Fiona Phillips suggests Corrie depression plot

[Perdita]

Fiona Phillips has claimed that Coronation Street should tackle the issue of depression in a future storyline.

The former GMTV host spoke out after the soap's long-serving cast member Beverley Callard admitted that she is on the road to recovery following a serious breakdown.

Writing in her column for The Mirror, Phillips commented: "Corrie's Beverley Callard is proof that depression can hit anyone, no matter how happy or successful they appear to be."

Callard, who plays Weatherfield's Liz McDonald, said last week that she is now teaming up with the charity Mind in an attempt to lift the stigma which can often cause difficulties "for the one in four people who experience mental health problems".

Phillips added: "In the current economic climate - with people losing jobs, homes and sometimes loved ones due to the strain of coping with the recession - Beverley's words ring true.

"Maybe she could persuade Corrie bosses to highlight the illness in a storyline?"

Phillips stood down from GMTV in December 2008 and has since concentrated on new TV projects.

DS

[Chloe O'brien]

Fiona is right in one aspect that a lot of people may suffer from depression due to the economic climate, but I think it would be insensitive of Corrie to highlight this with Beverly working on the show. Maybe another soap can run with the story.

[Perdita]

Perhaps Becky couldl suffer with depressoin about not being able to have children. I am sure that Beverley Callard would be more than willing to advise on how she felt and overcame her depression.

[LostVoodoo]

the prime candidate for me is David Platt actually. We've seen before that he does seem to have problems with dealing with emotional trauma etc what with the car crash and pushing gail down the stairs. plus it would be good to see it happen to a young man, because you often read that they are the ones most likely to suffer in silence.

[Perdita]

You are right, his mum going to prison could send him into depression