The actress, who plays Erica Holroyd in the popular soap, said that as she got older she was struggling to land roles - so much so that she was running out of money for basics like petrol.
But after appearing on TV show Stitch Me, Lift Me, Tuck Me - getting a mini facelift at a harley Street clinic, Claire says the phone ‘hasn’t stopped ringing’ as she gets so many offers for work.
Speaking to Hello! Claire said: ‘When I looked at my double chin and sagging jawline, i was prepared to try a cosmetic procedure to improve my chances of being offered new parts in the job I loved.’
‘Although my older peers had warned me that when actresses reach the big 5-0, work often starts to dry up, I couldn’t imagine it ever happening to me.’
But, just as her pals had warned, Claire said ahead of her landmark birthday, the phone did indeed stop ringing.
‘I was devastated,’ admitted the actress. ‘I felt so low and unsure of myself.’
And it got so bad for the star that she says she was ready to pack in acting for good, if she hadn’t have landed the Corrie role just in time.