Samia Ghadie will be watching ‘Coronation Street’ on Christmas Day.
The 34-year-old beauty’s alter ego Maria Connor doesn’t feature in this year’s festive episode, but she’ll be settling down to find out what does happen in Weatherfield on December 25, and admits it’ll be more relaxing without having to scrutinise her own performance.
She said: "I don’t think I’m in the Christmas Day episode this year but I’ll be watching for everybody else.
"Normally I only watch to see where I’ve gone wrong and what I can do better – to criticise myself basically – so I can give myself the day off this year."
Samia’s seven-year-old daughter Freya – who she has from a previous relationship – is very excited about Christmas but the actress has come up with a cunning plan to ensure the tot doesn’t wake up the household too early on Christmas morning.
She explained: "She’s not too bad actually, she’ll just stay in bed. We just keep her up extra late on Christmas Eve so we can get a lie in."
The actress is particularly looking forward to a festive break because she has barely seen her husband Sylvain Longchambon – with whom she has son Yves, 14 months – since they tied the knot in August.
She said: "Married life is great – when I see him.
"I don’t think I’ve had a day off since my honeymoon so it will be lovely to have some time together over Christmas.
"We want to take the kids to Winter Wonderland in London. We took Freya a couple of years ago, so that’s on my Christmas hit list."