Nikki Sanderson - IMDb IMDb Nikki Sanderson was born on March 28, 1984 in Bury, Lancashire, England. She is an actress, known for Hollyoaks (1995), Coronation Street (1960) and Boogeyman 3 (2008). See full bio » Born: CORONATION ST. 1960-2010 - Mirror Online CORONATION ST. 1960-2010 From babes to baddies, hot pots to barmpots, we celebrate the 50th year of nation's No1 soap Share Get soaps updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email WHY CORRIE IS STREETS AHEAD It was panned by critics and not expected to last 13 episodes - but today Jon Wise tells how we are still enthralled by UK's longest-running soap Coronation Street is one of Britain's best-loved TV shows, regularly watched by millions of viewers each week hungry to know the latest goings-on of the Weatherfield residents.

But when the show was launched on December 9, 1960 it was panned by critics and only commissioned for 13 episodes. The audience thought differently and was instantly drawn to the show - which for the first time in TV drama showed working-class life in cobbled terrace streets that millions of viewers could relate to. Corrie, as it is now affectionately known, was created by Tony Warren and claims the title of the longestrunning soap opera on British television. The down-to-earth Northern setting was based on Archie Street in Ordsall, an area of Salford, Lancs, that has long been demolished. Archie Street appeared in the programme's original opening credits. There is an Archie Street in Salford today, but not on the site of the original which stood near St Clement's Church, Ordsall. The Rovers Return is Britain's oldest soap pub, opening in December 1960 followed by Emmerdale's Woolpack in October 1972 and EastEnders' Queen Victoria in February 1985. The Rovers occupies the corner of Coronation Street and Rosamund Street.

Since the first episode it has been the principal setting in the show and many of the soap's most memorable moments have occurred there. It was originally owned by the fictional brewery Newton & Ridley but has been a "free house" since 1996, though the brewery continues to supply the pub. From the first airing until March 3, 1961, the Street was broadcast twice a week on a Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm. During this period, the Friday episode was broadcast live, with the Wednesday episode being pre-recorded 15 minutes later. After that it moved to Monday and Wednesday with the last regular live episode on February 3, 1961. The original cast focused on Ena Sharples (Violet Carson), Elsie Tanner (Patricia Phoenix) and Annie Walker (Doris Speed) as central figures.

These three women remained with the show for 20 years or more and became archetypes of British soap opera, with Ena as the street's busybody battleaxe and self-proclaimed moral voice, Elsie as the tart with a heart who was constantly hurt by men in her search for true love, and Annie Walker, landlady of the Rovers Return Inn, who had delusions of grandeur and saw herself as better than other residents. The show became known for the portrayal of strong female characters with Ena, Annie and Elsie, plus Hilda Ogden , becoming household names in the 1960s followed by Betty Turpin and Bet Lynch. The early episodes also told the story of student Kenneth Barlow - the only cast member from those days still in the show - who had won a place at university but found his background an embarrassment. One of his lines was: "You can't go on just thinking about your own street these days. We're living with people on the other side of the world. There's more to worry about than Elsie Tanner and her boyfriends." In March 1961, Coronation Street reached No.1 in the ratings and stayed there for the rest of the year.

By 1964 the programme - as it was known before the word "soap" became fashionable - had 20 million regular viewers. In 1984 the episode in which Stan Ogden died was watched by 28.5 million people and average episodes would regularly top 20 million. Transmitted in black and white for most of the 1960s, preparations were made to film episode 923 (Wednesday October 29, 1969), which featured residents on a coach trip to the Lake District, in colour. But suitable colour film could not be found and the episode was made in black and white. The following episode on Monday November 3 was videotaped in colour but had black-and-white film inserts. ITV began full colour transmissions on November 15, 1969. The show's brass-band theme music was written by Eric Spear. Corrie is currently shown in five episodes, three nights a week. Production at the Granada Studios in Manchester ground to a halt for the first time in the show's history last week when filming was stopped due to snow.

The working title initially Florizel lady called Agnes Ena Sharples, who lived through two world wars, would have had something to say about that. Images From Page One: (From top left) Alf Roberts and Rita Fairclough in 1985; Ena Sharples and Pat Phoenix clash in the 60s; Bet Lynch, Hilda Ogden and Vera Duckworth take part in Corrie's Olympics in 1984; View of The Street in 2007; Kevin Webster and Molly Dobbs get up close and personal; Prince Charles pays a visit on the Street's 40th anniversary in 2000; Danny Baldwin catches Jack Duckworth in drag in 2004; Sean Tulley comforts Violet Carson in the Rovers when she goes into labour in 2008 and Mike Baldwin takes a swing at Ken Barlow in 1990. GAIL VOWED I DO, I DO, I DO... by Jon Wise GAIL Platt has been entertaining the nation for an amazing 35 years with her turbulent love life and dysfunctional family.

