Coronation Street’s Claire Sweeney has opened up about living with Imposter Syndrome, and how it impacts her in the acting industry.
Claire currently plays Cassie Plummer in the ITV soap, but became a household name when she joined the cast of Brookside.
In 1991, Claire’s first scenes as Lindsey Corkhill aired. She then played the role until the show’s end in 2003.
It was landing this role that saw Claire first develop feelings of Imposter Syndrome, which often sees someone experience self-doubt over a long period of time.
‘I kept quiet, watched and learned. I have terrible Imposter Syndrome. I still do now in Corrie, I still get it sometimes’, the star said recently.

In her chat with The Speakmans on their podcast, Claire added: ‘Oh god all the time, all the time. Like what you said before, your instinct is like, “Oh I’ve been very lucky”, well actually I worked hard and I’ve earned the miles, do you know what I mean, I’ve earned my stripes, but I do still get it.
‘I spent six years being shocked every time my contract got renewed, six years, even now, I never expect a contract to get renewed. I’m like why should we think [that]? Our business is not based on safety is it and security, it’s transient.’
Claire also said that she believes having no expectations with things like contracts keep her feeling humble.
‘I still love learning, I still go for singing lessons, I’m always watching, like you know, working with Bill Roche, watching him work, I mean he’s fantastic, Simon Gregson, I watch these people who have been in the show for years and I’m still learning.’

Claire has played Cassie in Coronation Street since 2023.
Recently, she was part of a dark storyline that saw Cassie drug Ken Barlow (William Roache).
It started shortly after Cassie lost her job as Ken’s carer. In order to continue having a stable income, Cassie began lacing Ken’s drinks with drugs so he’d have no choice but to ask her for help again.