View Full Version : Michelle Collins and John Michie join as Stella and Karl
EASTENDERS superbitch Cindy Beale is heading for a comeback – on Coronation Street.
Michelle Collins looks set to move north after a secret meeting with Corrie’s top boss.
The actress, 49, who played schemer Cindy on and off for ten years, has admitted she would love to return to the soap world.
But since Cindy died in prison in 1998, she was always going to have to wait for another soap.
Her close friend Phil Collinson is now in charge at Corrie and she has finally got the call.
The actress met up with Phil, 40, earlier this month to discuss joining the Street.
But the news is bound to come as a bitter blow to EastEnders as Cindy was one of soap’s most famous bitches.
A Corrie insider said: “Michelle would be a great signing for Corrie.
“She’s known Phil for a number of years so it was only a matter of time before he got her in for a meeting to discuss the possibility of joining the cast.
“The Street has a lot of strong female characters and she’d certainly mix it up a bit.
“Phil is a huge fan of her work and has been trying to get her up to Manchester for a meeting for months.
“He had to get the 50th anniversary out of the way before he looked at bringing her in. But now he’s started the ball rolling he’s very excited.
“Cindy was one of the best soap characters that ever appeared in Albert Square but enough time has now passed for her to turn up in Corrie as someone completely different.
“But of course it will be a bit of a blow to EastEnders. A lot of fans felt they should never have killed Cindy off but it’s great for everyone up at Corrie that they did.”
Michelle met Phil for a lengthy meeting over lunch at a trendy Manchester restaurant.
A pal said: “He seemed very keen to get her on board.
“The meeting seemed to go really well. There was lots of laughing and joking.”
Last year Michelle said: “I wouldn’t turn my back on doing a soap again. I’d like a stint in Coronation Street.”
Daily Star Sunday
tammyy2j
24-01-2011, 10:29
Who could she play?
Claudia's daughter perhaps
© ITV
Coronation Street bosses have revealed that they plan to share some big news with the soap's online fans.
An "exciting" announcement about the Weatherfield show will be posted up exclusively on Corrie's official Facebook page, giving the programme's internet fanbase the chance to get the inside scoop first.
A Corrie spokesperson told DS today: "We're going to be making a big Corrie announcement exclusively on the official Corrie Facebook page soon, so fans of the show should go to www.facebook.com/coronationstreet to get the news first - as and when it breaks."
Details of the announcement and exactly when it will be made are currently being kept tightly under wraps.
They have offered me the role of new landlady of the Rovers that is the big announcement :p
They have offered me the role of new landlady of the Rovers that is the big announcement :p
They have replaced all the cast with chickens and in future it will be known as Coronation Chicken
Seriously tough. I wonder if its anything to do with the announcement of a new landlady for T'Rovers
samandkai
13-04-2011, 18:12
They have replaced all the cast with chickens and in future it will be known as Coronation Chicken
Seriously tough. I wonder if its anything to do with the announcement of a new landlady for T'Rovers
coronation chicken lol.....maybe they all get turned into chocolates and it gets called quality streets !!
coronation chicken lol.....maybe they all get turned into chocolates and it gets called quality streets !!
They need to improve the scriptwriting before you can call it Quality Streets just lately
tammyy2j
14-04-2011, 11:54
What is it?
What is it?
No news yet. It will probably be a damp squib.
Hopefully it wont be to say that Kate Plank has her contract extended. Then I really would quit watching it
Chloe O'brien
14-04-2011, 11:57
New landlady is Peggy Mitchell :lol:
tammyy2j
14-04-2011, 12:14
No news yet. It will probably be a damp squib.
Hopefully it wont be to say that Kate Plank has her contract extended. Then I really would quit watching it
Probably that Bet Gilroy is coming back to the pub as the new landlady or it is going to be showing another episode per week
Chloe O'brien
14-04-2011, 14:45
Eddie Windass is coming back and him and Anna will be the new bosses of the Rover's thanks to a compensation payout to Gary by the Army.
parkerman
14-04-2011, 15:11
Big Jim gets off on a technicality and he and Liz take over the Rovers.
Also Xin turns out to be an undercover Chinese spy and is arrested by MI5, but then it turns out she is actually a double agent and was actually trying to trap Graeme as he is in fact a Russian spy.
In the meantime, Steve and Lloyd put in a bid to take over Eddie Stobart's business now that the latter is dead, which is successful and they decide to have all their lorries serviced by Kevin and Tyrone who have to take on extra staff to cope, turning to Phil and Ricky from the Arches to outsource some work to.
Finally in a sensational episode, set to rock the cobbles, Tina takes all her clothes off and becomes the first full frontal nude to appear on a British soap. (Sorry, I think that last bit is just wishful thinking on my part.....)
Finally in a sensational episode, set to rock the cobbles, Tina takes all her clothes off and becomes the first full frontal nude to appear on a British soap. (Sorry, I think that last bit is just wishful thinking on my part.....) :eek: :eek: :eek: :D
Big Jim gets off on a technicality and he and Liz take over the Rovers.
Also Xin turns out to be an undercover Chinese spy and is arrested by MI5, but then it turns out she is actually a double agent and was actually trying to trap Graeme as he is in fact a Russian spy.
In the meantime, Steve and Lloyd put in a bid to take over Eddie Stobart's business now that the latter is dead, which is successful and they decide to have all their lorries serviced by Kevin and Tyrone who have to take on extra staff to cope, turning to Phil and Ricky from the Arches to outsource some work to.
Finally in a sensational episode, set to rock the cobbles, Tina takes all her clothes off and becomes the first full frontal nude to appear on a British soap. (Sorry, I think that last bit is just wishful thinking on my part.....)
I think you will be given them idea for the next few months... maybe that is the big news... they search all the forums and took other peoples idea
With that vision of Tina in my head I won't be able to concentrate on my work all day now.
Cheers Parkerman :D
moonstorm
14-04-2011, 15:23
Stop having these impure thoughts Parkerman!!
moonstorm
14-04-2011, 15:23
With that vision of Tina in my head I won't be able to concentrate on my work all day now.
Cheers Parkerman :D
See - you've set Alan off now!!!!
tammyy2j
14-04-2011, 15:31
Eddie Windass is coming back and him and Anna will be the new bosses of the Rover's thanks to a compensation payout to Gary by the Army.
Great idea
TaintedLove
14-04-2011, 17:44
I have a feeling it`s to do with Sophie and Sian....a gay wedding perhaps?
From the facebook page
Come back after 9.30am tomorrow (Friday 15th April) to hear our exclusive Corrie announcement! Spread the word and get your friends to 'like' the page. Thanks for your patience everyone.
From the facebook page
Come back after 9.30am tomorrow (Friday 15th April) to hear our exclusive Corrie announcement! Spread the word and get your friends to 'like' the page. Thanks for your patience everyone.
Pure publicity stunt.. get everyone to follow Corrie on Facebook and will probably come out with some stupid announcement
8 out of 10 cats prefer Tracey luv to Liz mcD
With all the leaks and spoilers that are already out in the Public Domain its hard to believe that it will be anything spectacular. If it was a publicity stunt it has suceedd as their facebook page has almost 1 million followers
We can now exclusively reveal former EastEnders star Michelle Collins and Taggart star John Michie have been cast to play a brand new Rovers Return couple; Stella and Karl! Stella holds a dark secret and life is about to get a whole lot more complicated in the Rovers! Sparks will fly!
We can now exclusively reveal former EastEnders star Michelle Collins and Taggart star John Michie have been cast to play a brand new Rovers Return couple; Stella and Karl! Stella holds a dark secret and life is about to get a whole lot more complicated in the Rovers! Sparks will fly!
WAS that it??
wasn't collins already a rumour??
WAS that it??
wasn't collins already a rumour??
Yes rumoured by me
http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?120195-Lisa-Maxwell-to-run-T-Rovers&highlight=collins
Yes rumoured by me
http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?120195-Lisa-Maxwell-to-run-T-Rovers&highlight=collins
Maybe you should write their BIG announcements for them
After I broke the news in January :p
Michelle Collins to join Corrie?
EASTENDERS superbitch Cindy Beale is heading for a comeback – on Coronation Street.
Michelle Collins looks set to move north after a secret meeting with Corrie’s top boss.
The actress, 49, who played schemer Cindy on and off for ten years, has admitted she would love to return to the soap world.
But since Cindy died in prison in 1998, she was always going to have to wait for another soap.
Her close friend Phil Collinson is now in charge at Corrie and she has finally got the call.
The actress met up with Phil, 40, earlier this month to discuss joining the Street.
But the news is bound to come as a bitter blow to EastEnders as Cindy was one of soap’s most famous bitches.
A Corrie insider said: “Michelle would be a great signing for Corrie.
“She’s known Phil for a number of years so it was only a matter of time before he got her in for a meeting to discuss the possibility of joining the cast.
“The Street has a lot of strong female characters and she’d certainly mix it up a bit.
“Phil is a huge fan of her work and has been trying to get her up to Manchester for a meeting for months.
“He had to get the 50th anniversary out of the way before he looked at bringing her in. But now he’s started the ball rolling he’s very excited.
“Cindy was one of the best soap characters that ever appeared in Albert Square but enough time has now passed for her to turn up in Corrie as someone completely different.
“But of course it will be a bit of a blow to EastEnders. A lot of fans felt they should never have killed Cindy off but it’s great for everyone up at Corrie that they did.”
Michelle met Phil for a lengthy meeting over lunch at a trendy Manchester restaurant.
A pal said: “He seemed very keen to get her on board.
“The meeting seemed to go really well. There was lots of laughing and joking.”
Last year Michelle said: “I wouldn’t turn my back on doing a soap again. I’d like a stint in Coronation Street.”
Daily Star Sunday
Last edited by Perdita; 23-01-2011 at 05:59.
Former EastEnders actress Michelle Collins and Taggart star John Michie have joined the cast of Coronation Street.
The pair are to appear in the roles of Stella and Karl, a brand new couple who will take control at the Rovers Return in the summer.
Corrie bosses made the announcement exclusively on Facebook this morning following their recent promise to share big news with the soap's online fanbase.
Speaking of her casting, Collins commented: "I am honoured to be joining the cast of Coronation Street, the show has been part of my life since I was a child so become a part of it is extremely exciting."
Michie added: "My mum is from Rochdale, my wife is from Grimethorpe - they are both northerners and huge fans. I am from even further north so it is the only soap for me."
A new era for The Rovers will begin when Steve McDonald brings Stella into the business as bar manager after a string of rows with his wife Becky leave the pub's future in jeopardy. Steve is hoping for a quieter life with Stella in charge, but he later gets more than he bargained for when she promptly moves in Karl and her feisty daughter Eva, who has not yet been cast.
Sparks are expected to fly between Stella and Becky as she makes her mark at the pub with a warm but no-nonsense attitude. However, her personality soon starts to go down well with the punters.
In a further twist, Stella is hiding a dark secret and news of her past has been tipped to have "shocking consequences" for some of the street's most-loved residents.
Corrie's executive producer Kieran Roberts said: "I'm thrilled to be welcoming John and Michelle to the cast of Coronation Street. As Robbie Ross in Taggart, John has kept viewers on the edge of their seats for the last ten years. Karl is a very different character for him, though, and the ladies of Weatherfield need to watch themselves as this sexy charmer will quickly make his presence felt.
"Michelle's acting credentials are first class with more than a decade leading some brilliant and memorable drama series. Of course Michelle's soap credentials are superb and in the same way she made Cindy Beale one of EastEnders' most memorable bitches, I am certain she is going to be fantastic as the warm, funny, steely, flawed and larger-than-life northern matriarch Stella."
He added: "Karl and Stella's fiery marriage is sure to keep viewers hooked through 2011 and beyond."
Collins and Michie will begin filming at Coronation Street next month and appear on screens for the first time in June.
DS
Looks like the Sunday Star got something right for a change then
Looks like the Sunday Star got something right for a change then
Well law of averages and all that.. bound to get something right eventually
tammyy2j
15-04-2011, 11:08
In a further twist, Stella is hiding a dark secret and news of her past has been tipped to have "shocking consequences" for some of the street's most-loved residents.
Murderer like Tracey maybe
Murderer like Tracey maybe
Something Corrie really needs is another murderer. Phil Collinson seems to be wanting to make Corrie a Northern Clone of Deadenders with the daft storylines he has introduced recently.
tammyy2j
15-04-2011, 11:41
Lets see what Corrie has currently
Murderers - yes
Transexuals - yes
Lesbians - yes
Serial Killers - yes
Bank Robbers - yes
Adulterers - yes loads
Cross Dressers - yes
tammyy2j
15-04-2011, 12:01
So could be pedophile or child killer
So could be pedophile or child killer
Tammy.. the announcement was that Michelle collins is joining corrie and has a dodgy past <shifty eyes>
tammyy2j
15-04-2011, 12:27
Tammy.. the announcement was that Michelle collins is joining corrie and has a dodgy past <shifty eyes>
In a further twist, Stella is hiding a dark secret and news of her past has been tipped to have "shocking consequences" for some of the street's most-loved residents.
I am guessing from what Corrie dont have :p
Lets see what Corrie has currently
Murderers - yes
Transexuals - yes
Lesbians - yes
Serial Killers - yes
Bank Robbers - yes
Adulterers - yes loads
Cross Dressers - yes
EE Rejects = yes
Emmerdale rejects - yes
The Bill Rejects - yes
Big Jim gets off on a technicality and he and Liz take over the Rovers.
Also Xin turns out to be an undercover Chinese spy and is arrested by MI5, but then it turns out she is actually a double agent and was actually trying to trap Graeme as he is in fact a Russian spy.
In the meantime, Steve and Lloyd put in a bid to take over Eddie Stobart's business now that the latter is dead, which is successful and they decide to have all their lorries serviced by Kevin and Tyrone who have to take on extra staff to cope, turning to Phil and Ricky from the Arches to outsource some work to.
Finally in a sensational episode, set to rock the cobbles, Tina takes all her clothes off and becomes the first full frontal nude to appear on a British soap. (Sorry, I think that last bit is just wishful thinking on my part.....)
I've found the very job for you
Script Secretary - Coronation Street
Location Manchester
Salary Competitive + benefits
12 Month Fixed Term Contract
From tram crashes to love triangles, Coronation Street brings explosive storylines to the homes of millions, and the Script Department is where this drama begins.
As our Script Secretary you will hold full responsibility for the production, distribution, amending and filing of scripts. Liaising with all appropriate departments, you will play a focal part in ensuring deadlines are met and continuity issues resolved. You will receive and format draft scripts using our in-house system, and as our ‘superuser’ you will ensure that this database is continually updated and monitored.I
Mary and Norris should take over the pub
parkerman
16-04-2011, 08:13
I've found the very job for you
Script Secretary - Coronation Street
Location Manchester
Salary Competitive + benefits
12 Month Fixed Term Contract
From tram crashes to love triangles, Coronation Street brings explosive storylines to the homes of millions, and the Script Department is where this drama begins.
