Michelle Keegan reportedly earnt almost £1 million last year.

Michelle Keegan

Michelle Keegan

The 29-year-old actress broke hearts across the country two years ago when she bowed out of her role as Tina McIntyre in 'Coronation Street' but it seems the gamble paid off as the brunette beauty is believed to be earning 16 times more than she was being paid while shooting the long-running soap.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "'Corrie' was a dream come true but she had to leave for the sake of her bank balance. It looks like a shrewd move."

The talented star was reportedly being paid £60,000 a year to portray the feisty barmaid in the ITV show and, as part of her contract, was banned from endorsing any other products.

However, since her departure, Michelle has managed to nab a deal with fashion brand Lipsy, which sees her earn around £250,000 a year, and become the face of Garnier's Ambre Solaire self-tanning range, which reeled in £150,000.

Meanwhile, Michelle's career has skyrocketed since she turned her back on 'Coronation Street' as she recently portrayed Tracy in 'Ordinary Lies' and will next be seen playing the lead role of Corporal Georgie Lane in 'Our Girl'.

She's also just signed up to play Tina in a new three-part drama series set in Manchester called 'Tina and Bobby'.

Filming for the forthcoming show will begin in the summer and Michelle, who is married to Mark Wright, will move back up North from Essex to shoot her scenes alongside Lorne MacFadyen.