Alison King – things you didn’t know about the TV star

Actor Alison King.
Actor Alison King. (Image credit: PA)

Coronation Street without Carla Connor would be like The Rovers without hotpot on the menu. Since joining the soap back in 2006, actor Alison King has been at the centre of some of the biggest storylines Coronation Street has seen, including battling alcoholism, sexual assault at the hands of Frank Foster, and her hard-hitting mental health breakdown.

Alison has become a firm favourite on the ITV soap over the years, winning countless awards and establishing herself as one of the popular characters on the cobbles. 

But what else do we know about Alison? Here are several things you probably don't know...

 Alison King hasn't always been an actress

Carla Connor, Coronation Street

Alison arrived on the cobbles as Carla in 2006. (Image credit: ITV)

She might be a TV star these days, but Alison has had plenty of other jobs before finding her dream career. Not only did she move to Newquay in Cornwall at the age of 18 to work at Fat Willys Surf Shack, she also spent four years as a dental nurse before enrolling at the North Cheshire Theatre School at the age of 22.

She’s a thoughtful friend

Kym Marsh and Alison King

Alison and Kym have been best friends for years (Picture: PA) (Image credit: Eamonn and James Clarke/PA Images)

It’s no secret that Alison and fellow Coronation Street star Kym Marsh are the best of mates, but their friendship runs deep. Kym explained to OK! Magazine that Alison makes a touching gesture every year for her late son Archie, who died in 2009 after being born 18 weeks early: "Alison’s daughter Daisy shares the same birthday as Archie, Ali had just given birth when she heard I had lost Archie. So every year on Daisy's birthday they always send me a photo of a candle they have lit for Archie."

Carla Connor wasn’t her first Coronation Street role

Before getting the role as Underworld’s head honcho, Alison had previously appeared on the show in one episode in 2004 as a different character, Mrs Fanshaw. The sultry character made quite an impression on young builder Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas). But fast forward two years and she was back after being cast as Carla Connor in 2006.

Rupert Grint is one of her favourite former co-stars

Alison became friends with the Harry Potter star when they both appeared on Sky One's dark comedy Sick Note. The actor told us: "He’s an absolute treasure, we got the giggles a lot. There was one night when I’d gone for a drink after work and sitting near us were the biggest Harry Potter fans ever, I could hear them talking about the films. I wanted to say, 'You’ll never guess who I’ve been working with today!'"

Alison King (far left) in Sick Note.

Alison King (far left) in Sick Note. (Image credit: Sky)

Alison King does yoga to relax

Alison might have a jam-packed schedule filming at Coronation Street, but she still makes time to unwind after work. She told us: "I live half an hour away from the Coronation Street studios, so the drive home is my time to switch off. I also like a bit of yoga and meditation, and of course I always look forward to spending time my daughter, Daisy."

She used to be in Brookside

Alison King (third from left) in Dream Team

Alison King (third from left) in Dream Team. (Image credit: Sky)

Whilst training at theatre school, Alison got her first television role as hairdresser Helen in two episodes of the iconic C4 soap Brookside. But that’s not the only TV role she had before joining Coronation Street, Alison also played Lynda Block in Sky One’s Dream Team.

She’s not a fan of reality TV

While the rest of the nation might be glued to the latest reality TV show on offer, Alison has confessed she would much rather watch a gritty drama or an engrossing documentary. She told us: "Love Island isn’t my thing and as a mum of a daughter I just wouldn’t watch it."

Despite her high-profile job, Alison also isn't a fan of social media and doesn't have a Twitter or Instagram account. 

Alison King's fact file

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the actor…

How old is Alison King?

Alison King is 49. Her date of birth is March 3, 1973.

Is Alison King married?

Alison King is engaged to David Stuckley. Sadly the pair were forced to cancel their wedding in Greece thanks to coronavirus, but hope to reschedule.

Does Alison King have children?

Alison King has one daughter called Daisy.

Where was Alison King born?

Alison King was born in Leicester.

How tall is Alison King?

Alison King's height is 1.65 metres tall.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV.

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.

Main Alison King picture: PA

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.