Shobna appeared in Coronation Street between 2001 and 2013 (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Former Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati looks worlds away from much-missed shopkeeper Sunita Alahan in a recent social media snap.
The actress, 58, was recently appointed an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, and has also been a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester since 2015.
She first became a household name after appearing as ditsy Anita in both series of Victoria Wood’s sitcom Dinnerladies in 1998, before a short stint in EastEnders.
Following that, she had two lengthy runs on the cobbles, playing Sunita Parekh between 2001 and 2013.
During her time on the street, Sunita recovered from an aneurysm and brain tumour, had her identity stolen by mad Maya Sharma (Sasha Behar) and married Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) – later giving birth to his twins Asha and Aadi.
Shobna starred alongside Corrie icons Anne Reid and Thelma Barlow in BBC’s Dinnerladies (Picture: Moviestore/Shutterstock)
Sunita is much-missed on the cobbles (Picture: ITV/REX)
Her life was left hanging in the balance again following the spectacular tram crash in 2010, when a paving slab landed on her in the stock room of the corner shop.
Whilst she avoided death in that occasion, three years later she found herself witnessing Karl Munro (John Michie) torching the Rovers Return.
Fearful that she would not only tell the world about his devious ways, the pair had also engaged in a steamy affair. He really had everything to lose!
In a moment of madness, Sunita was knocked unconscious and left for dead in the burning cellar. After being rushed to hospital and played on life support, Karl pulled out her oxygen tube and she died after going into cardiac arrest.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C_besCBoTGH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The character has continued to be referenced frequently in recent years, whilst Shobna has embraced a number of new roles – including one in the hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
Now, 11 years on from her exit, Shobna has surprised fans by embracing her natural silver hair colour.
‘Wiser? Definitely older! and very silver – growing greysfully’ she told her 23,000 followers.
‘So many said I should dye it back to the dark brown hair I had , “i look old , why am I succumbing to being an old lady , it’s not attractive etc etc” but times a changing innit and I’m so happy with whats transpired and I’m so comfortable now.’
Shobna has said she’s embracing her natural hair colour (Picture: ITV/REX)
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She continued: ‘I dunno but I reckon my head feels better without the 2 weekly …read more
Source:: Metro
