Nikki Sanderson was assaulted and bullied over her ‘Coronation Street’ role.
The soap star – who played Candice Stowe on the ITV show for six years until 2005 – admitted people would physically assault her in public when she first appeared on the cobbles.
She told the Mirror: "It was before social media so I used to get it in the street instead. It was when I first started at ‘Corrie’.
"It was all different types of things. I had my hair set on fire, I’ve been punched, kicked, pushed over, had drinks thrown over me, and been called every name under the sun."
Nikki, 34, revealed one terrifying experience saw another woman set fire to the bottom of the actress’ hair.
She said: "I was stood at the mirror and could smell something burning. I turned around and this girl was there with a lighter, setting fire to the bottom of my hair."
Despite the cruel bullies, Nikki has praised her cast mates at the soap’s crew for supporting her.
She added: "I have to say that everyone at ‘Coronation Street’ and all the people around me were just so wonderful and supportive, which I’m truly grateful for."
The actress has since gone on to star on Channel 4 soap ‘Hollyoaks’ as Maxine Minniver, a part she has played since 2012.
She has also appeared as Dawn Bellamy in ‘Heartbeat’, and hosted shows likes ‘Junior Eurovision’, ‘CD:UK’ and ‘Ministry of Mayhem’.