I was a soap villain in EastEnders and Corrie – now I’m a stand up comedian
A FORMER soap villain has left the dark side behind to embrace a new career as a stand up comedian.
Fiona Allen has appeared in both EastEnders and Coronation Street during her acting career.
Back in 1999, she played Julia Stone in Corrie, who blackmailed Mike Baldwin.
Then from 2019 to 2020 she appeared in EastEnders as Michaela Turnbull, Whitney Dean’s kidnapper.
Speaking to the Express, the 58-year-old said: “I think I look quite happy, but clearly other people see my face and think ‘Yeah, she could do that, she could play that evil role’.”
As well as her villainous roles, Fiona has showed off her comedy chops in hit series Smack The Pony, but now she’s taking another step in her career by making her stand up comedy debut.
She explained: “I wanted to do something for myself. So it was a choice between cage-fighting or stand-up…”
Fiona started doing five-minute spots in 2019 but told the Express: “My debut show in Edinburgh will be my actual debut, it’s the first time I’ve done fifty minutes.”
The Edinburgh Fringe takes over the Scottish capital every August, and Fiona is excited to be a part of it for the first time, despite the fact ayoung male stand-up told her, “You’ve got your awards, you should stand aside for us.”
She said: “I’m in my 50s, why should I be told I can’t do comedy? If I sit in an audience listening to someone telling you about life, I want someone I can relate to, someone my age.”
Despite her long and varied career, Fiona still recalls some of her strangest fan interactions being during her time Coronation Street.
She said: “I was in Covent Garden and a couple of builders hollered, ‘Oi, Mike’s looking for you!’”
The cat-calling was one thing, but she added: “Someone followed me into the changing room, and pulled back the curtains to say ‘I really love your character.’
“There are lines people should realise they shouldn’t cross.”
Fiona Allen: On The Run is at Edinburgh, Pleasant Courtyard until August 20 and tours from September to December.