Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon has styled the hair of many Weatherfield residents at Audrey’s Salon as Maria Connor for over 21 years.
Having beaten Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh and Hear’Say star Suzanne Shaw to land the coveted role of Maria Connor, Samia, 39, has become a household name amongst soap fans across the nation since 2000.
With a string of dramatic storylines under her belt, it’s no surprise the star’s life away from the cameras is totally different to her on-screen persona.
From a sudden divorce, Dancing On Ice romance and surprise second career, Daily Star has taken a look at Samia’s life away from the famous cobbles.
Second Job
(Image: Getty Images)
Whilst we all know her as hairdresser Maria on the cobbles, Samia actually has an exciting second job that couldn’t be more different to her on-screen role
In 2018, the Corrie star revealed she was studying to be a qualified reflexologist in a bid to learn about how alleviating stress and treating illness.
“I’ve always been interested in reflexologies and holistic therapies and things. And it’s just given me a focus, a break from my own head,” said the actress.
Samia explained that she even did a baby reflexology course when her now two-year-old son Yves was an infant and says she became interested in the skill when she was pregnant.
“I had a bit when I was pregnant. It helps you relax. That’s why I’ve been doing it,” she added.
Samia is studying hard to earn her qualifications in the alternative medical practice which involves the application of pressure to specific points on the feet and hands.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
She added: “It’s something different to focus on. I do it as a home study course and send my lessons off to be marked. I’ve got to do a practical at the end.”
Revealing how her Coronation Street cast mates have been supporting her throughout her new talent, Samia added: “They’re all offering to be guinea pigs.”
Lookalike niece
(Image: samia_longchambon/Instagram)
Stunning Samia left fans doing a double take when she posted a sweet snap alongside her lookalike niece Sasha.
The two are clearly close as the star made a cheeky dig in the caption, saying: “Have a gorgeous birthday trouble!” accompanied by the song She Drives me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals.
The beautiful brunettes broke social media as fans rushed to comment on how similar the pair looked. Samia’s Corrie co-star, Georgia Taylor, wrote: “Darling you look like twins!!! Gorgeous xxx.”
(Image: Samia Longchambon Instagram)
It’s not the first time Samia has shared a snap of her lookalike niece, who is the daughter of her brother Tariq.
Samia previously shocked fans with how similar her and Sasha looked in a photo she posted to Instagram back in May.
One fan commented “Niece? I wondered if you had done some clever photoshopping with two pics of you merged into one!”
Co-star romance
(Image: ITV)
After meeting on the set of Corrie, Samia started a relationship with co-star Will Thorp, who played bad boy Chris Gray on the hit ITV soap.
The pair began dating after the actress divorced her ex-husband Matthew Smith after six years of marriage with the pair sharing daughter Freya together.
Their real-life relationship caused a storm as they were pictured together just weeks after walking out on their marriages. Will has previously ended his seven-year marriage to the mum of his two children.
(Image: Samia Ghadie/Instagram/OK! Magazine)
The onscreen lovers insisted they were single before they got together. Besotted Samia soon moved out of the family home in leafy Alderley Edge, Cheshire and the pair set up house as a couple in nearby Wilmslow.
However, the couple split in December 2012 while Samia was in training for Dancing on Ice.
Samia had been partnered up with pro skater Slyvain Longchambon, who was dating Hollyoaks stars Jennifer Metcalfe at time.
Like what you see? Then fill your boots…
There’s MUCH more where that came from! Want all the jaw-dropping stories from the world of showbiz and up to the minute news from TV and soaps?
Well, we’ve got you covered with our showbiz, TV and soaps newsletters – they’ll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.
We’ll bring you the inside track from telly expert Ed Gleave and soap specialist Sasha Morris. Oh, and your daily fix of Piers, Katie Price, Demi Rose and all your other Daily Star favs.
You can sign up here – you won’t regret it…
The pair have since married and share son Yves together, and the actress believes her later father, who sadly died of cancer in 2009, was responsible for helping her find love with the French ice dancer.
During an appearance on Loose Women, she said: “I believe in angels and I always think my dad sent Sylvain to me.”
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
