Coronation Street fans 'confused' as show legend's real name unveiled by co-star

Coronation Street fans were stunned after discovering Georgia Taylor's actual name during a conversation on her co-star's On the Sofa podcast. The 45 year old performer is famous for playing Toyah Battersby in the ITV drama, a part she has embodied since 1997. Toyah made her debut alongside her on-screen parents, Janice (portrayed by Vicky Entwistle) and Les (Bruce Jones). She is additionally the half-sister of Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), and recently engaged in a romance with Nick Tilsey (Ben Price) on the soap. Despite Leanne's fury regarding their deception, Toyah and Nick have subsequently formed a committed relationship and currently jointly operate the Bistro, reports the Daily Star.

Whilst discussing the filming of a recent Corrie sequence with Georgia, podcast presenter Ben Price, who portrays Nick, caused bewilderment when he addressed the performer as Claire. Ben, 54, revealed that he cracked a joke about dismissing several cast members to make "Claire laugh", reports Leicestershire Live. He explained to his co-stars Jack Shepherd and Colson Smith: "I had to do some ADR (automated dialogue replacement) yesterday and it was the top of the scene and we're in the Bistro."

Colson, who plays Craig Tinker, interrupted: "And you have been naughty."

Ben continued: "So I was like fine, Claire, who plays Toyah, is next to me, and I thought it would be quite funny, I'm serious, to make her laugh."

David Platt actor Jack chimed in: "I know what this is", as he started to giggle. Ben went on to say: "The waiters and waitresses have all been there for years. Anyway, he came over and he had to ad lib with me, and I said, 'You see those two over there, can you get them sacked and then chucked out because they're c**p!'".

He continued, chuckling: "So I have said that and then I get called up to ADR and they go 'oh hi Ben, yeah the director just wants to hear what you said'."

Ben later remarked: "It's hilarious that you mime something and think you won't get caught up, and they did catch me out."

Responding to the footage, one Corrie fan questioned, "Who's Claire? Toyah is played by Georgia Taylor."

Another viewer explained: "Her real name is Claire x", whilst a third confessed: "I had absolutely no idea!".

Georgia, who portrays Toyah, was originally named Claire Jackson but altered her moniker due to its commonality when she joined the ITV drama in the late 1990s.

She previously revealed to the Mirror: "It's not that I planned this to happen. But when I started with Coronation Street I had to register with Equity, the actors' union, and at the time there seemed to be a hell of a lot of Claires so I had to think of something else."

Georgia further disclosed: "I couldn't tell you where I got Georgia from, other than I liked it, but my grandad's surname was Taylor and he passed away not long before I got the part."