Coronation Street stars swap Weatherfield for wicked Christmas roles

Two Coronation Street actresses are preparing to show audiences a very different side of their acting talents this Christmas, with Mollie Gallagher and Beth Nixon joining forces to play the Wicked Stepsisters in Cinderella.

Mollie, who recently left Weatherfield after seven years playing Nina Lucas, will appear alongside Beth, whose portrayal of abusive athletics coach Megan Walsh became one of the ITV soap’s most disturbing storylines.

The pair will lead the cast of the festive production at The Loom in Oldham, running from Friday 11 December 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027, marking the first Christmas pantomime at the town’s new entertainment venue.

From serious soap storylines to pantomime villains

For Mollie, Cinderella continues a major new chapter in her career following her departure from Coronation Street in August.

The actress left her role as Nina to make her professional stage debut as Clarice Starling in the world premiere theatre adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs, appearing alongside former EastEnders actor John Partridge as Hannibal Lecter.

After years portraying Roy Cropper’s niece, whose memorable storylines included the aftermath of Seb Franklin’s murder, Mollie’s latest theatrical role will take her into the world of traditional Christmas comedy.

Beth is also preparing for a very different performance following her dramatic Coronation Street storyline as Megan, who groomed and sexually abused teenager Will Driscoll while working as his athletics coach.

Megan was eventually exposed and sentenced to five years in prison after Will found the courage to speak about the abuse he had experienced.

However, Beth’s association with Weatherfield may not be finished, with reports earlier this month suggesting she has returned to filming further scenes connected to Megan’s storyline. ITV has not officially confirmed the circumstances surrounding the character’s reported return.

Cinderella will be Beth’s first pantomime, although she already has theatre experience through productions including The Good Hope, Reset and Fleur de Lis.

The Christmas production offers both actresses an opportunity to embrace the exaggerated characters, comedy and audience interaction traditionally associated with pantomime, far removed from the emotional storylines viewers know them for.

Another Coronation Street connection celebrates 50 years

Mollie and Beth will be joined by another familiar Coronation Street face, Jeffrey Longmore, who recently portrayed Oscar Fyffe and will take on the role of the Dame.

Jeffrey is celebrating his 50th pantomime season, having first appeared at King George’s Hall in Blackburn in 1976.

The actor has a particularly strong connection to Oldham, having performed extensively at the former Oldham Coliseum, where he appeared in 27 consecutive productions and became a regular pantomime performer.

His television credits also include Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Brookside and Last of the Summer Wine, making him a familiar face to audiences across several generations of British television.

Joining the three soap actors will be Oldham favourite Kate Salmon as the Fairy, Adam Parker Brown as Buttons, Caitlin McNally as Cinderella and Ryan Hall as Prince Charming.

Kate has performed in pantomime for more than 20 years, including seven seasons in Oldham, while Adam brings extensive experience in musical entertainment and children’s theatre.

A new home for Oldham’s Christmas pantomime

Cinderella marks another milestone for Oldham’s theatre scene as Anton Benson Productions brings its annual festive production to The Loom for the first time.

The company has staged pantomimes in the town since 2019, initially at the Grange Arts Centre before moving to the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2021.

The Loom opened in spring 2026 as part of Oldham’s £450 million town centre regeneration programme, replacing the Queen Elizabeth Hall as a modern entertainment and events venue.

Producer Anton Benson said: “We’re thrilled to present the inaugural pantomime at the fantastic new venue The Loom this Christmas, and to entertain theatregoers of all ages with the greatest fairytale of them all.”

He also praised Jeffrey’s contribution to pantomime, describing his 50th anniversary as a particularly special occasion for the production.

Alongside the traditional family performances, Cinderella will feature a special adults-only evening on Sunday 27 December, with a version of the show intended for an older audience.

Cinderella runs at The Loom, Parliament Square, Oldham, from 11 December 2026 until 3 January 2027.

Full performance details and bookings are available through The Loom’s official Cinderella page.

For further updates, visit The Loom on Facebook or Instagram.

Image credits: Anton Benson productions