Only five years younger than onscreen mother: Corrie actress sacked after lying about her age

Katie Redford claimed she was 19 when she auditioned for the role of 14-year-old Bethany Platt. Actually, she would have been 26 upon filming.

17:50 20 January 2015

Coronation Street had ‘no option’ but to recast a role after Katie Redford, who was supposed to play the role of 14-year-old Bethany Patt, lied about her age in order to secure the part. She auditioned as a 19-year-old but it has emerged that she would have turned 26 by the time she made her screen debut.

The soap’s fans found out her real age when they searched for her online after she was confirmed for the role of Gail McIntyre’s granddaughter. Fans found photos of her from her own 25th birthday party on Twitter.

A spokeswoman for the soap confirmed: "Coronation Street have taken the decision to recast the part of Bethany Platt."

Last week, her casting announcement was released saying:  "Nottingham-born Katie, 19, will debut as tearaway teenager Bethany this spring when she arrives unannounced in Weatherfield from her home in Milan."

The character's mother Sarah-Louise Platt (Tina O'Brien) infamously got pregnant while still at school. It would mean that the actress playing her mother would be less than six years older than her should she have been cast.

The star’s agent Jo McLintock responded to the casting scandal: "Katie got the job because of her talent and her ability and the fact she looked right for the role.

"Various actors over the years have given an age that allows them to get through the door these include: Eminem, Paloma Faith, Nicole Scherzinger , Jennifer Lopez to name a few.

"Katie is an extremely talented newcomer that we believe will be a success in the near future."