As our Script Secretary you will hold full responsibility for the production, distribution, amending and filing of scripts. Liaising with all appropriate departments, you will play a focal part in ensuring deadlines are met and continuity issues resolved. You will receive and format draft scripts using our in-house system, and as our ‘superuser’ you will ensure that this database is continually updated and monitored.I
Thanks, alan, my application is in...
Thanks, alan, my application is in...
Excellent news. I think your scripts would be much more realistic that the dross they are churning out at the minute
tammyy2j
18-04-2011, 10:19
Stella will probably turn out to be the secret child of one of the Street's reisdents
Michelle Collins's opening storyline on Coronation Street has reportedly been revealed.
According to the Daily Star, the former EastEnders actress's new fiery alter ego Stella will lock horns with superbitch Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) when she arrives at the Rovers Return in June.
Dressed provocatively, Tracy is shot down by Stella, who tells her: "I'm sorry, Tracy, but you'll have to change that dress before you come bar-side. We don't want customers thinking they've walked into a brothel, do we?"
Meanwhile, an insider claimed: "Tracy is spitting blood. She can't believe she's been so stupid. And to add to the insult, she's now got a new enemy in Stella."
The situation arises after Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) cons Tracy, who thinks she is taking over the pub, into signing a document giving him near full custody of their daughter Amy.
Steve is quoted as saying: "Oh, I'm really sorry for any misunderstanding but I've decided to give the job to someone else."
Maybe there is some good news then, If Stella is to come to Corrie, to give Tracyluv some aggro.
Who know's maybe people will warm to Stella after all.
:clap::cheer:
Michelle Collins has teased her upcoming role in Coronation Street, promising a "strong" and "feisty" character.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that former EastEnders star Collins would be joining the cast on the cobbles as new Rovers Return barmaid Stella.
The actress told ITV that she will begin filming on Monday (May 1), adding: "I'm very excited."
Asked if she would be channelling the spirit of former Walford character, superbitch Cindy Beale, Collins said: "No, [she won't be nasty].
"She's strong, she's feisty, she's funny. I don't think there'll be any murders for a while, put it this way!"
Collins also revealed that she is already friends with a number of Coronation Street cast members from her time on the rival soap.
"Helen Worth (Gail Platt) I know. In fact, I made the terrible mistake of calling her 'Gail' in make-up the other day, which was very embarrassing and I won't be doing that again!" she added.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Collins's character Stella will clash with Tracy Barlow when she arrives in Weatherfield in June.
http://www.itv.com/granada/from-albert-sq-to-corrie02891/
CORRIE new girl Michelle Collins is set to be one of Weatherfield's toughest women ever - taking on armed thugs.
The Rovers Return landlady, 49, saves Leanne Barlow from robbers in one of her first scenes.
Two yobs are about to smash Leanne (Jane Danson) with a baseball bat as they rob the betting shop.
But Michelle's character Stella grabs it and pushes one lout to the ground.
She is then hailed a heroine by grateful locals, in scenes to air soon after she joins the ITV1 soap in June.
A source told TV Biz: "Stella will be a landlady with nerves of steel.
"She is going to be great for Corrie and these scenes show just how much bosses are expecting from Michelle."
The actress played scheming Cindy Beale on BBC1's EastEnders for ten years.
The Sun
Corrie really is becoming the Deadenders of T'North
tammyy2j
04-05-2011, 11:24
Michelle Collins's Coronation Street character Stella will be revealed as Leanne Barlow's real mother in a forthcoming storyline, a report has claimed.
According to The Mirror, the soap's bosses have been planning the shock twist for the past few months and the plot will be the biggest Corrie story of the year.
As announced last month, Stella arrives on the street in June with partner Karl (John Michie) and feisty daughter Eva, taking control at The Rovers after Steve McDonald decides to bring in new blood.
However, insiders say that the surprise Leanne twist is what drew former EastEnders star Collins to Corrie as she was "gobsmacked" when she heard the plot details.
A Weatherfield source told the newspaper: "This was genius by the bosses. And it makes for a massive future for Michelle in the show. There has been a lot of cloak and dagger involved in the arrival of Stella."
Although the plot rumours remain unconfirmed, the Corrie team have previously teased that Stella is "hiding a dark secret" which will have "shocking consequences" for some of the street's most-loved residents.
Jane Danson, who plays Leanne, has also promised that there are "exciting" developments ahead for her character in the summer months.
Stella was previously tipped to save Leanne from armed robbers during some of her first scenes on the cobbles.
This may be interesting to watch if the rumours are true. Corrie is a bit on the dull side a the moment, same old things. Have they brought in new writers for this, hope so.
Chloe O'brien
05-05-2011, 12:03
What no way Stella dosen't look old enough to be Leanne's mother, she must have been about 10 when she fell pregnant to Les.
Michelle Collins has admitted that she has been "working hard" to perfect a Northern accent for her new Coronation Street role.
The 50-year-old filmed her first scenes as the Rovers Return's new landlady Stella Price last month. However, Collins has confessed to finding it tough to develop the right accent for the character.
"I've been working hard with a dialect coach to get the right accent but it's tough," she told Closer magazine. "At least I'm very good at pulling pints - I did that when I was an out-of-work actress."
On landing her new role, the former EastEnders star remarked: "I have to keep pinching myself that I'm actually in Corrie."
Collins previously confessed that she signed up for another soap role in order to have the financial security to ensure that her daughter Maia Rose can go to university.
"It is quite nice to have a bit of security in my life because my daughter is 14 and will be off to uni - so she will be able to go now," she said at the time.
Collins will be joined by Taggart star John Michie, who will play her on-screen husband Carl, and Catherine Tyldesley, who will portray their daughter Eva.
These are the first pictures showing Coronation Street newcomers Michelle Collins, John Michie and Catherine Tyldesley outside the Rovers Return.
Fans of the ITV1 soap now have just over a week to wait until they see the trio move into the iconic pub, taking on the roles of Stella Price, Karl Munro and Eva Price.
The new recruits filmed their first scenes five weeks ago and their characters have been tipped to wreak havoc in Weatherfield as they get settled in at The Rovers.
http://i2.cdnds.net/11/23/550w_soaps_corrie_stella_eva_karl_2.jpg
As announced earlier this year, Stella is hired as the pub's new bar manager after fresh bust-ups between the warring McDonalds prompt Steve to seek help for the business, hoping for an easier life.
However, Steve later gets more than he bargained for when Stella moves in partner Karl and her feisty daughter Eva.
In a further twist, Stella is hiding a dark secret which has been tipped to have "shocking consequences" for some of the street's most-loved residents.
Stella's first episode airs on Thursday, June 16, while Karl and Eva arrive on Friday, June 17
http://i2.cdnds.net/11/23/550w_soaps_corrie_stella_eva_karl_1.jpg
have "shocking consequences" for some of the street's most-loved residents.
Now where have I heard that before. What next ''an explosive storyline to rock the cobbles''
Coronation Street launches a new era next week as former EastEnders actress Michelle Collins and Taggart star John Michie make their first appearances as Stella Price and Karl Munro, a new couple who move into The Rovers. With his marriage to Becky at crisis point, Steve McDonald decides to make his life a little easier and launches a search for a new bar manager for the pub.
Steve's hunt leads him to Stella, who appears to be perfect for the job, but he soon learns that she has some tricks up her sleeve as she moves boyfriend Karl and daughter Eva into The Rovers unexpectedly. As show bosses have confirmed that Stella is also hiding a big secret, it seems that it won't be the last time that she causes a stir on the cobbles… Here, Michelle and John chat about their new roles.
What can you tell us about Stella and Karl?
Michelle: "Stella comes into the street because she's answered an ad that was put out by Steve, who wants to find a new landlady for The Rovers. She has her partner Karl, who she's been with for quite a long time, and she also has a daughter called Eva. She's strong, but she's not scarily strong! She has a good sense of fun and a good sense of humour. She's a confident sort of woman, and she also comes in with a secret! But that's all I can say."
John: "Karl is a bit of a ne'er-do-well. He could have had a career as a footballer - that was his skill at school. But he's a bit too keen on the wine, women and song! He had a very strong mother, and I think he kind of clings on to Stella in a way, because she's very reliable and very organised. He also fancies her quite a lot, and he does love her."
Is it true that Karl is a bit of a womaniser?
John: "Well, in the backstory, Stella has had a cancer scare, and that's made John think like a man for the first time in his life. It's made him be responsible and it's made him fall in love with a woman for the first time, rather than just having brief affairs. Stella is the perfect woman for him."
What kind of background do Stella and Karl have?
Michelle: "Stella goes in to help pubs that are having a few problems, and she's very good at her job."
John: "Stella used to run a pub in Rochdale called The Sundial, and it was all really good there. Karl used to play for the local pub football team there and he also had a part-time job in the bar. He had his girlfriend and everything was great. But coming to Weatherfield, Karl just thinks, 'What are we doing here?' That's the thing - he doesn't know the secret that Stella has which brings her to Weatherfield…"
What are Stella and Karl's first scenes like?
Michelle: "Well, at the time when Stella applies for the job at The Rovers, I think Steve is quite desperate to find someone. Stella is quite confident and forthright when she comes in, and then there's a funny scene where she asks what room she'll be staying in and Steve tells her that it isn't a live-in job. But Stella says, 'It's live-in or nothing for me' and she moves in!"
John: "Then the next day Karl turns up, and Steve thinks, 'Who's this?' And Eva turns up too. They just keep coming!"
We know that Karl is not Eva's father, but do they get along well?
John: "Well, the one person who kind of ruins everything for Karl is Eva. They don't really get on very well. And I think the reason that they don't get on is that Karl can see his traits in her. Eva is selfish, spoiled and she wants her own way, and in many ways, Karl is the same. But at the same time, Karl does now have this love for Stella where he just wants to look after her for the first time in his life."
Do you feel like you've all struck up quite a close 'family bond' for your scenes?
Michelle: "I think so. I've worked with John before, a long time ago, and we've stayed friends. I think we all do genuinely get along because we all started at the same time, so we're all in it together and we help each other."
John: "Definitely, and there are already intricate little things that are happening between Stella, Karl and Eva, which are very interesting. We're just on a journey with it, like the viewers will be. The potential for dramatic tension is huge and fantastic, and that is what's exciting for us as actors. We get on very well off the set, so it's been a lot of fun."
Were you both fans of Coronation Street before you joined the show?
John: "I am a Corrie fan! My mum is from Rochdale, and it's the first show that I remember watching when we were kids. My wife is another northerner and it's her favourite show. She's not so pleased that I'm in it, because she thinks I'll ruin it for her now, as a little bit of real life is entering her favourite soap! (Laughs) But it's the only soap for me - I think the writing and humour in Coronation Street is what makes it stand out above the rest. I'm delighted to be a part of that."
Michelle: "I've always said that if I were to do another soap, Corrie would be the only one that I would consider being in. I've been brought up with Corrie. It's a great show, and Stella is a great role. These days, soaps are very, very strong. People love them, and you get these fabulous, dramatic storylines that you possibly wouldn't get elsewhere."
How did you both find your first day on set?
John: "Well, luckily I was cushioned into this job, because I was brought in to do some readings when the castings for Stella and Eva were taking place, so I'd been here a few times before I actually had to come in and do my first scene. In fact, my first scene was driving a cab in the street - that's about six or seven episodes in and the scene is with Carla, which was enjoyable. And then after that, I did my arrival on the street. By the time I got into The Rovers, I'd actually already done a few scenes. That's the scary bit, being in The Rovers and getting all the drinks! But by the time I got there, I was calm and it all went really well."
Michelle: "I didn't realise the enormity of it until I actually went in, and I'm still getting used to it, but I feel very comfortable. It was very daunting, but at the end of the day, you just get on with it because you're with other actors who are all very nice and very helpful."
John: "I have to say, the whole team here are really welcoming and friendly, and the actors are really down-to-earth. There's a real feeling of equality here, which I particularly like."
Are there any other members of the family who could come into the show?
Michelle: "Not that I know of!"
John: "But I'm sure that Karl has a love child somewhere! (Laughs)"
Read on here, though, for a bonus chat with Michelle - focusing on life at The Rovers and more!
How have you found pulling pints at The Rovers?
"I think my first pint was a pretty good pint! I haven't worked behind a bar for years. I did work behind the bar years ago at The Vic on EastEnders, and I have worked in pubs myself when I was a young actress, so it doesn't really bother me. I remembered how to do it and it was a bit like riding a bike."
There's been some really iconic characters behind the bar at The Rovers, so how does it feel to be following in their footsteps?
"It's nice to be part of it - they've all been great and amazingly strong women. Liz McDonald and Natalie Barnes are two of my favourites. It's big shoes to fill, but we're not all playing the same character. You've just got to take it bit by bit. The scripts have been good, Stella has got a nice storyline, and I like the way it's going. As long as I get good, strong storylines and I can do what I'm paid to do, which is to act, I don't mind."
What kind of landlady is Stella?
"She won't be glamorous all the time - she works behind the bar and she doesn't have that much money. She's quite down-to-earth and she's probably not as glamorous as Liz McDonald. You won't see any leopardskin on me! I think she'll just be a different sort of person to have behind the bar - perhaps more subtle, in a way."
What is Stella's fashion sense like?
"She's not a big, bouncy barmaid - she's slightly more subtle. She's a feminine, strong and forthright woman in her late 40s, and as with many women like that, she wants to look smart but dress her age. She doesn't dress inappropriately and her skirts aren't too short, but she does want to be sexy-looking."
Has it been tricky to master a northern accent for the role?
"It's not hugely difficult - it's not like I've been asked to do Geordie or Scottish. It's okay and I have been seeing a dialect coach. I'm surrounded by northerners as well, which helps! There'll always be people who say, 'Oh, her accent's not right, that's not very good', but as time goes on, hopefully people will accept me and accept that my accent is okay."
Do you think the world of soap has changed much since you made your EastEnders departure?
"I left EastEnders when they were doing three episodes a week, working five days a week. Here they do five episodes a week, but they still work five days a week! So the speed is quite incredible - you could have 15 different episodes that you're doing at one time. I don't think people give actors in soap enough credit for how hard they work and the quality of work that's delivered in such a short time."
Finally, have any EastEnders stars been in touch to congratulate you over the new role?
