Coronation Street fans have been left surprised after learning the real age of actress Anya Dewin, who plays newcomer Lucy Parkinson on the ITV soap.
Lucy made her debut on the show this month as the daughter of Tim Metcalfe's (Joe Duttine) estranged cousin Richie (Nathan Sussex). After meeting for the first time in years, Richie confided in Tim about his marriage problems with his wife Rachel, revealing they were going through a rocky patch.
Things took a dramatic turn, though, when Tim went round to Richie's house only to find him in a shirt covered in blood and Rachel dead on the floor. Soon enough, Richie was arrested for the murder of his wife and has been sent to prison.
Lucy's new life with the Metcalfes
With her dad in prison, Lucy was due to go live with some foster parents, but Tim managed to persuade his wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) to let them take Lucy in, with Lucy now living at No.4. However, it's clear that Lucy is struggling and the youngster has shown a nasty side too.
In Monday's episode (August 24) she started an argument with Joanie Michaelis (Savanna Pennington) over her mum Lou (Farrel Hegarty) being in prison.
Fans react to Anya's age
As for actress Anya, she joined the ITV soap as Lucy earlier this year just months after leaving school. Anya finished year 13 this summer, meaning she would be 18.
Reacting to her real age, one person on a Coronation Street Facebook fan page said: "Anya Dewin, who plays Lucy on Corrie, is 18 years old in real life." Someone else added: "No way!" A third chimed in: "Who!! Not that!"
Co-stars welcome Anya
Meanwhile, Lucy actress Anya Dewin has already been hailed by her new co-stars. As she made her debut last week, actor Tony Maudsley, who plays Weatherfield's George Shuttleworth, took to Instagram with a snap featuring the pair and some of their fellow castmates.
He captioned the post: "It's a HUGE day for our new girl on the cobbles @anyadewinx. Not only did she storm her A' Level results this morning... It's also her first appearance on screen with us lot tonight as Lucy Parkinson (we'll need eyes in the back of our heads with this one!) Fasten your seatbelts!! Welcome aboard the crazy train, Anya [heart emoji] #Corrie."
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
