00s legends ageless as they reunite decades after starring in hit TV series together
Former Coronation Street stars Suranne Jones and Jennifer James have reunited for a stroll around Manchester Christmas markets.
The pair both arrived in the ITV soap in 2000, with Suranne’s character Karen Phillips starting a new job at the Underworld factory.
Jennifer played Rovers Return barmaid Geena Gregory, and both characters were pals with Mike Baldwin’s (Johnny Briggs) cheating wife Linda (Jacqueline Chadwick).
Geena left the cobbles after just two years following a love triangle with criminal Joe Carter (Jonathan Wrather) and Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin). Escaping Weatherfield for her hometown of Wigan, she hasn’t been seen since.
Karen became a much more prominent character, marrying Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson). She also fell for Joe, though she later reunited with her husband.
During their brief separation, Steve had fathered Tracy Barlow’s (Kate Ford) baby Amy. Tracy decided to gatecrash his second wedding to Karen, exposing the secret for all to hear.
After her jealousy became too much, he kicked Karen out on Christmas Day.
Despite last appearing on screen together in 2002, it seems that Suranne and Jennifer are still good mates – meeting up for a festive outing in Manchester.
Sharing a snap of them both wrapped up warm, Suranne wrote on Instagram: ‘Heart full. Loved up. Recharged. Christmas markets: Manchester 2024.’
After leaving the cobbles behind, Suranne became a household name through lead roles in Scott & Bailey and Gentleman Jack.
The BAFTA winning star has also produced a number of television programmes, as well as having roles on the big screen and stage.
Jennifer also appeared in Scott & Bailey, with a regular role in long-running BBC crime drama series Dalziel and Pascoe. She’s also had parts in Shameless, Brassic and The Syndicate.
Off-screen, she married her former co-star Lee Boardman who played the villainous Jez Quigley. They welcomed their first son in 2004.
The couple are patrons of the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, which provides holidays for unwell, disabled, disadvantaged and terminally ill children.
Last year, Suranne and Jennifer were pictured catching up with Sally Lindsay, who played Shelley Unwin.
‘Karen, Geena and Shelley went on a gals trip… ❤️ Nearly 25 years on and still as daft! #classiccorrie’ Suranne wrote on social media.
Fans were delighted to see them together again, with one writing: ‘Isn’t it time for you to do a show together?????’
Another added: ‘Great to the old gang back to take over Underworld.’
A third agreed: ‘Aww love the corrie reference! the early 2000s were a great era.’