"There aren't that many people at EastEnders now who were there when I was there - there's only really Adam Woodyatt and June Brown. I've had a few texts from people - Adam's been in touch, and Barbara Windsor also sent me a message to say congratulations. Sid Owen did too. So the ones that I worked with have been in touch and they've all been very nice about it!"
Coronation Street's new recruit John Michie recently had a chat with Digital Spy about his role as Karl Munro, who moves into The Rovers next week with girlfriend Stella.
To read the first teasers and gossip about what to expect from Karl, take a look at the main interview with John and his screen partner Michelle Collins.
Read on here, though, for some bonus snippets from the actor…
What do you think the ladies of Weatherfield will make of Karl?
"I'm not sure what they'll make of him, but he's a bad boy trying to be good at the moment. He's trying to tow the line, be sensible and he's trying to be caring about the woman that he loves. He's trying his best, but he's very weak, so no doubt he will stray. There's been a few little flirty bits that have happened already, so we'll see!"
How have you found pulling pints at The Rovers?
"I do like pulling a pint! I've worked in quite a few pubs in my life, and I feel quite at home behind the bar. I'm really enjoying it - it's good fun."
What would be your dream storyline for Karl?
"I think it would involve having an affair with someone behind Stella's back, so there would be a lot of dramatic tension, which is what you want in a drama. I think to have him ducking and diving and then having one and then maybe another affair mixed in with that would be very exciting work for me as an actor. There could be a few options opening up."
Does Karl try to make his own mark at the pub, or does he let Stella rule the roost?
"That's an interesting question. The thing is, Karl wants an easy life. So Stella's in there running the pub, and Karl gets a part-time job elsewhere. Karl would hate to work too hard at the pub - he'd hate to be doing the books or anything like that, as that would be too much stress! But when it comes to Stella, Karl and Eva, he's quite a dominant force in the family relationship. So he only lets things go for as long as it suits him."
Is Karl an alpha male?
"Well, in some of the work that I've done, and from the way the writers have written Karl, there is an underlying aggression in him. That's likely to come out at some point - hopefully not with Stella, but there are already some characters that are winding him up…"
Does Karl get along well with Steve, or could there be clashes between them?
"Karl gets along with Steve straight away. Karl recognises that he's the boss and he also gets a job working with him on the cabs. So Karl very much sees that Steve is someone that he needs to stay in with. Karl doesn't want a hard life - he wants an easy life, so he's not going to get on the wrong side of people who are going to make his life difficult - unless he can't stop himself! Karl is a real player in every single way - it's all going on."
How about Becky?
"Becky's a bit flirtatious at first and Karl isn't quite sure how to take that, but when he finds out that she's Steve wife, he just completely backs off."
Finally, how does working on a soap compare to your previous work on Taggart?
"It's a hell of a lot quicker! You just turn up here and on any one day, you could be doing scenes from 15 different scripts. That's not happened to me so far, thank God, and I hope it never does - but it is possible. But with working on Taggart, the most you'll be doing is working on two different episodes. It's very quick here at Corrie, so you really have to be on top of your lines and on top of your character. It's a lot of work, but it's good fun!"
tammyy2j
07-06-2011, 11:31
The daughter looks as old as the mother
Coronation Street's new recruit John Michie has revealed that he wants his character Karl Munro to feature in an infidelity storyline. Great, never been done before !!!
Next week's episodes of the ITV1 soap see Karl move into the Rovers Return with girlfriend Stella (Michelle Collins), who is hired by Steve McDonald as the business's new bar manager.
Show bosses have already billed Karl as a "sexy charmer" who will "quickly make his presence felt" as he gets settled into Weatherfield life.
Discussing what viewers can expect from Karl, Michie commented: "He's a bad boy trying to be good at the moment. He's trying to tow the line, be sensible and he's trying to be caring about the woman that he loves. He's trying his best, but he's very weak, so no doubt he will stray. There's been a few little flirty bits that have happened already, so we'll see!"
Asked to describe his dream storyline for the character, he replied: "I think it would involve having an affair with someone behind Stella's back, so there would be a lot of dramatic tension, which is what you want in a drama.
"I think to have him ducking and diving and then having one and then maybe another affair mixed in with that would be very exciting work for me as an actor. There could be a few options opening up."
Michie is currently best known for his role as DI Robbie Ross in Taggart.
FFS :(
Chloe O'brien
12-06-2011, 00:19
Stop the press: Kym Marsh is going to announce that she wants her character to have an affair with John's character. You read it first here SB fans before it appears in any glossy mag.
Former Lilies and Emmerdale star Catherine Tyldesley recently landed the biggest role of her career to date as she joined the cast of Coronation Street as Eva Price, part of the new family who are taking over at the Rovers Return. Arriving in Weatherfield after her mum Stella becomes the pub's new landlady, it's immediately clear that Eva isn't pleased with her new home on the cobbles and her selfish attitude doesn't go down well with Stella's boyfriend Karl. Digital Spy recently caught up with Catherine to hear about life at Corrie and what's to come from Eva.
How would you describe the character of Eva?
"Eva is a little bit of a princess! She's been spoiled rotten, so she's somewhat high maintenance and a little bit of a drama queen. She's definitely used to getting her own way. Eva absolutely adores her mum and they've got a great relationship. When she first comes into the street, certain circumstances mean that she's a little bit more angry than she normally is. But she does have a softer side, which I think we'll see further on down the line."
How does it feel to be part of such a big show?
"It's great. Corrie's always been where my heart is. We followed the show when I was younger. My family love it, my grandparents love it, and I love it. I knew some of the cast already, so I'd always try to follow it as much as I could. My family are over the moon, and I'm very lucky that this is a new, exciting and larger-than-life character. I feel very privileged and excited."
How does working on Coronation Street compare to working on Emmerdale?
"It's completely different, but I can't explain why! I think partly because I knew some of the cast already, so that does make a big difference. Also, when I was on Emmerdale, it was James Sutton and I stuck in a prison together for three-and-a-half months on our own, so here it's nice to be working with so many different people!"
Have any of the Emmerdale gang been in touch to wish you well in the new role?
"Yeah, James and I are great friends and he sent me a text when I told him that I'd got the part - he said that he was really proud of me and that it was great news. James has been incredibly supportive and everyone else has too."
Apparently there was a lot of competition for the role of Eva?
"I believe there were quite a few girls up for the part, but I didn't get to meet any of the other auditionees - I think everyone was just in and out separately. I feel incredibly lucky that they felt I should take on the role of Eva - it's a great honour."
Storyline-wise, we've heard that Eva and Karl don't get along too well! Why is that?
"I think it's because they're both quite similar. When Eva first joins the street, she's had a little bit of turmoil with past relationships and things like that, so I think she feels like she wants to be quite selfish at the moment, which annoys Karl. But she's always been full of self-importance because she's always been spoiled - she's not known any different."
How does Eva feel about being in Weatherfield?
"Right now, she's really focused on herself. She doesn't want to be in The Rovers and she doesn't want to be on the street at all when we first meet her! She comes in with a lot of angst."
There was a newspaper report last month that said Eva is a lesbian character - can you clear that one up for us?
"I have no idea where that came from! She loves the boys, definitely."
Is there anyone in particular who catches her eye on the street?
"I'm not sure just yet, but I don't think she'll be out of a relationship for too long! But it would have to be someone who's on her wavelength. Eva is very intelligent, so she gets very bored and frustrated with people who aren't on her level."
Has there been much room to put your own stamp on the character of Eva?
"Definitely, and I think that's a big part of the appeal of doing something like Coronation Street - you are given such a gift. You are given these wonderful characters where the beginnings of them have been etched out for you, but to a certain extent you get to play with them quite a lot. There are all sorts of traits that Eva has that the writers and I have picked up on and would like her to have. It's great and it's so nice to have a character that I know I'm going to be able to play with for a substantial amount of time. We'll get to see her grow up a little bit, which is great."
We've heard that Katherine Kelly is a good friend of yours, so are you enjoying working with her?
"It's so lovely, as I had my very first television job with Kate - we did No Angels together. She completely took me under my wing then, and she has done ever since. When I found out that she was doing Corrie four or five years ago, I was over the moon that she was going to be nearby in Manchester, and now it's great to be working on the show with her!"
Will Eva and Becky be friends or will there be tension there?
"There's some tension there because Becky isn't pleased about the newcomers at The Rovers. Also, Becky and Eva are completely different - you could not get any more different than Becky and Eva. Eva likes to hold her nose up in the air and she's somewhat of a snob, so she would quite possibly look down her nose at somebody like Becky! She won't have much time for her - she's very judgemental, very quick to judge."
How about Eva and Tracy Barlow?
"At the moment I'm not quite sure what their relationship will be like, but I do think that Tracy is a bit more on Eva's level intelligence-wise - although that intelligence is often used for evil! I think those two are slightly more on a par."
Finally, Katherine said on Twitter that she's tipping you to be the next big star in Corrie, so do you think Eva will be quite a memorable character for the future?
"Oh, bless her! I hope so, because she's very different and I can't compare her to any other character. She's not similar to anyone else, so I think she's definitely going to make her mark on the street. And for Kate to say that is lovely. I mean, Kate's one of my role models - I think she's an incredible actress, so for her to say that means a lot to me."
Michelle Collins has revealed that her Coronation Street co-star Antony Cotton showed her the ropes at the Rovers Return during her first days of filming at the soap.
The former EastEnders actress recently took on the role of Weatherfield newcomer Stella Price, who arrives in the area and becomes the pub's new landlady later this week.
Speaking on This Morning today, Collins confirmed that Cotton's experience of pulling pints as Sean Tully proved invaluable when she shot her first scenes at the boozer.
"He's great actually, he showed me how the tills work, where the beers were kept, where this was kept," Collins explained.
"And obviously you have to love your prop men that help you, because it's a bit of a Blue Peter thing - where something is prepared for you a little bit earlier so you just do the rest of it."
Asked whether she already knew members of the Coronation Street cast before joining the show, Collins replied: "I did know quite a lot of people - over the years at various dos and things like that, and I've worked with a few people. But now I know them because I think I've served every single character in the pub now - I think I've done them all now."
Collins went on to describe Stella as "a modern woman" who is "the breadwinner" in her family.
She added: "She's kind, she's warm, she's funny, she's a real sort of northern strong woman with a good heart."
Coronation Street airs Stella's first episode on Thursday at 8.30pm on ITV1.
Michelle Collins makes her first appearance in Coronation Street tonight, taking on the role of straight-talking newcomer Stella Price.
As Steve begins his search for the Rovers Return's new bar manager, Stella arrives for an interview and it's immediately clear that she's the best candidate for the job.
Driving a hard bargain in final negotiations with Steve, Stella explains that she'll only accept the position if she can live at the pub and warns that she's keen to make her mark.
Once the interview is over, Steve continues to string Tracy along by hinting that the job is hers - all part of his plan to get her to sign the custody agreement over Amy.
Later, when Stella turns up at The Rovers and Tracy discovers that she's been duped by Steve, will it be too late for her to do anything about it?
http://i1.cdnds.net/11/22/550w_soaps_corrie_7625_2.jpg
:sick:It's starting to get on my nerves the way soap characters use their children.:nono:
Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has spoken out to deny claims that the soap's team are unhappy over Michelle Collins's casting.
Earlier today, a newspaper reported that cast and crew at the Weatherfield soap were angry over Collins landing the role of Northern mum Stella Price, the new bar manager at the Rovers Return.
Since Collins made her debut on screen last Thursday, some viewers have criticised the Londoner's attempt at a Mancunian twang. Today's report suggested that show stars feared Coronation Street's credibility would be affected by the supposed 'backlash'.
However, writing on Twitter this morning, Cotton - who plays Sean Tully - commented: "Contrary to rumour, the cast and crew of Coronation Street have far better things to do than stand by idly gossiping about Michelle Collins. What matters far more than her accent (which is great IMO) is the character she is playing."
He added: "Say what you want about Miss Collins... she's so very watchable. And for that reason, this new family is exciting and intriguing!"
Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Stella's daughter Eva, also defended the former EastEnders actress during an appearance on This Morning today.
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with her accent from my point of view and she's doing an amazing job," she said.
Meanwhile, a Coronation Street spokesperson told Digital Spy: "The cast and crew have welcomed Michelle with open arms. To say they are angry about her casting or her accent is simply untrue and upsetting for everyone."
Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson recently described Collins's Northern accent as "great" and predicted that fans will soon get used to seeing her in the role of Stella.
Persnally I would be inclined to believe the rumours. I dont think she is an asset to Corrie and her accent is pretty crap too. The character of her ''partner'' I dont like either.
Corrie is going down the pan at the minute and they should concentrate on using the good characters they have rather than bringing in new so called stars.
Don't mind them fetching in new characters. But please give the rolls to proper northerners.:cheer:
Not a one of them are from Manchester.:angry:
Would have been more believable if they had kept their own accents. Not everyone who live in Manchester was born here.:hmm:
Don't mind them fetching in new characters.
There is no need to bring in too many new characters as they have some wonderful characters who are woefully underused. Just because Michelle Collins was successful in Deadenders does not mean she should be as successful in Corrie. Corrie is or at least was completely different to EE although of late it has been making the decline to EE's level
Coronation Street star Jane Danson has spoken about the soap's shocking Stella twist for the first time, admitting that her character Leanne Barlow may be "furious" when she discovers the truth.
Show bosses have now officially confirmed that the Rovers Return's new bar manager is Leanne's birth mother, as first reported earlier this month.
Leanne finds out Stella's true identity in next week's Friday night double bill as she celebrates her 30th birthday at the pub.
Speaking to Inside Soap about the plot twist, Danson explained: "Leanne has never really given her birth mother a second thought because she's not been in her life. Her dad Les and stepmum Janice were together for a long time, so Janice always took on that mother role.
"Having said that, Leanne's always known Janice by her first name, so she hasn't called anyone 'Mummy'."
Leanne's husband Peter (Chris Gascoyne) is the first to discover Stella's secret next week, but it doesn't take long until the Weatherfield newcomer is forced to come clean with her daughter.
Asked how Leanne reacts to the life-changing news, Danson replied: "You'll have to wait and see! She'll either be over the moon to have her real mother in her life, or she'll be absolutely furious that she's been absent all these years."
Former EastEnders star Michelle Collins made her debut as Stella last week.
Stellas fake accent is irritating.
Coronation Street's new recruit Michelle Collins has explained her character's shocking secret, admitting that Stella Price was desperate when she abandoned show regular Leanne.
Weatherfield bosses have now officially confirmed that Stella is Leanne's biological mother following weeks of rumours.
Stella was in a relationship with Les Battersby many years ago but left him to bring up Leanne (Jane Danson) when she was only a baby.
Speaking to Soaplife about her character's history, Collins commented: "Stella was only 17 when she had Leanne and at first everything with Les was great. But then he started drinking and leaving her alone with the baby and she struggled to cope.
