Coronation Street Stars Shine on Strictly Come Dancing
The worlds of soap opera drama and glitzy dance competitions collided when several beloved Coronation Street stars decided to step out of Weatherfield and onto the Strictly Come Dancing stage.
The stars showcased their talents outside the cobbled streets for fans, from impressive performances to unexpected eliminations.
Ellie Leach: A Star on Both Cobbles and Dance Floor
Leach is best-known for starring in Coronation Street, with the actress having recently left the ITV soap after starring as Faye Windass for 12 years.
Leach had numerous hard-hitting storylines during her long stint on the cobbles, and was nominated for multiple awards for her performances.
Leach burst onto the dance floor in week 2 of the current season, performing a Foxtrot to Perfect by Fairground Attraction alongside her partner Vito Coppola, and scoring a whopping 31 points.
Katie McGlynn’s Glitterball Journey
In 2021, Katie and her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez took their shot at the Glitterball trophy.
Unfortunately, they didn’t last long, with Kate later admitting she “wasn’t a dancer” and they became the second couple to be eliminated from the BBC Dance show.
Katie expressed her sadness about leaving the competition but emphasized that they would remain friends.
Kym Marsh: Overcoming Challenges on the Dance Floor
In 2022, it was announced that Marsh would be competing on the twentieth series.
She faced a series of challenges after testing positive for Covid and taking a temporary break from the show.
Despite the hiccup, she was the tenth celebrity to be eliminated after losing the dance off to Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu.
Marsh also spoke out about coping with severe anxiety before she dances on Strictly, sharing her experiences with panic attacks.
Will Mellor’s Grueling Journey to the Semi-Final
Will Mellor made it all the way to the semi-final on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing alongside Nancy Xu.
Reflecting on his Strictly Come Dancing journey, former Coronation Street star Will Mellor admitted the competition was “the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
The actor took part in the Strictly tour and loved his experience on the BBC competition, although it was physically and mentally challenging for the soap star.
Tina O’Brien’s Tango on Strictly
Coronation Street star Tina O’Brien, known for her portrayal of Sarah Platt, became the fourth star to get the boot from Strictly after her Argentine tango failed to impress back in 2011.
She faced various challenges during her journey, including illness-related setbacks.
O’Brien’s elimination came in the fifth week of the show when she landed in the bottom two alongside Felicity Kendal.
Alexandra Mardell: Christmas Special Winner
Soap star Alexandra Mardell was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special back in 2022.
The actress, known for playing Emma Brooker in Coronation Street, lifted the silver star trophy with her dance partner Kai Widdrington following a show filled with festive-themed performances.
The pair impressed the judges and studio audience, scoring a perfect 40 with their quickstep to Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes.
Claire Sweeney: A New Face in Weatherfield and Strictly
Claire Sweeney made her debut in Coronation Street earlier this year, set for dramatic storylines involving Tyrone Dobbs and his grandmother Evelyn Plummer.
Claire plays a brand new character with a mysterious past, making her transition from her successful presenting career.
Claire also appeared on Series 1 of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with John Byrnes, showcasing her dancing skills, but the couple was eliminated in the competition.
