What if Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh had followed the sound of the cobblestones in Coronation Street instead of the 'Sound of the Underground'? Apparently, it could have happened…
The singer has scored four UK No.1 hits and sold millions of records since rising to fame with Girls Aloud, but her life could have been entirely different if she'd landed one audition 20 years ago.
Walsh shared the anecdote while appearing on The One Show on Tuesday (August 4) to promote Sleepless: A Musical Romance, as presenters Alex Jones and Gethin Jones were promoting this week's Classic EastEnders episode.
Kimberley opened up about her own soap past, revealing she was in final auditions for a now-iconic role in Corrie before she ever got famous on Popstars: The Rivals.
"I got down to the last two or three for Maria in Coronation Street, so yeah, things could have been very different," she revealed.
The role of Maria Connor ultimately went to Samia Longchambon in 2000 — and Longchambon has been playing the character ever since! Right now, Maria is involved in one of the ITV soap's biggest storylines, as she's engaged to villain Gary Windass (Mikey North), who may still have feelings for his ex, Sarah (Tina O'Brien).
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Kimberley's bandmate Sarah Harding would actually join Coronation Street following the break-up of Girls Aloud, though her tenure received mixed reviews from viewers.
Though she says she missed out on playing a classic Coronation Street character, Kimberley Walsh has cemented quite a career for herself in Girls Aloud, in the West End and as a solo act.
Just this past week, she may have taken a big step towards reuniting Girls Aloud for their 20th anniversary in 2022 by finally making peace with Nadine Coyle following a long-running feud.
Sleepless: A Musical Romance opens with limited seating at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London, from August 25. Click here to purchase tickets.
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7.30pm on ITV.
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