Corrie’s Tracy Barlow star was once told to ‘ditch the robe’ during audition

Kate Ford, who plays Tracy McDonald on Coronation Street, is a soap opera classic. However, the actress has spoken out about experiencing sexual harassment in the past.

Kate Ford of Coronation Street once spoke about how, after an audition, she was advised to “ditch her robe.”

Since assuming the iconic character of Tracy McDonald in the soap opera in 2002, the 47-year-old actress has been a fan favourite. Furthermore, it’s safe to state that Tracy contributed to a number of significant plots throughout the years.

Her tenure on the cobbles hasn’t been without drama, whether it’s cold-blooded murder or blackmailing family members. And the character’s life is about to take a dramatic change over in Weatherfield.

Fans are aware that Tracy employed Matt Milburn’s character, Tommy Orpington, a former football player, to design her home. After he failed to complete the task, Tracy had become tired of her spouse Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).

**Things are taking a dramatic turn for Tracy on the soap**

Tommy and Tracy became closer this week after they parted ways. The episode airing on Monday, January 30, had Steve leaving the cobbles to see his daughter Emma in France. Later in the week, Tommy and Tracey will kiss and start a romantic relationship.

However, Kate spoke candidly about her own experience with sexual harassment in the wake of her career back in 2021. She made the remarks in response to many accusations levelled against actor Noel Clarke, who has always refuted them.

**The actress recalled how she was told the ‘ditch the robe’**

“I don’t know about naked auditions but I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been told to strip down to my knickers for a commercial casting, whilst in a room full of (dressed) people,” tweeted her former co-star Charlie Condou, who portrayed Marcus Dent, at the time.

Corrie actress Kate retweeted this, sharing that she had gone through a similar scenario before. “Me too!” she said. I once heard someone advise me to “ditch the robe.”

Away from the cobbles, actress Kate has had a slew of high-profile boyfriends throughout the course of her career, making her love life everything but successful. Kate was only starting her acting career when she signed on to the ITV serial opera in 2002.

In 1995, she made her stage debut as the lead actress in the music video for the song “Free as a Bird” by The Beatles. However, Kate was connected to Bart Ruspoli, an actor who has subsequently been nominated for a BAFTA, prior to her soap opera debut. When Kate had a little part on the EastEnders set in 2000, the two got to know one other.

After appearing in around five episodes as the Italian hottie Marco in the 2000s, Bart fell in love with Kate and the two started dating. However, their relationship would not continue long as they discovered how difficult it was to date someone who had competing schedules.