Coronation Street’s Anna Windass quickly became a fan favourite character when she entered the cobbles back in 2008.
From adopting daughter Faye to parting ways with her husband Eddie, Anna’s life in Weatherfield seemed a comfortable one – at least until serial killer Pat Phelan came on the scene.
Though Anna later had to deal with allegations of abuse from Faye and was framed by Pat – and forced to have sex with him – her exit came after murdering the serial killer and ending his reign for good in 2018.
But what has actress Debbie Rush been up to since leaving the soap? From co-starring with Michelle Keegan to releasing a rather unexpected fitness DVD, Daily Star takes a look into her life now.
Incredible weight loss
(Image: Publicity Picture)
Debbie managed to go down four dress sizes in just four months – dropping from a size 16 to a size 8.
The star explained to The Mirror in 2012: “I hit 40 and started to turn into a frumpy mum. I felt like an alien. I didn’t have a weight problem when I was younger, even after having my kids – but in the last four years it started to creep on.”
She added that a paparazzi picture which showed her dressed in just a black bra and pants in a changing room hit the headlines, leaving her feeling insecure.
(Image: Publicity Picture)
She added: “I’ve got abs! I’m chuffed to bits and I’m never going back.”
Debbie admitted she would drink six halves of lager on a night out, as well as having chocolate before dinner after finishing a long day on the Corrie set.
“If I drink [now] it is only at weekends and it’s a vodka slimline or glass of champagne. I avoid wine.”
‘Bulge buster’ DVD
(Image: Publicity Picture)
To celebrate her incredible transformation, Debbie released her very own fitness DVD in 2010.
Entitled Debbie Rush’s Bulge Buster Workout, the cover of the video showed Debbie’s pap pic contrasted with her new, slimmed down self wearing a bright red bikini.
Showing her trim tummy off in slinky red pants, the size 8 Debbie wore her brunette tresses down to her shoulders and beamed at the camera.
She enlisted the help of former rugby star Andy Titterall to help her get down to her goal weight, and shed two stone through circuit exercises and a diet overhaul.
Speaking of the video, Debbie said: “I want to share my exercise secrets and show other real women just like me how to blitz away their body bulge.”
Glam snaps
(Image: debbie_rush/Instagram)
Debbie isn’t afraid to show off her incredible body to her Instagram followers – and keeps them updated on her life after Coronation Street.
Though she hasn’t posted in a few years, Debbie said she was “looking to the future” back in 2018 after Corrie – posting a stunning snap of her sitting on a hotel deck clutching a pair of binoculars.
The star wore a loose-fitting grey and white striped dress that barely reached her knees as she tucked her legs up on a wicker chair, her brunette tresses held back with a pair of sunglasses.
Debbie peered through her binoculars out to sea, pondering the horizon, as fans rushed to comment on her snap.
(Image: debbie_rush/Instagram)
One wrote: “Beautiful!”, as someone else begged: “Are you coming back to Corrie? Hope you are because you’re my fave!”
“What a view, and the scenery ain’t bad too!” another quipped.
In another cosy snap, Debbie curled up in an armchair in a pair of deep blue jeans and a sheer pink satin top, with a cup of tea to ward off the chill.
The star accessorised with a pair of silver hoop earrings and a black bangle as she grinned for the camera – showing off her bright pink pedicure on her bare toes.
‘Tied down’ on Corrie
(Image: ITV)
Debbie admitted her Coronation Street exit came at the right time, as she felt “tied down” on the cobbles.
Speaking to WhatsOnTV, she said: “I had the best time on Coronation Street. But I moved on because I wanted to do other things.
“I love having the freedom to choose, because when you’re on a long-running soap you feel tied down and you can’t do anything else!”
She said that Anna’s last storyline with Pat Phelan left her feeling “exhausted” – and she needed a “breather” after leaving the soap.
Since then, she’s starred in iconic shows like BBC’s Inside No. 9 and Sky’s hit show Brassic alongside Corrie legend Michelle Keegan, who played Tina McIntyre on the cobbles.
Soap return
(Image: itv)
Though Debbie has said she “doesn’t think” she will ever return as Anna, she did admit: “Never say never.”
Upon leaving the soap, she initially confessed: “It was a great job, and I absolutely loved it. I didn’t leave because I hated it. I left for a few different reasons, and I loved going back. So I don’t know.”
And now fans think they’ve rumbled a major twist which could see Anna return for good – to adopt Abi Webster’s new baby, Alfie.
With Abi abandoning her newborn at the hospital after giving a fake name, nurses are desperate to find Alfie’s mum – and as an adoptive mother herself, Anna could be the perfect candidate if Abi decides to give Alfie up for good.
Anna was even mentioned in an episode in early March 2022 – leaving fans desperate to see her return.
One posted: “Anna – OMG I miss her!”
“Nicola and Anna mention, please bring them back!” someone else followed up.
As a third fan echoed: “Is it true Anna Windass is coming back to Corrie?!”
Co-star daughter
(Image: MCPIX)
Debbie isn’t the only famous soap actress in her family – as her daughter Poppy Rush has appeared in both BBC’s EastEnders and ITV’s Emmerdale.
Poppy played Sophie Dodd for a total of 11 episodes of EastEnders back in 2016, working with Kyle at a fast food restaurant and helping him to search for his sister Stacey Slater.
She also portrayed Gemma Griffin for an episode of Emmerdale back in 2010 – and has starred in Inside No. 9 along with her mum Debbie – albeit in a different episode.
In 2016, the mum-and-daughter duo teamed up to open their very own drama school in Rochdale, with Poppy telling Manchester Evening News: “It went really, really well. We had a lot of kids down and they all seemed to enjoy it.
(Image: BBC)
“Mum did some drama coaching and the children could choose to do singing and dancing as well.”
They were set to share their expertise with children and young people at the venture, launched at Bamford Academy near Manchester.
In 2018, Debbie officially became a grandma when her daughter Poppy gave birth to an adorable baby girl.
Debbie said upon hearing the news her daughter was pregnant: “I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandma, I’m too young I’m sure! But no, I’m not going to be called grandma. I’ll have another nickname instead.”
Poppy added at the time: “We’re all so pleased, we needed some joy in our lives and this was it.”
Debbie shared an adorable set of pictures of her granddaughter dressed in a pale pink babygrow, explaining: “Look at our little bundle of joy in her outfit off her favourite [Catherine Tyldesley]. I can’t wait to get home for a cuddle!”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
