A tearful Toyah sits in her flat in Coronation Street
Georgia Taylor has played Toyah Battersby since 1997

Toyah Battersby has been a mainstay of Coronation Street for years now, with the character central to some of the biggest stories since her debut on the cobbles in 1997. 

For the last 27 years, the actor behind the Corrie icon has been actress Georgia Taylor – but soap fans might be shocked to learn this little known fact about her. 

It turns out that Georgia Taylor is not her real name – she was actually born as Claire Marie Jackson. 

Georgia is using a stage name, which is not uncommon for actors, with many other famous faces in Soapland also not going by their real names. 

They include EastEnders’ Kat Slater actor Jessie Wallace, who was born Karen Wallace, and co-star Patsy Palmer – better known as Walford’s Bianca Jackson – who was born Julie Anne Harris. 

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Georgia joined the cast of Coronation Street in 1997 at the age of 17, in her first TV role.

Toyah arrived in Weatherfield alongside mum Janice (Vicky Entwistle), stepfather Les (Bruce Jones) and step-sister Leanne (Jane Danson), the latter of which also continues to appear on Corrie to this day. 

After six years on the soap, Georgia quit the role and went on to appear in the likes of Where The Heart Is, The Royal, Blackpool and Life On Mars. 

In 2007, she ventured back into the world of soap when she was cast in Casualty as series regular Ruth Winters, staying with the show for four years. 

Leanne and Toyah Battersby in television soap Coronation Street, circa 1997.
With on-screen step-sister Leanne, played by Jane Danson, in 1997
Coronation Street Georgia Taylor plays Toyah Battersby
After leaving Corrie in 2003, Georgia returned to the cobbles 13 years later

While on the set of the BBC medical drama, she met her now-partner, actor Mark Letheren.

He is best known for playing recurring character Ben Harding between 2008 and 2015 – although he did make two previous appearances in Casualty as two different characters in 1998 and 2002, as well as popping up in sister show Holby City in 2006. 

After landing a series regular role in Law & Order: UK in 2013, and other guest roles in Midsomer Murders and Agatha Raisin, Georgia made a shock return to Coronation Street 2016, where she has remained ever since. 

Leanne Battersby and Nick Tilsley around Toyah's hospital bed in Coronation Street
Toyah was recently rushed to hospital

The character is currently involved a big storyline, which has seen her embark on an affair with her step-sister Leanne’s partner Nick Tilsley (Ben Price). 

Recent scenes saw her rushed to hospital and subsequently told she is pregnant – seemingly with Nick’s baby.  

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