Samia Ghadie has revealed that she initially auditioned to play a different character on Coronation Street.

Prior to landing the part of Maria Connor in 2000, the actress tried out for the daughter of Des Barnes's girlfriend in the mid-1990s, a role which eventually went to Emily Aston.

Ghadie told TV Choice: "Do you remember Des Barnes? He had a girlfriend who had a daughter, and it's quite ironic really, because the part went to Emily Aston, who's Sam Aston's sister.

"Me and Emily would always go for auditions, we were at the same drama classes, and she's a gorgeous girl. She's lovely, and she got it. So I was really pleased for Emily.

"Looking back now, I'm glad I didn't get it. But I remember crying on the sofa at home, saying, 'What's wrong with me?'"

Fellow Weatherfield star Sam Aston has played Chesney since he was 10 years old in 2003.

Emily Aston played Becky Palmer between 1996 and 1997 before the character was written out.