Coro gossip
The UK may be a fair way ahead of us, but that doesn't mean we
can't keep up to date with the latest Coro goss!
Read below to find out the latest news...
*Warning: Contains spoilers!*
Kate Ford signs up for more
Kate Ford, who plays Tracey Barlow, is set to remain
in Weatherfield until at least 2013 after signing a new contract
with the primetime show. Coronation Street's official website
released this statement from a spokesperson: "We're thrilled Kate
is staying with the show. Tracy is a great character and gives us
scope for some exciting storylines over the next year."
Sue Cleaver collapses on set
Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, was rushed to
hospital after the actress collapsed on set. The 46-year-old was
attended by on-set medics before an ambulance was called, The Sun
reports. Staff described Cleaver as looking unwell on Wednesday
morning shortly before taking a turn for the worse. The incident is
believed to have been related to Cleaver's diabetes.
Game show host eyes Corrie role
Former model turned game show host Vernon Kay says he
would love a role on Coronation Street and has even approached
producers.Digital Spy reports that Kay, who hosts ITV's Family
Fortunes show, wants to make the move from game shows to the soap.
"I'd love to be a shop assistant in Dev's shop or a barman, or the
cleaner in the pub," he said.And the feeling appears to be mutual.
Kay went on to say that he has spoken the Corrie team and a
character has been "lined-up".Watch this space.
Michelle Keegan signs on
Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) has signed a "six-figure
contract" to stay on the Street for at least another year, The List
reports. The pay deal comes just months after the 24-year-old got
engaged to The Wanted hunk Max George. A source says that Keegan is
over-the-moon with the deal and has said 2011 has already been the
best year of her life.
Katherine Kelly's Royal Wedding weekend
Katherine Kelly, who plays the less than regal Becky
McDonald, rubbed shoulders with Royalty over the weekend when she
attended the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindal. The Queen's
granddaughter and the captain of the England rugby team tied the
knot in a low-key ceremony in Edinburgh. Katherine, a school friend
of Mike, looked far from her one-screen self in a demure peach
one-shoulder James Steward dress teamed with an orange sunhat and
matching handbag.
Brooke loves the on-screen arguments
Brooke Vincent (who plays Sophie) has admitted that she
really looks forward to the arguments with her on-screen sister
Rosie (played by Helen Flanagan). Helen has recently taken a
three-month break from Coro in the UK, but is due back soon, and
Brooke can't wait for her return! Brooke told Inside Soap: "I love
all the scenes Helen and I do together where Rosie and Sophie are
being really sarcastic with each other. We know our characters very
well now, so for Rosie and Sophie to have a big old slanging match
in the middle of a scene is really good fun."
Shobna Gulati quits Twitter after racist tweets
It appears a string of racist and abusive messages
have seemingly forced Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati (who
plays Sunita) to quit social networking site Twitter. Gulati, an
until now avid tweeter, has apparently received abusive messages
from some of her 18,000 plus followers over the space of the last
few weeks. Gulati recently tweeted, "Hey twitter what's the
story eh? We report racial abuse? And you allow them back? I want
no part of this." A final tweet at the end of last week noted:
"Thanks for the banter I've enjoyed my time on twitter. Over and
out".
Graeme Hawley has his eyes on a spin-off show
The 37-year-old actor whose reign as John
Stape is due to come to an end in the UK next month thinks his
character's time in Weatherfield has been so eventful that he
should be given a spin-off show all of his own. He said: "I'd
suggest John runs away to Italy and starts a new life over there.
He's a very popular character. Maybe ITV would like to follow him
to see what disasters befall him!"
Which Eastenders star is set to join Coro?
Ex-Eastenders star Michelle Collins has landed the role
of Rovers Return landlady on Coronation Street. Michelle, who
played Cindy Beale on Eastenders, begins filming on Coro next
month.
Kym Marsh has her baby!
Kym Marsh (who plays Michelle) has given birth to a baby
girl named Polly. Congrats!
Keith Duffy discusses Coro return
Keith Duffy has confirmed that he expects to return to
filming om Coronation Street in September. The actor recently
took a break from his role as Ciaran McCarthy in order to tour with
Boyzone. On screen, viewers saw Ciaran leave Weatherfield after
landing a job on a cruise.
Kym Marsh says Coro bosses have been 'fantastic'
Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor on Coronation
Street, is expecting a baby girl in April and left the soap as
she's experiencing a difficult pregnancy. The decision to allow her
to leave the soap early comes after her baby son Archie died in
2009, after being born 18 weeks premature. Kym has been on
modified bed rest due to complications in the pregnancy but says
that the show's producers have been 'incredibly understanding' and
the cast have been 'hugely supportive'. She says that Julie
Hesmondhalgh, Antony Cotton, Ali King and Bev Callard have been in
constant contact.
