MANY actresses have left Coronation Street, but the death of sexy crimper Maxine Peacock, played by Tracy Shaw, sparked one of the biggest storylines in the Street's history.

And Tracy's not been short of press attention while making her post-Weatherfield theatrical debut, either - but that could be because she's been appearing on stage wearing nothing but a smile.

She's starring opposite Jason Connery in The Blue Room, Sir David Hare's adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's notorious erotic masterpiece La Ronde at Cardiff's New Theatre this week.

Both will take on five roles each in this whirlwind sexual merry-go-round of an au pair, a taxi driver, a politician, a model, and others.

Tracy said: "Everybody knows the play for its nudity but it is much more than that, it is an incredible piece of theatre.

"But the fact that my body was displayed in family newspapers means that I can't exactly start being a prude.

"At the time it was horrible, but now I'm glad it's happened and it's all out of the way. "Now the tour is up and running, I'm really enjoying myself.

"I'm not an exhibitionist, but we are truer to the original play because they cut back Nicole's nude scenes for that production. We do it far more and a lot earlier in the play. "I think that's quite good because then everyone can say, 'So what?' and concentrate on what we're saying and what's going on dramatically.

"The nudity is always natural and never gratuitous; it makes total sense that we are naked when we are. And then, hopefully, audiences will realise this play is about much more than just the nudity."

Tickets for The Blue Room range from £8 to £21.50, and the show begins at 7.30pm from Monday to Friday, and at 4pm and 8pm on Saturday. It is suitable for adults only. Box office 02920 878889.