Coronation Street General News Thread

[alan45]

Coronation Street cast members gathered together to show their support for care and education charity, the Together Trust.

Actress Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts, showed Dom and James, two young Together Trust service users, around the Corrie set. As they took in the sights Sue also introduced them to other members of the cast.

Better Together Week, which is being held from 29th October - 5th November, will raise funds for the Together Trust services, including Newbridge, a community based service for disabled adults and young people in Stockport, and Inscape House School, a specialist school for pupils with autism based in Cheadle.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Samia Smith has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband Matt.

The actress, who plays Maria Connor in the ITV1 soap, split from the property developer in January after five years of marriage.

She has cited his \"unreasonable behaviour\" as grounds for ending the marriage, the Sunday Mirror reports.

She has since begun dating her Coronation Street co-star Will Thorp (Chris Gray), while Matt has been spotted with model Hayley Goodhead.

Speaking in January of Samia's new relationship, Matt said: \"They have to live with what they've done. She's my wife. I love her and we've got a child. I'm just trying to get on with my life.\"

The former couple have a 19-month-old daughter together named Freya.

CORRIE beauty Samia Smith was single again yesterday after her divorce was finalised. The 29-year-old split from Matthew Smith, 34, earlier this year.

She then filed for divorce citing "unreasonable behaviour".

Samia revealed yesterday it has been granted — and she has reverted to her maiden name, Ghadie.

The actress, Maria Connor in the ITV1 soap, said in an online message: "So, I've got a new surprise name everyone... it's my old one... X "

The actress, who has a two-year-old daughter, has been dating co-star Will Thorp — who plays bad boy Chris Gray — since splitting with property developer Smith.

Earlier yesterday she told fans: "Morning! The gorgeous Will Thorp is on the Lorraine show later talking about the Chris/Cheryl/Lloyd storyline... just so ya know! X".

Thorp, 34, has split with wife Samantha, who is mother to his two children.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-divorces.html

[Dennis tanner]

I wonder if there was a problem in their marriage before Maria got involved with Bad Boy Chris

[Perdita]

The Wanted star Max George has revealed that he would love to land a cameo role on Coronation Street.

The singer has a connection to the ITV1 soap as he is engaged to Michelle Keegan, who plays Rovers Return barmaid Tina McIntyre.

However, speaking to The Mirror, George confessed that Keegan has vetoed the idea of him joining the cobbles for a one-off scene.

"Michelle has banned me from being an extra in Corrie as she reckons I'll distract her," he explained.

"But all I want to do is stand in The Rovers and have a pint."

George and Keegan began dating late last year and announced their engagement in June.

Keegan is thought to have recently landed a lucrative deal to stick with Coronation Street for another year.

[Dennis tanner]

The Wanted star Max George has revealed that he would love to land a cameo role on Coronation Street.

The singer has a connection to the ITV1 soap as he is engaged to Michelle Keegan, who plays Rovers Return barmaid Tina McIntyre.

However, speaking to The Mirror, George confessed that Keegan has vetoed the idea of him joining the cobbles for a one-off scene.

"Michelle has banned me from being an extra in Corrie as she reckons I'll distract her," he explained.

"But all I want to do is stand in The Rovers and have a pint."

George and Keegan began dating late last year and announced their engagement in June.

Keegan is thought to have recently landed a lucrative deal to stick with Coronation Street for another year.

Her father Kevin will be pleased

[Perdita]

Coronation Street cast members will appear on ITV1 gameshow The Cube for a Christmas special next month, it has been announced.

Ryan Thomas and Julie Hesmondhalgh, who play Jason Grimshaw and Hayley Cropper respectively, have both signed up for the festive edition of the programme, Broadcast reports.

As with the regular shows, the pair will be put to the test as they complete various challenges from within a giant Perspex cube.

Phillip Schofield hosts and the special will air for an hour.

The Cube has been running since 2009 and is currently screening its fourth series on Sunday evenings.

