She began working in her father’s butcher’s shop and was “singing in the clubs” at 14. Since then, Claire Sweeney has continued that indomitable work ethic as an actress, singer and TV presenter.
“I like the mix – I love acting, singing and presenting equally – and I wouldn’t know what else to do,” said Claire, 55. “I feel lucky to be this age and to still be doing what I love.”
Claire was spending a morning with her son Jaxon, 11, before a matinee performance of Annie, in Nottingham. The smash-hit production lands in Hull for a run from September 8 to 13 and stars Claire as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan.
Jaxon has spent his summer holidays with his mum touring what is considered the “world’s favourite family musical” and they have had “a brilliant time”, she said. “We’ve just been on holiday to Majorca and we went to Ireland; we had a great week in Bristol together.
“We’ve had the best summer together but next week, it’s back to normal, back to school. Jaxon’s absolutely loved the holidays, he’s been hanging out with me in the dressing room, watching the shows and having fun.”
As her son heads back to lessons, Claire heads for Hull New Theatre. “I’ve been to Hull before, I did Hairspray there.
“I’ve got my pal there, Derren Litton, who wrote Benidorm [Claire guest-starred as Maxine in the hit ITV comedy] and I can’t wait to see him. I’ve not been to the theatre since it had its refurb [it closed for over 18 months for a £16m makeover in 2016] so I’m looking forward to seeing it.
“I can remember the dressing rooms weren’t all that, so it will be nice to see what they’re like.” She recalled seeing Hull Marina and Humber Street and said: “I think Hull’s a great place.
“Most of the time I’ll be doing shows but I’ll be seeing friends and hoping to have some time with them, and seeing what’s going on at Hull Truck Theatre as well.” Claire said it was “really, really good fun” playing the role of hateful Miss Hannigan, who creates a life of misery for the young charges in her orphanage.
“It’s such a beautiful show and the songs are absolute classics, you know them all. I’m working with a couple of my mates who I’ve worked with before and it’s great.
“They say never work with kids or animals but this is the opposite. The kids are fantastic and the dog is gorgeous; it’s brilliant.”
Claire said it was not depicting the obnoxious and manipulative Miss Hannigan that was difficult. “The challenge for me isn’t doing that, it’s trying to find the endearing qualities within her, those moments of vulnerability, to show to the audience.
“It’s a wonderful show and it’s not too long. The first half is an hour and the second is 50 minutes so it’s the perfect amount of time to give kids an introduction to theatre as well.”
Claire said: “Last night, I was quite tired but as soon as the show started, I got straight into it. It was good for Jaxon to see that sometimes you can get tired but you just have to get yourself together and do your job. The moment I get on stage, I light up.”
Prior to taking on her touring role in Annie, Claire was playing Cassie Plummer in ITV soap Coronation Street, a part she brought to the famous cobbles in 2023. Viewers saw Cassie purportedly leaving to take a job on a cruise ship, in June.
The last fans saw of her was her being cast out by her screen son Tyrone Dobbs, and Ross Wilkes – who paid Cassie for sex when she was just 15, resulting in her falling pregnant with Tyrone – not letting her out of his car and driving away with her. Claire said: “I know I’m doing Annie until next March; I don’t know if I’m going to find out if I’m dead or not [as Cassie]. I loved being in Corrie and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Claire’s previous TV work has seen her playing Lindsay Corkhill in Brookside; Katrina in Clocking Off; Lindsey Kendal in Holby City; Hayley Cox in Derren Litten’s comedy, Scarborough, and Natalie Carnell in The Good Ship Murder. She has starred in many theatre productions, her West End roles including Roxie Hart in Chicago and Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, playing opposite Patrick Swayze.
Claire played the title role in Educating Rita alongside Matthew Kelly and prior to that, played Paulette in the UK tour of the award-winning Legally Blonde. She has performed duets with International Opera stars Bryn Terfel and Jose Carreras at The Royal Albert Hall and has worked as the Forces Sweetheart, entertaining British Troops abroad.
Claire was recently made an Ambassador for the Variety Club. The star was the leading force in raising one million pounds to build a new wing for Claire House children’s hospice as part of the Sparkling Star Campaign.
The story of Annie is set in 1930s New York, when brave young orphan Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks.
Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family. The show includes unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow and tickets are on sale for the Hull New Theatre run at hulltheatres.co.uk