Former Coronation Street actress star dies as tributes flood in

Tributes have flooded in for former Coronation Street actress Mo Moreland who has died aged 87

Former Coronation Street actress and Roly Polys star Mo Moreland has died after a long illness, it has been revealed. The actress starred in the ITV soap and was best known as the lead dancer in the comedy dance troupe The Roly Polys.

She is said to have died at a nursing home on the Fylde coast. Mo, originally from Sheffield, frequently performed with Les Dawson as part of the dance troupe.

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Tracy, Les Dawson's wife, said she was "like a mum and a sister – my best friend and confident". "We are devastated," she continued. "Mo lived with my daughter Charlotte and I and helped me bring Charlotte up. She was a great comfort when I lost less and I will really miss her."

Comedian Jimmy Cricket, who featured performance bills with Mo and The Roly Polys, said: “Mo was a real pocket rocket – a true star who was also a great friend, who came to my 40th and 50th birthday parties.”

Mo, born Maureen McCluskey, made her performing debut at the age of three when she attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. She performed as The Mighty Atom, at just 4ft 11ins tall, and was trained as a skill dancer, particularly in tap.