CHRISTMAS has come early for River City star Carmen Pieracini.

CHRISTMAS has come early for River City star Carmen Pieracini.

The actress ended up working in a shop in Shawlands after leaving the BBC Scotland soap last year.

It looked as though Carmen's stint in River City was over when her character Kelly Marie ran off with a footballer to live in Monaco.

But now one of the soap's liveliest characters is back and Carmen couldn't be happier.

The Paisley-born performer said: "I had been on the show for two-and-a-half years and it was part of my life. Then you find yourself working in a shop. It's a whole different experience."

Suddenly her high TV profile became a hindrance. Carmen said: "Sometimes you get the local bams opening the shop door and shouting 'Haw, look man, it's Kelly Marie, It is hur.

"But that's something you've just got to deal with. I know there are actors who wouldn't work in a shop, but I'm not precious."

In fact, despite returning to Shieldinch, Carmen continues to work in Nuala Ashe in Kilmarnock Road between filming.

She said: "I was grateful for the job and I love working there. The bosses are fantastic and they give me time off whenever I need it.

"And I'm totally aware I have to pay the mortgage. It's great to have options."

Carmen originally attended drama classes in Kilbirnie and went on to study in Glasgow before being snapped up by River City bosses as a teenager.

She said: "I love acting. It's just strange when you are on the television one minute - and people assume you are loaded - and the next thing you're on the bus to Shawlands and wee guys are saying 'Whit are you daein' on a bus doll?'"

During the summer, Carmen featured in a pilot for Paul Riley's new sitcom, Dear Green Place. The show won a Bafta and is now to become a full series.

Carmen's performance as the gallus, torn-faced caf girl, below left, was a stand-out.

"I'd loved to go back and work on that," she says. "My character was a real tough cookie. And the make-up and tattoo really brought her to life.

"But I'd love to return to River City for a long stint.

"I'm hopeful for the New Year. I've landed a London agent, so we'll see what happens."

But Carmen is tight-lipped over the plans for Kelly Marie. "Let's just say her life is never dull," she says.