Coronation Street icon is unrecognisable 26 years after quitting soap

Coronation Street’s former barmaid, Deborah McAndrew, is unrecognisable 26 years after leaving the ITV soap.

The 56 year old actress, who hails from Leeds, first made her mark on the show as student Angie Freeman in 1990. She was a lodger at number seven and had romantic storylines with Des Barnes and Curly Watts.

After university, she jetted off to Mexico, only to return in 1996. In 1997, she partnered with Mike Baldwin to start the lingerie factory Underworld. However, Angie eventually left for London, saying goodbye to the cobbles.

Deborah didn’t abandon her acting career though. She transitioned into radio acting before shifting her focus to playwriting in the 2000s.

Deborah has worked on productions such as Robin Hood, The Great Gatsby, and Song of the Sytch. Additionally, she co-founded the Claybody Theatre Company in Stoke-on-Trent. Deborah is now happily married to actor Conrad Nelson, and they have a daughter together.

Currently, Coronation Street stars are reportedly feeling anxious as show bosses implement new cost-saving measures aimed at streamlining production and reducing expenses for the show. ITV bosses, grappling with tighter budgets, have reportedly been compelled to adopt a “minimal” approach to production, which includes reducing group scenes, particularly in iconic spots like the Rovers Return.

This cost-cutting measure has sparked concern among the cast, many of whom earn their keep per scene, and they’ve reportedly noticed a significant change in the scripts since last month. The use of extras has also been reportedly cut back, alongside an uptick in “back-to-back” filming schedules that see actors on set from 7am for the entire day.

A source told the Mirror Online: “The bosses have decided we will take a far more minimal approach to storylines going forward, and are cutting the number of actors who appear in them. As large numbers of the cast are paid by scene, that means paying fewer actors to be on set.

“The changes haven’t gone down well with the cast. Many of them are panicking about what these cuts mean for their futures. The Corrie cast is absolutely massive it has well over 50 cast members in total and some of them haven’t filmed for weeks, so they are starting to get really worried about the axe falling on them before long. There is currently a real feeling of disquiet behind the scenes and people are openly sharing their concerns.”

Decreasing the expenses associated with transporting actors, hair and makeup, and lighting to the set could enable greater reliance on the in-house team, the source clarified. They continued: “The more these costs are reduced, the more likely it is that we can meet them with our in-house team, whereas previously the show has leaned heavily on freelance help, which is much more expensive.”

OK! has reached out to Coronation Street reps for comment.

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