Coronation Street newcomer Sydney Martin discovered a surprise connection to her new co-star after quitting her supermarket job for her role. The 22-year-old, from Rossendale, has been revealed as the actress behind new character Betsy, the daughter of DS Lisa Swain.

Sydney had already popped up in the ITV soap, with her character simply referred to as Sabrina Adetiba’s mate. Her appearance came after Sabrina was found by Joel Deering in a state of distress outside the police station, having learnt that her brother had been arrested. Quick to offer his help, Joel handed her his business card and told her to give him a call.

As he later tried to impress the youngster, Betsy stepped in and pointed out Joel was a creep, warning she should steer clear. She took his card and pretended to chuck it in the bin, only to keep it for herself. And later, viewers seemingly saw why as the currently unknown newcomer confronted Joel and tried to blackmail him, warning she has a “big gob” and would expose his creepy behaviour. Then, during Friday’s episode (June 28), Betsy made a surprise appearance at Joel’s engagement party and demanded money. A stunned Joel hurriedly escorted her away before reluctantly giving her the cash. By the end of the episode, her identity was confirmed as DS Swain met her daughter in the precinct park, where they had a confrontation before Swain insisted Betsy get in the car and head home.

Speaking about the new character for the first time, Sydney, who is 22 but playing 16-year-old Betsy, told the Manchester Evening News and other press: “So I had a really big description through when I first got [the role], she’s feisty, she’s cocky but she’s such a smart cookie.

“She’s so intelligent which I definitely think comes from her mum and she’s very street-wise. She has had to fend for herself a little bit because Lisa’s gone back to work and they’re having to deal with grief together. As the weeks go on, we do get to see a fun, manipulative side to her.”

Meanwhile, Sydney told us that she never envisioned she could be an actor and initially wanted to be a zookeeper when was younger. However, she was bitten by the acting bug in Sixth Form thanks to her drama teachers, who she thanks for everything, and decided to pursue her new dreams by attending drama school in Manchester.