Samia Opens New Next Store

One of televisions’ most famous faces Samia Smith née Ghadie (better known to millions of television viewers as Maria Sutherland from Coronation Street) made a very special v.i.p. trip to Sheffield recently – one she hasn’t done for nearly 10 years - to launch the fabulous new Next and Clarks superstores at Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre.

Hundreds of soap fans were thrilled and delighted to meet and greet Samia, 24, who chatted, posed for photographs and signed many, many autographs.

Her arrival marked the culmination of a daylong celebration of the Next and Clarks store openings. Soon after, Samia couldn’t resist a walk about and popping into the Centre’s Regis Hair Salon to talk to real-life hairdressers!

Along with Samia’s personal appearance, top breakfast show presenter and broadcaster Michelle Dignan from Hallam FM was there to act as official Master of Ceremonies with her “Street Team” who offered tens of £20 free giveaway vouchers in the game “Roll the Dice” – for real high rollers she also offered a chance to win £12,000!

Samia, from Eccles, first appeared in 'Coronation Street' on 19th May 2000 as a kennel maid with wellies and a baggy T-shirt and soon turned into FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World with “Inside Soap” readers voting her ‘Sexiest Soap Female’ on television!  Her first big TV break came when she was just 11 with a part in the detective series 'Cracker' starring Robbie Coltrane when she appeared as Fitz's daughter's best friend Rosie. Straight after that she made a sci-fi programme called, 'Life Force' with Paul Fox, who played ‘The Streets’ Mike Baldwin's son Mark. Samia also did stints in 'Children's Ward', 'Adam's Family Tree', and has appeared in 'Heartbeat' and `Doctors'. You can also see her in film with “There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble”.

“What a great start to the New Year - not only have we two exciting new stores open, Next and Clarks but Samia took time out of her busy New Year filming schedule to be with us.” Commented Chris Jones, Centre Manager, “I think there is more than a little coincidence at work here, as her fictional on-screen on/off partner Bill Ward who plays the menacing Charlie Stubbs called in to see us recently to lend a hand with the building of our new Sainsbury’s store. She did leak a couple of future plots over a new ‘Street’ baby and hinted at a much hated character who was close to her “on screen” slips of this mortal coil in hospital – so it’s a case of keep watching!”

He added, “The launch of Next will have a major influence on Crystal Peaks helping to shape our future in our fashion retailing offer both in terms of consistency, and quality, not forgetting style and value for money. They have a unique and innovative shopping concept with an exclusive co-coordinated collection of stylish clothes and accessories for women, men and children. I’m very pleased and proud to welcome both famous companies to our local community albeit slightly different to Maria’s Weatherfield!”