"She left with every intention of coming back for her baby once she was settled, but when that time came, Les and his family wouldn't let her anywhere near and she didn't stand a chance."
Leanne discovers the truth about Stella at the end of next week when the Rovers Return's new bar manager is forced to come clean.
Collins added: "Stella regrets what she did every day of her life. For the past 29 years, all she's wanted is to be a mum to Leanne."
Leanne hears Stella's confession as she celebrates her 30th birthday at The Rovers next Friday.
Michelle Collins has admitted that Coronation Street's Stella Price is "terrified" about being rejected by her daughter Leanne Barlow.
It has been confirmed that Leanne (Jane Danson) will discover that the Rovers Return's new manager is actually her birth mother next week. However, Collins has told Soaplife that a happy reunion between the pair is not guaranteed.
"It's a moment she has dreamt of for years," the actress said of Stella's "real mix of emotions" at meeting her daughter. "I'm sure that in her dreams Leanne breaks down in tears of joy.
"But Stella knows Leanne has every right to be furious with her and she's terrified that her daughter might reject her."
Collins teased how Peter (Chris Gascoyne) discovers the truth next week, when he finds a picture of his wife inside Stella's purse.
"Peter discovers this and wants to know what the hell is going on," she said. "Peter's very understanding and certainly doesn't force her hand, but it ends up being revealed."
Danson recently claimed that Leanne will either be "over the moon" to meet her mother or be "absolutely furious" that she abandoned her as a child
tammyy2j
23-06-2011, 11:54
It might be good if Les and Janice was still around for this storyline
I always thought Leanne used say her mother was dead
Michelle Collins acting and pathetic accent are getting worse. How long will it take the PTB at Corrie to get shot of her. Tonight she kept changing her accent between Macunian and Cockerney. As for her daughter she is totally pathetic.
Coronation Street star Jane Danson has revealed that she is thrilled to be working closely with Michelle Collins on the set of the soap.
Next week's episodes of the Weatherfield drama feature a big plot twist as Danson's alter ego Leanne Barlow discovers that Rovers newcomer Stella Price is her biological mother.
Collins's character Stella, who made her debut on screen earlier this month, is forced to come clean with Leanne as the show favourite celebrates her 30th birthday at the pub.
Speaking about having Collins as her on-screen mum, Danson told All About Soap: "It's really interesting to work with someone when you know their stuff so well. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the really meaty scenes, because these are two extremely feisty characters.
"A lot of people have said we've got similar face shapes and we have the same mannerisms too, so it'll be interesting to see if viewers pick up on the resemblance."
Coronation Street's shock Stella and Leanne twist first emerged in early May but was only officially confirmed by show bosses this week.
LizzyBizzy
24-06-2011, 21:25
I might be in a minority of one, but I'm not overly bothered by the quality of Michelle Collins's accent. So far, I'm willing to give her character the benefit of the doubt.
I might be in a minority of one, but I'm not overly bothered by the quality of Michelle Collins's accent. So far, I'm willing to give her character the benefit of the doubt.
I dont mind her character not liking her daughter Evie though
CORRIE actress Kym Marsh has defended co-star Michelle Collins after fans criticised the new arrival's attempts at a northern accent.
Ex-EastEnder Michelle, 50, joined the cast this month as Stella Price, the new manager of the Rovers Return.
Kym, 35, currently on maternity leave, told new! magazine: "I think viewers find it hard to accept because she was such a big character in EastEnders."
The actress, who plays barmaid Michelle Connor, added: "People should give her a chance. She's only just joined Corrie."
Street producer Phil Collinson has defended Michelle, saying: "I think her accent's great." Then all is good :D :p
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3662999/Kym-Marsh-defends-Corrie-pal-Michelle-Collins.html#ixzz1QXpIXqKP
Who give two flying figs what her so called co-star Ms Marsh thinks.
Who give two flying figs what her so called co-star Ms Marsh thinks.
Ms Kym Marsh has announced that she has farted... nothing to do with any soap or anything at all it is just she hadn't spoken out about anything is 10 mins and was getting locked jaw from lack of opinion
John Michie has said that he is having "great fun" playing Coronation Street's Karl Munro.
The Scottish actor made his debut as "sexy charmer" Karl earlier this month. As the partner of new Rovers Return manager Stella Price - played by Michelle Collins - he moved into the pub with her and her daughter Eva (Catherine Tyldesley).
Michie told ITV's This Morning: "My character is a bit of a Jack The Lad. But it's great fun, it's a great show. Everyone is incredibly friendly - it's amazing how warm... it's a big warm happy family up there in Coronation Street.
"There are lots of characters, loads of people; after Taggart, I'm used to just working with just us four and a few guest actors, and going to different locations every day, but now I'm in the same place every day - which I'm getting to quite enjoy!"
However, Michie confessed that he is still adjusting to acting while having to serve Corrie locals from behind the bar.
"I've had quite a few jobs as a barman in the past, but its just getting the lines in-between serving the drinks - that's the thing," he quipped, admitting that he was used to playing characters "on the other side of the bar".
Meanwhile, Michie also hinted that there could be more episodes of ITV crime drama Taggart to come - despite the show having reportedly been axed after 28 years.
"I know STV are going to try and fund it differently and try and bring it back," he said. "And there could be a Christmas special or something like that. I'm sure we've not seen the end of it just yet. I hope not."
Lets hope they start filming Taggart very soon and EE brings Cindy back to life
LizzyBizzy
01-07-2011, 22:10
I like both the Stella and Karl characters. Unfortunately for the actors, I think they're too closely associated with former roles. I truly hope they're given a fair chance, and that internet keyboard warriors, and let's not forget there are plenty of people out there who aren't keyboard warriors, don't succeed in persuading the producers to axe the characters.
I like both the Stella and Karl characters. Unfortunately for the actors, I think they're too closely associated with former roles. I truly hope they're given a fair chance, and that internet keyboard warriors, and let's not forget there are plenty of people out there who aren't keyboard warriors, don't succeed in persuading the producers to axe the characters.
You are entitled to your opinion just as the so called ''internet keyboard warriors'' :moonie: Personally speaking I cant stand Stella or Karl. They do not work as characters IMHO and there was no need to even introduce them into Corrie. Michelle Collins was employed because she is a big name, not because she is a great actor and certainly not because of her ability too speak with a Mancunian accent. I hope the producers do take note of the ''internet keyboard warriors'' :rotfl: although I doubt it. After all these were the same producers who brought back Traceyluv with a ridiculous storyline :angry:
I like both the Stella and Karl characters. Unfortunately for the actors, I think they're too closely associated with former roles. I truly hope they're given a fair chance, and that internet keyboard warriors, and let's not forget there are plenty of people out there who aren't keyboard warriors, don't succeed in persuading the producers to axe the characters.
I dont mind Stella on her own
Michelle Collins is a decent actress - I liked her in Sunburn and Rock Rivals I dont really remember her much in EE
She has been slammed for her ‘awful’ Mancunian accent and plummeting ratings have left viewers questioning Michelle Collins’s future on the cobbles uncertain.
But a spokesperson for Coronation Street has told MailOnline that the soap is not going to axe Michelle's character Stella Price.
The actress, 50, who joined Coronation Street just last month, will find her character Stella Price clinging for life after being hit by drunk driver Carla Connor.
ITV bosses have written her into car crash storyline to try and increase viewing figures
It has been reported that the plot will allow bosses to kill off Michelle's character if ratings do not improve, but a spokesperson for the show denies the claims.
In a statement released today a spokesperson said: 'The channel is delighted with audience reaction to Stella's arrival on Coronation Street and with the storylines planned in the coming months.
'Michelle Collins is a valued member of the Corrie cast and we have fantastic storylines ahead for her character well into next year.'
London- born Michelle, 50, debuted on the show last month, but has faced criticism for her northern accent and ratings have dropped since her arrival on the show.
As well as the dramatic crash storyline Michelle is set to be written into more scenes with popular characters like Leanne Battersby, played by Jane Danson and Carla Connor, played by Alison King.
Audience figures had plummeted from 10.4million at the end of May down to 7.4million just last week.
Following criticism of Michelle’s role Corrie chief Phil Collinson defended her and said: ‘I think her accent is great.’
‘I think the thing is people will just get used to it.’
But the Coronation Street boss has come under fire himself for making the show ‘too gay’.
Cast and crew have questioned why producer Phil Collinson, who took the helm last year, has brought in so many gay characters.
Meanwhile a spokesperson for the show said: 'ITV are extremely pleased with the work of Phil Collinson and his production team.'
Actors and viewers have also criticised the move away from the show's roots, depicting the gritty reality of life in a typical working class street in Manchester, and replacing it with black comedy.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2013457/Michelle-Collins-chance-Coronation-Street-bosses-say-Stella-Price-stays.html#ixzz1RpTU9NP2
im still not a fan, andi think it is the accent. She really bugs me. Also after the wholeLeanne thing i know it is fiction but i have horrible thought that stella would have to have slept with Les!
Corrie producer Phil Collinson has spoken out following recent press speculation about Coronation Street.
Here Phil gives his take on the casting of actress Michelle Collins, reveals accurate ratings for the show and gives us a taste of what’s coming up on the cobbles!
Phil has given his full backing to Michelle and explains how she was cast in the role of Stella Price. He says: “We interviewed lots of actresses for the role and screen tested 6 and we (Phil and senior execs at ITV), believed Michelle’s performance was the best. We are delighted with Michelle and her performance and hope that she will stay with us for a long time. Michelle is a well-respected actress and we’re lucky and pleased to have her as part of the cast.”
The producer says he is “baffled” by some negative comments about southerner Michelle’s northern accent in the soap. He says: “I’m a northerner myself. I was born and bred up here and I think her accent is great! Michelle has worked hard with a voice specialist and she’s doing an excellent job.”
Phil is certain that once Stella and her family have settled in on screen, they will become more popular with audiences and critics.
“When the McDonalds first joined the show there were calls for them to leave immediately. When the Battersbys arrived, a newspaper’s poll showed 97 per cent of people wanted them to leave. Leanne has gone on to become one of the most-loved characters in the show. It always takes time. I am convinced audiences will take both Stella and Karl to their hearts. “
Coronation Street continues to be the UK’s most popular serial drama, with a year-to-date average audience of 9.8 million viewers (39 per cent audience share) up 1.3 per cent on the same period in 2010. Corrie’s viewing figures are currently up 8 per cent since Stella arrived on screen, compared to the same four week period in 2010. In light of this information and additional research, Phil stresses there is no ratings crisis.
He says: “The ratings are healthy and the audience feedback is healthy. The show has never been better. Other genres are seeing audiences fall, but our audience is actually greater. The show is in rude health and forging along with some brilliant, brilliant stories.”
Referring to an article in a national newspaper about the number of gay and lesbian characters in Coronation Street, Phil states that only four characters out of 65 are homosexual and they were all established long before he joined the production team last year. Sean Tully arrived on the cobbles in 2003, Marcus Dent appeared for the first time in 2007, Sophie Webster has featured since her birth in 1994 and Sian Powers first appeared in 2009.
“Sean and Sophie have consistently been among the most popular characters,” he says. “The character of Sophie has actually risen in popularity since she came out as a lesbian. Viewers are appreciating her storyline and enjoying it. We tell stories about characters audiences want to see.”
“Audiences are continuing to watch Corrie. We have a wonderful summer and autumn coming up. There are big stories for Carla and Eileen and there’s a new lady in Tyrone’s life. Corrie hasn’t changed and it won’t change.”
Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson and actress Michelle Collins have responded to tabloid reports that the show has suffered in the ratings recently.
An ex newspaper suggested that viewing figures had fallen by a quarter in just a month, with blame focused on a poor reception for Collins and viewers' unhappiness with the number of gay characters on the soap.
Collinson confirmed that he and Collins had asked to appear on ITV1's daytime magazine show This Morning in order to "answer back" the "inaccurate and disingenuous" claims.
Collins - who made her debut as Stella Price last month - explained: "I'm the sort of person... I'm quite dignified, so I was thinking, ' No, just sit back and it'll all go away'. But it hasn't gone away."
On criticism of her accent, Collins admitted that it was "not my choice" to do a northern accent in the role.
"I'm an actor. I was in a soap 15 years ago, and I've done lots of other jobs in between where I've had accents as well," she said. "To me, it was embarking on a new role.
"I'm not even sure that's many of the public. I think it's a few tabloid journalists that have picked up on something and then it escalates. It's very mischievous, I think they like to cause... they're just being mischievous, to be honest with you."
Collinson described Collins's accent as "brilliant", insisting that the soap "wouldn't want to" have her drop it.
"Just to robustly say, we are really happy with Michelle's performance," he said. "I think we're really happy with the character. We've got storylines planned for this new family right through next year."
Collins admitted that she is "bewildered" by the various claims, but added that she knew it would take time for the character to be accepted.
"I haven't even be on air for four weeks. It's like, hold on a minute. Jane Danson was telling me that when the Battersbys went in, there was a petition to get rid of them," she said. "When the Slaters went in [to EastEnders], I remember telling John Yorke, 'I don't like them. They're never going to work'. About five years later, he said to me: 'What did you say to me?' People just have to let you breathe. People are [not] used to me. I'm just sort of bewildered."
She continued: "I'm a big girl and I'm tough. What annoys me is that I'm quite bewildered by it. What annoys me is that most of the things they are saying are untrue. Coronation Street has made me very welcome and people among the cast haven't complained."
However, Collins did confirm that reports of a storyline which will see Stella knocked down by a drunk Carla Connor are true.
"Storylines are storylined six months in advance. So, whoever played Stella would have been involved in this storyline," she said. "It's not because they are trying to win viewers over. The public aren't silly."
Collinson also dismissed tabloid claims that Coronation Street's ratings have fallen dramatically, telling hosts Phillip Schofield and Jenni Falconer that the high figure mentioned had come from an instalment aired during the week of 9pm episodes scheduled between Britain's Got Talent shows. The lower rated episode was one which aired directly against an Andy Murray Wimbledon game.
"They took those two ratings," he explained. "It's a bit mischievous really. In actual fact, if we compare the ratings for the last four-week period with the same period for last year, we are actually around 5 or 6% up.
"There is absolutely no crisis at Coronation Street. The ratings are in brilliant shape. ITV are very pleased with the way the show is performing."
Finally, the producer took on complaints that the Manchester serial is too focused on gay characters.
Collinson said: "We have a very broad cast; 65 regulars and two gay couples. In the research that we do, Hayley, Sean and Sophie are among the most popular characters. They're right up there among the most popular characters in the show.
