Jodie Prenger confirms new role away from Coronation Street as Glenda Shuttleworth faces death
Jodie Prenger has captured the nation’s hearts as Coronation Street’s lovable barmaid Glenda Shuttleworth, but now she is set to take on a new role away from the cobbles.
Alongside a whole host of other famous faces, including some from rival soaps, Jodie is set to take to the stage once more in a concert version of Stephen Sondheim’s Gypsy, taking on the role of the formidable Mama Rose.
The performance, which will take place for one night only on Sunday, February 25, is all in the name of a good cause, with proceeds going to the Hope Mill Theatre, a venue that is very close to Jodie’s heart.
‘I’ve been involved with Hope Mill for a bit,’ she told us. ‘We did Johnathan Harvey’s Hushabye Mountain there, and then got involved with Maureen Lipman doing a fundraiser there.
‘They’re [Joe Houston and Will Whelton, who run the Hope Mill] just two boys that just get it. They don’t want it for the big country house, they want it for the community. They want to keep theatre going and they want to keep Manchester as a big creative hub for new theatre and celebrating the old theatre.’
Jodie is not the only soap star that fans will recognised, as she is also joined by other Corrie icons, as well as some famous faces from Emmerdale and EastEnders – which may cause some rivalry backstage, as Jodie reveals!
‘You’ve also got the fab Peter Gunn. He’s playing three parts and he’s a rummun because you can’t keep a straight face with him.
‘ Then you’ve also got Angela Lonsdale, and you’ve got Tom Lister. You’ve got a kid called Idris who’s just been in the Snow White movie but he was one of my babies from Oliver.
‘Harriet Thorpe, you’ve got the EastEnders. We’re rivalling! There’ll be fisticuffs at stage door!’
Jodie is clearly passionate about the project, but revealed that the role came about thanks to another dear showbiz friend.
‘I think this came about with the boys because – he still had his oar in! – Paul O’Grady said I should do it! So, it’s one of the shows they decided to do.
‘They were talking about it and he said “Oh, our Jodie should do it!” He always called me “our Jodie”. So, it’s kind of a nod to him, but we also want to raise lots of money to keep them going. They’re brilliant.’
Back in the world of Weatherfield, Glenda has always brought a certain glamour and flirtation to the Rovers during her time behind the bar, but actress Jodie recently teased that her character may be facing death in scenes that she was scared to film.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News at the Big Night of Musicals, she said:
‘Well, actually, in the car on the way here I was learning some very amazing stuff that will be coming out in six weeks but I don’t know what I can say,’ she teased.
‘It’s very dramatic and I’m quite scared to film it. There’s a very dramatic bit with Glenda and her life is in jeopardy.’