IT’S the British Soap Awards tomorrow night – and I’ll be backstage to report what happens.
Coronation Street’s Michelle Keegan is nominated as Best Newcomer, fully deserved even after just a few months on screen.
Teen rebel Tina McIntyre, played by Michelle, reminds many of a young Suranne Jones as Karen McDonald.
I spoke to Michelle earlier this week for a pre-awards feature in today’s MEN.
The online version is here.
It’s always refreshing to talk to young actors at the start of their careers.
As you’ll read in the TV feature, Salford-born actress Michelle didn’t know where to sit when she first went into the Green Room.
Rather sweetly, she even thought she had to ask to go to the toilet during her first photoshoot.

And didn’t know what to do when first asked for her autograph.
As usual, there was a lot of material I couldn’t squeeze into the feature.

Lifelong Corrie fan Michelle, 20, said she had always liked the characters of Gail and Audrey.
So having been plucked from her job at the make-up counter at Selfridges to play Tina, it was a bit of a shock to find herself in scenes with them both.
“It was a bit overwhelming at first working with Helen Worth (Gail), because I grew up with Coronation Street and she’s been one of the main characters for over 30 years.
“So it was very daunting – but she took me under her wing. I really like the relationship between Tina and Gail.
“Tina is nothing like me. She’s very confrontational, very opinionated. She’s just a typical 17-year-old girl, really.
“She’s a bit of a daddy’s girl and doesn’t get on with her mum.”
Michelle confirmed that being in the show had ruined it for her as a viewer.
“Now I’ve seen the set, I know how it works. The magic’s gone in terms of watching it as a viewer. It’s very strange.”
Having only been on screen since the start of this year, she also said she planned to stay on the cobbles for as long as she was wanted.
“Yes, if that’s possible – who knows where I’ll be in the future.”
Well, let’s hope it’s Weatherfield for some time to come.
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