"Of course we are going to tell stories about our most popular characters. The audience want us to tell stories about these characters. There is no gay agenda. There is no soapbox. We are telling stories about love."
Collins concluded: "It's 2011 and we're talking about too many gay characters on TV? Come on people, this is crazy."
tammyy2j
12-07-2011, 14:13
For me it is that the gay characters are not really likeable look at EE and Emmerdale both Syed & Christian and Aaron & Jackson are likeable and had a great build up and storyline and of course the actors involved can act whereas the likes of Sean, Sian and Sophie are bloody awful
I dont think the ratings slump can all be down to Michelle Collins and her character Stella to be fair to her there is far worse characters and actors on the show
I think the reveal of her as Leanne's real mother came out too soon
I do feel sorry for Michelle Collins with all the criticism of Stella. If a character doesn't work, it's the fault of the people who cast her, not the actor's. Still, I think Michelle is an ok actor, and that Stella will improve and grow on people.
As tammy says above, some of the worst actors in Corrie are Sean, Sophie and Sian - they're far worse than Michelle Collins.
tammyy2j
12-07-2011, 15:19
The accent can be fazed out and I think Jane and Michelle (Leanne and Stella) could pull of some great acting scenes between them given time and good storylines
Leanne is the best character on the show for me
I dont think the ratings slump can all be down to Michelle Collins and her character Stella to be fair to her there is far worse characters and actors on the show
The rot started before Michelle arrived. It started with a plethora of crap storylines almost too many to mention. Joe and Gail, AAudrey and the Trannie, the return of Tracyluv, the xin, tina Graeme love triangle, Sean getting the baby and boyfriend back, the Becky/Steve split up and of course yet another murderer on the street not just any murderer but a multiple murderer.
LizzyBizzy
12-07-2011, 22:23
For me the rot set in with the aftermath of the tram crash, and Ken's reunion with his son and grandson.
William Roache has spoken out in defence of Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson.
The showrunner last week publicly responded to reports suggesting that ratings for the ITV1 soap have fallen dramatically.
Roache, who has played Ken Barlow in the show since it launched in 1960, defended Collinson's work on ITV's This Morning.
"Right, two points to make," he told hosts Phillip Schofield and Jenni Falconer. "One is, is that one of the hardest tasks of the producer is to move the Street forward into what is socially acceptable.
"Times change. If you showed an episode we have today in 1960, we'd be off the air, banned; it'd be something horrible."
Roache explained: "The producer has to do that [by] bringing in the new, without offending the old. So every so often, a senior member, well-meaning , will say that the Street isn't what it used to be. It's sad that that happens, but it does. There was a big article like that last week.
"I understand why [Brian Sewell] said that, but this is part of keeping it new. A journalist jumped in on this bandwagon and what he did was, he took the current ratings - which are about 8 million roughly - compared it to a one-off special which went out, highly publicised at 9pm and got 10 million, and said that the Street is slipping in the ratings."
Defending the ratings, the 79-year-old said: "If you look at the ratings for this time last year, we are 8% up. Far from going down, the Street is going up. Now, a lot of this is due to the live episode and the tram crash, which brought in a lot of new viewers and many have stayed with us. We're stronger than ever, better than ever.
"I'm enjoying it more than ever. I think last year was the best thing it ever did. While I can do it, while they want me, I'll be there."
They can defend it all they like. For me it's becoming unbearable with all the stupid storylines going on. I must be getting old. I know it's only a soap but that doesn't mean it should have ridiculous storylines and bring characters in just for the sake of it.
tammyy2j
13-07-2011, 16:03
Bring back Eddie Windass it went downhill when he left :p
Former Coronation Street star Johnny Briggs has criticised the show, claiming that there is no "fun" in it any more.
The 75-year-old actor appeared in the ITV1 soap as Underworld boss Mike Baldwin for 30 years. Briggs's criticism comes after producer Phil Collinson hit back at claims that ratings have fallen dramatically.
Briggs told The Mirror: "There's no laughter or humour. The Duckworths have gone, Hilda Ogden is gone, the comedy and drama is dead. People were once happy in the soap. There is no one in it I recognise now.
"I watched the 50th anniversary episode [in December] but could only stand five minutes before I flicked over to the golf. There is no fun in the show any more."
Briggs continued: "The writers have lost their way by bringing in all these unknowns and trying to make it interesting by introducing different characters.
"I haven't watched it recently so I don't know about the new gay characters, but my philosophy is, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. It's so sad to learn the ratings have gone down. It's heartbreaking. It used to be a great show - it was an old friend to me. Now I can't bring myself to watch, what a terrible shame."
However, Briggs claimed that he would return to the Manchester serial, if storyliners could find a way to bring him back - despite Mike dying on-screen in 2006.
"I might have to come out of retirement to return to the Street," he said. "I would seriously consider going back if they paid me the right money. I was the JR Ewing of Weatherfield – and that's what the show lacks, another great villain, a big star."
Executive producer Kieran Robertson and cast members including William Roache and Michelle Collins, have all spoken out in defence of the show this week.
CORRIE legend Ken Morley has become the latest former star to criticise the soap, saying how it needs more LAUGHS.
And Ken - who played Reg Holdsworth - said he would even make a sensational comeback to inject some much-needed humour.
Ken, 68, who quit the soap 16 years ago, fired off a typically over-the-top rant.
He told TV Biz: "I am sick and tired of people coming to me and saying how bad it is and asking if I know the viewing figures.
"It's like it's some kind of national tragedy and everyone at the moment wants to kick it.
"I turned on the other night and there was some nonsense about whether Fiz should have a baby in prison. It went on and on and it was a real turn-off. What they need to do is bring back comedy and topics that the viewers can relate to.
Got him by the short and curlies ... Reg and Watts
"It's lost the comedy, it's lost the viewers, it's lost plot, but let's not kick it while it's down - let's try to fix it."
Ken - seen as Reg tangling with Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy), in 1995, left - added: "The Northern humour in the face of adversity is what made Coronation Street great, along with the gritty real-life storylines.
"If it was raining cats and dogs the character would slip out into the rain and quip, 'turned out nice again'. That's typical Northern humour.
"When I went to a charity show in Blackpool the other day I was waiting outside the front of the house for a limo. I was dressed in a canary yellow suit, daft bow tie and all the trimmings - and the next-door neighbour comes out and says, 'Are you going away? Or are you being taken away?'. That's a funny gag from a man in the street and that is what the Street was once so good at, making humour out of ordinary situations."
Ken hit out at the recent transvestite storyline involving Audrey Roberts' boyfriend Marc. He said: "It's not traditional Coronation Street. It's just another far-fetched step away from the real world."
He also joined the backlash against the number of gay storylines, adding: "The Street has gone too far with gay problems, gay shoes, gay fish and chips. They need to get back to square one and deal with people's everyday problems in a humorous way."
And Ken pledged to return to the soap to help rescue ratings - which have slumped by a quarter this year.
He said: "They need characters like Reg again. There is nothing he couldn't do - a character like that could save Corrie single-handedly by ranting about real issues in the Rovers.
"They really need to get to grips with Corrie or the nation is going to lose a beloved institution.
"The 50th anniversary tram crash was fine, but we're now in a period of sloth after the big event. It needs shaking back to life."
Ken added: "Why not bring in a Chinese family and have them running a chippy? Then perhaps they can start showing the programme in China and the viewing figures could shoot up by billions, not millions."
parkerman
15-07-2011, 10:07
There seems to be an echo round here...:D
There seems to be an echo round here...:D
here here here here
There seems to be an echo round here...:D
here here here here
There was so there was
UNDER-FIRE Corrie newcomer Michelle Collins is under extra pressure over her controversial move north from her teenage daughter.
Maia Rose, 15, has made no secret of hating her mum’s switch from the capital 200 miles away. She tweeted: “I HATE Manchester. Wish I was back in London.”
And Maia dropped sensational hints that Michelle, 50, who plays new Rovers landlady Stella Price, may not stay.
The teen revealed that plans to get her a nanny to look after her in London could be dropped as Michelle, who has been criticised over her dodgy northern accent, agonises over a move back south.
Maia tweeted: “It depends if she is still in you know what…”.
Ex-EastEnders star Michelle and *producer Phil Collinson went on an *unprecedented public relations mission last week to dismiss claims that viewers are turning off because of their dislike of the new Price family.
And Phil, 41, later denied he hired Michelle because they are old mates. He said: “Michelle’s casting was completely democratic. It was made by committee and absolutely not my decision alone.”
The stars of Coronation Street have reportedly started talking to newcomer Michelle Collins in Cockney *rhyming slang.
The actress made her debut on the soap last month as Stella Price, but has received criticism for her attempts at a Northern accent.
In a bid to cheer her up, co-star Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw, started putting on a Cockney accent while talking to the former EastEnders star in between takes.
Collins found it so funny that other cast members have now joined in, the Sunday Mirror reports.
"Michelle has been having a really tough time of it lately," a source said. "This was the cast's way of saying they are on her side. It really cheered her up."
Collins has reportedly been handed a last-chance storyline to help Stella become accepted by viewers.
Coronation Street newcomer Michelle Collins has pledged her commitment to ensuring that Stella Price becomes one of the soap's "great" characters.
The former EastEnders actress recently found herself at the centre of controversy when tabloid reports criticised her attempt at a Northern accent for the role of Stella. It was later alleged that the new arrival could be axed by bosses, but Collins and Coronation Street's producer Phil Collinson soon spoke out to rubbish the claims.
Reflecting on last week's row in a new interview with OK magazine, Collins commented: "What is hurtful is that it is just untrue. I have had so many texts from people saying, 'Oh sod 'em'. And I thought, no, I'm not going to be dignified and sit this one out.
"It's not a true representation of what the public think. When I'm bouncing about, working in London and Manchester, people are coming up to me and telling me that they're loving what I'm doing."
Collins continued: "I've been made so welcome. I'm a big girl. I can take it! And I ain't going anywhere, so get used to it! I'm going to do my darndest to make Stella one of the great Corrie characters."
Coronation Street's new recruit added that she was disappointed over cricket star Freddie Flintoff's recent comments on her performance. Last month, he tweeted: "Can't get my head round Cindy off EastEnders trying to talk with a northern accent. Just need Jack Duckworth to pop up in the Queen Vic giving it a bit of rhyming slang!"
Collins told the magazine: "Oh for God's sake, Freddie! I haven't been in EastEnders for 15 years. I would never slate another person in the public eye - I think that's very unfair of him."
Stella's current storyline sees her trying to build up a relationship with Leanne Barlow after revealing herself as her long-lost mother.
Stella is growing on me more and more
I wish the Michelle bashing would stop
Oh edit I mean the Michelle Collins bashing please continue bashing Michelle Connor aka Kym Marsh as you may
Coronation Street star Ben Price has claimed that the soap is becoming more gritty to keep viewers "involved and interested".
Recent press criticism surrounding the ITV1 show's storylines has suggested that the programme is steering away from its roots by tackling darker and more controversial subject matters.
However, in an interview with Bang Showbiz, Price dismissed talk of a crisis on the cobbles and insisted that Coronation Street bosses are merely trying to keep the show relevant.
The actor, who plays Weatherfield businessman Nick Tilsley, commented: "I think the show has definitely steered away from what it started as, but it was launched in black and white. If you don't move on or try anything new you'll still be stuck in black and white with Ena Sharples and Elsie Tanner sweeping up the street.
"It was 50 years ago, it's not a series that has been running for three years - it's 50 years old and you have to keep coming up with new storylines to keep the audience involved and interested. The viewing figures are actually up and the audience clearly like these shocking storylines, as they're watching them. That's what matters."
Price added: "We're probably going into the arena that used to be occupied solely by EastEnders and I think people are perhaps making a bit too much of it all. It's good to have been talking about it, we shouldn't forget that."
Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson recently defended the soap's performance, explaining that reports of a ratings crisis were "inaccurate and disingenuous".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmtWXwVb4E0
Corrie Summer Spoilers
^ That dont excite me much and some of it has happened already
Ex-Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay has defended Michelle Collins against recent criticism of her Northern accent.
The former EastEnders actress adopted the dialect when she took on the role of new Rovers Return manager Stella Price. However, reports have suggested that her accent was causing displeased viewers to switch the ITV soap off.
"Half the cast aren't from Manchester," Lindsay, who played landlady Shelley Unwin until 2006, told What's On TV. "There's all kinds of weird Northern accents going on."
She continued: "I don't understand what the big deal is about it. OK, so she's not a genuine Manchester accent, but you don't get that unless you're from Manchester."
Lindsay recalled how she received "horrible" criticism when she first joined the serial in 2001.
"When I went behind that bar I had so much rubbish written about me and six months later I was the best thing that had ever happened to the show," she said. "And it's horrible because you're thinking, 'Why? What am I doing wrong?'
"I did used to look down the camera, which was a slight problem, but I got over that, but I just think it's nonsense and it's awful it's happened to one person."
Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson recently hit back at "inaccurate and disingenuous" press claims made about the soap's ratings.
Its not just Michelles dodgy accent that has viewers turning off Corrie. Its her unbelievable character her ridiculous partner and hateful daughter combined with a pitiful storyline. Shes not that good an actor either
thats what my dad has said, he was like the accent doesnt bother him, its the fact shes not really a good actress in this or in other things she has done!
Former Coronation Street star Angela Griffin has defended Michelle Collins's attempts at a Northern accent.
Collins joined the ITV1 soap in June as Stella Price, but has since received criticism for her fake Northern accent.
Griffin defended her accent, telling the Sunday Mirror: "I think Michelle Collins is brilliant and a fabulous actress. I've heard her Northern accent and think it's ace!"
As for whether Griffin would ever return to the show as Fiona Middleton, she added: "I would never say no. I'd never turn down a job because I'm self-employed!"
Former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay and current actress Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Collins's on-screen daughter Eva, have also insisted that there is nothing wrong with her Northern accent.
Producers are said to have handed Collins a last chance storyline to help viewers warm to Stella.
tammyy2j
14-08-2011, 12:33
I'm sick of hearing about "accentgate"
I'm sick of hearing about "accentgate"
It's just the ITV publicity machine trying their hardest to generate publicity for Michelle by almost daily dragging up people to say Michelles a wonderful actress and her rendition of a Mancunian accent is so good that even a native would have difficulty realising she wasn't a local. Every week there is some new story about how wonderful she is.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01369/SNN02TV-stella_1369678a.jpg
THIS is the moment Stella Price is mown down by drunk driver Carla Connor - leaving the Corrie landlady fighting for life.
Stella, played by Michelle Collins, is chasing after daughter Leanne (Jane Danson), when Carla careers round a corner after boozing at her engagement party - with fiance Frank Foster (Andrew Lancel) beside her.
