I’m A Celebrity 2017 campmate Jennie McAlpine – five fast facts about Coronation Street’s Fiz Brown
JENNIE McAlpine ditched the Corrie cobbles temporarily for a jaunt Down Under in I'm A Celeb.
She's best known for playing Fiz Brown in the ITV soap, but that's not all she does. Here's a few quirky facts about Jennie you might not know.
1. She didn't like school
Jennie previously admitted she had a tough time at school and didn't like her teachers.
She used to bunk off school to attend auditions - because her teachers wouldn't give her time off.
Jennie wasn't the popular girl in school and also struggled to bond with other female members of her class.
She said: "My reports always said I talked too much and made me think I was crap. I wasn't in the popular group at school and I didn't especially get on with the girls. All through school I was going for parts. They wouldn't give me time off for the auditions, so I used to end up wagging it."
2. She used to be a stand-up comedian
Jennie doesn't just play Corrie's Fiz Brown; she has a wicked sense of humour, too - and almost won a prestigious comedy award.
Back in 1997, Jennie came second in a Young Comedian of the Year competition run by Fanta. She also entered a second time in 1998, finishing second again.
Jennie also spent four years doing stand-up comedy at charity nights galas and pub nights right up until she joined Corrie in 2001.
3. She hasn't just appeared on Corrie
Corrie isn't the only soap Jennie has appeared on - she's also starred on ITV's Emmerdale.
Between 1999 and 2001, Jennie appeared in three episodes as Michelle Morley.
Jennie's also a regular face comedy panel and talk shows, such as Loose Women, This Morning, The Xtra Factor, 8 out of 10 Cats and Big Brother's Big Mouth.
4. She auditioned for her Corrie role while her arm was in a sling
Jennie was just 17 when she auditioned to play Fiz Brown back in 2001.
Two days before her audition, she fell over and dislocated her shoulder - she she had to audition in a sling.
Jennie didn't expect to be on the show for over 16 years - because she was only hired for five episodes.
After her appearance, Jennie went back to studying for her A-levels and working part-time in Boots The Chemist. But producers were so impressed with her performance, they offered her a long-term contract.
I'm A Celeb 2017 Must Reads
5. She owns a restaurant, Annies in Manchester
Jennie's not just an actress and comedian, she's also a restaurateur.
Jennie and her boyfriend, Chris Farr, opened Annies Restaurant & Tea Shop back in 2012.
Annies is located in Manchester city centre and is famed for its reasonably priced afternoon tea.
Jennie has previously said she and Chris often talked about the idea of going into business together.
She said: “Ever since we've met, we've talked about the idea of opening our own restaurant non-stop, to do something as a little team together.
“People often ask us if we are going to get married, but I actually think this is more of a commitment to do something like this together.”