Lorna Laidlaw says her ‘Coronation Street’ wig has been a "godsend".
The ‘Corrie’ newcomer’s real-life look is very different to her alter-ego Aggie Bailey on the ITV soap, and as a result some of the soap’s autograph hunters haven’t recognised her when she is out of character.
She said: "The fans went mad when they realised that Mrs Tembe off ‘Doctors’ is on ‘Corrie’ now.
"Apparently it was trending – I don’t even know what that means. But I must say, the wig has been a godsend.
"I’ve just been stood at the back gate of ‘Corrie’ and someone has gone up to one of the other actors to ask for an autograph, but didn’t ask me."
Despite being in Soapland for eight years while playing Mrs Tembe in the BBC daytime soap, Lorna found it "really scary" joining ‘Coronation Street’, and she had to keep reminding herself not to revert back to her African accent.
She said: "It was really scary, as ‘Corrie’ is such a massive show compared to ‘Doctors’.
"It’s an institution. You walk on set and you can’t believe it – you’re in the Rovers.
"Then you’re in Ken Barlow’s house – it’s constant.
"Also I had to remind myself not to go into an African accent, which was my default after playing Mrs Tembe for eight years."
The 56-year-old actress realised her ‘Corrie’ role was meant to be after noticing several coincidences to her real life.
She added to Inside Soap magazine: "There are loads of things that, when I got this job, made me go, ‘Oh my God.’
"Agatha is my aunt’s middle name, my on-screen husband’s last name is George, which is my dad’s name.
"My on-screen son is played by Nathan, and my real son’s name is Nathaniel.
"There are loads of little things that made me go, ‘The universe is looking after you, girlfriend.’ "
Lorna Laidlaw: Corrie wig has been a ‘godsend’
