Coronation Street's Lou had very different appearance on ITV soap six years ago
Fans of Coronation Street may be surprised to know that Lou Michaelis actress Farrel Hegarty had actually been on the ITV soap before her latest role.
The actress has opened up on her looming exit from the cobbles, teasing what's ahead for the character. But she also revealed all about another character she played on the ITV soap around five or six years ago that fans may have forgotten about.
Lou is not the soap star's first soap role, and it certainly wasn't her first Cobbles visit. Back in 2019, Farrel played another character, a guest role, on the ITV soap.
Her character was a reporter who headed to the street in the wake of the Christmas shooting. With the siege leaving Robert Preston and the gunman dead and Shona Platt fighting for her life, residents were in turmoil.
The reporter, played by Farrel, headed to the cobbles with a camera crew to report outside The Rovers where Robert died. She ambushed his grieving partner Michelle Connor and her sons Ryan and Ali, wanting the scoop on the fatal incident of the night before.
Speaking of the role, Farrel told The Mirror and other press: "I played a reporter in 2019. Which I think someone dug up an image. I saw something that popped up and I thought: 'Oh, there I am!' It was in the Boxing Day episode of 2019. I think it was just 'reporter 1'!"
But Farrel revealed she also graced the famous cobbled street before this too, when she was just five years old. Revealing she met Corrie legend Barbara Knox who plays Rita, she said: "I got a picture of me and her when I was like five, when I came to the Corrie tour."
Farrel will soon bow out as Lou, while she knew from the start her time on the cobbles would once again be limited. She detailed on why she took on the short-term role: "I just think she really appealed to me because she's the sort of person who's never had it easy.
"She's built up a lot of coping mechanisms, where she's presenting a hard and feisty character with her walls up, and all she's ever known is these fiery relationships. And probably fiery relationships with a lot of people in her life, which is what makes a character like that so interesting.
"Because she's a force and irrational. I read scripts and I go: 'Oh God! What's she doing now? What's she saying now?' Because it's not a way that I would behave, and because of that, it's so much fun to play. It's that desperation to protect that inner circle and because of that, she makes a mess of things. But a character like that is so fun to play, because there's never a dull moment."
On playing Lou, she went on: "It's great to play that character. I'm so lucky to play a role like this. To be honest, I tend not to get cast as shrinking violets if I'm honest! I must have one of those faces! But she's brilliant to play.
"Some of her behaviour really makes me wince sometimes because I think she can be quite hot-headed, irrational and she speaks before she thinks and she protects her own, which gets her into trouble.
"She does have a massive heart for the people she loves and she has good qualities in that. But I think, to a lot of people it's loud, feisty and quite unreasonable at times."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Former Lioness goalkeeper details 'doubters' the women had before Euros win
EXCLUSIVE: ITV correspondent Katie Shanahan and Former Euros goalkeeper Carly gave an insight to what it was like just moments after the Lionesses made history once again at the EUROs 2025 The nation's nerves have barely recovered since the Lionesses' thrilling Euro 2025 win – and several members of the Royal Family were swept up in footy-fever too. Watching the England women's team conquer Spain in a nail-biting penalty shootout at the final in Basel, Switzerland, Prince William and Princess Charlotte were snapped covering their faces in despair, before clapping and punching the air in delight. After the brave Lionesses clinched a 3-1 victory from the penalty spot, the dad and daughter duo said in a joint Instagram post, 'What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe. We couldn't be prouder of the whole team.' Fittingly on such a night, it was the first time Charlotte, 10, had signed her full name on the family's official account. Ahead of the match, she and William, 43, also shared a sweet backstage snap captioned, 'Let's go, Lionesses!', echoing their video message from the team's previous 2022 Euro win. As the historic result sank in, William proudly handed out the medals to both teams, and was seen sharing a joke with young England striker Michelle Agyemang, 19, as well as hugging Chloe Kelly, 27, who coolly scored the winning penalty. William, who is President of the FA and an avid Aston Villa supporter, even got a little help with his medal duties from Charlotte, who looked adorable in a navy and white polka dot dress and white cardigan. Also in the stands at St Jakob‑Park Stadium were the Spanish royals and British PM Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria. Back home, King Charles, 76, got in on the action too, sending his heartfelt congratulations in a post-match statement: 