Strictly Come Dancing winner swapped Coronation Street for Aldi in surprising career move

Alexandra Mardell played Emma Brooker (Image: ITV)

What does life look like after you've appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and Coronation Street? For one actress, she waved goodbye to life on the big screen and is now stacking shelves in Aldi.

Former soap star Alexandra Mardell, who portrayed Emma Brooker on Corrie, quit the ITV soap in 2022 and took up a job at an Aldi supermarket.

The 31-year old announced in February 2022 that it was 'the right time' to put Emma behind her and look at new opportunities. Her character was best known for wearing lots of pink, and she had a troublesome romance with Curtis Delamere.

Posting on her official Instagram account, Alexandra said in a now deleted video: "I am... Sausage Casserole! Never felt so connected to a role!" This refers to her taking part in Aldi's new advert as a speaking sausage.

The video shows a family tucking into a meal with a narrator saying it costs just £2.69 for everyone. Alex then appears on the screen as the sausage and gasps: "Just £2.69?"

Get the latest Strictly news straight to your inbox with our Strictly Come Dancing newsletter

Alex left the soap in 2022 (Image: ITV)

Many of her followers and co-stars rushed to the comments section to voice their approval. Jenny Connor star Sally Ann Matthews typed: "Oh my God. That's totally being assigned as your ring tone. Love it! X."

Georgia Taylor, who plays Toyah Habeeb, added a comment: "Absolute banger".

Alexandra appeared on the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing in December 2022. Paired with Kai, the duo ended up being crowned champions after nailing a quickstep to Sleigh Ride by the Ronettes.

Alexandra and Kai were crowned champions in 2022's Christmas special (Image: BBC)

When Alex left Corrie, she posted an emotional post saying: "And that's a wrap on the best street there is! And of course I ugly cried as soon as the scene completed. So overwhelmed by all the love. The Corrie family are just insane.

"To every person in that building, every viewer, family member and friend, I love you all and can't thank you enough! I've said it countless times before but I'll say it again, it's been the best time of my life. But for now it's goodbye to the cobbles from me and Emma Brooker."

Since leaving the ITV soap, she worked at the supermarket before landing a role on the BBC comedy series Smoggie Queens. The show is set to air this autumn.