Helen Worth, 58, who plays serial bride Gail, is one of the show's longest serving cast members. She has kept fans glued to the screen as Gail's track record with men runs as smoothly as a faulty beer pump in the Rovers Return. But good old Gail remains ever the optimist. Millions tuned in on Friday night to see the mum-of-three wed her fourth husband Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale, 50). "She's doing very well," said Helen. "Gail doesn't see it as bad luck - she just sees it as her life. She meets a man who she thinks will fulfil all her dreams - and these men keep appearing." But 2010 is set to bring more heartache for Gail as Joe battles to save himself from financial ruin. The kitchen fitter panics after loan sharks threaten to hurt his daughter if he does not pay up. He plots to go missing while on a boating holiday with Gail so she can claim on his life insurance. But Joe's scheme goes horribly wrong as he prepares to leap from his boat. A gust of wind catches the sail boom which knocks him unconscious into the water.

It's the fifth time that unlucky-in-love Gail has walked up the aisle. She married mechanic Brian Tilsley (Christopher Quinten, 52) in 1979. They split up but wed again in 1988. After Brian died, Gail tied the knot with toyboy Martin Platt (Sean Wilson, 44). They divorced after he had an affair with a nurse. Gail's next marriage was to psycho Richard Hillman (Brian Capron, 62). He ended up trying to kill her. There's bound to more drama ahead. Corrie Great characters and stories from first 20 years 1960 On December 9, the first episode of Corrie is broadcast live. 1961Elsie Tanner receives a poison pen letter during her affair with a married man. 1964 Martha Longhurst (actress Lynne Carol) becomes the first cast member to be written out after she dies of a heart attack in the Snug of the Rovers Return. 1965 Valerie Barlow gives birth to twins, Susan and Peter Barlow. They are nearly killed when a piece of coal falls from the Barlows' fireplace and starts a blaze.

1967 A goods train derails from the top of the viaduct on Viaduct Street, crashing into Coronation Street. 1969 A coach crash leaves several residents injured and the driver dead. 1971 Valerie Barlow is electrocuted and killed by a faulty hairdryer. 1974 Factory girl Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) first appears on the Street and teams up with Ivy Tilsley (Lynne Perrie) to threaten strike action. 1976 Ladies' man Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs) makes his debut as the new warehouse boss and soon forges an alliance with Ernie Bishop (Stephen Hancock). FUN? YOU BET Julie tells of her fantastic 30 years as the brassiest landlady in soapland With her enormous beehive, leopardprint outfits and obligatory cigarette holder, Bet Lynch was THE face of Corrie. And for Julie Goodyear, who played the legendary brassy landlady for an impressive 25-years, Coronation Street will always be a home from home. The star yearned to appear in the hit show from the moment she saw the first episode in 1960.

And now, 50 years on, she still believes that her beloved Weatherfield is one of the most extraordinary shows on British TV. She told The People: "It's testament to the writers, cast and crew that it is still going on five decades later. Coronation Street provides such fantastic drama, but also brilliant comedy. Let's face it, we all need a good laugh and with the recession viewers need it more than ever. "I was desperate to be in it from the very beginning. I even went and cleaned toilets for a year so I could earn a part, and 50 years later I still think it is an incredible piece of television." Julie, 67, left the Street in 1995 after almost 30 years but still remembers her first days on the Manchesterbased set with fondness. "I was terrified as all hell," TEAM: Bet and she laughed in that hearty, gravel laugh that is instantly recognisable. "Why wouldn't I be? Think about it, it was the biggest show on TV and there I was. I had watched the first show in 1960 and just knew I had to be in it. "I had never had any experience.

I'd been working as a secretary and had done some modelling and extra work when I landed a role in 1966 for six weeks. We all had to call the older actresses Miss, so Pat Phoenix was Miss Phoenix, and it was Miss Carson and Miss Speed. hubby Alec Gilroy "The thing was in those days, you weren't accepted until you had earned your stripes. When I got to the end of my six weeks I wasn't invited back because in those days you had to have worked in the business before you were accepted. You couldn't just walk in to a role. "I was absolutely mortified and I remember getting on the No.4 bus back home and being completely crushed." But determined Julie was adamant she would not be beaten and landed a job as assistant stage manager at the Oldham Rep theatre to gain the experience needed to be accepted. She said: "I went there and I cleaned the gents' toilets for a year. If I was really lucky then I got to mop the stage. The cast at the time working there included Barbara Knox who went on to play Rita and Roy Barraclough who played Alec Gilroy.

"I was completely in awe of all these trained actors." After 12 months, Julie quit and went knocking on Granada's door for a plum Corrie role. "I said, 'I'm back' and they said 'Who are you'," she said. "I couldn't believe it. I was devastated. Then they told me they had nothing for me so I went back to workimng as an extra and landed small parts in some TV shows. Jumping "Four years later, when I was working on Family At War, the director asked me if I was interested in becoming a regular on Corrie. I said no because I thought they were taking the mick and got back on my No.4 bus and went home again. "Little did I know that the director was going on to be the producer at Corrie and so she got back in touch and asked me to go in. I was jumping about the house. It was only a sixmonth contract and I remember my dad just said, 'Put the kettle on'. He didn't think it would last. "I was paid £50 an episode for six years - that was a lot to me, I can tell you.

