Beat The Chasers: Samia Longchambon's famous husband and unusual second job

Samia Longchambon has played Maria on Coronation Street for more than two decades.

Having appeared in Heartbeat, Doctors, and some kids TV shows, Samia's big break came in 2000 when she won the role of dog kennel worker Maria - reports Mirror Online.

Samia was up against several rivals, including Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh and Hear'Say star Suzanne Shaw.

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She previously said: "I thought I'd do my three months and then I'd be off. I was a jobbing actress when I joined and was really pleased to have a job for three months. I never imagined I'd still be here now."

During her time in Weatherfield, Maria has transformed from a kennel maid into a hairdresser and salon owner.

Off-screen, Samia married property developer Matt Smith in 2005 after a seven-month engagement.

In October 2009 she gave birth to baby daughter Freya and had a temporary break from Corrie to go on maternity leave.

Speaking about her daughter in 2019, Samia said: "Freya is not fazed at all by me being on telly, the novelty has worn off! She would say to me that I was her favourite character, but I actually think her favourite character is David!"

On January 2011, the actress announced she had separated from her husband Matt by mutual agreement.

Soon afterwards she started a relationship with co-star Will Thorp and they later moved in together as a couple.

The pair met on the set of Corrie, where viewers saw their characters hairdresser Maria Connor and bad boy Chris Gray get together.

However, the couple split in December 2012 while Samia was in training for Dancing on Ice

Samia was paired up with pro skater Sylvain Longchambon, who broke up with his girlfriend Jennifer Metcalfe, famous for playing Mercedes McQueen on Hollyoaks.

The actress believes her later father, who sadly died of cancer in 2009, was responsible for helping her find love with the French ice dancer.

During an appearance on Loose Women, she said: "I believe in angels and I always think my dad sent Sylvain to me."

Sami and Sylvain's son, Yves Josphe Longchambon, was born in September 2015, just months after the couple got engaged.

In August the following year the pair were married in a gorgeous ceremony - where fellow Corrie star Jane Danson was a bridesmaid.

Away from the cobbles, Samia actually has an exciting second job that is completely different to playing Maria.

In 2018, the Corrie star revealed she was studying to be a qualified reflexologist - an alternative therapy which involves applying pressure to certain points on the feet.

She said: "I've always been interested in reflexologies and holistic therapies and things. And it's just given me a focus, a break from my own head."

Samia took a baby reflexology course when her son Yves was little and while she was pregnant to help with anxiety.

Then she took part in a home study course and had to send off lessons to be marked before a practical at the end.

When asked if Maria could do some reflexology in the salon, she added: "You never know. Might be giving the writers ideas now!"

However, there is no need for Corrie fans to panic as Samia won't be quitting the cobbles because she is doing it alongside her day job.

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