A source said: "It's touch and go for Stella. Leanne is devastated.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01369/SNN02TV-stella2_1369669a.jpg
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01369/SNN02TV-stella1_1369672a.jpg
CORRIE'S Michelle Collins has defended Anne Hathaway's much-criticised Yorkshire accent in film One Day.
Ex-EastEnder Michelle suffered similar attacks on her northern accent as the 28-year-old American, when she first appeared as Rovers Return manager Stella Price.
Michelle, 50, told This Morning's Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes yesterday: "I felt really sorry for Anne Hathaway."
The actress whose character will be seen fighting for her life when she's mown down by drunk Carla Connor (Alison King) on tomorrow's Corrie, said criticism of her has died away.
She added: "It is fine now but it sort of means that I have to work twice as hard. I have a little dictaphone and I have to sort of do everything into it and listen back all the time.
"I think it's about people getting used to you. People knew me and this whole thing that I'd come from EastEnders, which actually was 15 years ago, and they know me as a southerner."
CORRIE'S Michelle Collins has defended Anne Hathaway's much-criticised Yorkshire accent in film One Day.
Ex-EastEnder Michelle suffered similar attacks on her northern accent when she first appeared as Rovers Return manager Stella Price.
And Michelle is such an expert at her Mancunian accent
If Ms.Collins thinks criticism of her has died away she should log on to this site. It isn't just the accent and heaven knows that's rubbish it's the acting that's in the same category.I wouldn't worry too much about a dictaphone get yourself a voice coach and maybe a few lessons at drama school. Yes ,you are remembered from Eastenders nothing's changed much and only 15 years ago ,it seems like only yesterday. The only saving grace that with her next storyline confined to hospital bed she only has to lie there and if they push a few tubes down her throat we won't have to listen to her.
Why don't they just kill her off along with her family. They have failed and have NO redeeming features
Chloe O'brien
07-09-2011, 11:22
I don't understand why she had to try and do a Manchester accent, when in real life there are many people with different accents living in streets and town across the country. They should just have let her use her own accent. I think they are just trying to use this as a smoke screen to possibly get rid of Stella and co as soon as their contracts are up as her and her daughter have not made a great start to their corrie career
Being born in Manchester. It dose not bother me that her accents not that good. Getting used to it now. The only thing, I am not getting used to is the daughter. She is rubbish and needs to go.
Being born in Manchester. It dose not bother me that her accents not that good. Getting used to it now. The only thing, I am not getting used to is the daughter. She is rubbish and needs to go.
The whole family are crap. They have no redeeming features whatsoever. They do not gel as a family.. The storyline which put them in charge of the Rovers was as big a joke as the one which brought the atrocious Kate Ford back to our screens. Oh for John Stape to return on a killing spree
owenlee4me
08-09-2011, 23:29
bravo totally applaud your comment, yep lets ditch eva, she is just annoying full stop.....................................
bravo totally applaud your comment, yep lets ditch eva, she is just annoying full stop.....................................
You forgot to mention that she couldn't act her way out of a wet paper bag. She is playing her character like a spoilt adolescent schoolgirl instead of an adult , but Thanks for your well appreciated applause
Michelle Collins reckons her Corrie character Stella Price would love a fling with one of Weatherfield's younger men.
The former EastEnders actress said if the pub landlady had the chance, she'd opt for one of the soap's twenty-something hunks over the more mature men on the cobbles.
"She's a bit flirty with the younger guys so in her dreams maybe she'd fall for a toyboy like Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) or Tommy Duckworth (Chris Fountain). Someone who is young and fun," she told OK! magazine.
As for her own romantic prospects, single Michelle said internet dating wasn't an option.
"I don't think I would because I'd have to lie about who I am. I tell all my friends to do it, but when it comes to me I don't.
"I'm just a bit of a romantic at heart and think there's someone out there waiting for me. I was told by a psychic that I'd meet someone this year."
PA
parkerman
10-09-2011, 13:19
I was told by a psychic that I'd meet someone this year."
Hopefully the producer with her P45...
tammyy2j
03-10-2011, 11:27
Stella is to get a tomboy lover according to latest soap mag and Peter and Tommy are pictured with her
Stella is to get a tomboy lover according to latest soap mag and Peter and Tommy are pictured with her
should be Tommmy then, would not call Peter a tomboy lover
parkerman
03-10-2011, 13:19
Stella is to get a tomboy lover
Why?
Why does every married person in Coronation Street have to have an affair? Can't anyone ever remain faithful?
[QUOTE=Perdita;757702]should be Tommmy then, would not call Peter a tomboy lover[/QU
An assasin would have been better,and if we all had a whip round he could have taken care of Traceyluv as well.
Why?
Why does every married person in Coronation Street have to have an affair? Can't anyone ever remain faithful?I tried to think of someone but couldn't
tammyy2j
03-10-2011, 14:20
Why?
Why does every married person in Coronation Street have to have an affair? Can't anyone ever remain faithful?
Karl and Stella arent married
Affairs are a must for all soap couples
Karl and Stella arent married
Affairs are a must for all soap couples
They are living together and allegedly love each other, or so they both claimed when Stella was involved in the car crash
Who actually cares about any of the three of them. The sooner they go the better. No matter what story lines the give them to force us to like them it will not work,
Coronation Street's John Michie has revealed that his character Karl Munro will become a gambling addict in a new storyline.
Barman Karl, married to Stella (Michelle Collins), won £1,000 from Ciaran McCarthy (Keith Duffy) in a game of poker earlier this week.
However, ex-Taggart star Michie has teased details of his alter ego's descent into debt after "a few big losses".
He told the Daily Record: "He is going to be gambling for a while and eventually he will have a few big losses, which is great for me.
"You know what gamblers are like, he has to lie, drinks a little bit more than he should and it is going to cause tension in his relationships."
The 55-year-old explained that his involvement in Corrie will increase in 2012 as a result of the plot.
"This is Karl getting his feet under the table, in a sense," he continued. "When I was asked to join the show, I was told initially they would bed me in and there is a lot planned for next year. He needs a strong storyline like this for people to get inside his mind a bit.
"I've really worked out who Karl is. It's just the audience who have to get to know him and that's happening about now."
Bad news. That means that we will have to put up with this useless family for a bit longer. I thought they were going to bin Stellaaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh and her dodgy accent and pitiful acting.
Why would anyone want to get inside Karl's mind , the fact he's with Stellurgghh speaks volumes. Get rid of 'em and the daughter .
owenlee4me
21-11-2011, 12:02
[COLOR="blue"[/COLOR]
OH how boring another addiction story line, we have had Peter Barlow and CArla to drink, now this??
Is Weatherfield full of drunks, gamblers, murderers and rapists, good thing it's a fiction town, otherwise they would need an estate agent!!
Not really very exciting, Karl is not the most interesting person (even thou he's said, they would bed me in) personally would be better if he had a mysterious past, something we could guess at, but this????
ah well i can always record and fast forward
Michelle Collins is to be offered a new Coronation Street contract next month.:crying::sick:
The former EastEnders actress, who now plays Rovers Return manager Stella Price on the ITV1 soap, is said to have impressed producers with her stint on the soap and her character will be involved in a key storyline in the New Year. Pity she hasnt impressed the viewers
Her on-screen family - partner Karl Munro (John Michie) and daughter Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) are also said to be staying on the cobbles, and an insider told The Mirror that the actors were to be rewarded with new deals as "the viewers took to them". what absolute bollocks
"I am enjoying myself much more these days," Collins is quoted as saying. "It was a tough role to step into - like going into the royal family!"
A Coronation Street spokesperson confirmed the news, adding: "Everyone is really pleased." :nono: Im sure 7 million are not at all pleased
Collins first appeared in Coronation Street in June of this year and her on-screen debut attracted over eight million viewers. Who laughed at her po$$ poor acting, crap storyline and rubbish accent
parkerman
23-12-2011, 09:12
So, is that a yes to Michelle Collins staying on then?
owenlee4me
23-12-2011, 10:56
it's not Michelle Collins thats totally to blame for the familys lack of appeal, Karl "whats his face" is just not very interesting to a woman not attractive no endearing qualities (bit like Nick Tilsley) , Eva is a spoilt petulant young lady and we can of have enough strong women characters already (Becky, Kylie, Tracy, Leanne etc) so to bring another lady with not really nice qualities is something we don't need, so no one really is interested in the family
I think Trudie will maybe get better storylines and then we will warm to her, maybe an affair with the doc!!!
I think Trudie will maybe get better storylines and then we will warm to her, maybe an affair with the doc!!!
Who is Trudie
parkerman
23-12-2011, 16:10
Who is Trudie
The elephant in the room, the phantom at the feast, the skeleton in the cupboard? Maybe all three. Who knows?
tammyy2j
23-12-2011, 18:37
it's not Michelle Collins thats totally to blame for the familys lack of appeal, Karl "whats his face" is just not very interesting to a woman not attractive no endearing qualities (bit like Nick Tilsley) , Eva is a spoilt petulant young lady and we can of have enough strong women characters already (Becky, Kylie, Tracy, Leanne etc) so to bring another lady with not really nice qualities is something we don't need, so no one really is interested in the family
I think Trudie will maybe get better storylines and then we will warm to her, maybe an affair with the doc!!!
I wouldnt class Tracey and Kylie in the same league as Becky and Leanne
I dont mind Stella but cant stand Karl and Eva
Frankly I feel that any boring characters is down to the script writers and as for Michelle's accent well I've been living in Ireland for the last nearly 3 years and I still don't have an Irish accent (It's still Southern England) So as far as I'm concerned - no problem.
P.s. how many different accents in your street?
parkerman
24-12-2011, 13:37
Frankly I feel that any boring characters is down to the script writers and as for Michelle's accent well I've been living in Ireland for the last nearly 3 years and I still don't have an Irish accent (It's still Southern England) So as far as I'm concerned - no problem.
P.s. how many different accents in your street?
Yes, but she's supposed to be from Manchester. She's not supposed to be a Southerner!
Frankly I feel that any boring characters is down to the script writers and as for Michelle's accent well I've been living in Ireland for the last nearly 3 years and I still don't have an Irish accent (It's still Southern England) So as far as I'm concerned - no problem.
P.s. how many different accents in your street?
I bet whn you return to Southern England your pals think you have an Irish Accent. You probably dont realise it.
Anyway Michelle is allegedly an actress so accents shouldnt be a problem fo her
owenlee4me
24-12-2011, 15:09
oops I mean Stellla!!! guess that shows how much impact she has eh if I can't remember her name!!!!
I bet whn you return to Southern England your pals think you have an Irish Accent. You probably dont realise it.
Anyway Michelle is allegedly an actress so accents shouldnt be a problem fo her
On that thought Barbara Windsor had a charmed life with her only accent.
Actually around here I have more than once been asked what part of America I'm from
:)
On that thought Barbara Windsor had a charmed life with her only accent.
Actually around here I have more than once been asked what part of America I'm from
:)
Likewise Sean Connery
That must be the answer She is from Manchester but spent some time in Albert Square and now has a mixed accent. Well spotted Alan
That must be the answer She is from Manchester but spent some time in Albert Square and now has a mixed accent. Well spotted AlanMore likely reason is that she is a crap actor
Yes, but she's supposed to be from Manchester. She's not supposed to be a Southerner!
Does it really matter about her accent. I am born and bred in Manchester. Lots of my neighbours were Irish, even some southeners, my father was a Scot. My sister has an aussie accent from years of living their. We don't all talk like the Oasis brothers.:nono:
Corrie writer are off the boil at the moment. Need a new producer. This one is utter rubbish.:wall:
Does it really matter about her accent.
Not really. Its about her acting ability or lack of. The storyline surrounding her arrival was particularly crap
CORRIE star Michelle Collins has raised eyebrows among cast pals by enjoying a break in New York with her teenage daughter and Street boss Phil Collinson.
The actress, 50, went sightseeing and took in a Broadway show with him before daughter Maia posted snaps on Twitter of them in the Big Apple.
Michelle, set to sign a bumper new contract when she returns to work as Rovers boss Stella Price, spent six days in the US.
But the fact she was with her producer sparked gossip among some Corrie crew and cast back home.
One established member of the team said: “It all sounds a bit close to home. No one has ever known someone to go off on holiday with one of the bosses. People will be having a good old tittle-tattle about this.
“No one likes favouritism but it certainly looks like Michelle has confirmed herself as one of Phil’s favourites. He did bring her in as Stella and stuck by her through the tough times when she was getting flak for having a supposedly dodgy northern accent.
“And we know they have been to some charity events together. But to be seen having a pre-Christmas break in New York together really seems a step too far.”
Ex-EastEnders star Michelle was snapped looking relaxed and happy on the Brooklyn Bridge while daughter Maia, 15, proudly posted photos of her and Collinson in the city’s High Line park and on Broadway after they had seen Priscilla Queen Of The Desert.
Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley, who joined the show at the same time as Michelle to play her feisty daughter Eva, was one of the first to see Maia’s Twitter snaps.
She said: “Did you guys have a fab time? I sooo want to go next year….give my love to your mummy.”
Collinson and Michelle went on an unprecedented public relations mission earlier in the year to dismiss claims that
Corrie viewers were turning off because of their dislike for the new Price family.
The 41-year-old producer also denied he hired Michelle because they were old pals. I suppoese it was because of her great acting ability then
He added: “Michelle’s casting was completely democratic. It was made by committee and absolutely not my decision alone.”
Speaking about her part in Corrie, Michelle said: “It was a tough role to step into – like going into the Royal Family.”
Michelle Collins has said that Coronation Street viewers are generally more positive about her accent now.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the Stella Price actress insisted that she does not believe her Manchester twang has altered at all since joining in June last year.
Producer Phil Collinson and various cast members have publicly defended Collins after her debut performance as the show's new Rovers Return landlady drew criticism from some sections.
She admitted: "It's funny, people now come up to me and say, 'Oh your accent is much better now', but I haven't changed a thing!"
Referring to her role on EastEnders, which she played between 1988 and 1998, the 51-year-old added: "I knew it was always going to be hard for people to adjust to seeing Cindy Beale in the Rovers at first.
"But I think now viewers have accepted me a bit more, it's great."
Collins, whose character is currently involved in a gambling storyline, recently signed a new contract with the ITV soap.
I did think she was getting better but when she went all dramatic over leanne leaving she was really bad and ott. and the accent proper grated on me!!
Coronation Street star John Michie has revealed he's become fascinated by gambling addiction, while preparing for his latest storyline.
The former star of The Bill plays Karl Munro, partner of Rovers landlady Stella, and the character's card-playing hobby is starting to cause him some trouble.
