A SWINDON actress appeared in Coronation Street as part of a special mental health episode.

Alice Offley, from the town centre, played the character of a jogger who helps Carla Connor, played by Alison King.

She said: “I was so happy when my agent called to tell me I had been picked for the role in Coronation Street.

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Alice Offley

“It’s a programme that was on at home for as long as I can remember during my childhood, and we are all fans of the show, so it was a huge accomplishment for me to be cast in it.

“It’s the biggest TV show and prime time production that I have been in. I loved every minute of being on and off set at Coronation Street.

“The cast and crew were so warm and welcoming to me, it was an awesome experience.”

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The recent episode explored Carla’s psychosis as she kept blaming herself for the death of her sister’s fiancée.

Alice added: “The episode was given a cinematic feel with the lighting and colouring, to conjure a mood consistent with Carla’s mental state.

“It was a really heart-breaking and profound episode with a very different look and energy.

“More like a film than a soap, and I’m really proud to have been involved in such a special episode.”

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Alice had to film her scene early in the morning. “My biggest challenge was to overcome the cold weather as it was a freezing morning in the park where we were shooting.

“But I had to look as if I was relaxed after jogging.”

The actress was born in Cheney Manor, Swindon and went to a performing arts school in Chiswick.

She said she was a shy student except during drama classes. “I loved drama classes at school as I could become someone else, and I found it so exciting and fun.”

But getting a role in a big production can be very tough. Alice said: “The industry is very competitive. I’m lucky to have a great agent who can get me auditions. I always do my best to prepare, then just wait and see what happens.”

It wasn’t her first role as she previously appeared in Fix the Past and BBC1’s award winning drama series Doctors, where she won her first lead role.

Alice is now looking forward to other opportunities this year.