"Being in Corrie lived up to all my hopes and dreams in every way possible. It was an incredible place to work. And I got to travel the world representing Corrie - I went to Australia, New Zealand and Canada to name a few. "But back when I started, I wasn't one of the greats of the Street, I was the new girl working with the greats. I learnt from them, I really learnt a lot from Pat Phoenix. "I remember after being there a year, Doris Speed who played Annie Walker invited me to her dressing room. I had never been allowed in before and I thought I was getting a telling off. "I knocked on her door and she called me in and told me to sit down. She said to me, 'I have made a decision. I have decided that you may call me Doris.' I said, 'Thank you Miss Speed,' and she said, 'No Doris from now on. Now you may go'. "I was that excited that I called my mum. She told me not to get too carried away, but I finally felt like I had been accepted. "I did a lot of research to make Bet into who she was. I really researched the look.

These days leopard skin is used by the likes of Dolce & Gabbana but back then it was a bit tarty." Over the years, Julie witnessed a number of changes that the cast and crew had to overcome. "It really was like a family," she said. "A lot of the cast and crew stayed a long time. I remember one of the biggest changes being switching from black and white to colour. It was a huge thing. In "When it first happened we were told that the set we had looked far too glamourous in colour so we had to tone it down. The whole thing had to be repainted and made to look a bit duller. "Also over they years they added more and more episodes and that affected the way we worked. It meant that rehearsal time became less and less and the filming schedules all had to be speeded up. "These days, with five episodes, there is no rehearsal time at all. I couldn't do that and I have nothing but admiration for the cast at the moment." Julie was embroiled in a number of high-profile storylines. At first, Bet worked under Rovers Return landlady Annie Walker, whom she clashed with regularly.

Annie fashioned herself as refined and posh, and Bet liked to dress in provocative clothing which Annie thought tarty. After nearly two decades in search of the right man, Bet married Alec Gilroy in 1987, but even the wedding day was fraught with tension as the two famously shared sarcastic banter in front of the vicar. According to Julie, the drama unfolded off-screen the night before the wedding as hundreds of fans camped outside the church and chanted "Don't do it, don't do it." Laughing Bet became pregnant but had a miscarriage. Bet and Alec ran the Rovers and were married until 1992, when he left Weatherfield to manage entertainment acts for a cruise liner. Bet couldn't leave the Street and instead separated from Alec. "I can't pick a favourite scene," she smiled. "I just loved every minute of my time there. I was always terrible at bed scenes. One time I had to get into bed with Betty Williams because we were both looking after the pub. We both just kept laughing. "I had one more bed scene with Alec and again we just laughed the whole way through.

After that they never wrote another bed scene for me." Julie refused to rule out a comeback to the show, if Corrie bosses asked her. In 2003 she made a brief return in a special storyline set in Blackpool, when she helped Jim McDonald escape jail. "I loved doing that one-off but know I would find the way they film now very hard," she sighed. "Coronation Street is a fantastic part of our history and we owe that all to creator Tony Warren. He is a genius, a complete genius.

"And I am just lucky to have been able to be there for half of their lifetime." Interview: JON WISE PERFECT 10 FOR STREET BARMAIDS Betty Turpin (Betty Driver 1969-now) Longest serving member of Rovers Return Raquel Wolstenhulme (Sarah Lancashire 1992-96) Dim but pulled in the blokes Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay 2001-06) Ended up as landlady Beverley Unwin (Susie Blake 2003-2006) Fell in love with landlord Gloria Todd (Sue Jenkins 1985-88) Bet Lynch's bridesmaid Tanya Pooley (Eva Pope 1994) Ran off with Bet's boyfriend Suzie Birchall (Cheryl Murray 1977-83) Evicted by Elsie Tanner Liz McDonald (Bev Callard 1989-2000) Always worked in pubs, now landlady Natalie Barnes (Denise Welch 1997-2000) Bought pub then sold it Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly 2008-10)

 The 50th barmaid behind the Rovers' bar.

Corrie 1980Renee Roberts (played by Madge Hindle) dies when a lorry hits her car while husband Alf (Bryan Mosley) is giving her a driving lesson. 1984 Stan Ogden actor Bernard Youens dies off-screen in hospital and Albert Tatlock star Jack Howarth dies of old age. 1986 A fuse box in The Rovers explodes and fire destroys the pub. 1990 Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride) chucks Ken into the street after he admits a three-month affair with secretary Wendy Crozier (Roberta Kerr). 1993 Lisa Duckworth (Caroline Milmoe) is killed by a passing car outside the Rovers. 1994 Deirdre marries Samir Rachid (Al Nedjari). 1998 Anne Malone (Eve Steele) freezes to death after being accidentally locked in a store freezer at Firman's. She was plotting a smear campaign at Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy). 1998 Deirdre is wrongfully banged up for 18 months for fraud after being duped by con-man Jon Lindsay. She is freed three weeks later.

