Tina O’Brien had to have her festive beanie hat pinned down with grips to stop it moving during Coronation Street’s dramatic Winter Wonderland siege scenes.
The Weatherfield residents are to be left shocked this Christmas when the festivities are spoiled by a gun battle on the cobbles, and the crew were keen to ensure Tina’s headgear remained in place through the explosive segment.
Tina – who plays Sarah Platt on the ITV soap – told BANG Showbiz: "My hat had foundation on it by the end. They had to keep pinning it in place with grips so it wouldn’t move.
"There was a lot of drama. The Winter Wonderland doesn’t look quite as big as the pictures, might I add.
"They look like we’ve all gone to Belgium or something.
"Or it’s like the Trafford Centre."
Sarah’s ex Gary Windass (Mikey North) is heavily involved in the drama, and Tina hopes her character has her "bad boy radar" switched on over the festive period to ensure she doesn’t end up in a sticky situation.
The Platt family are certainly no strangers to a bad boy after their previous run-ins with late serial killer Richard Hillman (Brian Capron), who tried to drown the family in the canal.
Tina added: "Maybe Sarah does have her bad boy radar a bit more switched on now.
"What was really clever about Richard Hillman was he always seemed like the nicest guy in the world and behind the scenes he wasn’t."
And while it’s going to be a dramatic Christmas for the Platts, it will be tough off-screen for Tina in the new year because her on-screen daughter Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt) is leaving the ITV soap – and the actress is "really upset" about her pal’s departure.
She said: "I’m really upset. I really, really like her. On and off-screen, I think she’s a very talented actress and she has a natural ability.
"She doesn’t have to say anything and I don’t think many people have that."
Tina O’Brien had to have hat pinned down for Corrie siege scenes
