Sian Powers

Sian Powers is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Sacha Parkinson. Sian was introduced as a love interest for Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent). Sian joined the cast of Coronation Street alongside Ben Richardson (Lucien Laviscount) in January 2009 as Sophie's schoolmates. They soon form a new group of teenagers along with Ryan Connor (Ben Thompson). Sian and girlfriend Sophie are Coronation Street's first lesbian couple. It was announced on 29 May 2011 that Parkinson had quit her role, and she made her last on screen appearance on 30 December 2011.

Fifteen-year-old Sian, from Southport, arrives and starts a relationship with Ryan Connor, but later broke up with him. Sian's father attacks Ryan after finding out he slept with his daughter. Sophie developed increasing feelings for Sian and the pair then kiss. Sian initially rejected Sophie, and Sian moved back to Southport to live with her mother, but Sian and Sophie later start a relationship. The two go on to get engaged, but realising that Sophie was attracted to Amber Kalirai (Nikki Patel) and that it was only Amber's rejection that stopped Sophie cheating on her, Sian breaks up with Sophie and leaves Weatherfield.

It was announced on 15 December 2008, that actress Sacha Parkinson has been cast as Sian alongside Lucien Laviscount. They were both introduced as schoolmates of Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent). A Coronation Street insider told the Daily Star "Brooke is an amazing actress and the introduction of two characters her own age will give the writers free rein to come up with some fantastic plots for her. Being so young means there’s a limit to what Sophie can get up to - but now she has her own gang there's more scope for juicier storylines. It's great for Brooke, too, because she knows both Lucien and Sacha from her college and acting classes." They added "It will give her an added boost to have her mates around her." This was Parkinson's second role on the soap as she had previously appeared in a guest non-speaking role on 30 August 2002, playing Celine, a friend of Sophie's sister Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan), two years before Brooke Vincent became the third actress to take over the role of Sophie. Prior to her first appearance on 26 January 2009, Sian was mentioned twice, on 24 December 2008 (in the year before and over a month prior to her first appearance) and on 23 January 2009 (three days before her first appearance).

Parkinson said she was honoured to play a lesbian character in such an iconic soap. She told Digital Spy: "When they first told us we were just excited and nervous to be honest," Parkinson said. "It was just an honour that they trusted us with it, and that it was going to be such a huge thing. We were very aware that there were a lot of people involved in the storyline," Vincent added. "So many people - all working hard, all giving 110% - who would really be relying on us to do it well". Speaking of the future of her character, Parkinson said "Everybody expected it not to last, and now that it has lasted this long, they've been pleasantly shocked. It's not going to be a straightforward relationship - no relationship ever is - and they have their ups and downs. It's a love story and that's what we've tried for from the start, rather than just making it a phase".

"Sian pulls away but then they kiss again. For Sian, she's never really thought about Sophie in that way before. For Sophie though, she's had a chance to think about it and she knows that it's what she wants. For a moment, it feels right for Sian but then she realises what's happening and rushes out."

After she found out that she was to have a wedding, Parkinson said she was "very excited" for the scenes. Parkinson told Celebs on Sunday of the storyline: "Sophie proposes because she's confused by the feelings she's having for Amber. She decides the one thing that will keep her and Sian together is if they get married. But their parents aren't exactly on board, so it looks like things aren't going to go very smoothly. I'm not sure what's going to happen after that, but I've heard there's a big wedding in a church with two wedding dresses just in time for Christmas. I'm so excited!"

In an interview with Digital Spy in April 2010, Vincent and Parkinson were asked how they found out about the storyline. Vincent said: "They called me and Sacha into a meeting with Kim [Crowther] the producer. I'd heard about this storyline they were going to have for me - I don't know where I got it from and it's probably me that gave them the idea opening my big mouth! Then they got me and my mum in and told us about the whole chastity one first and Kim said, 'Then we find out that Sophie's not in love with Ben, she's in love with Sian!' My stomach just turned with nerves - it was more shock than anything". Parkinson also commented: "When I first got told, I was laughing because I didn't believe it! I'd heard a rumour but when I went in, they told me it was happening! It was a shock that I'd been given the chance to take on such a big story but I was just excited. Brooke and I were told together, so we were both nervous and worried about making sure we pulled it off. I feel fortunate to have been given this opportunity".

On 28 May 2011, Laura Armstrong of The People reported Sian, Cheryl Gray (Holly Quin-Ankrah), Russ Gray (Finton Flynn) and Chris Gray (Will Thorp) would be leaving Coronation Street later that year. Armstrong reported Sian would be set for heartache before her departure as Sophie would embark on a relationship with Amber Kalirai (Nikki Patel). Parkinson said she was sad, but excited for her final storyline, which would feature Sian and Sophie's wedding day. Of her departure, Parkinson told the Press Association, "I'm very sad but I'm very excited. I'm in two minds, I don't know whether I'll regret my decision or not but as it's come closer I know it's what I need to do. But it's a sad place to leave because everyone's like a family and everyone's so close". She added: "But I only live round the corner so I'll be popping in every day". As Sian and Sophie prepare for their wedding, Kevin questions Sophie about her feelings for Sian. Sophie tells him she is doing the right thing in getting married. During the ceremony, Sian says her vows with conviction and feeling, but Sophie stammers her way through her vows. Sian senses Sophie's doubts, about their pending marriage, and runs away from the church totally distraught. Sophie returns to her home, to find Sian heartbroken, and packing her belongings with the intent to leave Sophie and Weatherfield. Sophie sobs to Sian that she had nerves, and that she desperately wants to marry her. Sian has a change of heart, and agrees to get married. But soon after this, Sian overhears Sophie explaining to Amber, that she regrets kissing her, and saying she loved her. Sian is completely devastated by this infidelity, as she trusted Sophie, but now says, she hates her. As Sian sits in her mother's car crying; Sophie is overwhelmed, and heartbroken collapses to the pavement; sobbing and wailing uncontrollably. Sian is emotionally shattered, sobbing intensely; as her mother drives Sian away out of Weatherfield. Sacha Parkinson leaves Coronation Street after three years playing Sian Powers.