THE BAD BOYS THE BABES Coronation Street has been plagued with enough baddies to keep Strangeways prison in business for years. From murderers to blackmailers, from extortionists to adulterers, the Weatherfield inhabitants have rarely escaped being terrorised by a rogue resident. Here's a look at the top four baddies over the show's 50-year history. Alan Bradley (played by Mark Eden, 81) 1986-1989 He was one of the most famous villains of the cobbles, first appearing in 1986 when he started up a romance with Rita Fairclough. He knew that Rita had come into an inheritance and owned her own business, but at first it seemed that he was genuinely in love with her. Love-rat Bradley left the Kabin owner for another woman but she coaxed him back to live with her, unaware he had stolen the deeds to her house and impersonated her dead husband Len Fairclough to get a mortgage to support his small business. In 1989, when Rita discovered Bradley's deception, he tried to kill her.

After he walked free from court he started a campaign of terror against Rita who had a breakdown and left the Street for Blackpool, having lost her memory. Many residents thought Bradley had murdered her and he became the object of widespread hatred and suspicion. Bradley famously met his end in 1989 after being hit and killed by a Blackpool tram while chasing a distressed Rita across the road. Jon Lindsay (played by Owen Aaronovitch, 53) 1997-1998 Despicable Lindsay turned Deirdre Rachid's life upside down with his deceptive ways, landing her in jail on charges of fraud. Joining the Street in 1997, Lindsay was charming, intelligent and handsome and with excellent career prospects as an airline pilot. He met Deirdre at a fateful encounter at a Weatherfield singles night in The Warwick Hotel in May of that year and by August she had moved into his expensive house. Suspicion was aroused when Ken Barlow went to Manchester Airport and he spied Lindsay working in a tie shop. Blinded by love, Deirdre forgave him and they made a fresh start by moving into a luxury house.

Unknowingly to Deirdre, Jon was just a con man who stole another man's identity so he could obtain credit cards to keep them in the lifestyle they became accustomed to. The rot began to set in after Christmas when Deirdre not only discovered Jon had a wife and kids, but he was also living with his wife. Deirdre threw Jon out and began to recover the money she lent Jon by drawing out £500 at a time. When her card is refused, Deirdre went to the bank to enquire, and she found herself under arrest for fraud, along with Jon. She was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to 18 months in jail. Jon got a suspended sentence. Richard Hillman (played by Brian Capron, 62) 2001-2003 Hillman, dubbed "Killman" Hillman has been branded one of the best soap villains of all time after turning from fraudster to serial killer during his time on the Street. The smooth-talking financial adviser knew how to make a killing -and not just when it came to business.

He murdered three Street residents and attempted to kill several others, including his own wife, two stepchildren, and step-granddaughter before drowning in a cold and murky canal. Richard made his first appearance when he attended Alma Baldwin's funeral in summer 2001, claiming to be her cousin and quickly started a romance with Gail Platt. During his reign of terror, Hillman bumped three souls off the Corrie cobbles -Duggie Ferguson, Patricia Hillman and Maxine Peacock. He tried to bump off the Platt family by driving them into a canal. The family escaped - he didn't. Tony Gordon (played by Gray O'Brien, 41) 2007-2009 The latest horror to hit those famous cobbles came in the shape of Tony Gordon. Tony arranged Liam Connor's murder after he discovered he'd been having an affair with his wife-to-be Carla. After his death, Tony and Liam's ex-wife Maria started a relationship. But he was still married to Carla, despite her filing for divorce.

Carla discovered the truth about the fate of her late brother-in-law - and former lover - last year, not long after Tony had tried to kill Jed Stone in Underworld and fled for America. On her return she demanded Tony hand over the keys for the factory and left town for good. He, however, had other ideas and arranged for her to be killed by his trusty henchman Jimmy Dockerson. Carla escaped and Tony has a heart attack, and confesses his evil ways to Roy Cropper from his hospital bed. Rosie Webster (played by Helen Flanagan, 20) 1990-present Rosie Webster has emerged as the sauciest soap siren Weatherfield has seen in years. In 2007 she was transformed with her appearance becoming more glamorous and her behaviour more manipulative and troublesome. She has seduced her teacher John Stape, who was so infatuated he ended up kidnapping her. She also bedded factory boss Luke Strong. After he finished with her, she stripped to her lacy underwear in the street to show him what he was missing.

In real life Helen, who took over the role in 2000, recently split with live-in boyfriend Danny Scott, 22. She said of her slinky outfits: "I like to look sexy, but not tarty. Luckily, I do pretty well as Rosie - she's a glamorous girl, so it's all pencil skirts and a lot of low-cut tops. I don't want people looking at my boobs or want to be known for my boobs, but Corrie is a family show so thankfully they never go too far ." The babes of Weatherfield have been raising the temperatures on the cobbles quicker than one of Betty's steaming hotpots. When it comes to the stunners that have graced the Street there's no need for the Newton & Ridley beer goggles to chat them up - this lot are drop-dead gorgeous. From saucy hairdresser Maxine Peacock to brunette beauty Rosie Webster, Corrie bosses have always had an eye for the ladies. Stowe Nikki Sanderson, 25) 1999-2005. Corrie crimper Candice Stowe was Sarah Lou's best friend.

