A Furness lady has made her debut on one of the nation's favourite soap operas after pursuing her dream of becoming a professional actress.
Kerry Wilison-Parry, 55, of Woodland Road, Ulverston, has appeared as a character named Mrs O'Hara in ITV's best-loved soap Coronation Street. Mrs Wilison-Parry was filmed having a hair consultation from Jack Shepherd, who plays David Platt, at Audrey's Salon on the iconic street.
The scene was filmed with other Corrie stalwarts - Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts, and Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor. Mrs Wilison-Parry was seen to discuss interior design with the salon staff and then made a poignant comment about Kyle Platt, the late wife of David, creating a tense atmosphere in the salon. Mrs Wilison-Parry said: "It was completely surreal filming the scene, It was an amazing experience.
"I know it sounds like a cliche but everybody was just absolutely lovely. Sue, who plays Audrey, offered to make me a cup of tea and Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow, offered to run lines with me.
"The casting brief said that my accent should be Northern so I just went with my original Barrow accent. Another thing I noticed on set was that Jimmi Harkishin, who plays Dev Alahan, was very handsome in real life!"
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Mrs Wilison-Parry has worked as a Drama teacher at Chetwynde School and as Head of Theatre at Barrow Sixth Form College. However, when her children Theodore and Roseanne left home to go to university, Mrs Wilison-Parry decided to pursue her dream of becoming a professional actress, moving to London with her husband Derek. She said: "I graduated with a post graduate acting diploma from The Bridge Theatre Training Company in London in 2013 and even when I was there people would always say that I'd be suited to playing a role in Coronation Street.
"I am delighted to have got the role for my mum too, she has watched every episode of Coronation Street right from the very first one back in 1960."
Mrs Wilison-Parry has appeared in a number of established fringe theatres in London and currently does weekly work with renowned English dramatist Jim Cartwright. She is now represented by Red Door Management, an acting agency in Media City Manchester and has recently recorded voice over work for the new Swallows and Amazons film which premiered in the Lake District last weekend. Mrs Wilison-Parry said: "For somebody trying to make it as a professional actress it is important to get in front of as many directors as possible. When I got the audition for Corrie I wasn't expecting to get the part as I had no television credits at that time. I have done plays, short films and a feature film but no TV so I thought attending the casting would just be good experience. When the director Peter Rose told my agent I had got the part I think they were surprised, but it's a brilliant step for me."
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