Ruxandra Porojnicu reckons her role in Corrie’s hard-hitting modern-day slavery storyline has saved lives.
Viewers have told her they had no idea their friends were being kept as slaves until they saw her character’s ordeal on the soap.
Ruxandra, 26, will return to the ITV show this month after wowing bosses with her performances.
Last year, her trusting character Alina Pop was forced to work in a nail bar by a trafficking ring.
The storyline, which was backed by the Salvation Army, helped to raise awareness of the scale of the problem.
Ruxandra, 26, will return to the ITV show this month after wowing bosses with her performances (Image: ITV)
And that is something Ruxandra is proud of – so much so, she will run the London Marathon in April to help victims.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sunday, Ruxandra said: “That’s what I love about soaps – the way they educate and inform people.
“The fact Corrie got everyone talking about modern slavery was such a good thing.
“I had people message me telling me they know people going through what Alina went through but they didn’t realise what it was.
“Because of Alina’s story they were able to realise what was going on
.
Ruxandra will run the London Marathon in April to help victims of trafficking (Image: ITV)
“I had no idea what the Salvation Army do to help people like Alina until I worked on this storyline and that’s why I want to help by running the marathon.”
Ruxandra is training up to six times a week for the event and is already running half-marathons.
Though she told us: “When I first started I couldn’t even run 2km.”
Ruxandra began her training in November before returning to the studios full-time a month later. Viewers will see her arrive back in Weatherfield a week tomorrow when she goes for a job at the knicker factory.
Ruxandra began her training in November before returning to the studios full-time a month later (Image: ITV)
She is competing for the role with Eileen Grimshaw, played by Sue Cleaver, but the interview goes so well Alina is offered it.
Ruxandra said: “Poor Eileen doesn’t do so well, but I am so proud of Alina. It’s a customer services role and she’ll be working in the office.
“It’s going to be so interesting to see her interact with other characters.”
Ruxandra says she is having the time of her life being back on the Street and she was delighted when the producers asked her to return.
Ruxandra says she is having the time of her life being back on the Street (Image: ITV)
She said: “I was so happy. To get the opportunity to explore the character is going to be amazing. I’ve already had the chance to meet other actors and work with different characters, which has just been incredible.”
Of her former love interest Seb Franklin, played by Harry Visinoni – who is now in a relationship with sweet-natured Emma Brooker – Ruxandra added: “She’s trying to make a life for herself in Weatherfield but that comes with its own set of problems.
“Seb is there with Emma, but maybe someone else catches her eye.
“There’s so much coming up and I’m honestly having the time of my life.”
● You can help Ruxandra’s drive to help victims of modern slavery by donating to her appeal at: justgiving.com/fundraising/ruxandra-porojnicu.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
