'I never gave up on my dream of being an actor'

Vicky Myers life was turned upside down following her divorce and a cancer diagnosis. For a time, the single mum had to put her ambitions on hold, but now she has a starring role in Coronation Street

-  SUE CRAWFORD

After 28 years struggling as a jobbing actress, at times worrying how to make ends meet, Coronation Street’s Vicky Myers understandably decided to splash out and treat herself when she landed a permanent job on the cobbles as detective Lisa Swain. But rather than a luxury holiday or a new car, Vicky’s present to herself was altogether more sensible.

“It’s really boring, but I treated myself to a new vacuum cleaner,” she laughs. “People might get a nice bottle of champagne, or go out for a meal, but my old vacuum was driving me mad, so I bought a Henry.

“I know what it’s like to struggle with money, so I’m pretty frugal. You never know when a job is going to come to an end, so I stayed practical. At least my carpets and the inside of my car are clean now — it’s a great piece of equipment, with lots of different nozzles. No-one can tell me I’m not living it up!”

While she’ll probably draw the line at vacuuming on New Year’s Eve, Vicky’s approach to the party season is equally as down to earth.

“I like to stay in,” she says. “It’s not that I’m a party pooper, but now I'm bit older there's something about New Year's Eve that feels like it's forced fun.

"I like to have a glass of something and watch the New Year celebrations and fireworks from the warmth and comfort of my front room, rather than be in a drunken haze at 2am trying to get a taxi home."

Things will be a little more dramatic for Vicky on screen over the New Year as her character's relationship with factory boss Carla Connor moves to another level.

Regular viewers will know that the two women have been growing closer and just before Christmas Carla (Alison King) announced to the factory workers that the two women were now an item.