Coronation Street star Sally Carman has revealed that her parents were initially hesitant about her accepting the role of Abi Webster. The actress, who has become a fan favourite on the ITV soap, admitted that her father worried the short-term contract might prevent her from landing a ‘proper role’.
Speaking to The Sun, Carman explained that she was at her parents’ home when her agent called with an offer for eight episodes of Coronation Street. Despite her father’s concerns, she decided to follow her instincts. ‘I was like, “I’m going to do it,” and it has just turned into something amazing,’ she said.
Since joining the cobbles, Abi has been at the centre of numerous dramatic storylines, including a battle with drug addiction, the loss of her son to a hate crime, and a recent love triangle involving Kevin Webster and his brother Carl. Carman noted that she had no idea of the character’s future when she first accepted the role.
The actress also revealed that she had auditioned for Coronation Street ‘easily more than 40 times’ over the years, with around 10 screen tests for various parts. ‘You have to audition for Corrie – no one is special and there is no way around it,’ she said.
Before joining Corrie, Carman was best known for playing Kelly Maguire in the UK version of Shameless. She is not the only Shameless star to appear on the cobbles; Jamie Maguire actor Aaron McCusker recently joined the soap as Ben Driscoll, and Kelli Hollis, who played Yvonne Karib, is set to make her debut.
Away from television, Carman appeared in Paddy Considine’s 2011 film Tyrannosaur, sharing scenes with Olivia Colman and Peter Mullan.