During her time on the show, Candice dated Todd Grimshaw, his brother Jason and Warren Baldwin. Todd broke up with her after discovering that she had slept with Jason. She also had an extremely brief fling with Nick Tilsley who dumped her for Maria. Candice also dated Adam Barlow, Warren's uncle but later dumped him via text message as she left the series in late 2005 when Status Quo offered her a job as a stylist. Since leaving the show Nikki has appeared in Holby City, New Street Law and Strictly Confidential. In 2008 she joined the cast of the ITV1 series Heartbeat, set in the 1960s, to play the part of Dawn Bellamy. Maxine Peacock (played by Tracy Shaw, 36) 1995-2003 Tracy joined the Street as minx Maxine in 1995 and made her way around the Weatherfield men - bedding Steve McDonald, Curly Watts and Ashley Peacock. She met her grisly end at the hands of Richard Hillman who beat her to death with a crowbar.

Tracy was paid £95,000 a year to play Maxine, but quit the soap after her demands for a 30 per cent pay rise and six weeks off to promote an exercise video were turned down. During her time in Corrie, Tracy was regularly voted one of the sexiest women on the box and in May 1996 she was presented with the Rear of the Year title. She had a series of high-profile romances, including engagement to Darren Day, and married TV producer Robert Ashworth in June 200, which ended in divorce in 2004. Tracy set up home with and subsequently became engaged to childhood friend Ashley Poundall. The couple currently live in Caversham, Berkshire and have two sons Louis, four, and Luca, three. Tracy plans to return to stage or screen when the children are a little older.

Sarah Louise-Grimshaw (played by Tina O'Brien, 26) 1999-2007 Tina was third actress to take on the role of Gail and Martin Platt's daughter - replacing Lyndsey King, who had played the character from 1987, as a baby, until she was12, sharing it with her twin sister, Leah. When it came to men, Sarah was very unlucky. In February 2000, just after her 13th birthday, she found out she was pregnant. Her daughter Bethany was born four months later. The father, Neil Ferns, had no interest in Bethany and was always an "absent father" until his death in 2003. Off screen, Tina fell in love with Ryan Thomas who played her on-screen husband Jason Grimshaw - and the pair had a baby, Scarlett Jacqueline, in October 2008. It was announced on 8 November 2009, that Tina and Thomas had split up after a series of rows. Tina has twice been voted into the annual FHM Top 100 Sexiest Women in the World.

In 2005 she was voted 28th. In 2006 she was voted 53rd. Corrie Births and deaths all the way to the present day 2000 Sarah-Louise Platt (Tina O'Brien), aged 13, finds out she is five months pregnant. 2000 Ken Barlow, Fred Elliot (John Savident) and Mike Baldwin are held hostage at Frescho's supermarket by Dean Sykes. He's later shot. 2001 Les Battersby's stepdaughter Toyah (Georgia Taylor) is raped. 2001 Ken's daughter Susan (Joanna Foster) is killed in a car accident. 2003 Sarah-Lou's fiancé Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) kisses Nick Tilsley (Adam Rickitt). 2005 Katy Harris (Lucy-Jo Hudson) beats dad Tommy(Thomas Craig) to death with a wrench after he splits up her relationship with Martin Platt. 2005 Craig Harris (Richard Fleeshman) and Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan) have underage sex and are caught by Rosie's mum Sally (Sally Whittaker).

2006 Mike Baldwin dies in the arms of his nemesis Ken after suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. 2007 Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward) is killed by ex-lover Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford). She is jailed for life. 2008 Vera Duckworth dies at home after 50 years of marriage to Jack. 2009 Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien) confesses to having Liam Connor (Rob James-Collier) murdered. He also admits trying to drown Roy Cropper (David Neilson). Corrie has given us some of the most talked about, best-loved and emotional storylines of the last half a century. Everyone has their favourite moment and we want to know YOURS. It could be your most memorable marriage, birth, death or divorce or just a scene that made you laugh till you cried. Write in to The People Corrie Moments, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AP or email features@people.co.uk QUALITY STREET Coronation Street has launched the career of more soap stars than the knicker-factory has seen bust-ups, but it has also attracted a host of other famous faces.

From rock stars to royalty and from movie stars to comedy heroes, the studios have welcomed some of Britain's biggest names. Here's a look back at celebs who appeared in the show. Sir Ian McKellen 2005, Mel Hutchwright Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts, said: "Sir Ian McKellen, a total, total love, I'm sorry to have to say, he knows it, I told him. Actually, he was supposed to be a bit naughty and a bit of a conman, but actually it was wonderful, I fell deeply in love with Sir Ian McKellen, much good will that do me." Patrick Stewart 1967, he played the role of a fire officer. He said: "It was my first television appearance, I didn't even own a set. I was a working class boy from Yorkshire, the stars of Coronation Street were, to us, as remote and celebrated and spectacular as those in Hollywood might seem today.

