Lisa George on playing Corrie's Beth Tinker

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

There's a good interview today in The People with Lisa George, who plays newcomer Beth Tinker.

She says her role on Coronation Street has been a lifesaver. "It’s been really tough. At times I’ve been on the breadline. I’m so grateful to Ma and Pa and my boyfriend for ­supporting me. Over the years I’ve done everything to make ends meet. I worked in a fish finger factory, a pasta factory and a bike factory, threading gears in bikes and drilling handle bars. I’ve sold cigars in a posh restaurant wearing fishnets and a tutu. I’ve been a PA and sold tickets in the Albert Hall’s box office. I’ve been a holiday camp bluecoat, a backing singer and a singing teacher – you name it, I’ve done it.”

Did you know that Lisa has been in Coronation Street three times before? In 1997 she was a nursing colleague of Martin Platt and in 2005 a police family liaison officer in five episodes after the murder of Tommy Harris.Two years later she played another policewoman in an hour-long special when Ashley Peacock’s son was kidnapped. But the episode was shelved due to the disppearance of Madeleine McCann.

Lisa even wrote to Street bosses begging for a part as the sister of Cilla Battersby because she was constantly being mistaken for her!

She also sings and records with a 19-piece big band The Cat Pack. Find out more about the band here.

Anyway, I'm loving Beth but especially enjoying watching her son Craig, played by Colson Smith.  I'm still holding out hope that Craig turns out to be Steve McDonald's son. Watch this space.

Read the full interview here.


Follow the Bluenose CorrieBlog on Twitter and Facebook