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Michelle Keegan continues to go from strength to strength in her career as her latest Netflix drama Fool Me Once became a smash hit almost immediately, but the actress’s start was worlds away from the TV icon she is now.
The 36 year old star, who has opened up on fearing she’ll never work again amid chronic imposter syndrome, got her big break on ITV’s longest-running serial soap Coronation Street.
She then carved out a niche in drama shows, and starred in the critically-acclaimed military hit Our Girl.
As the actress’s career continues to impress, fans will be wondering where she began.
Michelle was born and grew up in Stockport, an industrial town in Greater Manchester.
Michelle Keegan got her big break on Coronation Street, but said she was a “chav” as a teen
(Image: ITV)
Michelle’s performance has been praised by viewers
(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
As a teenager, the dark-haired beauty started working on the makeup counter at department store Selfridges, before getting a job at Manchester Airport.
Michelle worked as a check-in girl, and has described herself as a “self-confessed chav” in later years.
She is the daughter of a school facilities manager mum and her dad is a police inspector.
The star’s parents decided to to get a divorce when she was only 11, both later remarrying.
Michelle Keegan is still incredibly close to her mum
(Image: Instagram/Michelle Keegan)
Mark and Michelle now live in a luxury mansion in Essex which they’ve been renovating for years, worth £3.5 million
(Image: Instagram)
Early on during her time on Coronation Street, Michelle opened up on her childhood during an interview with The Mirror, and insisted that the divorce “didn’t affect” her as they were “both always around”.
The actress launched her career as an actress in 2008, when she bagged the role of troubled Tina McIntyre on the cobbles.
Michelle was only 21 at the time, but she immediately became “one to watch” in Weatherfield.
The star decided to carry on living with her mum at the time, because she “kept her grounded”.
Michelle Keegan went on to star in military drama Our Girl after Corrie
(Image: BBC)
The TV star shared an adorable throwback snap from when she was a baby with her dad
(Image: Instagram/Michelle Keegan)
After taking on the role of sexy barmaid Tina, Michelle won Sexiest Female Star at the British Soap Awards six times, and even went on to be named sexiest woman in the world by FHM magazine.
Reflecting on her “pin-up” status, the actress claimed that her character definitely “wasn’t” one, but she admitted to being “girly” and how much she loved getting dressed up.
“I used to be a complete chav,” the star declared to The Mirror. “Before that I was a geek. I had puppy fat and braces and the boys were never interested.
“They were always after my mate. I was a tomboy until I was 15 then turned into a proper chav and was well proud of it. All my friends were chavs.”
Former Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has shared the main key to keeping the spark alive with her husband Mark Wright during their long-distance while she is away filming
After shooting to fame with her role, the star later joked that she struggled with being recognised because she felt most comfortable going to Tesco “In her scruffs”, and would always choose Uggs over heels.
Michelle also admitted the first time she won an award at the NTAs in 2008 was difficult because she was star-struck by all the famous faces she’d watched as a kid.
“There I was in really high Jimmy Choo shoes and a £4,000 Versace dress,” she said at the time. “Six months ago I could only dream of being in Corrie let alone winning a prize.”
Nowadays, fans wouldn’t dream of seeing Michelle without her pristine glam makeup looks and luxurious outfits while stepping out for awards shows.
Michelle Keegan became “sexiest woman” on multiple occasions
(Image: GETTY)
Even in Fool Me Once, the star’s character of a harrowed widowed mother and former Army Captain is never without an array of ultra-confident looks and fabulous clothes.
She is also one-half of one of the most beautiful couples in the UK, as she is married to former TOWIE lothario and mega hunk Mark.
The couple now own a ginormous mansion in the countryside up north, where they reside when not jet-setting all around the world for various work projects.
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