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CORONATION Street star Stirling Gallacher reveals she broke down in tears after thinking she had 'fluffed' her audition.

The former Doctors actress joined the ITV soap as Sophie Webster's new cougar lover but said her screen test "wasn’t as sharp" as would have hoped, The Mirror reports.

 Doctors star Striling has joined Coronation Street as Sophie Websters new cougar lover
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Doctors star Striling has joined Coronation Street as Sophie Websters new cougar lover

She told the paper: "I thought I’d blown it and I really wanted the job, so I had a bit of cry to be honest."

Stirling auditioned alongside Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe, and Brooke Vincent, who plays  Sophie.

She added: "My husband and I have four kids between us and a mortgage and I need to earn a living, so I really wanted the job.”

The Sun Online exclusively revealed Stirling would play Paula Cunliffe, a childhood friend of Sophie's mum Sally who has become a hugely successful lawyer who will help Sally when she faces a fraud probe at the council.

A Coronation Street told The Sun: “Sophie hasn’t had much luck with romance on the cobbles but it appears this time it’s finally going in the right direction for her.

“She allows herself to star t falling in love with the lawyer but Sally is furious when her friend tells her she has feelings for her daughter.

 The actress is recognisable to soap fans as Doctors' Georgina Woodson
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The actress is recognisable to soap fans as Doctors' Georgina WoodsonCredit: BBC
 She will embark on a passionate fling with Brooke Vincent's Sophie Webster
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She will embark on a passionate fling with Brooke Vincent's Sophie WebsterCredit: PA:Press Association/PA Images

“She’s livid about the age gap and brands her friend a cradle-snatcher.”

Sophie was dumped earlier this year by Kate Connor, played by Faye Brookes. In 2011 fans saw her wedding to Sian Powers called off after she was overheard confessing to a drunken kiss with pal Amber Kalirai.

The unlikely match comes when Sally, played by Sally Dynevor, is forced to call an old lawyer friend after mistakenly handing over council charity funds to a fraudster.

But instead of just focusing on the case in hand, the lawyer pal falls in love with Sophie.

 Stirling recently played the Mayor of Walford in EastEnders for a series of episodes
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Stirling recently played the Mayor of Walford in EastEnders for a series of episodes

Actress Stirling is no stranger to soaps having most recently appeared in Holby City as Elizabeth Cartwright.

She also starred in Doctors for six years playing Dr Georgina Woodson.

There was also a stint in Casualty, and she has played the Mayor of Walford in EastEnders as part of Max Branning's ill-fated revenge scheme.

Coronation Street wins Best British Soap Award at The British Soap Awards


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