Coronation Street fans stunned as they spot legendary soap star in forgotten classic Corrie role
CORONATION Street fans have been left stunned after realising one of the central actors played a different character in earlier seasons of the show.
Alison King is best known as Carla Barlow, the Underworld factory manager in Corrie.
She recently went through a heartbreaking storyline as her husband left to travel around the world with a friend.
Peter had been struggling ever since killing super villain Stephen Reid, and wanted to leave Weatherfield, but was holding back for the sake of his wife.
In emotional scenes at Christmas she gave him her blessing to move on with his life in the form of a plane ticket.
Now Carla is trying to figure out what to focus on as a newly single businesswoman.
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Fans watching Classic Corrie recently got a shock when they spotted Alison King - but not in the role of Carla.
Many viewers hadn't realised that the actress played Mrs Fanshaw on the same soap back in 2004.
Mrs Fanshaw was the cougar who seduced young builder Jason Grimshaw when he came round to fit a radiator in her bathroom.
Eagle-eyed fans were excited by the throwback, and took to social media to compliment the actress for doing so well in both roles.
One delighted audience member wrote: "Mrs fanshaw walked so carla connor could run."
Another gushed: "Ali King’s first appearance on Corrie as Mrs Fanshaw. Our queen always iconic! I’ve always loved her taste tbh."
A third exclaimed: "Wahey! Corrie went Saucy Seventies in 2004! Jason Grimshaw fiddling with Carla's (before she was Carla) dodgy thermostat!"
A shocked viewer questioned: "Blimey did I just see Carla, aka Mrs Fanshaw? Yes I did. First appearance by Alison King!"