Tracy Brabin returned to the 'Coronation Street' set in her role as an MP to see what is being done about more working class people joining the arts and cultural industries.
Tracy Brabin
The 57-year-old actress-turned-politician played Tricia Armstrong in the ITV soap from 1994 to 1997, and she, along with local activists and campaigners, headed to Weatherfield to meet senior execs to discuss what opportunities there are for wannabe actors from working class families.
She said: "There was a serious intent behind my visit beyond a trip down memory lane. Too many young people, particularly those from working class families, are unable to get a foot in the door.
"This is has led us to a situation where, a few notable exceptions aside, the arts and cultural industries are dominated by those from privileged families.
"Cuts have led to a systematic eradication of arts education in our schools, while chronic low pay and insecure work mean that those from lower income families have no hope of paying sky-high drama school fees or supporting their children through unpaid internships."
As well as the serious aspect of her visit, Tracy - who is the MP for Batley and Spen in West Yorkshire, a role previously held by Labour MP Jo Cox until she was killed in June 2016 - also rubbed shoulders with her former co-star Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster), and knocked on the door at number nine Coronation Street.
She told the Dewsbury Reporter newspaper: "To return to the set after all these years brought back a lot of fond memories and it was fantastic to catch-up with old friends."