ITV Coronation Street barmaid looks unrecognisable 26 years after quitting soap

Deborah McAndrew, who played the role of Angie Freeman in Coronation Street, looks unrecognisable 26 years after leaving the popular soap.

The Leeds-born actress first appeared on the show as a student lodger at number seven in 1990. She was involved in storylines with Des Barnes and Curly Watts on the ITV soap, before her character left for Mexico and later returned in 1996.

After partnering with Mike Baldwin to start lingerie factory Underworld in 1997, Angie eventually moved to London, leaving the cobbles behind. However, Deborah didn't abandon her acting career. She transitioned into radio acting and then focused on playwriting in the 2000s.

She has worked on productions such as Robin Hood, The Great Gatsby and Song of the Sytch, and co-founded the Claybody Theatre Company in Stoke-on-Trent. Deborah is married to actor Conrad Nelson, and they have a daughter together.

In other news, current stars of Coronation Street are reportedly worried following the introduction of new cost-saving measures by the show's bosses aimed at streamlining production and reducing expenses, reports the Mirror.

Recently, insiders revealed that ITV chiefs, grappling with dwindling budgets, have been forced into a more "minimal" approach to Corrie's famous scenes. This includes a cutback on large group scenes typically shot at the Rovers Return.

But this change hasn't gone down well with the actors - many of whom are paid per scene - as they purportedly noticed a significant shift in the scripts last month.

Moreover, the number of extras utilised in these scenes has reportedly been noticeably reduced. This is coupled with an increase in "back-to-back" filming where actors are required to be on set at 7am for all-day shooting.

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A source shared with the Mirror: "The bosses have decided we will take a far more minimal approach to storylines going forward, and are cutting the number of actors who appear in them. As large numbers of the cast are paid by scene, that means paying fewer actors to be on set."

Unsurprisingly, these changes haven't been well-received by the actors. Many are perturbed about their future roles, as the source continued: "The changes haven't gone down well with the cast. Many of them are panicking about what these cuts mean for their futures.

"The Corrie cast is absolutely massive it has well over 50 cast members in total and some of them haven't filmed for weeks, so they are starting to get really worried about the axe falling on them before long. There is currently a real feeling of disquiet behind the scenes and people are openly sharing their concerns."

The source further explained that the changes are also cutting down costs related to transporting actors to the set, as well as hair and makeup and lighting expenses. They added: "The more these costs are reduced, the more likely it is that we can meet them with our in-house team, whereas previously the show has leaned heavily on freelance help, which is much more expensive."

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