Coronation Street barmaid looks unrecognisable 26 years after leaving ITV cobbles

Coronation Street barmaid Angie Freeman was a fan favourite on the cobbles in the 90s, but actress Deborah McAndrew has gone on to have a successful career in the theatre world

A former bartender from Coronation Street appears completely different 26 years after leaving the ITV soap opera.

Deborah McAndrew, who portrayed Angie Freeman, a student, in the 1990s, has changed since her Rovers Return days. The 56-year-old actress, who was born in Leeds, first appeared on the streets in 1990 as a lodger at number seven.

She participated in a number of sultry romance storylines while living on the well-known cobbles, most notably those involving Des Barnes and Curly Watts. Her character left for Mexico after graduating from college and returned in 1996.

In 1997, she partnered with Mike Baldwin to launch lingerie factory Underworld. However, Angie eventually left for London, bidding farewell to the cobbles.

But Deborah didn’t abandon her showbiz career. Instead, she transitioned into radio acting before shifting her focus to playwriting in the 2000s, reports the Mirror. Her works include productions of Robin Hood, The Great Gatsby and Song of the Sytch.

The actor also co-founded the Claybody Theatre Company in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent. Off-stage, Deborah is happily married to actor Conrad Nelson, and they share a daughter together.

Elsewhere, current Corrie stars are reportedly feeling the heat as bosses implement new cost-cutting measures to streamline production and reduce expenses for the show. Sources have recently revealed that ITV chiefs are grappling with tight budgets and have reportedly been forced to adopt a “minimal” approach.

This includes cutting down on group scenes, like those beloved scenes filmed in Angie’s old stomping ground, the Rover’s Return. The cast, many of whom get paid per scene, are said to be up in arms after noticing a stark change in last month’s scripts.

It is understood the number of extras has been slashed, with an increase in “back-to-back” filming sessions, when actors could be in for a full day of filming starting from 7am. An insider told Mirror Online: “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. 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.”

According to the source, sweeping changes have been made that significantly decreased costs, such as ensuring actors are transported to the set in style and arranging for hair and makeup. They elaborated: “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.”