Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon shared an emotional reflection on social media as she marked a major milestone for her daughter, Freya, who attended her end-of-school prom. The actress, who has played Maria Windass on the ITV soap since 2000, posted a series of photos on Instagram showing her and Freya posing in front of a large '26' balloon display, with Freya wearing a pink gown.
Emotional Instagram Post
Alongside the pictures, Samia wrote: "I blinked and it was prom night for my Freya.." She also posted a photo of a younger Freya skipping off to school, captioning it: "Life reminded me this week of how fast it all goes. Seems just yesterday I was emotional for the start of school days and this week I was equally emotional that this chapter is done!"
Samia, 43, added: "So proud of my beautiful girl. Days in uniform might be over but you’ll always be my baby.. Onwards to the next exciting chapter now! #prom #schooldays #mygirl."
Outpouring of Support from Co-stars
The post quickly garnered comments from fellow soap stars. Samia's Coronation Street co-star Sally Dynevor gushed: "Beautiful Freya." Former co-star Brooke Vincent said: "No, Sam I canttt [heart and love heart eyes emojis]." Angela Lonsdale replied: "Love ya little sis and the best role ever is being freyas mad auntie ang [crying laughing face and heart emojis]. So proud of u both."
Helen Flanagan, also a former Corrie star, shared: "What a beautiful girl," while ex-Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin commented: "Oh Sam. She has the best mum ever." Coronation Street's Tina O'Brien, Emmerdale's Laura Norton, and former soap star Nikki Sanderson also reacted with heart emojis.
Samia's Journey to Motherhood
Samia was previously married to property developer Matt Smith. The couple wed in 2005 at St Philip's Church in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, after a seven-month engagement. In October 2009, she gave birth to Freya, but less than two years later, they announced their separation after six years of marriage.
She later found love with professional ice skater Sylvain Longchambon after appearing on ITV's Dancing on Ice. They got engaged after three years and two months, and Samia revealed she was pregnant. She gave birth to their son Yves in 2015, and the couple married in 2016 at Delamere Manor in Cuddington, Cheshire.
Freya's Interest in Coronation Street
Last year, Samia revealed that Freya only watches Coronation Street if Maria is involved in scenes with her on-screen son Liam Connor, played by Freya's friend Charlie Wrenshall. The Eccles-born star said: "Freya tends to watch if I've got scenes with Charlie Wrenshall who plays my son Liam, because they're really good mates. She's more interested in what Charlie is doing than what I'm doing! Yves isn't that bothered. He's more interested in watching cartoons and YouTube."
25 Years on the Cobbles
The milestone comes after Samia marked 25 years since she first stepped onto the famed cobbles of Weatherfield, the fictional town in Salford where Coronation Street is set. She told how she never imagined her job on the ITV soap would have lasted for a quarter of a century.
