Claire Sweeney admits having her hair and glam done for TV is ‘a luxury’ as she must have a ‘make-under’ to play her drug-addicted Coronation Street character
Claire Sweeney has admitted that having her hair and glam done for TV is “a luxury” as she needs to have a “make-under” to play her Coronation Street character.
The 52-year-old actress plays troubled addict Cassie Plummer on the soap after joining the cast this summer – and the character has an appearance she’s not used to.
Appearing on This Morning on Monday, Claire joked that it was fun to go for a prettier look for live TV or red carpet appearances.
She said: ‘It’s such a luxury to have my hair and make-up done because with Corrie I get a make-under.
The make-up department is great. I look so different and I feel different and I walk different.
Looking good: Claire Sweeney has admitted it’s ‘a luxury’ to have her hair and glam done for TV as she has to have a ‘make-under’ to play her Coronation Street character
Other: The actress, 52, plays troubled addict Cassie Plummer on the soap after joining the cast this summer – and the character has a look she’s not used to
“I’ve talked to my doctor and asked if you can advise me on this, and I’ve done a lot of research. I went to one of the places where they give advice on addiction.’
Claire added about the experience of participating in the soap in general: ‘My first scene was a baptism of fire, and I love it. I always have to give myself a reality check.
“They (the casting directors) took a chance on me, and I – of course – auditioned and got the part.
“The very first day I was on the cobbles and felt more like an extra, which was nice because I could settle in.”
Host Josie Gibson also asked her how she learned so much dialogue to play the part.
She said, “I was feeling hormonal and haven’t done it for a while, I’ve been putting in the hours.”
“My son, he helped me with my lines — there were bits he shouldn’t have read, but I was like ‘just ignore that bit of Jaxon.’
Last month, Claire revealed when she will have her Corrie return according to her ongoing storylines.
Dressing up: While appearing on Monday’s This Morning, Claire joked that it was fun to go smarter for live TV or red carpet appearances
Change! She said: ‘It’s such a luxury to have my hair and make-up done, because with Corrie I get a make-under’
Drama: Cassie arrived in Weatherfield in June, but her mother begged her to stay away after her latest heroin overdose
Fans only have a month left to wait, as the star revealed on Lorraine that she will be back on TV starting August 16.
Claire left the soap in June when she and mother Evelyn (Dame Maureen Lipman) sought help for Cassie’s sobriety.
But the departure was only temporary and the drama will continue with the return of both women.
Speaking of Lorraine, the actress confirmed, “I’ll be back on screen on August 16 and I’m back to filming.”
Claire plays Tyrone Dobbs’ estranged mother, Cassie, who, despite her struggles as a drug addict, returned to the streets to reconnect with her son.
She praised her co-stars, saying, “Working with the amazing Alan Halsall (Tyrone Dobbs). He’s so good, and Maureen, and Sally Carman (Abi Franklin) too, I love it.”
The actress first filled the nation’s homes when she joined Liverpool-based soap opera Brookside, playing the character of Lindsey Hill for an entire decade.
Brookside was suspended in 2003, but Claire returned to the soap business in June and earned the seal of approval from fans for her portrayal of Cassie.
Claire admitted that she was “sworn to secrecy” after getting the part.
Claire revealed that she had to be “careful” about what she told her young son Jaxon, in case he broke the news to everyone before she was allowed too.
She said: ‘I was presented to Corrie on my birthday this year and I couldn’t tell anyone!
“So I was sitting on the balcony, I was on vacation with my mom and Jaxon, and I got the call that was sworn to secrecy.”
“And I had all my friends calling me and I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone! Of course I told my mother. I have to be careful what I tell Jaxon, because he has a big mouth!’
“He’s eight and he doesn’t really understand when to shut up, he just announces it to everyone!”
Cassie’s arrival on the soap in June was not a happy one, as she was rushed to hospital after overdosing, before her furious mother Evelyn confronted her.
In the episodes, Evelyn saw a confused Cassie loitering in the street and later received a call from the hospital where her daughter had been taken.
Viewers then learned that Evelyn had tried several times to help her daughter get clean, including last Christmas.
The two-handed scene was praised by soap fans, with many eager to see more of Claire’s character so they can discover if she and her son Tyrone will reconnect in the future – and it seems the possibility is now on the table.
Dame Maureen, 76, took a short break from the show earlier in May after taking some time off to star in the West End production of Rose.
Upcoming: Last month, Claire revealed when she will have her Corrie return according to her ongoing storylines
Double exit: Cassie’s arrival on the soap in June wasn’t a happy one as she was rushed to hospital after overdosing, before her furious mother Evelyn confronted her
Favourite: The actress first filled the nation’s homes when she joined Liverpool-based soap opera Brookside, playing the character of Lindsey Hill for an entire decade
Maureen previously starred as Rose during the Pandemic Online run and some subsequent shows, but said she was excited to reprise the character.
The hilarious grandmother has been a firm favorite on the soap since teaming up with her famously deceased dog, Cerberus, in 2018.
Her scenes with Claire were hailed as “the best scene (the soaps) in months” by fans who can’t wait to see where the storyline goes next.
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and is streamed on ITVX.