Actress Amanda Barrie says she would have been fired from 'Coronation Street' if she had revealed her sexuality in the 1980s.

Back in 2003, Amanda made a bold decision to come out as bisexual. However, she recently revealed that she had kept her sexuality hidden during her time on Coronation Street in the 80s, fearing that it would lead to her being sacked from the show. The actress, best known for her role as Alma Sedgewick/Baldwin/Halliwell, shared her concerns on the Conversation Street podcast in 2022. She even spent a lot of money on solicitors, worried that her personal life would be exposed in the media and cause her to lose her job.

At the age of 88, Amanda finally felt comfortable enough to come out publicly in her autobiography, It's Not A Rehearsal, and in 2014, she married her long-term partner, crime novelist Hilary Bonner. Looking back, she is grateful for the positive changes in the entertainment industry, as she believes that her sexuality would have been a major issue during her time on Coronation Street.

During her years on the show, Amanda's character, Alma, had some memorable storylines, including running the café with her friend Gail Tilsley and getting caught in the middle of a feud between Mike Baldwin and Ken Barlow. Her character's exit was also a memorable moment, as Alma sadly passed away from cervical cancer, surrounded by her loved ones. The emotional episode was watched by millions and even led to an increase in smear test uptake in the UK.

In recent years, Coronation Street has become more inclusive and accepting towards its LGBQT+ cast members and characters. Amanda, who is still a devoted fan of the show, is happy to see these positive changes. She joked that if all these characters had come out during her time on the show, she could have had even more dramatic storylines.

Aside from her iconic role in Coronation Street, Amanda has also appeared in other popular shows such as Holby City, Benidorm, and Doctors, as well as films like Carry On Cleo and Carry On Camping. In 2022, she even made a guest appearance in an episode of Casualty, playing a character named Elsie. Her storyline involved her character being abused in a care home, which ultimately led to Dylan discovering the truth.

However, Amanda's talents are not limited to the screen. She also enjoys writing and has published her autobiography, It's Not A Rehearsal. In 2022, she also released another book, which delves into her love for animals and her activism for animal rights.

The entertainment industry is constantly changing and evolving, and Amanda's story serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made in terms of representation and acceptance. As for Amanda, she continues to be a beloved figure in the entertainment world and is always open to new opportunities and experiences.

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