Coronation Street has introduced a new character, Paula, played by actress Kelli Hollis, who brings a wealth of real-life drama to the iconic ITV soap. Paula made her debut this week as a fellow inmate alongside Debbie Webster, portrayed by Sue Devaney, in a storyline that sees Debbie serving time for dangerous driving resulting in a fatal accident.
Kelli Hollis: A Versatile Acting Career
Kelli Hollis is no stranger to television screens, having built a diverse portfolio over the years. She is best known for her six-year role as Yvonne Karib in Channel 4's Shameless, and has also appeared in dramas like Ackley Bridge as shark Linda and Waterloo Road as Chantel. In 2006, she took on the challenging role of Anne West in the TV film See No Evil, which depicted the Moors Murders.
Emmerdale Stint and Character Exit
From 2011 to 2015, Kelli portrayed Ali Spencer in Emmerdale, a character who left the show for a fresh start in Liverpool. In 2018, Ali was killed off-screen in a car crash. Reflecting on this, Kelli shared on the Soap From the Box podcast in 2021 that while she was notified of the decision with kindness, part of her wished it hadn't happened, though she acknowledged the finality it brought to the role.
Life in Thailand: Running a Weed Bar
After leaving Emmerdale, Kelli embarked on an unexpected adventure by moving to Thailand with her partner Martin. There, they operated a weed bar called La Choza Pratumnak, capitalising on the country's laws allowing personal cannabis consumption. Originally from Leeds, Kelli described the move as a "total accident" after Martin received a job offer in Bangkok. She lived there for two-and-a-half years before returning to the UK in November, embracing a philosophy of seizing opportunities in life.
Personal Reflections and Motivations
In an interview with the Daily Star, Kelli expressed a renewed perspective, stating, "You only live once... My mentality now is 'I am nearly 50, f*** it, will just do it'." She highlighted how personal losses, such as friends passing away, have shaped her outlook, encouraging her to take risks and live without regrets.
Father's Incarceration and Family Background
Kelli has been open about her father, Gwynne, a convicted drug kingpin who was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2023 for conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was involved in a major drug network in York and fled before his trial, leading to a police manhunt and a harsher sentence upon capture. Kelli revealed that she always knew about his activities but credited him for encouraging her acting career and steering her away from his path.
Impact on Her Life and Career
Growing up in Beeston, Leeds, Kelli related to the council estate lifestyle depicted in Shameless. She admitted that her father's crimes were a looming concern, potentially affecting her reputation. Despite this, she has navigated her rise to fame with resilience, now balancing her acting work with motherhood.
Coronation Street continues to air Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with Kelli Hollis's portrayal of Paula adding a new layer of intrigue to the show's long-running narrative.