'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home.' As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true.' He added, 'Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can.' On arrival back in the UK, the triumphant team headed to 10 Downing Street for a reception with Deputy PM Angela Rayner, and the following day came an open-top bus parade to Buckingham Palace. Some 65,000 fans turned out to watch the procession along The Mall, including Princess Beatrice, 37, and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 41, with their baby girl Athena and her three-year-old sister Sienna. During the team's on-stage celebrations, their jubilant Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, 55, danced with her favourite singer Burna Boy, while the players were interviewed by BBC presenter and former Lioness Alex Scott. 'This is unbelievable, probably one of the best things we've been a part of,' said captain Leah Williamson, 28. Meanwhile, Chloe Kelly quipped, 'Pressure, what pressure?' before dropping the F-bomb live on air as she described fans' incredible support. Apologising on social media later, she wrote, 'Oops, emotions got the better of me. Sorry for the F bomb. Love CK.' With the dust still settling on their momentous win, ITV correspondent Katie Shanahan was one of those who witnessed the highs and lows in Switzerland. 'It's been absolutely crazy out here. I still can't believe what the girls have achieved,' she tells OK!, from Basel airport, less than 24 hours after the match. Revealing what happened when the TV cameras stopped rolling, she says, 'It was amazing being with them after everyone had left the stadium. There was just me, a few camera crews and all their families. Some of the girls were doing handstands on the pitch, Lucy Bronze was kicking a ball around with her brother's children and Leah Williamson was passing the trophy around all the families. It was just magical.' Katie waved the team off as they left the stadium to party into the night, and adds, 'Everyone was handing around Heineken tinnies. Each player had up to 10 family members by their side, and they were just so happy.' The celebrations lasted until 4am, and she says, 'I'm sure there were some sore heads next morning!' After becoming ITV's official England women's football correspondent in 2023, Katie has got to know many of the Lionesses, including woman-of-the-hour Chloe Kelly. 'She's unbelievably composed and has nerves of steel,' says Katie. 'When I ask her, 'How do you do it?' she plays it down massively, and has told me, 'I train a lot, I practice, I do my penalties and I'm confident in my delivery. Boom.' Last week I asked her if she was wired differently, and I think that was the first time she realised that maybe she is.' Chloe tied the knot with husband Scott Moore in July last year, and Katie says his support keeps her going. 'Her support network is really important. She has her husband and two dogs on her shin pads, which is so sweet.' Having followed the Lionesses for so long, Katie says the girls are true BFFs. 'They get on really well and have such a strong bond. Their performance on the pitch is because of how close they are. They made a home away from home during the tournament, with chess sets, cards and table tennis – everything to make it fun.' Katie believes their dynamic is also thanks to their formidable manager. 'Sarina has brought the group together and they're a massive testament to her. Before games, she gives inspirational talks and just sprinkles all this wisdom and motivation over the team. The one thing I've taken away from it is that the Lionesses truly never give up.' Former Lionesses goalkeeper Carly Telford also recognises the pressure the team were under, telling us, 'Before the Euros there were a lot of doubters out there, but I definitely wasn't one of them. I'm super-happy for them and all the young women and girls who can now aspire to be like them.' Carly, 38, played for the Lionesses from 2007 to 2021, and now works for Chelsea FC as Commercial Player and Relationships Manager. Recalling the intensity of top-flight tournaments, she says, 'It's really hard to describe, especially with social media which we didn't have when I was playing. The girls have learned that the pressure is different when you're at the top of the pile as opposed to when you're chasing success.' She adds, 'We created some incredible, magical moments in this tournament, but also dug in deep, and that's what it's like to be a Lioness.' As the celebrations continue, Carly says many of the players will head on holiday before returning to their clubs. 'My girls at Chelsea have a bit of a break, but it's not even two weeks until they're back to it, bless them.' Carly herself is working with ASDA on a new health campaign, Heart of A Lioness, which saw the supermarket offering free blood pressure tests during the Euros. 'It's so important to keep on top of your heart health, as we don't realise how important it is until something goes wrong. Being able to go to ASDA and access a free blood pressure check is great, especially as this Euros tournament tested everyone's heartrate.' You can say that again, Carly!
