Jodie Prenger has joined the cast of Coronation Street. The 43-year-old actress is perhaps best-known for her appearances on the BBC's I'd Do Anything in 2008, which led to a prosperous career in the West End. Her role in Corrie will mark the actress' first time in a soap.
The actress and singer will arrive on the cobbles in August and play Glenda, the sister of undertaker George Shuttleworth, played by Benidorm's Tony Madeley. In recent episodes, George has been struggling after childhood bully Frank Bardsley turned up in Weatherfield. Jodie will begin filming on the soap on Monday, June 20.
Following her casting, Coronation Street boss Iain MacLeod said: "Glenda sails in fresh from the cruise ships with a whiff of the exotic, quickly making best friends and enemies in equal measure." Jodie, who is no stranger to working behind a bar as Nancy in Oliver, will begin working at the Rovers Return in the soap.
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The producer added that "the character is loads of fun and has echoes of classic Coronation Street females of old. Jodie is a fabulous talent and we are all very excited to have her aboard. She has felt very Corrie since the moment she stepped onto set and I think the viewers will love her".
Meanwhile, Jodie herself, said of her new role: "I know I sound like a soppy sod, but it’s been on my bucket list to be in Coronation Street since I was little. It’s an honour, it truly is a very special moment in my life. To be part of something my family and I have loved for so long. And what a character, oh I have to say, total dream part. I can’t wait for you all to meet fun and sassy Glenda, George Shuttleworth’s sister."
Jodie, who is an avid fan of Coronation Street, found fame when she won I'd Do Anything in 2008 and subsequently appeared as Nancy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Oliver. She has had a hugely successful theatre career and played Miss Hannigan in Annie the Musical and also appeared in One Man Two Guvnors at the Haymarket Theatre in London.
Jodie also took on the title role in the UK theatre tour of Shirley Valentine and more recently played the lead role of Kelly in the world premiere of Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends the musical. She also starred as Helen in the National Theatre Production of A Taste of Honey, a performance inspired by watching early episodes of Coronation Street.
Jodie's first scenes as Glenda are set to air in August