English company builds replica of Ken and Deirdre's
house
One of the best-known soap opera homes is being recreated
by a company in Wellingborough. Tingdene Homes has built a replica
of Ken and Deirdre's home on Coronation Street. Sophie Wyatt, the
production designer, spent months researching and sourcing items.
She said: "It's been difficult to match items perfectly but things
like the green tiles in the kitchen have really brought it all
together."
Which fellow Coro actor's brother is Brooke Vincent dating?
Brooke Vincent (who plays Sophie Webster) has found love
with a handsome young man - who also happens to be her co-star's
younger brother.
Brooke is dating Scott Thomas, the brother of Ryan Thomas (who
plays Jason Grimshaw).
Which actress is petrified she's going to lose her
unborn child?
According to nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com, pregnant Coronation
Street star Kym Marsh is petrified she may lose another newborn
child. The actress lost her son, Archie, just seconds after he was
born 18 weeks premature in 2009, and suffered massive emotional
scarring as a result. Now she's frightened her unborn baby with
fiance Jamie Lomas may suffer the same fate. The mum-of-two has
taken a five-month hiatus from Coro to keep her stress levels down.
But a nasty message of Twitter recently, brought up all the old
feelings of hurt again: '[H]ey kym i heard rumors u lost the baby,'
the message read. 'Probably the sickest tweet I've ever seen,' Kym
responded, adding, 'How could you write that?' An agonising wait
lies ahead as Kym hopes for a healthy child.
Who's returning to Coro after a 43-year absence?
Ken Barlow has a surprise in store shortly, with his old
pal Dennis Tanner making a comeback, according to
www.musicrooms.net. Ken's mate Dennis was Elsie
Tanner's wayward son who appeared alongside Ken in the very first
episode and was last on the show way back in 1968. Dennis
was played by Philip Lowrie and the actor is set to revive the role
in March. So has former jailbird Dennis acquired some wisdom with
age or is he still up to his old tricks?
Who keeps having to deny they're leaving the show?
Actress Katherine Kelly has insisted that she is "happy
for now" at Coronation Street, saying that she isn't planning to
leave the show. Recent reports suggested that the actress, who
plays Becky McDonald in the show, was planning to quit the
soap.
Speaking to TVNZ, Kelly said, when asked if she was planning a
return to theatre: "Oh no, I'm really happy at Coronation Street
right now. I'm definitely happy for now. I know there's a lot of
rumours surrounding me going, but that's been for the past two
years, so just ignore them for now."
Michelle caught in compromising position!
Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan (who plays Tina)
has been busted getting frisky in a lift in a Manchester hotel with
her boyfriend, who is The Wanted musician Max George. Some other
hotel guests were getting out of one lift, when the one beside it
opened and Michelle and Max were inside, getting a bit "overly
friendly" with each other. Naughty naughty!
The tram crash has happened!
The MASSIVE storyline involving a tram crash on The
Street has now screened in the UK.
Click here if you'd like to read
a review of the episode...but it contains BIG spoilers!!
Helen's a golden girl
Coronation Street's Helen Flanagan (who plays Rosie) has
posed in nothing but gold paint, to celebrate Coronation Street's
50th anniversary!
Click here to see the
photo.
Coro to do a live episode
The Coronation Street cast are all very excited to be
doing an upcoming live episode. Debbie Rush, who plays Anna
Windass, said "Everybody's dead excited about going live again -
it's not often in your career that you get the chance to do
television like this," she told Inside Soap magazine. "Some of the
cast who have been here for a while did it all before 10 years ago,
so we've been getting tips from them. And of course, the Street
used to be live every week when it first started."
Barbara Knox and Eileen Derbyshire receive MBEs from the
Queen
Veteran Coro stars Barbara Knox and Eileen Derbyshire
yesterday received MBEs from the Queen, who is a big fan of the
50-year-old soap. Barbara, 77, who plays Rita Sullivan, made her
first appearance in 1964, while Eileen, 79, who stars as Emily
Bishop, has been on the show since 1961. The two veterans of the
Street admitted they had been so nervous they could not remember
much of what the Queen said to them as she gave them their
awards!
Kym Marsh is pregnant!
Kym Marsh is expecting a baby with fiance Jamie Lomas.
Kym, 34, who plays barmaid Michelle Connor in the soap, is said to
be "absolutely overjoyed" after a 12-week scan confirmed the news.
The pregnancy comes less than two years since the couple's first
son, Archie, died moments after being born 18-weeks
premature.
Helen Flanagan scared of being attacked
Helen Flanagan fears she could be attacked because her
Coronation Street character, Rosie Webster, is so hated. The
20-year-old actress - who has portrayed Rosie since 2000 - is often
confronted by girls who shout at her and call her a "b***h" in the
street, and will now only go out with friends or her footballer
boyfriend Scott Sinclair. However, the actress is adamant she is
nothing like her saucy character, and calls herself a
"geek".
