." @AndyGibsonTV added: "How the hell is she Tyrone's mum? Aren't they the same age? #Corrie #CoronationStreet."
Meanwhile, other viewers were left shocked by Claire's unrecognisable transformation for the role but were, however, distracted by the same detail. @JV2theP tweeted: "Claire Sweeney’s character would be more believable if she didn’t have such lovely veneers!" @fansvfavourites tweeted: "She’s got the most perfect white teeth #Corrie."
@MonaghanCalum1 posted: "Got good teeth for a drug addict #Corrie." @NHSJude commented: "Cassie has very good teeth for an addict #Corrie." @Clawmaw typed: "Cassie has got bright white teeth for someone that's been a drug abuser for so many years. #Corrie #CoronationStreet."
@st_barnabas_cathedral_ asked: "Couldn't they have dimmed the perfect teeth?" @cadi_bach shared: "How are her teeth so clean." @tracyali2021 added: "On drugs since early teens yet her teeth ok! No they wouldn't be!"
