Armand Beasley talks to the stars whose hearts melted on an icerink about the new series of Dancing On Ice, classic Corrie, fitness and family
It’s hard to believe Coronation Street actress Samia Longchombon has been on our screens as Maria, for nearly 23 years. But since her debut pottering around the kennels in her wellies as Kirk's sister, Maria Sutherland, Connor, and now Windass, has played a part in some of the Street's most turbulent storylines.
Samia’s home life is far less dramatic – she’s blissfully happy with her husband, the ice skating pro, Sylvain Longchambon who she met 10 years ago when they were put together for the tv series Dancing On Ice, and children, Freya, 13, from her previous marriage and their seven-year-old son Yves Joseph.
I caught up with the Wilmslow residents ahead of the new series of Dancing on Ice airing this month.
Tell me about your childhood, Samia
Well, I was born Samia Maxine Ghadie, in Eccles to my mum Patsy and dad Joseph, and I have a brother, Tariq.
How did your parents meet?
Mum sang in a group called Bubbles Levine and the Deep Emotions. How '70s is that band name? She was performing in a hotel in Abu Dhabi when my dad, who is Lebanese and was there working on the rigs, came into the bar and saw her and that was it. But she couldn’t speak Arabic and he couldn’t speak English.
They didn’t need words; no, they had the language of luuurve.
How were you discovered?
I was shopping in KwikSave with my mum and I think I was playing up in the aisles when Elaine Greeley, who founded the Laine Management Casting Agency, saw us and asked if I was interested in going to her drama classes, and so I ended up joining her agency, doing child modelling it went from there.
You’ve been in Corrie for nearly 23 years, what has been your favourite storyline so far?
It’s a tricky question because I’ve been involved in some great ones. I loved all the classic stuff I did with Jack and Vera, like when Maria and Tyrone were together and we went to Blackpool. You can see those episodes now on Classic Corrie in the afternoons. I also really enjoyed the Maria, Carla and Liam love triangle storyline era. I’m involved in a great storyline at the moment and I love working with Mikey North who plays Gary. I’m really lucky.
You turned 40 in 2022. How do you feel about the landmark birthday?
I was dreading it in the lead-up. But now I’m here, it’s ok. We've known each other for more than 20 years. In fact, I remember dancing with you at one of the charity balls for Kirsty Howard. We bonded on the dance floor to the Las Ketchup song.
And I turned you into Toni Basil for your '80s-themed 21st birthday bash at The Lowry Hotel. I was Pete Burns!
Yes. I’ve got a great picture of me as Toni Basil. It was a joint 21st birthday for me and Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone. He was dressed as Freddie Mercury.
Ten years ago you and Sylvain were partnered together for Dancing On Ice. What are your memories?
It was the hardest thing but also in many ways the best thing. I did at least two hours of training, five days a week. And then we had the show at the weekend. It’s tough but it’s doable and great to look back on. In fact, occasionally we’ll get the videos out and show the kids and say, "look, that’s us."
Sylvain, how did you get into ice skating?
I started skating when I was seven years old. My mum took me and my brother to the ice rink in Lyon, where I’m from. We really enjoyed it so we would go once or twice a week to a skating club for a couple of years. Then one of the coaches from a local ice skating school asked my mum if I wanted to join the school as she thought I was good for my age. So I did and I started competing from the age of nine and eventually joined the French National team and competed professionally until I was about 24.
What’s been the highlight of your career Sylvain?
Being chosen for Dancing on Ice, for sure.
You are partnered with Coronation Street actress Mollie Gallagher (Nina Lucas) this year. How is it going?
When she started I wasn’t sure how it was going to go as it takes a little time to assess the celebrities. But in the past few weeks, she’s really improved and even though we are working very hard we are still having fun.
Do you choreograph all the routines?
I put some steps and tricks together before having a meeting with Dan Whiston and Karen Barber who are the two main coaches and between the three of us we create the routines.
You’re also a personal trainer at Hale Country Club. What’s your own fitness routine like?
I train for an hour a day, usually Monday to Friday, and I take the weekend off. I tend to alternate between weights and high-intensity interval training and sometimes I will go for a little run on my treadmill that we have in the garage. And I play padel two to three times a week, for fun.
How do you keep fit, Samia?
I've been doing yoga daily now for about four years and it’s been great for my physical and mental health. I’ve spoken before about suffering from anxiety, and yoga has helped me so much. It’s my therapy. I also use the treadmill and stick a Netflix show on for half an hour and have a little run.
Sylvain, what simple changes can people make to their lives to improve their fitness?
Diet is key – make sure you’re eating well.
Get seven to eight hours sleep a night
Go for a walk. It’s a very underrated exercise and something you can do as a family.
What will you do after this series has finished?
I will go back to my personal training but also if I have any private skating clients I will be doing some teaching.
What are your favourite beauty/grooming products?
Sylvain: Kérastase Densifique Shampoo and Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray for my hair.
Clinique For Men range for my skin.
Samia: My facialist William Foley at One Aesthetics in Alderley Edge has been looking after my skin for about a year now. He’s got me on SkinCeuticals Vitamin C Serum, which is really pricey but I only use a little bit so it lasts a long time and it’s made such a difference. I then use Elemis moisturiser over the top. I love Tarte Shape Tape concealer – it’s amazing.
Samia, what exciting things have you got planned for 2023?
As you know Armand, I’m not good at planning ahead as this interview has taken a year to organise. But seriously, Syl and I have been together for 10 years now so I would love for us to have a really special holiday to celebrate. I would love to travel more.
How do you navigate your way through the pressures of fame?
We don’t really go out that much and I’d rather do things like this, you know, catch up with a friend over breakfast or a coffee. We tend to stay local and don’t really go to big showbiz parties. We are really normal and that’s important for our children too because I don’t want my job to impact their lives in a negative way. And my mum definitely keeps me grounded.
How do you spend your free time?
We don’t really have much free time. But when I do I love yoga, cooking with Sylvain… and ironing.
Where are your favourite places in Cheshire?
We love going for walks on the Edge or to White Nancy in Macclesfield. Our favourite restaurant is Cibo in Wilmslow and Hale Country Club is great for lunch after the gym.
