Coronation Street's Mollie Gallagher has revealed her incredible three-year turnaround to becoming a soap star.
The actress will be best known to fans for playing the role of Nina Lucas in the ITV soap.
Mollie made her screen debut as Nina back in November 2019 as the niece of Roy Cropper, played by Corrie icon David Neilson.
Nina came to live with Roy above the cafe after her dad, Roy's half-brother, Richard Lucas died in December 2019.
READ MORE: Corrie star says perfume triggered harrowing memories of soap murder
The character made quite the impression on the street as one to stand out from the crowd and give sound advice to her peers.
But earlier this year, Nina's world came crashing down when she and boyfriend Seb Franklin were involved in a hate attack.
The loved-up couple were set upon by Kelly Neelan, Corey Brent and his gang of mates, leaving them battered and bruised.
Seb, however, didn't make it and tragically died as a result of his injuries.
And this week, the truth will be revealed as the night of his murder is relived in flashback scenes.
The heartbreaking scenes have had viewers gripped and in tears, so it's no surprise Mollie has been nominated for a Serial Drama Performance award for her role at this year's National Television Awards.
There is also a significance to the 23-year-old actress' nomination, as she'll be returning to the ceremony as a nominee having once worked as a seat filler.
"In 2018 I went to watch the NTAs as an audience seat filler when I was at drama school," Mollie told The Sun. "I was really nervous, but I thought it was so exciting to see all the stars.
"As a seat filler you’re part of the audience. When the TV cameras are panning around, they never want to show empty seats.
"So if an actor or a producer nips to the loo during the awards you sit in their seat.
"When they come back you get up, so you end up sitting in four or five seats."
Mollie admits that she was a "massive" Corrie fan but didn't actually get to see with them at the ceremony three years ago.
"It was the year Lucy Fallon, who played Bethany Platt, won the Best Serial Performance award, and I got really emotional," Mollie recalled to the publication.
"When I got nominated this year I was laughing with my friends about how crazy it is that I’ve gone from being a seat filler watching Lucy to being nominated for the same award."
Mollie will go up against her co-star Sally Carman, who plays Abi Franklin, at the ceremony after they were both shortlisted for the gong.
EastEnders' Danny Dyer and Hollyoaks star Billy Price are also nominated in the same category.
Coronation Street was Mollie's first professional role, coming from a family of Corrie fans and growing up close to the Salford-based set.
Speaking about her mum Deborah, a supermarket worker, Mollie said: "My mum has always been interested in acting and singing and would have absolutely loved the opportunity to be an actress.
"Even though she didn’t get the chance, she’s really pleased I’m living out her dreams. She absolutely loves that I’m doing this."
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