Debbie drops the extra weight
Coronation Street star Debbie Rush has dropped three
dress sizes in just two months, after crying over an unflattering
picture of herself.
The 44-year-old actress, who plays Anna Windass on the show, admits
it was a photograph of herself at her heaviest, wearing a bra and
skirt in a clothing store fitting room, which prompted her to
radically change her diet and exercise regime. Last week Debbie
showed off her trim new figure at the Inside Soap Awards, after
slimming down from a size 16 to a size 10.
Beverley's on the lookout for the perfect wedding
dress
Beverley Callard has revealed she tries not to dress like
her Coronation Street alter-ego Liz McDonald. She's on the lookout
for the perfect wedding dress before she ties the knot to her
partner Jon McEwan, and wants to make sure she doesn't look
anything like the feisty Liz on her wedding day. "I'm trying
to be age-appropriate - nothing like Liz. She's certainly taught me
how not to do it! I've got to make sure there is not a hint of
mutton about whichever dress I choose," she told OK Magazine.
Michelle splits with model boyfriend
Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan (who plays Tina on
Coro) is said to have split from boyfriend Brad Howard, who is male
model, club promoter and aspiring actor. Michelle, 23, is believed
to have called time on their two-year relationship at the weekend
after a series of furious rows.
Coro theme park?
Coronation Street is set to be turned into a theme
park-style tourist attraction! ITV is reportedly planning to
move the set to a new site where it will be cheaper to film. But
instead of getting rid of the existing buildings, Coro bosses want
to open the area to fans. They would be able to stroll down the
famous cobbles, enjoy a pint and one of Betty's hot-pots at the
Rovers Return, buy a souvenir from shops such as Rita's Kabin and
be filmed in their own Coro scene.
Patti refused to give up her dream
After multiple knockbacks from Coronation Street's
casting director, most struggling actors would probably take the
hint and give up their dream of appearing on Coro. But Patti Clare
was far from put off by a string of rejection letters. She even
wrote her own scene set in the Rover's Return, involving a new
character played by her, and fired it off to producers. They
promptly rejected her again, in even stronger terms. Eventually
though, it did happen. She was working as an office receptionist
when the job offer came through in 2008. Patti joined as oddball
Mary, who immediately developed a huge unrequited crush on Norris
Cole. She was initially only meant to stay for five episodes,
but viewers loved her one-liners so the bosses offered her a
long-term contract.
Simon's busted nose
Simon Gregson has had his nose broken by a teenager in a
nightclub row. The actor, who plays cab firm boss Steve McDonald,
was beaten up in an argument about a seat, a court heard.
Rovers Return getting a rival?
Rumours are rife that Coronation Street is to have a new
wine bar to rival the Rovers Return. The drinking spot will
apparently be owned by Nick Tilsley (Ben Price). Nick is to use the
money he makes from selling his share of the underwear factory to
launch the venture. He will open the bar in the old joinery,
according to the UK's 'The Sun'. A source said: "The Joinery will
really give the Rovers Return cause to worry."
Tricky Dicky is coming back...but not as you know him
Coronation Street bosses have brought back actor Brian
Capron - to play Richard Hillman's brother for a Christmas spin-off
DVD. Fans last saw evil Hillman plunge to his death in a
Weatherfield canal back in 2003. Almost 20 million watched him
drive into the canal in a failed attempt to kill the Platt family,
whom he tied up in the car. A Coronation Street source said:
"Capron back from the dead will shock millions of fans. He's back
playing his brother and, with his distinctive looks, he must be a
twin."
Former Coro star gravely ill
Former Coronation Street star Geoffrey Hughes is said to
be gravely ill following a relapse in his battle against cancer,
says a report. The 66-year-old actor, who played Eddie Yates in on
the show in the 1970s and 80s, was taken into hospital last Friday
and is said to be undergoing heavy radiotherapy.
Vicky Entwistle quits!
Vicky Entwistle has stormed out of Weatherfield after a
series of rows with producers. The actress, who has played Janice
Battersby for 14 years, is understood to have had disagreements
with new producer Phil Collinson over her character and future
storylines, according to The Mirror in the UK. Vicky is understood
to have finally decided on Friday that it was time to quit and
is set to leave the show in December. Her character may be one that
gets killed in the tram crash.
Vicky Entwistle's husband denies hitting fan
The husband of Coronation Street star Vicky Entwistle,
who plays Janice Battersby, has denied hitting a man who asked
to take her photo. Andrew Chapman, 47, who is accused of attacking
the fan on a train, pleaded not guilty to assault yesterday. Vicky
wasn't in court but is expected to give evidence in her husband's
defence at a trial in October.
