You Ask… Sally Carman (Abi)
Corrie’s Abi Franklin ...faces your questions!
The Street’s Abi will have a lot of talking to do if Tracy ever finds out she snogged Steve – but Sally Carman has plenty of time to chat through your questions…
“Prior to Coronation Street, what’s been your most memorable role?”
That’s very easy. I was in a Radio 4 play called Lost And Found, written about
Julie Hesmondhalgh’s family life by her husband, Ian Kershaw. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I was the daughter of a character played by Sir Tom Courtenay, and he and I ended up writing to each other afterwards –
he’s wonderful. It was one of those jobs that you know is special.
“Would you like Abi to be in charge of organising a big social event for you?”
Absolutely not – under no circumstances would I want that woman near anything to do with my social life, quite frankly! I reckon I’d go to the Connors instead. Those women are so together and on it. I would have said Sal, if she weren’t in prison. But the Connor ladies would definitely be all over it.
“What’s the best thing about working so closely with Kate Ford [Tracy] and Simon Gregson [Steve]?”
They’re the most beautiful, warmhearted, gorgeous, generous people you could ever wish to meet. I adore the pair of them. We laugh a lot – we laugh too much! In fact, it needs to stop… We had a scene in the taxi office just last week, and I got slightly hysterical for a good half an hour. You can’t look Simon in the eye without laughing!
“Who inspired you to act?”
Well, I told Barbara Knox [aka Rita] this story when I met her – I remember the Rita and Alan Bradley storyline, being quite young and watching this woman perform, and I got goose pimples. I just knew I wanted to do what she did. She mesmerised me – she’s an actual living legend, and I’m completely in awe of her. It’s a privilege to work alongside her on the same job, I have to pinch myself! I think she’s remarkable, and she was such a massive influence on me for becoming an actor.
“Did you expect Abi to return to the Street after her initial run?”
I was ever-hopeful, and when the call came through, I couldn’t stop smiling. I rang my mum and dad, and they were delighted. After
“Do you think Abi is the best match for Steve?”
all the jobs I’ve done, this was the one where they said, “You’ve made it” – and they’re kind of right! From the moment I started on Corrie, I felt at home immediately. I’ve never been so comfortable in a job. I feel very grateful and lucky to be here.
“Is it correct that you’re a qualified reiki therapist, and do you still get time to practise?
I am a reiki therapist, although it’s not something I do any more. It was something that, at the time, really helped me. I had vertigo, and a friend of mine did reiki and said it could help – and it did.
So I learned how to do it myself.
“Abi’s a really good mechanic – have you managed to pick up any tips while playing her?”
I’ve learned nothing through playing a mechanic, but my dad’s so practical and brilliant – and since I was small, he’s taught me how to use a drill, put up shelves, change a tyre, all that kind of stuff. So I’m pretty handy actually!
“Who do you think makes the best match for Steve – Tracy or Abi?”
Abi! That’s not a tricky question at all… Abi’s his soulmate, in my opinion! Steve likes a feisty woman, a troubled feisty soul who entertains him and keeps him interested. And I think there’s a definite spark between Abi and Steve. I reckon that could be something brilliant.
“Are you a cat or a dog person?”
Dog! I have a dog who I called Figgy Pudding, and he’s never forgiven me for it. He’s a cross between a chihuahua and a shih tzu but looks like a terrier, and I’m sure he knows he has an embarrassing name! He’s my bestest friend, and I love him to bits. I sometimes call him Mr Pudding if he’s feeling grand, but normally just Fig.
“Where would you say is the best place you’ve ever visited?”
I went to see the open-air opera in Verona, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime event – it was magical. It’s a very I’m a massive fan of Countdown and Susie Dent, but I absolutely would not like to be on the show, because I’d come unstuck in an instant! I can be looking at the conundrum for three weeks and still not know it – I’m hopeless. I do appreciate a genius, though, and Susie Dent is absolutely one. I think she’s just so awesome. romantic place. I went to see Carmen, and they had about 30 horses on the stage and a hundred cast. It was unreal!
“What would people be most surprised to learn about you?”
I’m weirdly strong. Simon Gregson really can’t quite believe it, because I drag him around all the time. I’m rather spindly, but if you need some boulders moving, I’m your gal!
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?”
Keep it in the moment. We like to worry about the past and future, and neither of those exist – so deal with what you can in the moment, and the rest will sort itself out.
“Who inspired you to become an actor?”
“I’ve noticed you follow Countdown’s Susie Dent on Twitter – are you a big fan, and would you like to appear on the show?” …asks reader Laura Burdock from London