Coronation Street fans immediately welcomed a new character with open arms as she swept onto the famous cobbles in Friday night's episode (August 5). When undertaker George Shuttleworth arrived for Mr Pugh’s funeral and revealed that he had taken girlfriend Eileen Grimshaw’s strong painkillers to ease his toothache, it was clear that he was as high as a kite.
His colleague Todd shoved George into one of the funeral cars as widow Mrs Pugh gave him the awkward third degree. But it was at that moment George’s sister Glenda arrived out of the blue and saved the day.
Clocking George asleep in the back of the funeral car, she quickly took charge of the proceedings. Later as Glenda, Todd and Sean Tully celebrated how well the funeral went following the wake in the Rovers Return, George sheepishly appeared.
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He was thrilled to be reunited with his sister, who explained to her new pals that she works a performer on cruise ships. And it wasn't only George who was pleased to see her.
Fans of the soap are loving Glenda, played by actress and singer Jodie Prenger who shot to fame when she won the BBC Talent show I’d do Anything in 2008, going on to play Nancy in Oliver in the West End. They were in stitches as she was introduced to a stern-faced Eileen and told her she 'you smell like my nan.'
The Talk of the Street podcast @corriepodcast tweeted: "It's hard to imagine a new character in recent times we've fallen in love with any quicker than we have with Glenda Shuttleworth (approx 15 seconds)." @TeamColNolan said: "That was a fabulous debut from Jodes, love Glenda, fab bit of casting @itvcorrie."
@mikepriestley13 wrote: "I like Glenda. She’s like a breath of fresh air.. I can see some comedy scenes on the way with her." @Januarygirl1946 said: "#jodieprenger as Glenda fits right in to Coronation Street - perfect debut scenes!"
@oliviarose18xx praised: "I adore Glenda already." @MJ_JJ061215 said: "Absolutely love #jodieprenger - she's a natural. I hope Glenda will be around for a long time." And @terrettcorey tweeted: "Glenda? ALREADY ICONIC."
Blackpool-born Jodie has fulfilled a lifelong dream being cast as Glenda. And the character quickly finds her feet with a job behind the bar of the Rovers.
She has enjoyed a 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. She will also be drawing on her cruise ship experience to play entertainer Glenda, as Jodie spent eight months in 2001 as one of four main entertainers in a team of 19 aboard the Disney Wonder.
Producer Iain MacLeod said previously about her role: “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."
He added: "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.”
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. And what a character, oh I have to say, total dream part."
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