Corrie icon played racy cougar who bonked co-star on soap before Carla Connor fame
Alison King is a firm-favourite on Corrie but it turns out she played a sexy cougar long before her stint as Carla Connor - with the character going on to romp a soap icon
Corrie’s Alison King had a rather naughty role on the soap before she shot to fame as Carla Connor.
The actress, 51, rocked up the cobbles playing factory owner Carla in 2006. Since then, it’s fair to say she has become a firm-favourite with viewers and a staple on the soap.
Carla has also had her fair share of memorable storylines over the years. From steamy affairs to battling alcoholism, her time on the famous street has not been short of drama.
But it turns out actor Alison appeared on the soap way before her Carla stint started 18 years ago. And her saucy role even saw her bed a cobbles resident.
Long before playing Carla, she caused a stir between the sheets with hunky Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas). Alison was cast as Mrs Fanshaw for one episode back in 2004.
In one saucy scene, the stunner rocked a red silk dressing gown after calling builder Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward) for help. He brought along Jason along to help bleed her radiators.
But after spotting Jason, Mrs Fanshaw had something else on her mind. Once she managed to get Charlie out of the way, she had her own wicked way with toyboy Jason.
After flirting outrageously, the pair ended up in bed together and bonking – before Jason made a swift exit. Viewers of the long-running show were left stunned at Alison’s past soap role.
Reacting to her saucy performance, one fan said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Wahey! Corrie went Saucy Seventies in 2004! Jason Grimshaw fiddling with Carla’s (before she was Carla) dodgy thermostat!”
Someone else added: “Mrs fanshaw walked so carla connor could run.” A third penned: “Ali King’s first appearance on Corrie as Mrs Fanshaw. Our queen always iconic! I’ve always loved her taste tbh.” Another chimed in and quipped: “Lucky guy.”
Bosses loved Alison’s vibe so much she was invited back two years later to play Carla and the rest is history. Prior to her Corrie stint though, the fledging actress landed a role on now-cancelled soap Brookside.
She later appeared as Lynda Block in the Sky One drama series Dream Team. Alison was best known for her modelling career. The actress was the face of Boddingtons beer in 2004. She also famously appeared in the recurring Daz soap opera ad Cleaner Close, which made her a household name.
