UNA Healy has said she would “definitely be open” to taking on acting roles in the future – and didn’t rule out a return to Carraigstown.
Before the singer joined The Saturdays, launching her to international acclaim, she had a plethora of odd jobs.
Una revealed that before she made her mark as part of the popular girl band, she would often spend her time “grafting” around the capital, looking for work to propel her singing career.
She told the Sunday World: “Back in the day, before I was ever known through The Saturdays, I was going around as a singer-songwriter playing in bars and really enjoying it.
“It was a real graft, I worked hard to kind of earn my stripes – I guess to be ready for auditioning for big groups like that.”
The 43-year-old opened up on her surprising gig-role on RTE‘s hit soap – that often saw her spend her days pulling pints at McCoy’s.
Una explained: “I gigged all around Dublin and was living in Cabinteely with my sister. Because I had a lot of free time during the week, I signed up to an Extras agency and I used to go out to RTÉ and be an extra on Fair City.
“I’d be hanging around for hours every day on set. I did get a credit once because I was a special extra. I think I might have been serving someone in the Bistro. I was also serving pints in McCoy’s.”
After making her TV return with Celebrity Bear Hunt on Netflix, the Ego singer said she wouldn’t rule out a return to acting, possibly even in a bigger capacity.
She continued: “I’ve often thought about it, I did an online course with them [Bowe Street Academy of Acting], we were all on Zoom and we had to do dialogue and monologues and so on. We learned all about acting for TV.
“A lot of the stuff I already knew, just from being on sets and everything. It was really interesting. If the right opportunity came along I’d definitely be open to it. Even Fair City, who knows.”
The mum-of-two joining the soap wouldn’t be the only surprising shake-up soon set to face Carraigstown.
As just last week, RTE bosses revealed Lidl has started work to develop a brand-new store on the set.
The retailer has secured a massive three-year product placement deal with the popular soap.
On-set construction of Lidl Carrigstown at RTE studios in Donnybrook is currently underway.
NEW IN TOWN
The first episode including the new supermarket retailer is due to air in early summer.
Transforming the local supermarket, residents of the fictional Carrigstown will soon be able to ‘go full Lidl’ in the new store.
It will feature a realistic Lidl shop interior and exterior set designed by the retailer.
Designed to exacting standards to fit the requirements of the film set, Lidl Carrigstown will include key store features such as a modern welfare area for employees.
It will also feature a Deposit Return Machine and Lidl’s much-loved in-store bakery.
The Carrigstown store will also be fitted with some of Lidl’s pioneering energy solutions including EV charging points.
