Catherine Tyldesley has hit back at claims she was behind emails which asked a local bakery to supply cakes and other products in return for social media publicity.
The former soap star has insisted she had "no idea" emails were being sent to Three Little Birds Bakery asking for a list of cakes in exchange for "promotion on their [Tyldesley's] socials with over 700k followers".
Taking to Instagram, Tyldesley slammed the uproar which has ensued after the bakery's owner published the email exchange on Facebook.
In a lengthy post titled "CAKE GATE - The Truth", Tyldesley blasted: "This story driven by the Daily Mail has gotten out of control and it’s negatively impacting a lot of wonderful people, so I need to set the record straight.
"I had no idea those emails were being sent. I would never ask anyone to work for free or provide product for free.
"I’m not working with OK Magazine on anything. NVRLND are an amazing company who I’ve worked with in the past, they raise thousands of pounds for charity and have been completely misrepresented."
Catherine Tyldesley says she had 'no idea' the emails were being sent to a local bakery
INSTAGRAM/CATHERINE TYLDESLEY
She concluded: "I genuinely do hope the bakery have got some exposure and receive lots of new orders! I’ve always supported local and small businesses.
"The abuse I have been receiving online is horrendous so hopefully this will put an end to it. And here’s to turning 40! Love Cath x."
In the accompanying clip, Tyldesley reiterated the points she made in the caption before adding: "I hope the cake lady got the exposure she was craving...
"While I've got journalists knocking on my front door while my kids are playing in the front room, dead nice that, babes. Thanks for coming!"
The fury began after the bakery shared a Facebook post including screenshots of the email exchange between it and the PR company which represented an unidentified celebrity asking for a 40th birthday cake.
The emails also detailed how another request for a further 100 cupcakes and a smaller birthday cake was put forward.
The bakery pulled no punches as it wrote on the social media site: "This poor celebrity apparently can't afford to pay people for their products and services. Spare a thought! What happened to women supporting women."
The email which was sent back to the PR company emphatically turned down the request, quipping that publicity does not pay staff's wages.
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Catherine Tyldesley is best known for starring in Coronation Street
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The Mail was the publication which identified Tyldesley as the unnamed celebrity in the emails which prompted the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant to address the claims.
Tom Harwood and Bev Turner even discussed Tyldesley's response on GB News today as they shared their opinions on the matter.
Turner blasted that influencers and celebrities offering exposure rather than payment "took the mickey" out of small companies.