So for me to appear on it signified to my family and friends I had made it." Andrew Sachs Ramsay Clegg, 2009 with half brother Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) Peter Kay 1996-2004, Eric Gartside, three episodes PEOPLE WHO APPEARED BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS Spice Girl Mel B had a part working in Curly Watts' supermarket. "I used to work with Curly in the supermarket a lot. I'd nick the chocolate." Kathy Staff (1973-1975, Vera Hopkins) Tim Healy (1976-2006, Brian Tully, 8 episodes) Zoe Lucker (1996, Sonia Leach) Pete Postlethwaite (1981, Detective Sergeant Cross) Sir Ben Kingsley (1966-67 Ron Jenkins) Alfred Hitchcock As a longstanding friend of Sidney Bernstein, Alfred Hitchcock was the first celebrity visitor to the set of Coronation Street in the early 1960s, during a visit to the Manchester studios of Granada Television which Bernstein co-founded with his brother Cecil.

Davy Jones Singer with the Monkees 1961, Colin Lomax He said: "A lot of English people live in America and Canada, they're familiar with Coronation Street and they say, 'You were on Coronation Street? No you weren't'. That was my first taste of professional showbusiness." Bernard Manning 1971 as himself Max Wall 1978 Harry Payne Noddy Holder 2000 Stan Potter Maureen Lipman 2002 Lillian Spencer - replacing pub landlady Bet Gilroy for a few weeks when actress Julie Goodyear was taken ill. She said: "I based it on everybody I knew, you know, all my mother's friends. It was just very patronising." Keith Duffy Boyzone singer played Ciaran McCarthy 2002-2006, due to return this year "It was when I got my job in Corrie that my granny was happy and content.

She was like, 'Oh yes, that's my grandson.' All of a sudden I had a cool job." Norman Wisdom 2004, Ernie Crabb Bradley Walsh Status Quo's Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt 2005, themselves Rick said: "Bruce (groom Les Battersby, above with bride Cilla) sees us a lot and I said, 'Why don't you get us in your gig? I'd love to stand in the pub in the background.' Two years later they came back with a script. It was one of the most enjoyable weeks of my live." Rula Lenska 2009 Claudia Colby Nigel Havers 2009 Lewis Archer Like us on Facebook William Roache leads tributes to co-star Anne Kirkbride following her shock death | Daily Mail Online comments They were one of Coronation Street's best-loved pairings and William Roache has been left devastated by the death of his co-star Anne Kirkbride. After the shocking news was announced on Monday that Anne had passed away at the age of just 60, William, 82, paid an emotional tribute to the actress who played his on-screen wife.

William said in a statement: 'I feel Anne's loss so personally having worked closely with her for over 40 years. She was such a loving and vibrant person. You always knew she was there because her laugh was never far away. 'She was an impeccable performer with superb comedy timing and an immense gift for really heightened drama. 'We had some rows over the years as Ken and Deirdre and it was wonderful to play those scenes opposite her. Coronation Street has lost one of its iconic characters and Anne will be greatly missed.' Scroll down for video Tribute: William Roache was among the first to pay tribute to Anne Kirkbridge following her death at the age of just 60 from a 'short illness' In an interview on This Morning on Tuesday, he added: 'I remember when we would both go our different ways (in the show) but we'd always come back together. 'One of the writers said, "We always see Ken and Deirdre as a pair, whether they're together or not." We were sort of soulmates and we were like that off screen.

'I loved her dearly and she loved me, in the true and proper way and I respected her as an actress tremendously.' And William was not the only co-star to pay tribute to Anne, who reportedly died following a battle with cancer. On Monday night, fellow Coronation Street veteran Liz Dawn – who played Vera Duckworth in the soap for 34 years – paid tribute to the actress and said 'the heart of the show has been ripped out.' The 75-year-old told the Mirror : 'It's like the heart of the show has been ripped out because she was so well loved by the cast and crew and by the millions of viewers who watched it. 'She was so lovely and I feel so sad. I'm so shocked because she had previously beaten illness and she showed such courage and spirit. 'I didn't realise she was ill, it was such a shock to hear that another illness has come and taken her away at such a young age.' RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share A source told The Sun that Anne had suffered the disease again [she previously battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1993] – developing breast cancer which later spread to her brain.

But an ITV spokesman said the actress's family would not be commenting on her cause of death. Meanwhile, Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor, tweeted: '#RIP to a wonderful unforgettable lady.. Anne Kirkbride . We will miss you so very much x.' And Paula Lane ‏(Kylie Platt), added: 'Devastated to hear the news. Anne Kirkbride - RIP we have lost a legend.' Hollyoaks actress Nikki Sanderson, who used to play Candice Stowe on the ITV soap, wrote: 'My heart aches 2night.

