On The Cover Jennie McAlpine “20 Years On The Cobbles – It’s Bonkers!”
Coronation Street’s Jennie McAlpine talks to us about celebrating her amazing and action-packed two decades on the show as fabulous Fiz
The fact that she’s spent her entire adult life in Weatherfield is something that Jennie McAlpine still can’t quite get her head around.
The actress began playing CoronationStreet’s feisty Fiz Stape when she was just 17 years old. It was only meant to be for four episodes, so thinking no more of it, Jennie went off to work in Boots afterwards. But the character proved such a hit with viewers that four months later she was invited back permanently.
Fast forward two decades and Fiz is still entertaining the show’s millions of viewers – and Jennie too. “I can’t believe it’s 20 years ago since I was doing my first scenes,” she says, shaking her head in disbelief. “It just feels ridiculous and bonkers! It might be half my life, but it’s gone so fast. I feel very lucky.”
Back in 2001 Jennie was fresh out of school, but dreaming of stardom after reaching the finals of a Young Comedian of the Year, which she’d entered after spotting an advert on the back of a Fanta can. Now she’s a happily married mum to Albert, six, and two year-old Hilda. She and husband Chris run a restaurant in Manchester – Annie’s – and she is grateful for the life the show has given her.
“I have friends who are actors who have to do all sorts of tours to make a living and with a family that’s nearly impossible,” she says.
Jennie has previously described CoronationStreet as a “second home” explaining, “I’ve spent my entire e adult life here. Coronation C Street was part of m my life before I joined and it probably p would be still if I wasn’t w in it. I never get bored. I love it. It’s the perfect job.”
Perfect isn’t a word that could ever be used to describe poor Fiz’s life, however. After arriving as the boisterous foster child of Roy and Hayley Cropper, she’s endured plenty of trauma and tragedy along the way and the scriptwriters haven’t let up just because Jennie is celebrating her 20th anniversary!
Shocked viewers have just witnessed Fiz’s devastation after boyfriend Tyrone Dobbs’ confession that he kissed factory worker Alina behind her back. While wronged Fiz struggles to move past Tyrone’s deceit this week, Jennie admits she’s not anticipating much sympathy over her latest storyline and is convinced that fans will still somehow find a way to forgive Tyrone.
“Every single storyline he’s ever done, even when he’s in the wrong, he’s in the right in the eyes of the viewers,” Jennie laughs. “He comes up smelling of roses, no matter what’s he done! All the old ladies will say, ‘oh, he didn’t mean it, Fiz.’ He’ll be seen as the wronged party!”
Despite her two decades in the show, Jennie jokes that she still can’t match her co-stars Alan Halsall (Tyrone) or Sam Aston (Chesney) in the popularity stakes.
“Fans don’t like me as much as they like Tyrone or Chesney,” she grins. “There was a stage where, wherever I went, someone would say, ‘oh, have you not brought Chesney with you?’ I’m always in Chesney’s shadow!”
As for the future,
it remains to be seen whether Tyrone is able to put his feelings for Alina behind him and focus on Fiz and their two children.
While a split would undoubtedly involve some exciting drama for Jennie, she herself is desperate that the couple find a way through.
“I hope they stay together. I love being in that house and I love working with Alan Halsall. Where would I live if they split up?” she laughs.
“I was gutted initially when I was told about the story. The thought of not having scenes with Alan again is sad, but I was also really touched and honoured that the writers gave us this storyline.”
So if she stays on the cobbles for another 20 years, how would Jennie envisage the future if she was in charge of the scripts – would she like to see Fiz become one of the cobbles’ baddies?
“Fiz is quite kind and she just wants a quiet, normal life,” Jennie says. “Even though I’m sure it’s fun playing a bad person, the stick they must get. Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow, used to get terrible things happening to her on the street from fans. On balance I’m glad I play a kind person.”