John told Inside Soap magazine: "If you'd asked me a little while ago, I probably wouldn't have chosen a gambling story for my character, but it's made me realise that it's a fascinating addiction to have - if you can use 'fascinating' and 'addiction' in the same sentence!
"I love the way that it's all going to be mixed in with Karl's affair with Sunita as well."
The Scottish actor also confessed he enjoys a bit of a flirt, just like his character.
He said: "I always put little bits of me in every part I play. So yes, there are elements of Karl in me.
"I like a bit of a flirt, I've been a ne'er-do-well at times, and I can be a tad lazy!"
PA
She admitted: "It's funny, people now come up to me and say, 'Oh your accent is much better now', but I haven't changed a thing!"
This smacks of arrogance to me. If I'd received the criticism that Michelle Collins had, I'd get a coach to help me with the accent (or a different coach if I already had one).
I can tell her accent hasn't changed because it still grates on me as much as ever.
If I'd received the criticism that Michelle Collins had, I'd get a coach to help me with the accent (or a different coach if I already had one).
.
I know what sort of a coach she needs
http://www.1066online.com/HASTINGS-MAIN/LISTINGS/national-express/coach.jpg
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01459/SNF26COLLINS--5322_1459739a.jpg
The actress, formerly Cindy Beale in EastEnders, confessed in a frank interview with The Sun that her stint on Coronation Street has been far from plain sailing.
Michelle, now playing northerner Stella Price, revealed: "I thought I could just come in through the back door. But, as landlady of the Rovers, you just can't do that!
"I am having a great time working on Corrie but it's also really tough and I don't think you can ever feel settled in a job.
"I act each scene as if it's going to be my last. You never know if you are going to get a scene where you die!"
Not that Street bosses have any plans to kill Stella off — far from it. They've packed her diary with storylines. Over the next few weeks, an unsuspecting Stella discovers Karl has been gambling away the couple's savings, running up tens of thousands of pounds' worth of debt too — and when the pub boss finds out, she sends him packing.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01459/SNF26IND1--531205_1459740a.jpg
But Karl has also been growing close to her best friend Sunita who, feeling unloved at home, is happy to be his shoulder to cry on.
Michelle is looking forward to the gritty plot which will leave viewers wondering whether Karl does the dirty on her or not.
"I don't want to work on a soap where you are just pouring tea," says Michelle.
"For me, it would be soul-destroying and now people have had a chance to get to know Stella, it's great to be given some big storylines.
"She is a strong, feisty woman who is very much the breadwinner. But the question is: Can a strong woman have it all? Yes, she has got a pub she always dreamed of owning and a daughter she has found but all this has meant she has taken her eye off the ball when it comes to her own marriage."
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01459/SNF26TVFF--532_1459788a.jpg
Michelle thinks the storyline will strike a chord with many women who constantly wonder if they have "got it all".
Ask this very question to Michelle and she thinks not.
The actress, who has a 15-year-old daughter, Maia, from a previous relationship with Fabrizio Tassalini, confesses: "No, I don't think I have ever had it all.
"When I think about the good jobs and great relationships I have had in the past, I think they have come at different times.
"I really do think that whilst men may initially be happy you are a strong woman, they don't like it after a while."
Michelle has enjoyed several long romances and been engaged but she has never married.
Now single and happy to be so, she goes on to reveal that she finds it hard to meet potential boyfriends who are happy to let her take all the limelight — given she is a TV star.
She says: "I need to find a man who is quite happy with that. But would I date another actor? No.
"Two actors for me don't really go. It is not a marriage or relationship made in heaven.
"There is too much insecurity if one is out of work and it can become very competitive if one is more successful than the other.
"For me, I don't think it would be a good idea to date an actor.
"This storyline with Stella is good and I think it does strike a chord with people. It makes you wonder if you can have a career and keep a man happy at the same time. I am sure it works for some people." Michelle also admits she has found it hard commuting from her London home, where her daughter lives, to Manchester every week — but moaning about it is definitely not her style.
She says: "Playing Stella is a great role and I feel lucky to have been given the chance when there are so many actresses who aren't working very much.
"It's tough, though, because Corrie is not based in my home town. I wouldn't moan because a lot of people in Manchester could turn around and say, 'Well, I can do that job' and I feel grateful to be playing Stella. But being a single parent is difficult. It constantly means I am juggling and, yes, I have a good team around me as my family help out and I have someone who lives in but I want to be there for my daughter too.
"It's why I am happy being on my own right now. I can't come back home and then go out at weekends, going on a date."
While the rest of the cast have made Michelle feel at home on set, she confesses there was a difficult time after critics questioned her northern accent.
"That was horrible," reveals Michelle. "It did make me go home and think, 'I want to leave.' But then I realised I needed to put everything into perspective. I was like, 'No, I have been an actress for a long time. I can't be that c**p or I wouldn't be here today.'
"I had to keep my head held high. I couldn't walk out." Now seven months on, Michelle is chuffed to bits that viewers have taken her character to their hearts.
She adds: "People are now really positive about Stella. I have received some lovely letters with people saying such nice things."
But does Michelle see herself staying in the soap for a long time?
The down-to-earth actress says she would not be so arrogant as to think she has a right to be in such a top-rated soap for ever. "It's very easy to get lazy but I would never do that," she says. "I love Coronation Street but I really could not say if I will be here in ten years.
"My family and friends are down in London and I am leading a nomadic life at the moment. I don't know how long I will be able to keep it up for but I am enjoying myself a lot."
And when she isn't busy working or spending time with her daughter, she is happy to champion Barnardo's Child In Crisis Appeal.
She says: "I've seen first-hand the families that Barnardo's work with and it is clear to me that many of them really are at crisis point.
"Barnardo's services help the poorest families, many who are being priced out of a decent living." With that parting shot, Michelle has to dash off to learn lines for her next scene.
As she leaves, you wonder if she will ever find love again and be able to boast that she is, indeed, a woman who has it all.
She declares: "I've met a lot of frogs and maybe a prince will come along but right now I really don't need a man
"I am not just saying that. My priority is my daughter. She will always come first."
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01459/SNF26COLLINS--5322_1459739a.jpg
The actress, formerly Cindy Beale in EastEnders, confessed in a frank interview with The Sun that her stint on Coronation Street has been far from plain sailing.
Michelle, now playing northerner Stella Price, revealed: "I thought I could just come in through the back door. But, as landlady of the Rovers, you just can't do that!
"I am having a great time working on Corrie but it's also really tough and I don't think you can ever feel settled in a job.
"I act each scene as if it's going to be my last. You never know if you are going to get a scene where you die!"
Not that Street bosses have any plans to kill Stella off — far from it. They've packed her diary with storylines. Over the next few weeks, an unsuspecting Stella discovers Karl has been gambling away the couple's savings, running up tens of thousands of pounds' worth of debt too — and when the pub boss finds out, she sends him packing.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01459/SNF26IND1--531205_1459740a.jpg
But Karl has also been growing close to her best friend Sunita who, feeling unloved at home, is happy to be his shoulder to cry on.
Michelle is looking forward to the gritty plot which will leave viewers wondering whether Karl does the dirty on her or not.
"I don't want to work on a soap where you are just pouring tea," says Michelle.
"For me, it would be soul-destroying and now people have had a chance to get to know Stella, it's great to be given some big storylines.
"She is a strong, feisty woman who is very much the breadwinner. But the question is: Can a strong woman have it all? Yes, she has got a pub she always dreamed of owning and a daughter she has found but all this has meant she has taken her eye off the ball when it comes to her own marriage."
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01459/SNF26TVFF--532_1459788a.jpg
Michelle thinks the storyline will strike a chord with many women who constantly wonder if they have "got it all".
Ask this very question to Michelle and she thinks not.
The actress, who has a 15-year-old daughter, Maia, from a previous relationship with Fabrizio Tassalini, confesses: "No, I don't think I have ever had it all.
"When I think about the good jobs and great relationships I have had in the past, I think they have come at different times.
"I really do think that whilst men may initially be happy you are a strong woman, they don't like it after a while."
Michelle has enjoyed several long romances and been engaged but she has never married.
Now single and happy to be so, she goes on to reveal that she finds it hard to meet potential boyfriends who are happy to let her take all the limelight — given she is a TV star.
She says: "I need to find a man who is quite happy with that. But would I date another actor? No.
"Two actors for me don't really go. It is not a marriage or relationship made in heaven.
"There is too much insecurity if one is out of work and it can become very competitive if one is more successful than the other.
"For me, I don't think it would be a good idea to date an actor.
"This storyline with Stella is good and I think it does strike a chord with people. It makes you wonder if you can have a career and keep a man happy at the same time. I am sure it works for some people." Michelle also admits she has found it hard commuting from her London home, where her daughter lives, to Manchester every week — but moaning about it is definitely not her style.
She says: "Playing Stella is a great role and I feel lucky to have been given the chance when there are so many actresses who aren't working very much.
"It's tough, though, because Corrie is not based in my home town. I wouldn't moan because a lot of people in Manchester could turn around and say, 'Well, I can do that job' and I feel grateful to be playing Stella. But being a single parent is difficult. It constantly means I am juggling and, yes, I have a good team around me as my family help out and I have someone who lives in but I want to be there for my daughter too.
"It's why I am happy being on my own right now. I can't come back home and then go out at weekends, going on a date."
While the rest of the cast have made Michelle feel at home on set, she confesses there was a difficult time after critics questioned her northern accent.
"That was horrible," reveals Michelle. "It did make me go home and think, 'I want to leave.' But then I realised I needed to put everything into perspective. I was like, 'No, I have been an actress for a long time. I can't be that c**p or I wouldn't be here today.'
"I had to keep my head held high. I couldn't walk out." Now seven months on, Michelle is chuffed to bits that viewers have taken her character to their hearts.
She adds: "People are now really positive about Stella. I have received some lovely letters with people saying such nice things."
But does Michelle see herself staying in the soap for a long time?
The down-to-earth actress says she would not be so arrogant as to think she has a right to be in such a top-rated soap for ever. "It's very easy to get lazy but I would never do that," she says. "I love Coronation Street but I really could not say if I will be here in ten years.
"My family and friends are down in London and I am leading a nomadic life at the moment. I don't know how long I will be able to keep it up for but I am enjoying myself a lot."
And when she isn't busy working or spending time with her daughter, she is happy to champion Barnardo's Child In Crisis Appeal.
She says: "I've seen first-hand the families that Barnardo's work with and it is clear to me that many of them really are at crisis point.
"Barnardo's services help the poorest families, many who are being priced out of a decent living." With that parting shot, Michelle has to dash off to learn lines for her next scene.
As she leaves, you wonder if she will ever find love again and be able to boast that she is, indeed, a woman who has it all.
She declares: "I've met a lot of frogs and maybe a prince will come along but right now I really don't need a man
"I am not just saying that. My priority is my daughter. She will always come first."
ACTOR John Michie today takes the Sunday Mail behind the scenes on Coronation Street, Taggart and the loving family life that has been the foundation of his acclaimed career.
In his fullest interview yet, the Corrie star - who is about to enjoy a huge storyline with badboy character Karl Munro - talks of his African childhood and his dismay at the demise of Taggart.
He also reveals how he fell in love with Hot Gossip dancer Carol Fletcher and how their three kids have followed him into showbiz.
Actor pays tribute to colleagues in Weatherfield...and Maryhill
John yesterday said he cannot wait for his Corrie character Karl to hurtle into a gambling hell.
Hooked on casinos, Karl is about to get deeper and deeper into trouble with massive repercussions for those around him.
The star, who joined Britain’s most famous soap last year, said: “It’s really going to kick off for Karl shortly.
“He has been set up as a gambler and a dodgy character so it should be quite fun but very hard work and there’s a nice little twist in it.”
It will mean plenty of extra hours on set for John as his character takes centre stage.
He added: “Corrie is brutal. There are five episodes shot a week.
“They shoot 15 episodes over three weeks and you just mix in and out of those.
“So you have to know what’s going on with your character across all those episodes and you could be going into one of those at any time on any day.
“You finish each night at about 7.30, grab something to eat and learn your lines for the next day. Then it’s up at 6am to do it again. It’s insane.
“If you have a big storyline, then you are exhausted. I don’t think people realise how incredibly talented people like Ali King (Carla Connor) and the rest of the cast are.
“Sometimes these storylines go on for months and at the end of it you are just a blubbering wreck. There’s no downtime on a big storyline. It’s not surprising people collapse and get sent to hospital.
“The other thing about a soap is that you’re on your own. There’s no music to push along the drama to tell you the emotional state of the character, not much time to light the set and hardly any time to shoot it so you are banging it off and moving on right away. You don’t get to do it again and again.
“I’m really looking forward to this and I hope I do it justice but I know it will be very hard work.”
For John, Coronation Street is like coming home. His dad was a Scots banker but his mum was from Rochdale in Lancashire and the first TV programme he remembers watching was Coronation Street with legendary characters such as Ena Sharples, Annie Walker and Elsie Tanner.
The accents are those of his childhood cousins and aunties and uncles.
It is still the only soap he watches and he is a huge fan. When producer Phil Collinson offered him the part, he did not need a second to think about it.
A few weeks later, behind the bar of The Rovers Return, it suddenly came home to him exactly where he was.
John said: “It was a bit, ‘Oh my God, so this is actually it’.
“What is slightly intimidating is standing there pulling a pint and the person on the other side of the bar is someone like Steve McDonald or Sean Tully. They’ve all worked behind the bar and you know that used to be their space and now you’re invading it and they’re kind of looking at you thinking, ‘I wonder how he’s going to do’.”
But that does not stop John describing Corrie as “one of the friendliest sets he has ever been on”.
He added: “They are all amazing. No one talks too much about acting. It’s all very casual.
“One of the first people I met was Annie Kirkbride (Deirdre) and she didn’t come up to me and shake my hand or ask who I was. She just said, ‘Oh, hello – what’s your star sign?’ I said, ‘Scorpio’. She said, ‘Lovely, you’ll get on with him and her’. She started going on about astrology.
“It’s a bit like going into a mad, extended family with older relatives and young kids. Then there’s the parenty types and there’s uncles and aunties and they all look after each other.
“There are very few people who pull rank in the show. None of that starry nonsense goes on simply, I think, because there are so many – there are 65 adult actors and about 10 kids. Half of them do most of the work but it still means there are about 70 people.”
Karl arrived in the street with his partner Stella, played by ex-EastEnders star Michelle Collins, as the new manager of The Rovers Return.
She is an old friend of John from his days on soap Albion Market. The pair used to hang out in London and it has made it easy for them to hit it off as a couple in Corrie. Pushed to get a job by Stella, he becomes a mini-cab driver and finds mates in Lloyd Mullaney (Craig Charles) and Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).
John said: “Karl will turn his hand to anything so he gets a job with Street Cars.
