In the studio I put my feet up and settle down for a brew and a gossip with the lovely Samia Smith (Maria) as she is having her make-up done. Before long we are nattering away like old friends. So when I make the major faux paus of commenting that you can’t trust property tycoons in soapland like that Tony Gordon – forgetting momentarily that her husband Matt is a property developer! Luckily, we have a giggle about it. Phew!
Puncturing our laughter is the sound of lots of ‘ooohs and aahs’ as Kym Ryder (Michelle) and her adorable Chihuahau Charlie enter the building. As the cute pooch is made a fuss of by Michelle Keegan (Tina), who looks like a movie star in an amazing mustard coloured dress, Kym takes calls from her boyfriend Jamie Lomas (Hollyoaks’ Warren). Lucky girl!
Next on my hit list of interviewees is Ryan Thomas (Jason). Press Officer Stuart leads me to a mysterious place called ‘Stage One.’ I later discover this contains the stars dressing rooms, make-up and wardrobe departments, a tutoring room for the young actors and the main sets like the Rovers, Street Cars and Underworld. Wow!
But as I wait outside to meet Ryan my heart pounds when I see feel a pair of eyes upon me: it’s Teresa Moron. “Are you sure you want to wait outside love? It’s a little cold,” she says kindly. I snap back to reality and realise I’m talking to actress Karen Henthorn, and she’s not about to start pulling my hair.
Just as I am daydreaming about how I might defend myself in a Corrie catfight Ryan shows up and leads me into through the magical doors of stage one. I wonder if they’d let me set up a little Inside Soap office up here? I think I could get used to this…
Look out for the Corrie shoot in the issue of Inside Soap on sale 29 July.
Posted by Katy Moon, Junior Writer
