Ruthie Henshall is heading to Weatherfield this spring! (Picture: ITV)
Award-winning actress Ruthie Henshall is swapping the bright lights of the West End for a guest role on the cobbles of Coronation Street!
In super exciting news, Ruthie, 56, is set to waltz into Weatherfield in spring, making her on-screen debut on April 3.
The casting was confirmed earlier this year, and we now have our first look at Ruthie in character.
She’ll be playing the role of Estelle, an old friend of Rovers Return barmaid Glenda Shuttleworth, played by fellow theatre star Jodie Prenger.
Viewers first meet Estelle having a run in with George about the cost of her mother’s funeral.
But when she bumps into Glenda, the row is forgotten as the pair reminisce over their time on the cruise ships together.
The West End star will appear in a guest role as Estelle (Picture: ITV)
Ruthie said the role has been ‘one of the most enjoyable’ she’s had (Picture: ITV)
It’s not long before Estelle is trying to talk Glenda into buying into her theatre school franchise Little Big Shotz, but how will Eileen react when George offers to help his sister with financial backing?
Speaking about the once-in-a-lifetime role on the famous cobbles, Ruthie – full name Valentine Ruth Henshall – said: ‘This is one of the most enjoyable guest roles of my career.
‘Everyone is so welcoming and I can’t believe after years of the street being in my life that I finally get to tread the cobbles.’
She was also keen to sing the praises of her co-stars: ‘Getting to act with Jodie was a joy and every member of the cast was welcoming and kind.’
Ruthie is best known for her West End roles, as well as her TV appearances (Picture: Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)
She’ll star opposite barmaid Glenda, played by Jodie Prenger (Picture: ITV)
Of her new character, she teased: ‘Estelle is delighted to find her old friend Glenda and share a show tune or two to remember times spent entertaining on board cruises.
‘I am so excited and delighted to be on the street where so many brilliant actors strut, and have strutted, their stuff.’
Ruthie has enjoyed a multi-award winning career on both stage and screen.
She has starred in the most popular musicals of the past 30 years, including Cats, Miss Saigon, Crazy For You, She Loves Me, Marguerite, Oliver!, A Chorus Line, Les Misérables, Billy Elliot and Chicago.
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You might also recognise her from her TV appearances, which include: Valery in The Case for BBC, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Law & Order, The Mysteries of 71st Street, and The Sound of Musicals.
She also appeared as a judge on Dancing On Ice back in the day.
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She’s swapping the stage for the Weatherfield cobbles.