Actress Maxine Peake and broadcaster Sara Cox were in the same A-level theatre studies class at Canon Slade Sixth Form in Bolton.
The pair were looking back on their teenage years during a recent BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show chat.
Sara, who grew up in Bolton and has gone on to become one of the UK’s best-known radio presenters, was speaking to Maxine on Thursday, September 10.
She told the actress: “We were in the same class for A-level theatre studies at Canon Slade Sixth Form in Bolton.
“At 16, you were already hugely talented, and I can say this because I saw it with my own eyes.”
Sara then recalled how their drama teachers had quickly spotted Maxine’s ability.
She said: “I saw our drama teachers, they loved you, I’m getting goosebumps saying it, they could just tell that you were just so talented and different from the rest of us.”
But the conversation took a very Bolton school reunion turn when the pair started discussing their A-level results.
Maxine, who was born in Bolton before going on to study at RADA, asked Sara if she had received an A for her theatre studies.
Sara replied: “I know I should let it go by now.”
Maxine then revealed she had not received the top grade either, saying: “No, I can’t, no. What did I get? I think I got a C.”
Sara immediately sounded shocked, replying: “No way!”
The pair then remembered Sara’s Medea monologue, with Maxine insisting she still remembered it.
Maxine said: “I’m not just saying it, you could do it, you could do it!”
The exchange offered a glimpse at the early years of two very different careers which have since taken both women well beyond their Bolton classroom.
Maxine has become a celebrated stage and screen actress, known for productions including Dinnerladies, Shameless, Silk and Black Mirror.
Sara has gone on to become a major BBC broadcaster, having previously hosted the Radio 1 Breakfast Show before moving to Radio 2.