She even played the part of Christine in the dry runs, before the show was commissioned for broadcast, alongside Pat Phoenix and Doris Speed, among others.

Christine attended Bessie Street School, where she was close friends with Ken Barlow (William Roache).

[3] Her father, George Hardman, was a bank clerk but in 1953 he had saved enough money to buy a grocery shop and a detached house in Oakhill.

In 1955, George died from a heart attack, and Christine and her mother May (Joan Heath) had to sell the house and grocery shop and move back to No.13 Coronation Street.

She disliked the repetitive and dull work at Elliston's, and in 1962, she began wondering how people could find happiness living in Coronation Street.

In June, she climbed onto the roof of the factory, intending to jump off, but she was talked down by Ken, who reminded her how she had stopped him from making a big mistake.

Christine returned to Coronation Street and took a job at Miami Modes with Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix) and Dot Greenhalgh (Joan Francis).

Christine eventually left the street when she was promoted at Miami Modes and clashed with Elsie and Dot, who didn't like the way she used her newfound authority.

Christine was transferred, and after briefly sharing a flat with her old friend Esther Hayes, she left Weatherfield for good.