Alexandra Mardell was delighted when she found out Angela Griffin would be her on-screen mum after "idolising" the actress for "her whole life".
The ‘Coronation Street’ actress – who portrays Emma Brooker on the ITV soap – has "always wanted" to appear opposite the former ‘Waterloo Road’ star, who is to reprise her cobbles role as Fiona Middleton, and she cannot wait for her dream to come true.
She said: "Angela has been an idol of mine all my life.
"She’s someone I’ve always looked up to. Even before this storyline came up, I’d always wanted to be able to work with Angela, and everyone tells me she’s completely lovely."
Alexandra found it a "real shock" when she was told Emma would discover Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) is her real dad, but the actress was also delighted about the plot.
She added to Inside Soap magazine: "This was sprung on me quite recently, but I’m absolutely chuffed.
"Did I know this was the plan? No, not at all. Becoming a McDonald has been a real shock for me! It’s great to be tied into one of the biggest families on the Street. I’m so grateful."
Simon recently admitted his alter-ego Steve finds it "mind blowing" that he might have an adult daughter.
Asked if Steve believes he could really be her dad, Simon said: "Not really, he is trying to work it out and he feels as though she would be more likely to be Jim’s daughter, it is a bit mind blowing to think he has a 20-year-old daughter.
"I don’t think he really knows what to think. I think in all honesty he would be hoping that it isn’t the case.
"What happened with Leanne was bad enough but he has got his head round that situation and co-parents with Leanne, but to suddenly have a grown up daughter is like something from ‘Long Lost Families’, how do you process that information?"
Alexandra Mardell can’t wait to team up with ‘idol’ Angela Griffin
