Former Coronation Street actor Thelma Barlow, who played the much-loved character Mavis Wilton, has shared a look into her early days on the ITV soap, revealing that she found it “frightening” when she first joined.

The veteran actress, who became a Corrie favourite, had an unconventional start after being discovered while doing stage work in Liverpool, which led to her auditioning for the show.

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Her initial appearances in 1971 were sparse, primarily featuring as a guest at Emily and Ernest Bishop’s wedding in just a couple of episodes. However, it wasn’t long before Thelma was brought on board as a full-time cast member.

In a conversation with the Conversation Street podcast, the 95-year-old star reminisced about her daunting first day on set, saying: “It’s very frightening to go in as the new girl, there was only about 25 people in it then (the show), but as soon as I knew that I’d got it (the job), I watched it as much as possible.”

Thelma Barlow during The 2005 British Independent Film Awards – Inside Arrivals at Hammersmith Palais in London, Great Britain. (Photo by Jon Furniss/WireImage)

Thelma starred in Corrie for an impressive 26 years (Image: Jon Furniss, WireImagevia Getty Images)
She also confessed to feeling anxious about fitting in with her co-stars, who had been working together for years, adding: “These people, they’ve worked together all these years, and they know each other very well.”

After a remarkable 26-year run, Thelma brought her iconic character Mavis to a close in 1997, marking the end of an era for Coronation Street fans who cherished her on-screen friendship with Rita Tanner, played by Barbara Knox.

Despite numerous requests to return to the show, Thelma previously stated that she had no intentions of resuming her role in an interview with the Distinct Nostalgia podcast, stating: “I feel I’ve packed Mavis away in a box now.”

Thelma Barlow during “Cirque du Soleil: Alegria” Press Night – Inside Arrivals at Royal Albert Hall in London, Great Britain. (Photo by Jon Furniss/WireImage)

Her friendship with Rita Tanner (played by Barbara Knox) became a key feature of her time on the show (Image: Jon Furniss, WireImagevia Getty Images)
She went on to say: “I don’t think I’d know how to do her anyway. Maybe a good script would make me realise how I’d played the part.”

While Thelma’s role in Coronation Street remains her most notable, she has had a broad and accomplished television career, showcasing versatility beyond the cobbles.

She notably appeared in the sitcom dinnerladies as Dolly Bellfield, where she co-starred with Shobna Gulati, who would later join the cast of Coronation Street.

Thelma continued her acting career with shorter appearances in various shows, including Doctors, The Royal, Agatha Christie’s Marple, and a memorable episode of Doctor Who as Lady Thaw.

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Although her recent screen appearances have been limited, she made a comeback in the short film Sleepless in Settle last year.

Speaking to the BBC about the film, she said: “The film is just the sort of thing people need right now – a gentle comedy.”

And she believes that it will strike a cord with audiences of all ages: “It has a very sweet message that people of different generations can successfully live together. It was such fun to make.”

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