Michelle Keegan reflects on ‘scary’ experience of leaving Coronation Street

Michelle Keegan has reflected on the ‘scary’ experience of leaving Coronation Street after seven years on the soap as she reflects on her career in a new interview.

The actress, 35, played the role of Tina McIntyre from 2008 to 2014, before moving on to other successful TV roles.

She has now told the Radio Times that leaving the popular show was “always a risk” and that she had to accept “the idea of ​​not acting anymore” at the time.

The beauty – who is married to former TOWIE star Mark Wright, 36, – explained: ‘When I decided to leave Corrie, I remember accepting the idea of ​​not acting anymore.

“I used to say to myself, ‘If I don’t get a job after this, at least I’ve had a good run. Not many people can say they’ve had this career for six and a half years.’

Iconic: The actress, 35, played the role of Tina McIntyre from 2008 to 2014, before moving on to other successful TV roles

“The decision to leave was always a risk, but at the time it was the right decision for me, so I would never have regretted it. If it hadn’t worked out, I would have done something with dogs – that’s my happy place.’

She was cast in the soap after only her second ever audition and has now described what it was like to go back to auditions when she left the popular ITV show.

Michelle explained, “It was terrifying. I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d get Corrie, so I went into that audition thinking it would just be a good experience.

“Then, after seven years, it was scary to go out into the big wide world again. A soap is so safe.’

Michelle next stars in the 1950s drama Ten Pound Poms as nurse Kate Thorne, which was filmed in Australia last year.

The forthcoming BBC show about the famous Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which brought over a million people to Australia after World War II.

During the chat with the Radio Times, Michelle also opened up about whether she’s still typecast for certain roles.

Career: She has now told the Radio Times that leaving the hit show was ‘always a risk’ and that at the time she had to come to terms with ‘the idea of ​​not acting again’

Honest: The beauty – who is married to former TOWIE star Mark Wright, 36, – explained: ‘When I decided to leave Corrie, I remember coming to terms with the idea of ​​not acting anymore’

New role: Michelle takes the next lead role in the 1950s drama Ten Pound Poms as nurse Kate Thorne, which was filmed in Australia last year

She said, ‘Yes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very lucky with the roles I’ve chosen, but there have been brilliant scripts very similar to something I’ve just done.

“You think, ‘This would be great at another time, but let’s try to change it up a bit.’ However, it’s hard to say no.’

It comes after Michelle shared a series of behind-the-scenes shots from filming Ten Pound Poms earlier this week.

Michelle took to Instagram to post the slideshow of images and looked stunning as she posed in a vintage purple tea dress all at once.

Another photo showed the star and cast members grinning in 1950s finery as they relax on set.

Elsewhere in the gallery were snaps of the scenery for the BBC show, a beautiful sunset and an image of Luna Park, a theme park in Melbourne.

She captioned her post: “1 week left before Ten Pound Poms takes you back to 1956.”

It came after Michelle opened up about the daunting task of spending months away from home and husband Mark while filming the new series.

The actress, who married the reality star in 2015, described traveling alone as “pretty scary” as she left her life and loved ones behind in the UK as filming took place last summer.

Reflecting on the production process, she said: ‘I absolutely loved filming in Australia. I mean when I first got there the weather wasn’t great I’m not going to lie but as a country I really enjoyed it.

“In a way, my trip to Australia parallels Kate’s. It was also my first time and I didn’t know what to expect. I came alone, which was kind of scary, but it was such an incredible experience.”

Mark did manage to take trips to visit his wife down under and the pair shared snaps of their romantic reunions on social media last year.

Discussing their “difficult” long-distance relationship in July, Mark told MailOnline, “If you’re in love and in a happy relationship, you’ll be happy to see each other.”

“You have to learn that you’ve been together for a long time and haven’t seen each other for three weeks, so it’s exciting at first, but then it becomes another ten-year relationship.

“The longer you go, the more pressure there is, because the longer it’s been. But I was in LA having dinner with Piers Morgan and I told him it was hard. He said, ‘I had this with my wife and we have a 3 week rule so don’t let it go past 3 weeks.’

Before continuing, say, “It’s hard with Australia though, it’s a lot of flying.”

Michelle also discussed what she loved about the country ahead of the show’s upcoming premiere.

Gushing: ‘The Australian actors are so brilliant and they bring a different energy to the set’.

“What I miss most about Australia is the people. I know it’s such a cliche thing to say, but everyone is so nice, friendly and welcoming. The crew really got along and it was such a great work environment – and of course I miss the cast.”

Story: The upcoming BBC show about the famous Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which brought over a million people to Australia after World War II

Discussing the show’s difficult topic, she said, “Ten Pound Poms will definitely take the audience on a journey.”

“I think the script is like a history lesson for me and for the viewers. I didn’t know much about the Ten Pound Poms before I was part of this project, but I’ve done a lot of research on them.”

Before I add: Now I’ve talked to a lot of people who say, ‘Yes, my grandmother was a Ten Pound Pom and I have relatives in Australia’ and that all stemmed from what happened in the 1950s.

Earlier this week, the show’s trailer debuted, featuring actors Faye Marsay (Game of Thrones) and Warren Brown (Luther).

They play a married couple, The Roberts, who come to Australia in 1956 after paying just £10 for their departure.

The Australian government promises them a better home, better job prospects and a better quality of life Down Under, far away from gloomy post-war England.

But soon the family discovers the grim reality of migrant life as they struggle the poor living conditions in a hostel for ‘New Australians’, but also prejudices.

The series will premiere on BBC1 on Sunday 14 May at 9pm.