The first time you walk up the cobbles as a cast member is a pretty huge moment. The last week of my life has been a whirlwind of chaotic joy, with love and well wishes pouring in from loved ones and friends around me, who all know that the last ten years, if not all, of my life has been leading up to a day like this. I once read on a blog by Bonnie Gillespie and always tried to live by the idea that even in the darkest days of an acting career, you are always 'living the dream', because you get to pursue the thing you truly love in life. Except that now I'm not pursuing it, I'm fulfilling it, and I feel like I'm holding a precious thing in my hand that I'm terrified of breaking!
So day one of Corrie? Nervous is an understatement! All the people that have previously been in a box in your living room, are now in your life, and it's a bizarre feeling. I'm greeted first of all by Alan Halsall, whom I had previously met in the screen test, and whose love interest I will be playing. Since I have worked with him, I don't think I could have been paired with a better person as a new cast member – everyone in the production cannot speak highly enough of him, because he is the ultimate team player – professional, generous and ever the joker. I think he might get me into trouble soon, however, because he makes me giggle an awful lot on set!
I had my first 'OMG, I'm On Corrie!' (now and forever known as OMGIOC) moment going into costume and make-up, and seeing for the first time what Kirsty looks like (besides looking like me). She's a bit of a grungy rock chick at heart, and I feel very comfortable in her shoes. Alan however, is not so comfortable with my shoes, as they pitch me about six inches taller than him. Our first kissing scene will be interesting – let's hope I'm sat down!
My second OMGIOC moment was when Antony Cotton kindly introduced me to the leading lady of Corrie – the street itself (I've decided the street is female). There is so much magnificent television history on the Coronation Street 'street' set, I could swear it has a soul and a beating heart – I just felt an amazing energy, and was humbled to be a part of it all.
Television often shoots out of sequence, so my opening scene was not the first episode that will air for me. I still had to make an impression though, as I stomped through Tyrone's house shouting the odds – Kirsty is quite the firecracker, and the type of person you wish you had the nerve to be when you were younger before you gained confidence – funny and feisty. When I found out I was cast in Corrie, I think my quote to the press ended with 'I'm looking forward to creating a huge storm in Weatherfield'.
Fingers crossed!