Corrie's Keegan 'was a late developer'

Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has admitted that her former schoolmates will be shocked by her latest Sexiest Female nomination.

The 22-year-old actress, who plays Weatherfield's Tina McIntyre, is in the running for the gong at this year's Inside Soap Awards, which take place in the autumn.

Keegan has already won one Sexiest Female prize this year, walking away with the title at the British Soap Awards in May.

In an interview with The Mirror, she explained: "I so wasn't the pretty one at school, I really wasn't. I don't think anyone would have thought that about me. I was a late developer.

"My teeth were really bad - they were all wonky. One was sticking out and one was bent back. I was so paranoid about my teeth I never, ever smiled because I didn't want to draw attention to myself and it started to affect my confidence.

"I remember being at a youth club once and some lad shouted something out about my teeth in front of everyone and I was just crying my eyes out."

Keegan added that her confidence was boosted after braces rewarded her with a perfect smile.

She commented: "I had awful braces, proper tram-track ones, top and bottom, for four years. They were really painful but it was worth it. When the braces were off I was smiling constantly. And I wouldn't have had a career now if I hadn't had them done."

The star joined Coronation Street in late 2007 and quickly established herself as one of the show's most prominent cast members. In February this year, she signed a new 12-month contract with the programme.