Coronation Street legend Alison King reveals ‘sensational’ reason she won’t quit show

Good news Carla Connor fans: It seems that actress Alison King won’t be leaving Coronation Street any time soon, as she has revealed the thing that keeps her coming to work every day.

Carla has been at the forefront of some enormous storylines since she first burst onto our screens in 2006, and has become one of the most recognisable faces on the cobbles.

Over the last 18 years, Carla has battled with alcoholism, faced a terrifying rape ordeal, suffered a psychotic episode and had more weddings than you could shake a stick at.

Because of this, actress Alison King has been able to explore a lot of different sides to her character, which she says she really enjoys.

‘I like playing all Carla Connor’s unexpected, varied sides,’ Alison explained. ‘She’s got so many sides to her and I think she tries to grow as a person but ultimately her core is fiery and fearless.

‘She is vulnerable, she can be frightened of things but she attacks things face on which ultimately gives me brilliant storylines because she either gets into trouble or she does the right thing. The viewers understand that she’s going to go off the rails, but she’ll come back again.

‘It’s just been such a lovely thing to be able to get to play, all those vulnerable situations with the psychosis, through her addiction and the grief she’s had to deal with, but to be able to show those from a strong woman’s perspective has been brilliant.

‘Going out to those places but then being able to come back to the core of her somewhat damaged soul. I love being able to show that journey and that though she makes mistakes she’s ultimately a good soul.’

As well as having plenty of gritty stories to get her teeth into, Alison has revealed that it is also her co-workers who keep her coming back to work every day.

‘Our team is a family, my brothers and sisters are here really, people may come and go but they always remain,’ she enthused. ‘I’ve made so many friends it’s a dream really.

‘It’s definitely the people and obviously as an actor getting to play something different every day and practice my art, that is incredible for me.

‘I’ve got to work constantly now for 27 years, probably with only a year and a half out, so getting to practice your art every single day is sensational for an actor.’