Jackie Dobbs was a firm favourite on Coronation Street as Tyrone’s jailbird mum who caused plenty of drama
Where is Coronation Street Tyrone’s adopted mum star now including working in pub(Image: ITV)
Jackie Dobbs was last seen on Coronation Street in 2010 – but what has the actress Margi Clarke been up to since?
Jackie first turned up in Weatherfield back in 1998 after a stint in jail with Deidre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride), Jackie moved to the cobbles with son Tyrone (Alan Halsall) who had been a teenager at the time.
And during her stint, Jackie was involved in several big soap moments before heading back to Liverpool in 1999. Tyrone, meanwhile, was left in the care of Jack and Vera Duckworth.
Jackie later returned in 2008 with bright pink hair and caused problems for Tyrone and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) in the run-up to their wedding. Jackie then left the soap for the final time in 2010.
However, fast forward to 2018 and it was revealed that Jackie had been killed off and she isn’t actually Tyrone’s biological mum, instead it is Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney). And this week, Tyrone’s biological father Ross Wilkes (Ian Burfield) rocks up.
So, with Tyrone set for another family bombshell, we’re taking a look inside the life of the actress who played his mum Jackie…
Margi Clarke’s acting roles
Before actress Margi joined Corrie in 1998, she was best known for her roles in Channel 4 soap Brookside, and the 1985 cult British film Letter To Brezhnev. Other TV appearances include Casualty, BBC’s Making Out and she even appeared in the Pet Shop Boys’ video for their 1987 single, Rent.
The bubbly star also turned her hand to presenting, fronting her own daytime show, Swank, in the ‘90s. Trying her hand at stand-up comedy, Margi also took her show, 21st Century Scutt, to the Edinburgh Festival in 1994.
After leaving Corrie in 1999, she joined the cast of Five soap Family Affairs for just under a year. She also appeared in the 2002 film Revengers Tragedy and 24 Hour Party People, the biopic of the Factory/Hacienda days in Manchester.
And in 2008, she returned to a prime-time starring role in the second series of the British sitcom Benidorm on ITV, playing Dorothy, mother of long-running character Gavin (Hugh Sachs).
Margi’s health setback
In the nineties, Margi took a three year sabbatical following the death of her beloved mum Frances Clarke, in 1995. Around the time of her mum’s death, Margi battled a drinking issue – which she successfully overcame – and it led to a shock health setback.
“My drinking began in 1996 and was triggered by my mother’s death from lung cancer, which left me devastated,” she told The Northern Echo in 2010.
Margi added: “The drinking had a real impact on my health. I ended up with a nasty yeast infection which left me feeling really sick with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and covered in blisters on my skin and in my mouth, and with painful athlete’s foot.”
The actress previously told the Liverpool Echo she was still grieving for her mum when she took on the role of Tyrone’s mum Jackie in Corrie in 1998 and admitted she did not play the part to the best of her ability.
Margi worked in a pub
Unfortunately, Margi hasn’t graced our screens for several years. As IMBD reports, her last TV role was in 2014, playing Heaven Jones in the BBC comedy Puppy Love.
What’s more, in 2012, Margi revealed she was working as a barmaid at Ma Egerton’s pub in Liverpool. She told the Liverpool Confidential: “Every actor takes on other work when they are waiting for the next big job.”
Margi also revealed to Mirror: “With my strong accent getting roles in straight theatre has always been a bit difficult.
“But it’s become a whole lot harder now because the drama schools are packed full of so many talented kids. Everybody wants to be famous these days but there aren’t many roles for older Scouse women.”
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX