Anecdotes

In September 2000 it was revealed that Amanda had been "economical" with the truth about her birth date. According to TV biographies and the official Corrie Street website, Amanda was born in September 1939. But, in fact, she was born a full four years earlier. Her birth certificate, under her real name of Shirley Anne Broadbent, revealed that she was born on September 14, 1935.

Once had a romantic fling with Sixties pop idol Billy Fury.

Is a collector of Victorian toys, especially wooden horses and teddy bears. Also collects religious icons.

Is a cousin of Sally Ann Matthews who plays "Jenny Connor, nee Bradley" on Coronation Street (1960).

Reached number 35 in the UK singles chart with a version of Frank and Nancy Sinatra's "Somethin' Stupid", a duet with her Coronation Street (1960) co-star Johnny Briggs. (décembre 1995)

Her career began at age 3 at the Theatre Royal, Ashton-under-Lyne, which was then managed by her grandfather. She was later trained at the Art Educational School.

Widow of actor Robin Hunter and the daughter-in-law of actor Ian Hunter.

She couldn't drive when she was seen behind the wheel in Carry on Cabby (1963). The car had to be towed.

Made her first appearance in pantomime at age 13 as a Sunshine Babe. She reportedly received her first big laugh in the show when she danced off stage and into the orchestra pit by accident.

In Arrête ton char Cléo (1964), when, as Cleopatra, Barrie is unrolled from a carpet, Nikki Van der Zyl doubled for her.

When she moved to London to pursue a career in showbusiness, she lived at the Theatre Girls' Club in Greek Street, Soho. Worked as a chorus girl and a dancer in theatre and TV shows.

Lives in the Covent Garden area of London and has a house in Somerset.

She has a passion for horse racing which developed from her love of horses.

Her real name is Shirley Ann Broadbent , Shirley after Shirley Temple.

Her mother put her on the stage at The Theatregoers Club in London's Soho district where she was the youngest there, then at 17 she was at Winston's Club in London as a dancer.

Made her stage debut when she 3 years old and left Ashton-under-Lyne when she was 12.

She made her debut in the tv soap Coronation Street in 1981 and was in it on and off short periods before becoming a regular between 1989 and 2001.

She has a brother, Christopher and a sister Caroline.