**Samia Longchambon Reflects on ‘Painful’ Coronation Street Catfight and Behind-the-Scenes Challenges**
Coronation Street stalwart Samia Longchambon has revealed the unexpected toll filming a dramatic fight scene once took on her—an incident that left her genuinely hurt during one of the show’s most memorable clashes. Speaking about her 25 years portraying Maria Connor, the actress offered candid insights into the physical demands of soap opera storytelling, as well as the unique pressures that come with balancing life both on and off screen.
The widely recognised soap star, now 42, recalled the filming of a particularly heated scene with castmate Kate Ford, who plays the combative Tracy Barlow. The confrontation, which aired back in 2006, required the two characters to come to blows. In a surprising twist, Ford, aged 48, mistakenly believed that Longchambon was wearing hair extensions and, in the heat of the moment, pulled her hair forcefully—causing real discomfort.
Longchambon recounted the incident in a recent interview, explaining, “I remember Tracy threatened to rip out Maria’s hair extensions. I don’t actually have hair extensions, but Kate properly went for it, pulling my hair!” She went on to highlight that, while professional fight coordinators are employed to ensure the safety of actors, accidents can and do happen. “We do have good fight coordinators, but I am not going to lie—that did hurt,” she admitted.
This candid reflection sheds light on the sometimes overlooked physical risks that can come with performing in high-intensity soap scenes. Often, viewers marvel at the authenticity of such altercations, but rarely do they glimpse the reality behind the performances. While such moments are designed purely for entertainment, for the actors involved, the line between acting and genuine mishap can become blurred.
Longchambon also opened up about another behind-the-scenes challenge she faced when her on-screen and personal lives intersected. In 2009, during a storyline in which Maria gives birth to Liam Connor (played by Charlie Wrenshall), Longchambon was, in fact, four months pregnant in real life. The star, who was expecting her daughter Freya—now 15, with ex-husband Matthew Smith—recalled that the show’s producers insisted her midwife be present on set during the birthing scenes to ensure she didn’t exert herself to the detriment of her unborn child.
“At the time, I was giving birth to my screen son Liam, but I was actually four months pregnant with my own daughter,” she explained. The realism required by the script meant she needed to “push” during the acting, a physical imitation that sparked concerns for her real-life pregnancy. “My midwife was getting concerned because she didn’t want me to harm my actual baby by pushing too much,” she added, revealing the delicate balance actors can face when their personal and professional worlds collide.
Off camera, Longchambon has also developed certain routines to keep her grounded amid the ongoing popularity of Coronation Street. She shared that, even after a quarter of a century on the show, she avoids decorating her dressing room. Her reason is a nod to humility: “I feel like if I decorate it, then it’s as if I’m getting a bit too comfortable. If I do, it might look as if I’m taking for granted that I’m going to be here. I don’t feel that way at all,” she confessed.
The actress did reveal one celebratory ritual she allows herself—when her contract is renewed, she toasts with a glass of wine, a small but meaningful acknowledgment of her enduring success within the iconic soap community.
Longchambon’s insights not only highlight the unseen challenges actors face in long-running serial dramas but also serve as a reminder of the unpredictability and vulnerability behind the glamour of showbusiness. Her commitment to Coronation Street remains unwavering, as does her appreciation for the opportunities it has afforded her through decades of evolving storylines and character arcs.
Her reflections offer viewers a rare glimpse behind the curtain, revealing that life on the nation’s cobbles is as challenging as it is exhilarating—a reality that fans may have previously taken for granted. As she celebrates her 25th anniversary on the show, Samia Longchambon continues to embody the resilience and passion that have come to define both her character and her own journey in the world of British television.