Daily Record
38 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Joanna Lumley let's slip filming update in major series announcement
Joanna Lumley shared an exciting update about one of her acting projects during an interview on ITV's This Morning Joanna Lumley graced the set of ITV 's This Morning on Wednesday (30 July) to discuss her recent acting endeavours with hosts Dermot O'Leary and Rochelle Humes. The esteemed actress shared insights into her role in the upcoming second series of Wednesday as Grandmama Hester Frump, and also provided an exciting glimpse into the future of the beloved BBC series Amandaland. Having portrayed Felicity, Amanda's mother (played by Lucy Punch), Joanna was part of Amandaland's successful premiere in February, which quickly captivated television audiences. Following the announcement in March that Amandaland would return for a second series, Joanna teased the show's fans with potential dates for the new episodes during her appearance on the ITV1 programme. An eager Rochelle asked, "Will we see another season of Amandaland?" To which Joanna replied, "Yes. We start shooting in October," adding, "We finish shooting two days before Christmas. With any luck, it'll be out. Spring? I don't know." Joanna didn't hesitate to express her admiration for Amandaland and her co-star Lucy Punch, whom she described as "beautiful" and "very funny." Reflecting on their collaboration, she said, "I just adored it. It was so wonderful to meet up with Lucy Punch again, because I'd played her mother before," alluding to their previous work together on Motherland. She also touched upon the initial uncertainty surrounding Amandaland, given Motherland's popularity, saying, "The whole script is magic, written by the Motherland team. I think we wondered, as everybody adores Motherland so much, what's this going to be like? And it flew!" Discussing her portrayal of Amanda's mother, Joanna said, "It's divine. Originally, in Motherland, I was her mother, but I was there for long afternoons filming, sitting in a shop or something. I was just there as a reference. But then, when this took off, of course, I was her mother. I was there; I was established." Amandaland is a six-episode extension of the popular series Motherland, which also featured Lucy in the role of Amanda. The original show debuted on BBC One in 2017 and has since released two more series along with a Christmas special, reports the Mirror. The acclaim garnered by Motherland led to the conception of Amandaland, which charts the life of newly divorced Amanda as she tackles raising her teenage children upon relocating to South Harlesden in London. The stellar cast of the acclaimed BBC series includes Joanna and Lucy, alongside talents such as Philippa Dunne, Samuel Anderson, Siobhan McSweeney, Rochenda Sandall, Ekow Quartey, and Jack Veal.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Love Island's Megan broke massive show rule since returning to villa but it hasn't been shown on camera, claim fans
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island fans have accused Megan of breaking major show rules after she returned to the villa in a shock bombshell move. Since she returned to the island, viewers noticed a difference in Meg's behaviour, which they think has something to do with Megan. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Megan returned to the ITV show after she was dumped from the island near the start Credit: Eroteme From the very first day, Meg entertained viewers with her fiery attitude and hasn't been one to shy away from conflict with other islanders. She and Dejon have had their fair share of challenges over the last few months, which were usually sparked by Dejon's head being turned away from "his Meg". But since Megan and Blu made their shock return, fans noticed Meg has been more passive. One fan believes Megan broke major show rules by giving Meg the lowdown on how she's coming across on TV. Discussing the girls on Reddit, they wrote: "Anyone notice a 180-degree personality shift from Meg once Megan entered the villa? "Meg had zero issue being confrontational towards other people in the villa when she wanted to. "And had no issue making b****y comments behind others backs. (Eg. the strutting comment to Toni and Shakira) "But since movie night and Megan's re-entry, she has suddenly started acting like she is devastated that Toni and Shakira don't like her. "When a few weeks ago, she was happily talking s*** behind their backs. "It's blatantly clear that Megan has told her how the public thinks of her, and as a result, Meg has not only toned down the aggression but also started this fake teary act whenever it's shown that Toni or Shakira have talked badly behind her back." While many agreed with the statement, one wasn't so sure. They replied: "I actually don't think so. I think Meg is delusional enough to believe she truly is nice and kind to everyone the entire time. "She's still making comments. The other episode after the girls all talked, and she started bitching to Angel, and Megan said 'enough of that'. "She was baffled that Megan would say that to her. I also think her delusional mind wouldn't even register that she was b*******. Megan didn't waste any time on spilling plenty of outside secrets to her villa besties - but viewers weren't happy. within moments of being reunited with her villa pals Meg and Helena, she was quick to open up on how things had been portaged to the outside word. It left many fans shocked that she would be allow to relay such information despite the Islanders being cut off from the outside world. Megan was quick to tell Meg about what she saw of her partner Dejon and his actions with Andrada in Casa Amor. Although Andrada coupled up with Ben, she was keen to pursue something with Dejon and he openly flirted with her. Megan told Meg this was clear before she confessed that since the pair made things exclusive then she had noticed a shift in Dejon and his behaviour. But viewers think that Megan should have been instructed not to tell her co-stars about what she had seen as to not influence their decisions in moving forward with their relationships. Writing on X, one viewer raged: "HOW IS THIS ALLOWED?????? IT'S LIKE INVITING IN A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC????" Another then added: "I actually don't think it's fair that megan gets to come and tell the others how it's being perceived on the tv #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUK." 3 Viewers think Meg has changed her behaviour after Megan returned Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
