The former Girls Aloud star’s wooden performance was slammed by ‘Corrie’ fans and critics alike after she made her debut on the cobbles last week, playing Robert Preston’s estranged wife, Joni.
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Sarah Harding
One viewer tweeted: “Sarah Harding's acting is almost as good as her singing, which was atrocious.”
Another added: “I was looking forward to seeing Sarah Harding on the cobbles but ouch..!! Looking great but stick to singing love.”
It was thought that had Joni proved to be a hit with viewers then Sarah’s contract would have been extended beyond her initial four episodes, but following the mauling she received about her acting ability, she now won’t return.
“It doesn’t reflect well on Corrie, who have been accused of chasing ratings with gimmicks.
“They will not be getting her back and the general consensus on set is that this was a failed experiment.”
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Ahead of her ‘Corrie’ debut, Sarah admitted she was nervous because 'people are going to be expecting high standards’.
“I know it’s going to be a mixed reaction, because people are going to be expecting high standards, and so as long as I’m prepared for that, that’s fine,” she said.
“I hope I’ve done the soap justice,” she added. “But there are going to be people who go, ‘Oh, she can’t act’. I’m just going to go, ‘It is what it is’.”
A ‘Coronation Street’ spokesperson told The Sun: “Sarah was cast for four episodes in a cameo role for a specific storyline. There are no immediate plans for the character of Joni to return.”
Was Sarah really that bad in 'Corrie'? Watch the clip of her in action below and let us know what you think by leaving a comment...
Popstar to Soapstar
Matt Willis in 'EastEnders'(01 of06)
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Former Busted singer Matt popped up in ‘EastEnders’ last year when he played the boyfriend of Stacey Slater, Luke Riley. The singer appeared in a handful of episodes which focused on the iconic Slater returning to the soap after a four-year absence. Bosses were keen for Matt to make his stay in Walford a more permanent one, but a tug of love between ‘EastEnders’ and getting back with his bandmates to form a supergroup with McFly resulted in him choosing the latter. (credit:BBC)
Antony Costa in 'Casualty'(02 of06)
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While all four members of Blue have been regulars on our TV screens over the years thanks to appearances on ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ it was Antony Costa who first made the move into acting with a role in Casualty in 2010. He popped up again last year playing patient Matthew Pendleton who was admitted to the hospital after suffering with burns from a flare set off by a teenager. (credit:BBC)
Kym Marsh in 'Coronation Street'(03 of06)
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While it seems impossible to imagine Kym Marsh as anything other than Rovers Return barmaid Michelle Connor these days, pop fans will not forget that she first rose to fame on ‘Popstars’ in 2001 when she won a place in the band Hear’Say. When she left the group after less than a year, Kym had a crack at a solo career but it flopped. She then landed the role of Michelle in 2006 and has been on the cobbles ever since. (credit:ITV)
Jules Knight in 'Holby City'(04 of06)
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Before Jules was busy playing dishy doctor Harry Tressler on the wards of ‘Holby City’, he was a member of male vocal group Blake. He quit music just months before landing the part on the BBC medical drama in 2013 after six years. Jules has since announced he is leaving ‘Holby’ to relaunch his singing career as a solo artist. (credit:BBC)
Richard Blackwood in 'EastEnders'(05 of06)
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He’s been in Walford all of five minutes but already Richard Blackwood’s mysterious character Vincent Hubbard has made a big impression thanks to his sinister connection to Ronnie Mitchell. However, fans may have forgotten that Richard was once responsible for hits such as ‘Mama Who Da Man’ and ‘1.2.3.4 Get With The Wicked’. (credit:BBC)
Sarah Harding in 'Coronation Street'(06 of06)
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‘Coronation Street’ is bracing itself for the arrival of a feisty new character who will be played by former Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding. Few details about her character have been revealed other than she will be the current wife of Tracy Barlow’s ex-husband Robert Preston. While she’s only been handed a four-episode guest role, bosses are already teasing a longer stay for her character - something which she admitted she’d love to happen. “It definitely feels an exciting time. I’m a huge Corrie fan. I’d love it if my character could pop in and out for years,” Sarah told The Sun. Watch this space... (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)