No-one is safe
Coro bosses have told the cast that no-one's character is
safe from potential death in the upcoming tram-crash storyline in
December (in the UK). The actors were given the bombshell news at a
meeting on set - and now say they feel like they are performing
with an axe hanging over their heads. The horrific death drama,
with a tram crashing from the viaduct at the end of the
cobble-stoned street to the road below, is to mark the show's 50th
anniversary in December. And none of the cast will know who dies in
the Christmas bloodbath until hours before the episode is
aired.
Which ex-Coro star has signed up for Strictly Come
Dancing?
Tina O'Brien, the popular 26-year-old actress who played
Coronation Street's Sarah-Louise Platt for eight years, has agreed
to sign for Strictly Come Dancing, the UK's version of Dancing With
The Stars. Tina's aiming to kick-start her career again after
having a daughter in 2008.
Frisky the Coronation Street Cat's ashes fetch six times the
expected price at auction
The ashes of the Coronation Street cat, Frisky, who died
10 years ago, have been sold at auction for almost six times the
expected price. Furious bidding by soap fans meant the wooden
casket carrying the cat's remains fetched 844 Pounds at an
auction in Gloucestershire. It had been expected the ashes would go
found around 150 Pounds. The auction included postcards of Frisky
with various Coronation Street actors.
Coro star attacked in pub
Graeme Hawley has revealed that he was attacked by a
crazed Coronation Street fan who didn't like his character (John
Stape). The thug confronted the actor in a pub in Manchester
recently and even put him in a headlock. Fortunately, fellow
customers at the bar were able to come to the 36-year-old's
rescue.
Coro stars told to stop tweeting
According to The Mirror in the UK, Coronation Street
stars have been ordered to stop using Twitter by their bosses, for
fear of them giving away important upcoming storylines. At least
eight Coro stars use Twitter, including Shobna Gulati (Sunita
Alahan), and Antony Cotton (Sean Tully). It is believed producers
of the show blame a tweet for a leak about the tram disaster due to
be screened in December in the UK as part of its 50th anniversary
celebrations. A two-page letter to the cast says: "We realise that
many of you use social media and networking sites and may wish to
comment on your working lives - but we would prefer it if you
didn't...Please consider the set a mobile- and tweet-free
zone."
Would you buy the Coro cat's ashes?
The cremated remains of Frisky the Coronation Street cat,
renowned for appearing on the show's opening credits for more
than 10 years, are up for auction next week at Dominic Winter
Auctioneers in the UK. Frisky was hired by the soap in 1990 after
beating off stiff competition from 5000 other cats to become the
show's star, and went on to earn thousands of pounds for charity by
making numerous personal appearances. He died in 2000.
Rio Ferdinand wants to join Snoop Dogg on Coro
Footballer Rio Ferdinand has expressed his desire to join
rapper Snoop Dogg on Coronation Street as part of the soap's 50th
anniversary celebrations. Ferdinand told 'The Sun' that, "I
wouldn't mind getting hold of that David Platt. He's too naughty. I
would come in and be the hard taskmaster and tell him to leave Tina
alone. Then hopefully he would stop picking on people."
William Roache's son to play Ken Barlow in new UK Coro
drama
Fifty years ago he appeared as young student Ken Barlow
on the first episode of Coronation Street and is still one its
biggest stars. Now, William Roache's son James is to play his
father in a new BBC drama, which tells the story of how the soap
was born.
Snoop Dogg to guest-star on Coro?
According to BBC.com, Snoop Dogg is a big fan of
Coronation Street and told fans during a visit to Manchester, ahead
a concert at the city's Apollo, that he had asked his agent to
negotiate him a role on the show!
Coronation Street tram crash to kill off some major
characters!
Coronation Street celebrates its 50th birthday in
December in the UK, but some of the soap's most popular
characters won't be around for its 51st bash. According to multiple
sources, several characters are going to die in a devastating tram
accident. It has not yet been revealed which ones will
be killed off.
Antony Cotton receives death threat
Coro star Antony Cotton (who plays Sean Tully) has
revealed he has received a death threat from a fan. The actor spoke
out after someone posted a message on the internet calling for
him to be gunned down. Apparently Antony was alarmed at the threat
but is trying to laugh it off rather than worry about. His work on
the show will continue as normal.
Kym Marsh to write autobiography
Coronation Street star Kym Marsh is to begin penning the
story of her life. The mother of two, who shot to fame when she was
picked to join the band Hear'Say and now plays barmaid Michelle
Connor, wrote in a UK magazine column: "I'm going to
start writing my autobiography this week. I'm very excited - and a
bit scared - by the prospect!" Kym hopes the book will be "both
funny and sad at the same time".
