It’s not often noted as an acting capital but a surprise number of TV stars to have graced the Coronation Street cobbles have hailed from Wigan.
This week, it was revealed that actor Ciaran Griffiths, who attended St Mary’s Catholic High School in Astley, is joining the cast of the long-running ITV soap as Damon, the troublemaker dad of Jacob Hay. Jacob, however, is not pleased to see his dad, leaving viewers wondering what he’s up to. Actor Ciaran, who recently returned to his roots from Australia, said: “I watched Corrie as a kid and it’s great to be back with some old friends both cast and crew.”
His arrival got us to thinking about how many other actors and actresses have appeared in Corrie over the years who hail from the borough - some still in the show and others who have moved onto pastures new.
See how many you can remember.
5. Kel Allen
Former Winstanley College student Kel Allen first walked on the cobbles in 2020 as Laura Neelan and had some dramatic storylines, including her death from cancer earlier this year. Kel is often recognised while out and about in Wigan and set up Stellar School of Acting at Deanery High School. Photo: Danielle Baguley
6. Eva Pope
Eva Pope hails from Appley Bridge and has travelled the world acting and teaching, with roles in the likes of Law and Order, Casualty, Holby City, Spooks, Waterloo Road, Life on Mars, The Bill, Cold Feet, and Bad Girls. In Coronation Street, she played Tanya Pooley from 1993 to 1994, a barmaid in the Rovers Return. Photo: Sally Mais
7. Samantha Seager
The Morton family arrived on Coronation Street in 2007 and included Jodie Morton, pictured second from left, played by Samantha Seager. She had a rivalry with Cilla Battersby-Brown and a brief romance with Lloyd Mullaney, before leaving later in the year to move to London. Samantha, who hails from Atherton, has appeared in many TV and stage shows over the years, including BBC drama The Hello Girls, Doctors and Casualty. Photo: Neil Jones/PA
8. Rodney Litchfield
Rodney Litchfield was another member of Coronation Street's Morton family, playing grandad Wilf in 2007. He was a former criminal who was loyal to his family, and decided to fake his own death when his granddaughter wanted to join the police, so his past wouldn't affect her application. Rodney, from Swinley, started acting at Wigan Little Theatre and has appeared in many TV shows, including Early Doors, Casualty, The Bill, Emmerdale, All Creatures Great and Small and Juliet Bravo. Photo: Geoffrey Shryhane