HER television debut was marked with a handful of chocolate mousse and the naked chest of a Coronation Street star. Laura Mould, an actress from West Hull, made a messy, but memorable, appearance on the famous soap last Wednesday.
Playing a raucous member of a hen party at the Bistro, the 25-year-old smeared dessert on a topless Kal Nazir, played by Jimi Mistry.
"It was a good giggle," said the former St Mary's College pupil. "I said I didn't want dessert – I wanted him for dessert."
Laura, a graduate of the Manchester School of Theatre, had been alerted to the role by her agents, Keddie Scott Associates.
The brief called for a "bolshy, confident young woman" who was going to enjoy herself.
"It seemed too fun a role to turn down," said Laura.
The Manchester-based actress, who discovered her love for drama at Hull Truck Youth Theatre, didn't see the script until 15 minutes before the audition.
Held at the ITV studios at Salford Quays, Laura got a glimpse of the set of the famed street as she walked through to the test.
Winning the part of Jane Henshaw proved fascinating for this long-time Corrie fan.
"It was wonderful. Everybody was so respectful, so it was a great way to get into my first TV role," said Laura.
"I was able to learn from watching the professionals who had been doing it for years but there was not much time to stop and think, I was there to get the job done."
Filming began at 7.30am and finished 12 hours later.
"Having trained at drama school, I was used to long days," said Laura.
"With each scene there is a lot of time spent making sure every angle is covered and the people on set were fantastic.
"There is time to have fun in between takes but it is a very focused environment."
Watching at home in Hull were her parents Jeanette and Keith.
"I used to watch Coronation Street with my family and I had visited the set when I was younger," said Laura.
"My dad had taken a picture of me outside Vera Duckworth's house and had sent me the photo on the day of the filming to remind me.
"He said 'Can you believe you are back at Coronation Street?'"
She said her family have been very supportive about her choice of career.
"Mum and dad watched it and sent me a photo of them with a glass of champagne," Laura said.
"I am very much a family girl and they have supported me through everything.
"It is a really difficult career and one which I've not taken lightly at all.
"I feel really privileged to be doing what I want to."
Laura was 12 when she joined Hull Truck Youth Theatre.
Later on, she worked with the theatre as a teaching facilitator for a schools' tour of the John Godber play Teechers.
She also had a minor role in Funny Turns, the John Godber play that opened the new Hull Truck Theatre in Ferensway in 2009.
"I got my letter to say I'd got into drama school while I was in the show, which was nice," she said.
Laura keeps in touch with friends from city, including fellow former St Mary's pupil Tim Lutkin.
Her first stage role was in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar at St Mary's, which Tim had directed.
Now a lighting designer in the West End, Tim's work was recognised at this year's Olivier Awards.
"We are still friends on Facebook so it was wonderful to see he had won the award," she said.
Although she now lives in the north-west, Laura would enjoy an acting role in Hull.
"I would love to bring something back to the city," she said.
"It was Hull Truck which set me on the way. If I had not been to the youth theatre, I don't think I'd be doing what I am now.
"Mark Rees, from Truck, was so encouraging – he is a wonderful man who I still keep in touch with now. He guided me through my application for drama school."
Laura, who works as a supply teacher in between acting roles, graduated from the Manchester School of Theatre in 2012.
She says a role in Emmerdale would be a dream and has enjoyed the feedback on Coronation Street role on social media.
"I was a one-night only appearance but it was lovely to hear one person ask if I was a new character that was being set up," she said.
Laura saw her TV debut at her flat with her brother, Matthew, who works for the BBC in Manchester.
"I think he was slightly cringing," said Laura with a grin.
"But with him at the BBC and me at ITV it was a really nice image for mum and dad, to think we are both where we want to be in life."
• Visit www.keddiescott.com for more information about Laura and follow her on Twitter at @laura_mould.
