Soap fans love a good throwback, and recently, Emmerdale viewers have been left amazed after rediscovering one of Michelle Hardwick’s forgotten TV roles.
While she is best known for playing Vanessa Woodfield in the long-running ITV soap, it turns out she made an appearance on Coronation Street nearly three decades ago!
Even more surprising? Fans can’t believe how little she has aged since then.
Michelle Hardwick’s Hidden Coronation Street Past
Michelle Hardwick has been a familiar face on Emmerdale since she joined as local vet Vanessa Woodfield in 2012.
However, before she became a fan favorite in the Yorkshire Dales, she had a couple of short stints on Coronation Street.
A resurfaced image from her past appearances in Weatherfield recently made waves online, leaving fans in disbelief. One fan shared a throwback photo of Michelle in Corrie on Instagram, captioning it: “Fav girl making her Corrie appearance—I cannot cope!”
The post quickly gained traction, leading Michelle herself to acknowledge the memory. She reposted the image on her Instagram Story, adding: “Ahh, thank you for posting. Think this was around 1998. My second Coronation Street appearance.”
This revelation sent soap fans into a frenzy, with many expressing their shock at how youthful she still looks.
Michelle’s Roles in Weatherfield
Michelle Hardwick made her Coronation Street debut in February 1997, playing Sheila Dixon, an employee at Firman’s Freezers, the supermarket where several Weatherfield residents worked.
Then, in November 1998, she returned to the soap for a different role, portraying Naomi Russell, the cousin of Ruth Morgan. Ruth was known for her ties to a religious cult, and Naomi’s introduction added an intriguing twist to the storyline at the time.
Though her appearances on the cobbles were brief, Michelle clearly left a lasting impression. Many Corrie fans had forgotten her time on the soap, but thanks to the resurfaced images, they’ve been reminded of just how long she has been gracing ITV screens.
A Successful Career in Television
While her time on Coronation Street was short-lived, Michelle went on to have a successful acting career across various British dramas.
She had multiple guest roles in Heartbeat, playing three different characters at different points in the series. But in 2003, she landed a more permanent role in its spin-off, The Royal, where she portrayed Lizzie Hopkirk, a hospital receptionist.
Her role in The Royal made her a well-known face among ITV viewers, and it wasn’t long before she found a new home in Emmerdale.
Since joining Emmerdale in 2012 as Vanessa Woodfield, Michelle has become a major character in the show. Vanessa’s relationship with Charity Dingle has been one of the most beloved same-sex romances in the soap’s history, earning praise for its representation. Over the years, she has tackled many emotional and dramatic storylines, cementing her as a fan favorite.
Michelle’s Personal Life and Connection to Coronation Street
Interestingly, Michelle’s ties to Coronation Street extend beyond her past acting roles. She is married to Kate Brooks, a Coronation Street producer, making her connection to the soap world even stronger.
Michelle and Kate first met while working on Emmerdale, when Kate was a producer for the Yorkshire-based soap. The couple got engaged in 2018 and later tied the knot in Memphis in 2019. They have since built a loving family together, raising their two children, Teddy and Betty.
Kate has spoken openly about their decision to share glimpses of their relationship and family life on social media. She recently discussed the importance of representation in the media, especially during LGBTQ+ History Month.
“Being two gay women in the industry who have good platforms to use, especially Michelle, it’s important to show our life and relationship behind the scenes,” Kate explained. “We’re just a normal family with the same ups and downs as everyone else. We would never try and hide that because if people can look at our family unit and feel inspired, then that’s a good thing.”
Fans React to Michelle’s Throwback Moment
Soap fans are always fascinated by past roles of their favorite stars, and Michelle’s Coronation Street throwback has certainly sparked plenty of discussion.
Many fans have taken to social media to share their amazement, with comments like:
“How does she look exactly the same?! It’s been nearly 30 years!”
“I had no idea she was in Corrie before Emmerdale! She hasn’t aged a day.”
“She was in Heartbeat too?! This woman has been everywhere on ITV!”
While Michelle has firmly established herself as Vanessa in Emmerdale, it’s clear that her past in Coronation Street still holds a special place in her career history.
A Soap Star With Staying Power
Michelle Hardwick’s journey through British television has seen her take on a variety of roles, from supermarket worker in Coronation Street to a hospital receptionist in The Royal and now a beloved vet in Emmerdale.
With over a decade spent in Emmerdale, it’s hard to imagine Vanessa Woodfield played by anyone else. But thanks to this recent rediscovery, fans have been given a nostalgic glimpse into Michelle’s early acting days.
One thing is certain—whether it’s 1998 or 2025, Michelle Hardwick remains a timeless talent who looks just as youthful now as she did nearly three decades ago!
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