Claire Sweeney makes her Coronation Street debut as Cassie Plummer tonight (Wednesday June 28). The thought-dead daughter of Evelyn, Cassie is sure to set the cat amongst the pigeon when she arrives in town.
Drug addict Cassie looks very different to actress Claire, who plays her. The former Brookside star underwent a major transformation to get into character. She even revealed it was “traumatic” having her nails and lashes taken off!
So who is glamorous Claire in real life? Here’s the lowdown on the Corrie newcomer.
Who plays Evelyn’s daughter Cassie in Coronation Street?
Claire Sweeney is joining the cast of Corrie as Cassie Plummer. Cassie is the daughter of Evelyn and mother of Tyrone.
The only problem stopping the happy family reunion? Evelyn has told Tyrone his mum is dead.
The lie goes that Cassie gave birth to Ty and Evelyn knew she couldn’t cope with him due to her drug addiction. Evelyn abandoned Tyrone at a police station where Jackie Dobbs found him and brought him up as her own.
Evelyn and Ty were reunited some years ago, with Evelyn telling Tyrone Cassie had died thanks to her addiction. But Cassie is alive and well – and in touch with her mum!
When Cassie turns up unannounced on the cobbles and is rushed to hospital, Evelyn feels her lies spiralling out of control. How will Ty feel when he finds out the truth?
Who did Claire Sweeney play in Brookside?
Actress and singer Claire is from Liverpool. She is 52 years old. Her first major TV role was in Brookside as Lindsey Corkhill.
She joined the soap in 1991 as a recurring character and then had a full-time lead role from 1995 until the soap’s demise in 2003. She was part of the Corkhill family, daughter of show legends Jimmy and Jackie.
Lindsey’s storylines included being involved in an organised crime syndicate, drug smuggling and her relationship with Barry Grant.
After Brookside ended, Claire’s career went from strength to strength. She was in the first series of Celebrity Big Brother and also began a glittering West End career. She starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
Claire became a regular panellest on Loose Women from 2003 until 2005, and also appeared in the first ever series of Strictly Come Dancing. She made it to week five.
As well as other stage roles, she turned presenter and hosted shows including 60 Minute Makeover, I’m Famous and Frightened! and Chef v Britain alongside Gino D’Acampo.
Other acting roles include playing Hayley in BBC comedy Scarborough alongside former Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley, and Amanda in BBC sitcom Candy Cabs.
Claire’s connection to Patrick Swayze
Claire’s theatre career saw her appear in not only Chicago, but also Educating Rita, Legally Blonde: The Musical, and various pantomime productions.
In 2006 she played Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre in London before touring the country in the same role. She starred alongside Hollywood legend Patrick Swayze in the show!
In 2021, Claire told Metro, she had no idea the level of fame Patrick had: “’”
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