Coronation Street newcomer Grace Ashcroft-Gardner has spoken out about taking over the role of Lily Platt following her debut scenes earlier this week.
The young actress made her debut in a dramatic episode that saw Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton) escape prison and storm Weatherfield High School in search of his daughter Joanie Michaelis (Savannah Pennington).
She has taken over the role from young actress Brooke Malonie, who had played Lily since 2016.
Taking to Instagram, Grace shared her excitement at joining the ITV soap.
Alongside several behind-the-scenes pictures, she wrote: ‘I am so excited to share my news that I have joined the cast of Coronation Street playing the role of Lily Platt!’
She went on to thank her management saying: ‘It’s been a brilliant few months since my first audition, which wouldn’t have happened without the fantastic Stagebox team (who I can’t thank enough!).
‘The whole Corrie team, the cast and crew have been absolutely amazing, I couldn’t have asked for any more support during my first few weeks filming on the cobbles,’ she continued, before urging her followers to watch her first episodes.
Her comments were full to the brim with support, including from her co-stars.
‘Smashing it!! I love the sass you give her,’ Betsy Swain actress Sydney Martin wrote, while Joanie star Savannah added: ‘Love this and so proud of you from the very start.’
On another post announcing her role, on-screen dad Jack P Shepherd wrote: ‘Yay! Great to have part of the family Grace.’
Lily is David Platt’s only daughter, who he shared with Kylie Platt before she was tragically murdered in emotional scenes.
Her scenes this week have seen her upset cousin Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) after locking him out of a classroom while killer Mick was on the loose in the school corridors.
