Alison King – things you didn’t know about the TV star

Coronation Street without Carla Connor would be like The Rovers without hotpot on the menu. Since joining the soap back in 2006, actor Alison King has been at the centre of some of the biggest storylines Coronation Street has seen, including battling alcoholism, sexual assault at the hands of Frank Foster, and her hard-hitting mental health breakdown.

Alison has become a firm favourite on the ITV soap over the years, winning countless awards and establishing herself as one of the popular characters on the cobbles. 

But what else do we know about Alison? Here are several things you probably don't know...

 Alison King hasn't always been an actress

She might be a TV star these days, but Alison has had plenty of other jobs before finding her dream career. Not only did she move to Newquay in Cornwall at the age of 18 to work at Fat Willys Surf Shack, she also spent four years as a dental nurse before enrolling at the North Cheshire Theatre School at the age of 22.

She’s a thoughtful friend

It’s no secret that Alison and fellow Coronation Street star Kym Marsh are the best of mates, but their friendship runs deep. Kym explained to OK! Magazine that Alison makes a touching gesture every year for her late son Archie, who died in 2009 after being born 18 weeks early: "Alison’s daughter Daisy shares the same birthday as Archie, Ali had just given birth when she heard I had lost Archie. So every year on Daisy's birthday they always send me a photo of a candle they have lit for Archie."

Carla Connor wasn’t her first Coronation Street role

Before getting the role as Underworld’s head honcho, Alison had previously appeared on the show in one episode in 2004 as a different character, Mrs Fanshaw. The sultry character made quite an impression on young builder Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas). But fast forward two years and she was back after being cast as Carla Connor in 2006.

Rupert Grint is one of her favourite former co-stars

Alison became friends with the Harry Potter star when they both appeared on Sky One's dark comedy Sick Note. The actor told us: "He’s an absolute treasure, we got the giggles a lot. There was one night when I’d gone for a drink after work and sitting near us were the biggest Harry Potter fans ever, I could hear them talking about the films. I wanted to say, 'You’ll never guess who I’ve been working with today!'"

Alison King does yoga to relax

Alison might have a jam-packed schedule filming at Coronation Street, but she still makes time to unwind after work. She told us: "I live half an hour away from the Coronation Street studios, so the drive home is my time to switch off. I also like a bit of yoga and meditation, and of course I always look forward to spending time my daughter, Daisy."

She used to be in Brookside

Whilst training at theatre school, Alison got her first television role as hairdresser Helen in two episodes of the iconic C4 soap Brookside. But that’s not the only TV role she had before joining Coronation Street, Alison also played Lynda Block in Sky One’s Dream Team.

She’s not a fan of reality TV

While the rest of the nation might be glued to the latest reality TV show on offer, Alison has confessed she would much rather watch a gritty drama or an engrossing documentary. She told us: "Love Island isn’t my thing and as a mum of a daughter I just wouldn’t watch it."

Despite her high-profile job, Alison also isn't a fan of social media and doesn't have a Twitter or Instagram account. 

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV.

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.

Main Alison King picture: PA