My thoughts &prayers go out 2all who knew the phenomenal Anne Kirkbride, I am honoured 2have known & worked with u #RIP.' And Chris Bisson (who previously starred at Vikram Desai), tweeted: 'Such sad news about Anne Kirkbride.She was a wonderful person.She will be greatly missed by all #ripAnne.' Co-stars: Bill and Anne played twice-married Ken and Deirdre Barlow on the iconic soap Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone in Coronation Street, said: 'Rip Annie beautiful woman inside & out xxx #devastated #corriefamily.' Former Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan posted an emoticon of a broken heart, adding: 'So so sad. Devastating news. Love you Annie. The nation is now in mourning...' Beverley Callard, (Liz McDonald), tweeted: 'My beautiful darling friend, Anne Kirkbride, passed away in a room filled with love. God Bless, my Darling Girl!

Peace and rest!' Close: A devastated William said, 'I feel Anne's loss so personally having worked closely with her for over 40 years' Former Coronation Street star Gaynor Faye tweeted: 'Anne Kirkbride's smile & laugh always lit up the #Corrie green room...may it light up the sky as bright!' Andrew Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland in Coronation Street, tweeted: 'RIP Anne Kirkbride you will be missed so much #legend x' Adam Rickitt, who played Nick Tilsley, said: 'Just heard..so gutted. Annie..u were pure class..a smile always when needed and a hug always from the heart #ripannekirkbride #annekirkbride Les Dennis, who plays Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street, said: 'So very sad to hear our lovely Anne Kirkbride has died. One of the true icons of @itvcorrie. We will all miss you. The nations favourite' and Georgia May Foote tweeted: 'Im still in shock that Anne Kirkbride has passed away. This woman never failed to make me smile.

She will be missed.' And it wasn't just Coronation Street stars who paid tribute, with Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean in Eastenders, writing: 'I am saddened to hear of Anne Kirkbride's passing. I pray for her family and friends to have strength at this sad time... #ripAnneKirkbride'.

Her co-star Danielle Harold, who plays Lola in the BBC soap, tweeted: 'Such sad news about Anne kirkbride R.I.P to a true corrie legend.' Former X Factor winner Sam Bailey said: 'So sad to hear the news about Anne kirkbride x RIP honey xx heaven has gained another talented angel x.' Another X Factor winner, Shayne Ward, said: 'Very sad to hear of the death of Anne Kirkbride (Deirdre Barlow)..RIP xxxx.' Happy ever after (offscreen at least): Anne married David Beckett in 1992 after meeting on the set of Coronation Street Lowe-key couple: Anne and her real life husband David Beckett are rarely photographed together (seen here in 1990) Dead at 60: Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride has died aged 60 following a short illness, leaving her family, co-stars and fans devastated THE LIFE AND LOVES OF DEIRDRE BARLOW Anne Kirkbride made her first appearance in Coronation Street in 1972 when she was 18 as an extra and was given a full-time role two years later.

And while she went on to meet her beloved husband David Beckett on the show, there was an obstacle to overcome first as he was already in a relationship. She told the Sunday Mirror: 'When David and I met there was an instant attraction, but I didn't want to get involved with him.' Beckett briefly appeared on the enduring soap as Deidre's handyman boyfriend, Dave Barton, and after six months of fighting her feelings for the actor she soon realised it was inevitable that they would fall for each other behind the camera. She added: 'I never like talking about it ­because I'm conscious of his ex. It wasn't nice for her, but she was ­absolutely brilliant when it all ­happened and I still feel bad about it.' Love on-screen and off: Anne met her husband David Beckett when he played her boyfriend on Corrie While Anne went on to happiness, things weren't so simple for Deirdre Hunt, who first set her sights on Billy Walker, a man nearly 20 years her senior but he called off their planned wedding and left to run a wine bar in Jersey.

Viewers saw her go through four marriages, the first to Ray Langton in 1975, with whom she had her daughter Tracey. They split in 1978 after Deirdre couldn't forgive Ray for his affair with a waitress. First of four: Deirdre Hunt married her first husband, Ray Langton, in 1975 and they had one daughter together She moved on to Mike Baldwin before attempting to reconcile with Billy Walker (her ex-fiancé), but it wasn't long before she set her sights on Ken Barlow and they married in 1981. However, love didn't last and an affair with Baldwin in 1982 was a ratings winner, running in to 1983. The feud between the two men went on for more than 20 years and constantly divided viewers' opinions as to whether Deirdre should stay with Ken, or Mike. While they reconciled, Ken's affair led to a divorce in 1990 and after Anne took a break from the soap to recover from her non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, her character met toyboy Samir Rachid and wed him in 1994.

Second and last love: Deirdre married Ken Barlow in 1981 and again in 2005 Affair: Deirdre's affair with Mike Baldwin gripped audiences in 1982 and into the following year However, she was tragically widowed when Samir was attacked the day before he was due to donate a kidney to Tracy, who had suffered kidney failure after a drug overdose. A relationship with 'airline pilot' Jon Lindsay followed, but he was exposed as a liar by Ken, leading to the biggest storyline of Anne's career. He framed her for fraud and Deirdre was given a prison sentence of 18 months while Jon walks free. The British public started a campaign, to 'free the Weatherfield One' and Prime Minister Tony Blair even got involved. And a reunion for Ken and Deirdre followed in 1999. In 2001 she had a fling with her boss Dev Alahan before remarrying Ken in 2005. Amazingly while their first wedding coincided with Prince Charles' first to Princess Diana, their second was at the same time as his wedding to Camilla Parker-Bowles.

