Coronation Street’s Steve McDonald has a new love interest – and those who tuned into Fame Academy back in the day will undoubtedly recognise her face.

Singer-turned-actress Pippa Fulton recently rocked up to the Rovers as Aurora, Steve’s trouble-making date who quickly set her sights on Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) – much to wife Sally Metcalfe’s ( Sally Dynevor ) indignation.

Pippa appeared in the first season of Fame Academy back in 2002, alongside stars such as David Sneddon and Lemar. She was just 20 years old at the time of filming and longed to follow in the footsteps of her megastar icon Madonna.

Taking a different approach to its ITV rival Pop Idol, Fame Academy was all about offering an intensive musical education to contestants, who were referred to as ‘students’, with a focus on original songwriting and personal development.

Although Pippa’s Fame Academy journey came to an end in week four, she went on to enjoy a number of career accomplishments. After releasing a cover version of Aerosmith’s rock anthem I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, Pippa ventured into the world of acting.

Pippa picked up two guest roles in Emmerdale, first as Dingle & Dingle Automotives customer Jess in 2014, then as a Take a Vow customer in 2017. She also appeared as Leanne in Hullraisers, a BAFTA-nominated Channel 4 sitcom co-written by Lucy Beaumont.

As Pippa stirs up trouble on the cobbles, the Mirror takes a look at what some of her former Fame Academy classmates are up to now…