Sophiya Haque obit

Former Coronation Street actress Sophiya Haque dies aged 41

She was not on the list. 

Actress Sophiya Haque, best known to soap fans for her role as barmaid Poppy Morales in Coronation Street, has died aged just 41.

Haque, who had been appearing in the West End production of Privates On Parade, was diagnosed with cancer last month.

She passed away in a London hospital after contracting pneumonia, which led to her developing a blood clot on her lungs.

A Coronation Street spokesperson said they were ‘saddened’ to hear of the actress’s premature death, adding: ‘She was a vibrant and beautiful actress who was a pleasure to have around during her time on Coronation Street.

‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this very sad time.’

The cast of Privates On Parade also paid tribute, with director Michael Grandage saying they were ‘devastated’.

She lived life to the full, and her presence in the theatre will be sorely missed,’ Grandage said, adding that they would dedicate remaining performances of the show to her memory.

Haque appeared in Coronation Street for six months between December 2008 and June 2009.

Although her character was not in the soap for very long, she made a big impact during her time on screen after becoming the Rovers Return’s 51st barmaid and subsequent assistant manager.

However she was later sacked after falling foul of Becky and Steve McDonald – with Becky, played by Katherine Kelly, physically dragging her out of the pub.

As well as her time in Weatherfield, Haque also appeared in the West End production of Bombay Dreams as well as the 2008 film Wanted, which starred Angelina Jolie.

Haque started as the lead vocalist in the band Akasa; they signed a deal with Warner Bros. in 1988. Subsequently, she worked as a video jockey for MTV Asia for seven years and Channel V.

Haque was employed as a presenter at STAR TV in Hong Kong in 1992. From 1994, she began appearing on TV in India and in 1997 she moved to Mumbai full-time to work on the Channel V India service. Her first Bollywood film was Khoobsurat, and she later made several more including Mangal Pandey: The Rising

 

Filmography

Film

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1999            Khoobsurat     Herself            Special appearance (as Sophia Haque)

2000    Snip!            Tara    

Alaipayuthey            Lead Dancer in song 'September Madham'            Tamil film, special appearance

Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega Dancer in song 'Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai'     

2001    Indian            Herself            (as Sofia Haque)

2002    Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya            Dancer in Red Saaree opposite Akshay Kumar in song "zindagi ko bina pyaar koi kaise guzare"

Santosham            Mehbooba Song            Telugu film, 'Mehbooba' Song

2003    Pehli Nazar Ka Pehla Pyaar: Love at First Sight     Dancer

Sandhya                      

2003    Udhaya            Dancer in song 'Thiruvellikeni Rani'     Tamil film, special appearance

2005    The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey             Singer/dancer in song 'Rasiya', Uncredited

2008    Wanted            Puja    

Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors Anna Singh    (as Sophia Haque)

2013    Jadoo               (final film role)

 

Television

Year     Title            Role            Notes

2008    Fur TV            Mrs Slaughter            1 episode: Rent Boys/Hot Pussy

Fairy Tales            Ameera            1 episode: The Empress's New Clothes

2008–2009            Coronation Street            Poppy Morales            60 episodes

2012    House of Anubis            Senkhara         44 episodes

 

Theatre

Year     Title            Role            Theatre

2002            Bombay Dreams            Rani            Apollo Victoria and Shaftesbury Theatre

2005    The Far Pavilions            Kabir Bedi

2012    Wah! Wah! Girls            Soraya            Theatre Royal Stratford East/Peacock Theatre

Privates on Parade Sylvia Morgan            Noël Coward Theatre London's West End