Former Coronation street star Tina O'Brien has admitted she's battling nerves as she gets ready to play Cinderella in panto. She will be playing the fairytale character at the Manchester Opera House this Christmas, and expects to have a touch of stage fright. "I was very nervous and then we did the Manchester (Christmas) light switch on and there were like 15,000 people and I was there in this costume and I thought, 'If I can do that then hopefully I can do anything'," she said. "But don't get me wrong, first night I will be terrified, I know I will. I'll be like (shakes) but I think hopefully I can do it." However, the 24-year-old has some tried and tested tactics when it comes to conquering nerves. "Always make sure you breathe and also just realise that you're bound to be nervous and don't worry about it too much.” Rehearsals for the panto - which also features Johnny Briggs and Mike Toolan - are going well, says Tina, although it's been a bit hectic. "I only started on Monday,” she revealed. “So I finished Coronation Street on Monday morning and then literally got in the car and drove to the rehearsals and started rehearsing, so it was a bit of a mad day!" Cinderella will be at Manchester Opera House from December 8 to January 13.
