Bhavna Limbachia wants to follow in Charlize Theron's acting footsteps

havna Limbachia wants to have a "versatile career" like Charlize Theron.

The former \'Coronation Street\' actress - whose character Rana Habeeb was killed off earlier this year following the Underworld factory collapse - has set her sights on following in the footsteps of the \'Mad Max\' actress by starring in "comedy, drama and action" roles.

She said: "I would like to have a versatile career like Charlize Theron. I\'d love to do a bit of comedy, a bit of drama, some action, I\'d love to do a bit of everything and push myself."

While the 35-year-old Preston-born star could be about to take Hollywood by storm, she admits her roots are certainly in the north of England, where she feels "way more relaxed and happier" than when she visits London.

She said: "I\'m so proud of being northern. I think some of the best writers in drama have come from the North: Jimmy McGovern, Sally Wainwright.

"Northern gritty drama is British drama is at its best. Don\'t get me wrong, I love dipping in and out of London for work, but as soon as I get off that train and onto northern soil I just feel way more relaxed and happier."

Before turning to acting, the \'Citizen Khan\' star was a costume designer and had to hold an umbrella for \'Corrie\' star Connor McIntyre - who played evil serial killer Pat Phelan until the character\'s death last year - but after one particularly freezing cold moment in the early hours, she decided it was not the career for her.

Speaking to A Magazine, she added: "The last costume job I did was \'Drop Dead Gorgeous\' with Connor McIntyre for BBC Three.

"It was minus three degrees. I was holding Connor\'s umbrella thinking, \'I can\'t do this anymore. I can\'t regret something I didn\'t do - it just doesn\'t make sense.\' "