A previous Christmas special aired last year, starring Kelly Osbourne and Joe Swash.

[Dennis tanner]

Coronation Street cast members will appear on ITV1 gameshow The Cube for a Christmas special next month, it has been announced.

Ryan Thomas and Julie Hesmondhalgh, who play Jason Grimshaw and Hayley Cropper respectively, have both signed up for the festive edition of the programme, Broadcast reports.

As with the regular shows, the pair will be put to the test as they complete various challenges from within a giant Perspex cube.

Phillip Schofield hosts and the special will air for an hour.

The Cube has been running since 2009 and is currently screening its fourth series on Sunday evenings.

A previous Christmas special aired last year, starring Kelly Osbourne and Joe Swash.

I may watch this year. Obviously I didn't watch those two last year

[Perdita]

Coronation Street bosses are reportedly hoping to persuade Tina O'Brien and Nikki Sanderson to return to the soap.

Executive producer Phil Collinson is planning to offer O'Brien, who played Sarah-Louise Platt, and Sanderson (Candice Stowe) "big-money deals" in a bid to fill the gap that will be left by Helen Flanagan and Katherine Kelly when they leave next year.

Writers are now working on potential comeback storylines for the duo, according to the Daily Star Sunday.

A source close to Collinson told the paper: "He's aware that Sarah-Lou and Candice were hugely popular characters. He thinks it would be a ratings winner to bring them back. Losing Katherine and Helen is a big blow to the show so Phil wants to beef things up a bit with the return of a couple of big names.


"He hasn't even spoken to them about returning yet because he wants to go in armed with a big deal that they can't say no to.

"Luckily, ITV have every faith in him and have handed him an open cheque book to lure whoever he thinks will be good for the show."

Sanderson left Coronation Street in 2005, while O'Brien last appeared in the soap in 2007.

Flanagan confirmed her exit from the Street last month and Kelly already has a theatre role in She Stoops To Conquer lined up for when she leaves.

[alan45]

Most people have freckles and moles on their skin and most people have heard warnings to check them if they've noticed any changes. But most people also don't bother and some people end up with skin cancer, aka melanoma.

Last summer, according to the Mail Online, ITV received an email for Sue Nicholls warning her that a mole the fan spotted on Sue's arm looked odd to them. Sue, who plays Audrey Roberts on Coronation Street, was contacted by the health office at the studio and was informed of the email and that maybe she should have it checked as a precaution. Even then, Sue thought it was just someone overly worried. It was a mole she'd had for years and didn't think it had changed but she had it checked anyway. The doctor thought it was worth keeping an eye on and when she returned for a follow up, earlier this year, it had indeed changed size.

Following on with that, Sue had the mole removed and tests later proved it was in the early stages of skin cancer. Sue admits that she used to spend lots of time tanning in her younger years before anyone knew of the danger and is very grateful now for this warning. The person that sent the email didn't sign their name so she doesn't know who to thank. If it had been left longer, she could have been looking at more invasive chemotherapy treatment as well.

[Perdita]

Ex-Coronation Street stars Craig Gazey and Vicky Entwistle are to reunite on stage, it has been announced.

Gazey and Entwistle, who played Graeme Proctor and Janice Battersby, will star in award-winning adult comedy Funny Peculiar.

The 29-year-old Gazey will portray green grocer Trevor Tinsley, while 43-year-old Entwistle is set to play Mrs Baldry.

Former Emmerdale actress Suzanne Shaw will also appear in the production as Trevor's devoted wife Irene.

Meanwhile, Gemma Bissix - previously of both Hollyoaks and EastEnders fame - will take on the role of neighbour's wife Shirley.

Bob Tomson's Funny Peculiar is an update on the original classic, which starred Julie Walters, Bill Nighy, Richard Beckinsale and Matthew Kelly.

Stopping at a total of 12 venues, the production will tour the UK from January 24.