Vicky Entwistle

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Played: Janice Battersby (6 January 1997 - )

Vicky Entwistle was born in Accrington, Lancashire in 1968,. She was educated at Rhyddings High School and at the age of 16 she commuted to Blackpool to study Drama whilst holding down a night shift job at the local Asda Supermarket. Her father, who runs M & M Newsagents in Clayton-le-Moors, encouraged her to train as a lawyer but acting seemed to be in her blood.

Two years later, in 1987, Vicky worked as a Bluecoat at Pontin's in Brixham, Devon but decided to give that up when she was accepted on a three year training course at the Drama Centre in North London. Vicky graduated in 1992 and made her stage debut as Parkoe in Night Must Fall. She then took a small role in The Bill before playing Beryl White in BBC's Against All Odds.

Vicky returned to the stage as Hanna in Merlin before gaining the role of Amy in BBC's Our Tune. When not acting, Vicky lived off the dole but took part time jobs as a cleaner and helped out in her parents shop. Vicky then played Madonna freak Maxine Graham in Like A Virgin and was spotted by Granada Television casting director Judy Hayfield. She was offered the role of machinist Janice Lee in Coronation Street and made her debut on 6 January 1997. The following month, Vicky was told that she would become the mother of the street's new family The Battersby's and was introduced to fellow actors Bruce Jones, Jane Danson and Georgia Taylor. Soon Vicky found herself swamped by fans where ever she went and found it hard to accept.

Vicky, who is single and lives in Manchester, was rushed to hospital in March 1998 and had an emergency operation to remove her appendix at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, she made a complete recovery and returned to the show just weeks later.