SHE is a Coronation Street legend who has played the iconic Sally Webster since 1986.
But for the first time in her career spanning almost four decades, actress Sally Dynevor is stepping out from her soap character for a new challenge.
On Sunday, the 58-year-old will make her debut on Dancing On Ice – and admits the prospect is “daunting”.
Despite being excited by the chance to learn a new skill, Sally says she’s apprenhensive, having “hidden” behind the mouthy blonde on the cobbles for 36 years.
She said: “I really do want people to get to know me because they’ve only ever known me as my character for so long.
“But putting yourself out there is quite difficult for me because I’ve not done this before.
“I’ve hidden behind the character, so suddenly to come out after all these years is quite daunting.
“I’m hoping I will be OK and it’ll go well and then I’ll go back to being Sally Metcalfe again in a few weeks.”
Sally is following in the footsteps of her Coronation Street co-stars who dared to swap the cobbles for the ice rink.
That includes a Jane Danson, Andy Whyment, Samia Ghadie, Danny Young, Steven Arnold, Antony Cotton, Lisa George, Faye Tinker – and Sally’s on-screen daughter Brooke Vincent.
She says she’s been taking inspiration from Brooke – who finished as a runner-up in 2018.
“It’s lovely we’ve got a shared experience,” said Sally.
“Everyone has been really supportive. They’ve all talked me through their experiences about what happened to them.
“I’ve been looking at my daughter Brooke, who did it a few years ago, watching all of her YouTubes, it just inspires me.
“On the Corrie cobbles we’re all starting off on the same beginning.”
At 58, Sally has found juggling Corrie and learning a demanding physical skill tough.
But she’s making the most of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I’m really excited to give it a go and see what happens,” she adds.
“I’m never going to win but I’m definitely going to enjoy the experience.
“Trying to find the ice time around Coronation Street has been tricky, but we’ve managed to do it, it’s been absolutely fine.
“Matt’s very experienced, so I’m very lucky. It will be what it will be. It’s a little journey and I’m enjoying every minute.
“The training has been really,, really hard because we’ve never done anything like this before.
Sometimes I’m on the ice and think ‘I’m so privileged to do this and I’m doing this for work.’
You’ve just got to grab it with both hands and enjoy it. I go home after training and think ‘this is amazing, i’ve got to enjoy every minute’.”
Sally’s daughter Phoebe became an overnight hit in Bridgerton last year when the Netflix series was released.
Asked if Phoebe will be supporting her from the sidelines, the private – but proud – mum replied: “She is pleased, she is really happy for me.”
- Dancing on Ice returns at 6.30pm on ITV this Sunday.
