Amanda Barrie, the actress beloved for playing Alma Sedgewick – later Baldwin – in Coronation Street, has spoken about the realities of losing friends at her age and her continued work in the industry at 91.
Barrie, who played Alma between 1981 and 1982 and again from 1988 until 2001, said she feels lucky to still be working. Her latest role is in the BBC's Amandaland.
Reflecting on soap life and change
Speaking about her time on the ITV soap, Barrie praised younger cast members. 'It's quite an experience, and there's nothing like being in a soap. I really praise the kids that come into it now, because at least we had a bit of rehearsal. Now, they get it, learn it, do it,' she said.
She also defended the show's evolution: 'People ask me why it's changed. It's because the world has changed. That's why. You're not going to find the likes of Ena Sharples very often in Manchester now.'
Barrie added that shows like Coronation Street bring people together in an increasingly isolated world.
On losing friends and staying positive
Barrie made a sad admission about the friends she has lost over the years. 'I've lost so many friends. And I never delete people from my phone who've died. I've got a full phone. I just say 'Oh, dear….' I'm lucky to be here. I'm very lucky,' she told The Mirror.
Outside Coronation Street, Barrie is known for roles in Benidorm as Psychic Sue, Casualty as Elsie Clegg, and a celebrated stint in Bad Girls alongside Stephanie Beacham as Bev Tull and Phyl Oswyn – the Costa Cons. On the big screen, she has appeared in multiple Carry On films, Koroshi, Quadrophenia, and most recently Tea for Two and Tomorrow.
Off-screen, Barrie lives with her wife, crime-writer Hilary Bonner, splitting their time between Somerset and London.
Alma Baldwin's Coronation Street story
Alma's full-time stint on the street began with her claiming the café now known as Roy's Rolls, and a brief relationship with Ken Barlow (William Roache). After they split, she married factory owner Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs), leading to a bitter feud with Don Brennan (Geoff Hinsliff).
Brennan, who blamed Mike for his financial ruin, kidnapped Alma in her own car and drove it into the Manchester Ship Canal. Though both survived, he later attempted to run Mike over in Alma's car, crashing into the viaduct and dying as the car erupted in flames.
After selling the café to Roy Cropper (David Neilson), Alma discovered Mike had cheated on her and kicked him out, moving in with best friend Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls). Following a supermarket siege, Alma became the centrepiece of a cervical cancer storyline. After missing several smear tests and a series of hospital misdiagnoses, she discovered the disease had progressed too far to treat. Alma returned to Audrey's house to live out her final days, passing away at home surrounded by loved ones.
