A shocking revelation has sent ripples through the world of British television, as the real name of Georgia Taylor, the actress who plays the beloved character Toyah Battersby on Coronation Street, has been made public in a surprising on-air mistake. The actress, a staple of the show since 1997, had kept her birth name under wraps for decades.

The dramatic reveal came during a podcast when her co-star, Ben Price, who plays Nick Tilsley, mistakenly called her “Clare.” This seemingly innocent slip-up led to the discovery that Georgia’s birth name is Claire Jackson. The actress has since confirmed the change, revealing a personal and professional reason behind her decision.

She explained that she changed her name to Georgia Taylor when she first joined Coronation Street as a teenager because there were already many actresses named Claire registered with the Actors Union, Equity. To stand out and avoid confusion, she chose a new name, selecting “Georgia” simply because she liked it and “Taylor” as a tribute to her late grandfather.

Georgia first appeared on the show in 1997 as a teenager alongside her on-screen family. She left in 2003 and made a dramatic return in 2016. Since her comeback, her character, Toyah, has been at the center of several high-stakes storylines, including a recent affair with her sister’s partner, Nick Tilsley, a plot twist that has gripped the nation.

The revelation of her real name adds a new layer of personal intrigue to the actress, who has become a national treasure. It serves as a reminder of the often-unseen complexities of life in the public eye and the personal sacrifices that artists make for their careers.