Coronation Street newcomer Jodie Prenger has a secret link to the actress who played one of the soap's legends.
Actress and musical star Jodie - who rose to fame winning BBC's I'd Do Anything - is joining the ITV soap in scenes airing next week as George Shuttleworth's (Tony Maudsley) sister Glenda. She is a cruise ship worker, and fresh from the seas, she steps onto the Cobbles next week and finds herself settling in pretty soon after and forming a close friendship with the residents.
But ahead of her debut, Jodie has revealed she actually has a link to the programme, and her family have a close connection with actress Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner for over two decades.
Speaking to press, she said: "My family all go back to Manchester in Mosside. They used to have a laundrette and a café shop/grocery store, and my nan's brother used to deliver Pat Phoenix's groceries. My nan, she worshipped Elsie Tanner.
"When your family have loved something for so long, it genuinely is an honour to be part of an institution and a family."
She added: "That's genuinely what it's about. It's a big, lovely family. It's very special to me."
Jodie is excited to portray Glenda, describing her as "fun, sassy and a bundle of energy".
"She's fun, she's sassy, she's a bundle of energy. She's a dream to play. I've based her on a lot of experience. I used to work on a cruise ship. There's a lot of my nan, the way she puts people in her place," she revealed.
"She instantly hits it off with Sean, and that first friendship that's formed. Sean is definitely a friend made in the beginning. There's a really fun friendship formed with Mary. It's like a tag team."
The actress admitted it was on her "bucket list" to be on the show.
She shared previously: "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.
"And what a character, oh I have to say, total dream part. 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!"
