Actress Catherine Tyldesley has opened up about a cruel and defining moment from her past, revealing she remains 'haunted' by a fat-shaming comment made by a director during an audition.
The Remark That 'Stayed With Her'
The 42-year-old former Coronation Street star recalled the incident during an appearance on the AgeLess podcast. She detailed how the director told her, 'Cath, you're hilarious - you're always going to be the fat funny one. You're a character actress.'
While Tyldesley loved comedy, she also harboured ambitions to be a leading lady. 'That comment stayed with me,' she admitted, explaining how the label impacted her for a long time.
A Shift in Perspective on Health and Beauty
The mother-of-two, who shares son Alfie, 10, and daughter Iris, three, with personal trainer husband Tom Pitfield, has undergone a significant personal journey. She famously lost eight stone after embracing a new health and fitness regime.
Now, her focus has shifted entirely. She recently explained that her goals are about 'stamina' and feeling 'strong' to remain healthy for her children for as long as possible.
'I remember in my younger years, I felt a lot of pressure to look a certain way, as a lot of actresses did, and I would crash-diet,' she told The Sun's Fabulous magazine. 'Whereas, now, I'm older and wiser, I know what my body needs and I respect it a lot more.'
She added that she now trains hard, eats well, and allows herself treats, stating firmly: 'I'm not going to live on diets, because that makes me miserable.'
Setting an Example and Soap Storylines
This newfound respect for her body is deeply linked to her role as a parent. Tyldesley is determined to set a positive example, particularly for her daughter.
'I’ve got to let Iris see that food helps,' she said. 'I really try to educate her and Alfie on food and that, in any walk of life, whatever job you do, you’re not going to be able to function properly without it.'
The actress also commented on Coronation Street's recent portrayal of weight-loss jabs in Bethany Platt's storyline. She stressed the importance of soaps covering such topics, given the immense pressure she felt in her own youth.
Tyldesley, who played Eva Price in the ITV soap until 2018, made a brief return to the cobbles last October. She has since starred in series like The Good Ship Murder and has not ruled out another return to Weatherfield, telling Prima magazine: 'It’s always a case of never say never.'