Despite Ken's fling in 2008 with theatre actress Martha, and numerous ups and downs, the couple remained married. Tragic: Her toyboy Samir Rachid died after being attacked and left Deirdre devastated All Saints singer Nicole Appleton tweeted: 'I can't believe Anne Kirkbride has passed away...SO sad..' and TV presenter Phillip Schofield said: 'Just checked my phone and have heard of the sad loss of the wonderful Anne Kirkbride. My deepest condolences to the #Corrie family x' Former footballer Stan Collymore tweeted that Kirkbride was 'part of the fabric of many lives for a long long time!' and presenter Kate Thornton tweeted: 'So, so sad to hear £annekirkbride has passed away. Thinking of her husband, family and friends x' Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring wrote: 'Such sad news about Anne Kirkbride ... We have lost a national treasure! Thoughts and prayers go out to her family.' Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale in Eastenders, tweeted: 'Such sad news about Anne Kirkbride.

My thoughts are with her family and all the Corrie cast and crew.' Tragic: Coronation Street's Anne Kirkbride (pictured last year) was known for playing Deirdre Barlow and tragically passed away on Mondy Beauty: Anne as Deirdre in 1973, shortly after she began playing the soap icon Famous: Anne Kirkbride was famous for her large spectacles and her husky voice – a result of her own chain smoking. She is pictured in 1973 (left) and behind bars after being jailed for fraud in the soap in the 1990s (right) Former Emmerdale star Adele Silva said: 'Such sad news about #AnneKirkbride #CoronationStreet RIP' Television presenter Lorraine Kelly tweeted: 'So very sad to hear of death of Anne Kirkbride - Thoughts with her husband and family and everyone who loved her. Corrie legend.' Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton said: 'I'm really shocked £AnneKirkbride, Deirdre Barlow has passed away. Such a tv legend, RIP x' And the tributes continued to pour in.

ITV confirmed Anne's death in a statement on Monday, saying: 'It is with great sadness that David Beckett has confirmed tonight that his beloved wife and Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride has passed away peacefully in a Manchester hospital after a short illness. 'David and the programme's cast and crew are heartbroken and deeply saddened at the loss of Anne who has been a Coronation Street icon for 44 years.' While cause of death was not confirmed in the statement, Anne was previously diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1993, but following successful treatment returned to the soap within 12 months. Speaking in 2001, Anne revealed the diagnosis brought in its wake a lengthy battle with depression that made her life 'unbearable' over the years that followed. 'I just wanted to die because you just don't want to go on living feeling like that,' she recalled. 'But you're frightened that if you die you might still feel like that on the other side. There's no escape.

Love triangle: Coronation Street actors William Roache (left), Ken Barlow and Johnny Briggs (right), Mike Baldwin, with Anne (centre), pictured together in May 1983 Affair: Mike was one of the many men Deirdre was involved with, even cheating on Ken to be with him 'It was worse than the cancer in a way because that was going to be over. I knew it was bad but I knew at the end I was going to get better. But this… was just so frightening.' Meanwhile, following her death, Executive Producer Kieran Roberts added: 'There are no words to describe the sense of grief we feel at Anne's passing. We know only too acutely how much Anne meant to the millions of people who watched her create the legendary character of Deirdre Barlow. 'She will be greatly missed by the Coronation Street team who share happy memories of working with her. We feel blessed and honoured to have known her.

Our thoughts are with David and their family.' Famous specs: Anne's character Deirdre was known for her massive spectacles which she wore for years Famous faces: The Duchess of Cornwall famously paid a visit to Coronation Street's Rovers Return in 2010 Troubled relationship: Deirdre had a famously rocky relationship with her daughter Tracey ITV Director of Television Peter Fincham echoed Kieran's thoughts, saying: 'Anne has been a truly loyal servant to Coronation Street since joining the programme in the early 1970s. She created a unique and unforgettable character in Deirdre Barlow and she'll be greatly missed on and off screen. Our sincerest condolences to Anne's husband David and her family at this very sad time.' Coronation Street's creator Tony Warren said: 'Anne was very easy to love. Her talent over the years made a massive contribution to Coronation Street.' Anne is survived by her husband, David, her brother John, and his family. She was supposed to make her long awaited return to the ITV soap this month but it was revealed just a few days ago that she was considering quitting the role that had made her famous.

The actress was originally granted an eight-week break from the show back in September, however, after enjoying some time off she then requested a further three months additional leave while she dealt with 'personal issues'. Eventful: Deirdre Rachid (Anne Kirkbride) in a Coronation Street courtroom scene in 1998 where she was found guilty of fraud and imprisoned

Question: Which actress, who played the part of Candice Stowe in "Coronation St.", joined the cast of "Heartbeat" in 2008, where she plays the part of Dawn Bellamy?
Answer: NIKKI SANDERSON