Coronation Street has revealed that it has signed up a West End legend for a guest role in the soap as Glenda Shuttleworth gets a blast from the past. Jodie Prenger joined the ITV soap last year as George Shuttleworth's cruise performer sister who has since settled behind the bar of the Rovers Return with landlady Jenny Connor.
And she's set to be reunited with an old friend, played by Ruthie Henshall will swap the stage for the cobbles when she appears on screen next month. The actress will play Estelle and viewers will first meet her when she has a run-in with Glenda's funeral director brother about the cost of her mother's funeral.
However, all will be forgotten when she bumps into Glenda, as the pair reminisce about working together on cruise ships. Estelle will then try to talk Glenda into buying into her theatre school franchise, Little Big Shotz.
READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street gets 'new Rovers Return barmaid' as they give look into the future
But the offer will spark drama in Weatherfield when George offers to help his sister with financial backing, leaving Eileen feeling none too happy.
Ruthie, whose stage career spans 30 years, will make her first appearance on April 3. "This is one of the most enjoyable guest roles of my career," the 56-year-old has said. "Everyone is so welcoming and I can’t believe, after years of the Street being in my life, that I finally get to tread the cobbles.
"Getting to act with Jodie was a joy and every member of the cast was welcoming and kind. Estelle is delighted to find her old friend Glenda and share a show tune or two to remember times spent entertaining on board cruises." Ruthie added: "I am so excited and delighted to be on the Street where so many brilliant actors strut, and have strutted, their stuff."
Ruthie's career has seen her star in some of the most popular West End shows of all time, including Cats, Miss Saigon, Crazy For You, She Loves Me, Marguerite, Oliver!, A Chorus Line, Les Miserables, Billy Elliot and Chicago.
Her previous television appearances include Valery in The Case for BBC, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Law & Order, The Mysteries of 71st Street, The Sound of Musicals and as a judge on Dancing On Ice. She also appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here when the show had to relocate to Wales for two series during the coronavirus pandemic.
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