Former Coronation Street star Lisa George has opened up about her life since leaving the ITV soap over a year ago. The 52-year-old actress, best known for playing Beth Tinker, attended the National Diversity Awards 2025 in Liverpool on Friday, September 19, where she co-presented the entrepreneur of excellence award.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, George revealed she had initially kept a low profile after leaving the show but has since started to reach out more. 'I kept myself away from everyone really for a while, but I've started to reach out more again,' she said. 'I've just been trying to get on with it. I've been really busy which is nice.'
George left Coronation Street after 13 years due to concerns over her rare eye condition, NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), which has left her partially blind in one eye and with only peripheral vision in the other. She first developed the condition after being hit in the eye with a rope while chopping down a tree, and it later struck her other eye while driving on a motorway.
Since leaving the soap, George has returned to theatre work, including pantomime, and is set to perform in York starting in November. She is also involved in charity work, including a ball for children with life-limiting conditions and recording a section for the RNIB's 90th anniversary of audiobooks. 'I'm really excited about that,' she said of the panto, adding she has 'a great wig'.
The National Diversity Awards, hosted by Clare Balding for the third year, celebrated grassroots communities and individuals tackling societal issues. Among the finalists were a blind veteran championing accessibility, a young changemaker spotlighting youth violence, a trans activist, and a fashion designer innovating with adaptive clothing.
