CORONATION Street has signed a Shameless legend for a new storyline – and her first scenes have already aired.
The ITV soap has snapped up actress Rebecca Atkinson for a short-stint on the cobbles playing a prison officer called Mandy.
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She played Karen Maguire in Channel 4 show Shameless betwen 2004 and 2013.
Shock scenes this week saw her make her debut as she was held hostage by Mason Radcliffe’s brother in prison.
Mandy clashed with killer Matty Radcliffe when he refused to leave the visiting area.
As she tried to remove him from the area, he pulled a knife and took her hostage.
She was trapped with cobbles killer Rob Donovan and his son Bobby who was trying to convince his dad to donate a kidney to his sister Carla.
And it appears Rob has turned over a new leaf after finding God.
He tried to talk Matty down but only convinced him to throw Mandy at him before grabbing Bobby instead.
Rob failed to talk him down with words so instead used violence and stopped Bobby from being killed.
And Mandy’s set to return for more episodes in the coming months.
A source said: “Rebecca is a hugely talented actress and she’s a great addition to the cast.
“She’s joined for a short stint and will be on screen for a few months while the storyline she’s involved with plays out.”
Rebecca is the latest in a string of former Shameless stars to appear on the cobbles.
Abi Webster actress Sally Carman played Kelly Maguire in the Channel 4 drama.
Coronation Street’s 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let’s break down who’s left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
Ciaran Griffiths – who plays gangster Damon Hay in Corrie on and off – played Mickey Maguire in Shameless.
And actress Rebecca Ryan appeared in Corrie two years ago after playing Debbie Gallagher in the Channel 4 show.