“Those scenes are great fun because it’s the only laddie place in Coronation Street – the soap is basically about women. It’s about strong women and weak men.
“But me, Craig and Simon in the office are just having a laugh, chucking darts, messing about and talking about women and football.
“Unfortunately, a lot of these scenes get cut because, if they need to drop something, they’ll cut a scene that doesn’t really add to the story.”
With the Street’s imminent move to a new location in Salford, however, that might change.
The new set will see the actual street – currently only wide enough for one car – becoming much broader, allowing two vehicles to pass.
This could mean John and the boys being filmed just hanging out in their taxis and chatting rather than so many scenes in the mini-cab office.
John said: “But we love it in there because it’s our own lads’ hideaway – away from the madness of all those domineering women.”
My return to Africa
John credits a quick burst of Swahili with winning him a leading role in African movie To Walk With Lions.
He appeared with hellraiser Richard Harris in the film but reckons he clinched the role at the audition by speaking some Swahili he learned while living in Kenya as a boy.
He was born in Burma but his parents, Harry and Elsie, moved to Kenya when he was three and he spent nine years in Nakuru.
As a boy immersed in Kenyan culture, he picked up the language, which was to stand him in good stead when he went for the Lions interview.
The film tells the story of George Adamson, husband of Joy, who spent his last years protecting the lions and other wildlife on the Kora Reserve in Kenya.
The cast and crew all arrived on location and began filming while waiting on Harris to turn up.
John recalled: “We did as much as we could without him and some of it was quite scary.
“There was a sequence we shot in a Land Rover where I am driving. There’s a metal grille behind me and behind that the lion trainer with a long pole with a piece of meat hanging over my head and the shot is the lion trying to get me.
“This thing hadn’t been fed for a long time. There was no acting required – it was absolutely terrifying.”
On another occasion he was hit in the face by a thorn tree and the inch-long thorns had to be carefully picked out one by one.
John said: “Richard arrived a week later and I remember meeting him in the game lodge. He was covered in a turban-type thing and an all-in-one jumpsuit. Every bit of his body was covered.
“I said, ‘Aren’t you hot?’ and he said in his Irish accent, ‘I’m not letting any of those ********** b******s get me’. I said, ‘What b******s?’ and he said, ‘Mosquitoes, I hate ********** mosquitoes.
“When I mentioned the lions, he said, ‘Have you seen the ********** lions? Don’t tell anyone I am so scared of them, I am terrified.’ He was shaking.”
John added: “We started having dinner and I was going to the bar for a drink.
“He said he wasn’t allowed to drink but, as we sat at the table, he said, ‘I’ll have a couple of bottles of that’, and it was wine.
“I said, ‘I thought you didn’t drink’ and he said, ‘That’s not drinking – that’s grape juice’.”
Honor Blackman came out to play Joy Adamson, Richard’s wife.
John said: “She was quite grand, which was perfect because Joy was quite grand.
“Honor was like a throwback to the past. This frightfully British woman out in the sticks with all us peasants. She was great.”
The movie went on to a film festival at Las Vegas where a very glamorous American woman came up to John and said: “My name is Tippi Hedren and I love the film.”
John said: “I just melted. I had seen her in The Birds and she was just gorgeous.
“She told me she had a game reserve in the hills of LA and wanted me to visit.
“So I hired a car and went to where she lived. We chatted for ages. I was so in awe of this woman.”
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01460/soaps-splash_1460109a.jpg
We can live in hope tht some day this will be true
how come Karl is frittering away the couples savings - amounting to tens of thousand pounds worth of debts? where have these 'savings' come from - they have just struggled to buy the pub??!!
why struggle if you were sat on a big pile of savings?
SEXY Tina McIntyre will be accused of being a thief when money starts vanishing from the Rovers Return.
The brunette finds herself in the firing line when boss Stella Price starts a witch-hunt after someone starts pinching cash from the till.
Tina, played by Michelle Keegan, 24, becomes the prime suspect.
When Stella (Michelle Collins, 51) has no luck blaming her, she turns on Sean Tully (Antony Cotton, 36) and Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati, 45).
She tells her staff: “There’s no easy way of saying this, one of you is a thief.” She is not amused when sarcastic Tina starts to take an eternity to give punters their change. Going over the top in being careful, Tina slowly counts each coin out to her customers, telling them: “I’m told I’m a thief so you’d better watch your pockets or else I’ll be emp- tying those as well.”
But Stella is in for a shock when the thief is finally exposed as her partner Karl Munro (John Michie, 55).
His admission is part of a plot that sees him become a compulsive gambler.
When Stella finds out she grovels to her indignant staff: “I’m really, really sorry I accused you.
“You’re all good workers and I should have realised none of you would rob me.”
Coronation Street's troubled gambling addict Karl Munro faces temptation this week as Sunita Alahan makes a move on him, sparking a major new storyline for the pair.
Sunita's relationship with Dev (Jimmi Harkishin) well and truly hits the rocks in the coming days, but after the mum-of-two drowns her sorrows with a huge drinking session, things go from bad to worse as she ends up being arrested for a public order offence.
When a disgusted Dev refuses to pick Sunita (Shobna Gulati) up from the police station, Karl secretly heads down there to help her out instead. However, he's in for a surprise as Sunita suddenly kisses him…
Digital Spy recently caught up with John Michie, who plays Karl, to hear about the story twist.
What's your take on Karl's attraction to Sunita?
"Well, Karl is a serial flirt - he likes a lot of women! But with Sunita, there's also a shyness about her that he's quite attracted to. Karl's not like that himself, but he finds it intriguing - and he also likes the way that Sunita dresses when she comes into the pub. She's quite sexy in a demure way.
"Sunita is very different from Karl's partner Stella, and he's going through a bit of a turbulent moment in his relationship. So Karl's way out of everything is to just look for another woman!"
Do you think it was only a matter of time before we saw Karl's womanising side?
"I think so! Karl has probably been with Stella for longer than any of his previous partners, but we reckon that's only about four or five years. So it possibly was just a matter of time, and the perfect moment has arisen because Karl's not in a stable place anyway at the moment. His gambling addiction means that he's not the Karl who first arrived at The Rovers, when everything was good in his life."
Karl comes to Sunita's rescue at the police station this week, doesn't he?
"Yes, there's a very kind side to Karl. You may not often see it, but he's actually quite caring. So when Karl sees that Dev isn't going to pick Sunita up from the police station, he's quite shocked and goes to get her. At this point, he is just genuinely helping out - he's not chasing her."
What happens next?
"Sunita is in a highly emotional state, so she comes onto Karl. It doesn't go very far before they pull away, but then Karl starts to regret the fact that it hasn't gone further! You'll see that Karl ends up feeling a bit confused, and that's really the beginning of the relationship that is coming up between him and Sunita.
"At the start, though, it's a case of Sunita and Karl getting their signals mixed up. Karl is thinking of Stella as well, so it's quite a strange and confusing situation."
Are you enjoying working with Shobna?
"Yes, she's really easy to work with and she's a lot of fun. We rehearse our lines on our own sometimes and work on the scenes together, to make sure we've got it all right. It's very quick on Corrie - you've got to turn up on the set knowing what you're doing. So we get on really well and we're really enjoying working together."
Why have things started to go wrong for Karl and Stella's relationship?
"The main problem between them is that Karl is hiding his gambling, so he's basically living a lie and that's causing stresses and strains to come out in his relationship. Stella doesn't know that Karl has a problem, so she can't understand why Karl is behaving the way he is.
"I've researched gambling addictions with help from Coronation Street and support from Gamblers Anonymous. I've learned that it's an incredibly afflicting addiction - it really does change your whole life around. Just because you're not taking a substance like alcohol or drugs, it doesn't mean to say that your whole personality isn't going to change rapidly. Karl is going downhill as a person, so that's the reason why he and Stella are not getting on."
Karl also steals from the till at The Rovers this week, doesn't he?
"Yes, his problem is spiralling out of control now. But Karl justifies it to himself, thinking that he's just borrowing the money. Karl is a big-time, big-hit gambler now, and he almost thinks that he has some sort of supernatural power to win.
"From Karl's point of view, if he takes money from the till, that's not stealing - he genuinely believes that he's going to put it back and win even more. He thinks Stella will be really pleased with that, as it'll help to pay the mortgage off on the pub. So in his twisted mind, he's helping her!
"It's an unbelievable addiction, and just because you might not see Karl going down to the casino or down to the bookies in every episode, it doesn't mean to say that he isn't doing it! He's actually going all the time, and you're only seeing the tip of the iceberg."
Do you find it easy to sympathise with your character, even though he's making so many mistakes?
"In a way, I think you have to sympathise with any character that you play. I've found that in the past, even when I've played characters who are darker and more dangerous. There's always a side to them or something in them that you can sympathise with, in order to make the character believable.
"I can sympathise with the fact that Karl is an addict. It's as simple as that - he has an addiction. People who are addicts need help, and they also have to help themselves. But sure enough, they tend to only help themselves when they reach rock bottom! So I have a sympathy with the fact that Karl is diving deeper and deeper to the bottom - he almost has no control over it."
You've been on our screens since last summer. Do you feel like you've settled in well at Corrie?
"Yes, I'm really enjoying it. It's great fun here and it's like a big family. It's also nice now to have a bit of a meatier story to get my teeth into. It's a funny thing, but when I first came onto this show, I felt at home straight away - I really did."
How has Corrie compared to your previous work?
"I suppose what's different is that there's 65 actors in this - that's a huge amount of actors all potentially playing leading storylines at some point or another. It's great that there's always loads of people in the green room every day.
"Corrie's very vibrant, very lively, and very funny - everyone has a laugh. We don't take the business seriously, but we do take the work seriously. There's an irreverent and hardworking atmosphere here, and that suits my personality down to the ground."
Michelle Collins has predicted that her Corrie character Stella Price will stay with wayward husband Karl.
Next Friday, Rovers Return landlady Stella discovers Karl's gambling habit and the extent of their financial woes after he stages a break-in at the Coronation Street pub.
The Price matriarch then kicks Karl out of the pub in public view, calling him a "pathetic, lying scumbag", according to Collins.
Speaking to Soaplife, the actress argued that Karl is Stella's "weakness".
"I'm not sure that she can [leave Karl]. She seems strong on the outside, but Karl is her weakness," Collins admitted. "I think she loves him more than she actually knows herself. Like a lot of strong women, there is always someone in the background and they're often very different to their partner."
Karl Munro (John Michie) started an affair with Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati) last week.
Coronation Street star Michelle Collins has said she thinks Stella Price loves her pub more than her boyfriend Karl Munro.
Stella and gambling addict Karl, played by John Michie, have been having problems recently and he is about to begin an affair with married woman Sunita.
Michelle told Inside Soap magazine: "I'm not sure how Stella will react if she finds out just what Karl has been up to with Sunita lately.
"But after all his recent antics, I reckon that if Stella had to choose between keeping Karl and the Rovers, the pub would win hands down!"
But the soap actress also revealed she thinks Stella would forgive Karl eventually, because deep down she needs him.
Michelle said: "I think Stella loves Karl more than she actually knows herself.
"She's like a lot of strong women who have a weaker person who's almost in their shadow.
"You don't often get very feisty people together in a relationship, because that doesn't work.
"Karl and Stella compliment each other - they're such different people and personalities."
Speaking to Soaplife, the actress argued that Karl is Stella's "weakness".
She seems strong on the outside, but Karl is her weakness," Collins admitted. "I think she loves him more than she actually knows herself. L.
Coronation Street star Michelle Collins has said she thinks Stella Price loves her pub more than her boyfriend Karl Munro.
, I reckon that if Stella had to choose between keeping Karl and the Rovers, the pub would win hands down!"
Michelle told Inside Soap magazine: "I think Stella loves Karl more than she actually knows herself.
Confused woman
Coronation Street star John Michie has predicted that his character Karl Munro will save his troubled relationship with Stella Price.
Karl is kicked out by Stella later this week after she discovers that his gambling problem has left them in serious debt, putting their future at The Rovers in jeopardy.
However, Michie told itv.com that Karl is clever enough to reclaim his feisty partner's affections.
Michie commented: "I don't think this is the end of Karl and Stella just yet. Karl might seem stupid, but he's not - he's a real operator. So he's not going to let Stella out of his life that easily.
"He'll find a way to get back, and he'll find a way to keep Sunita dangling on a string."
Sparks have been flying between Karl and Sunita (Shobna Gulati) in recent weeks, as they have comforted each other over their respective relationship problems.
"He has taken a shine to Sunita, mainly because he reckons she listens to him and Stella doesn't," Michie remarked. "Karl is a bit of a user, so if there's someone around that he can use for whatever purposes, he's inclined to get down that road."
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays on ITV1.
The Coronation Street actress, who plays Stella Price, has been criticised by some sections of the press for her Northern accent.
Collins interrupted Walsh's special comedy turn by bellowing, "Boring now!", according to The Sun.
"Bradley did a routine where he turned the camera on to various stars and guessed what they were thinking," an insider explained.
"For Michelle, it was something along the lines of 'I wonder if there's an award for an accent?'
"Then he made a jibe about Emmerdale's Paddy wishing he was at a Greggs bakers and one about Corrie's Antony Cotton and kangaroo anuses from I'm a Celeb."
The source went on: "Michelle was not happy and shouted at him: 'Boring now!'"
However, the pair apparently "made up" afterwards, and Walsh - previously a cast member on Corrie - "blamed scriptwriters".
An informant added: "But it really chilled the atmosphere and was pretty embarrassing all round.
"The show's producers promised they would cut it from the final edit for Wednesday night's broadcast. But it remains to be seen whether or not it will stay in."
Would be good if it was kept in , might be worth watching the whole boring charade then. Doubt if it will though.
Coronation Street star John Michie has expressed his excitement over the future of his ongoing affair storyline.
The actor's character Karl Munro and Rovers barmaid Sunita Alahan are currently enjoying a fling, betraying their respective partners Stella and Dev.
Michie has now told Inside Soap that he expects an explosive reaction when Stella discovers the truth.
He commented: "When Stella finds out about the affair, she's going to want to kill Karl. It would probably be treated as a crime of passion, too! Stella has put a lot of faith in Karl, so that total abuse of trust will completely devastate her.
"As an actor, I'm looking forward to the moment when she does find out, whichever way it ends up being written. There's very little doubt that the sparks will start flying."
Michie also confirmed that Karl will be on good terms with Stella's mum Gloria, played by Sue Johnston, when she joins Weatherfield in the coming weeks.
He said: "Karl actually gets on with Gloria really well. She also quite likes him, and they have good banter. But she'll surely hate him if he hurts her daughter in any way."
Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati has said that Sunita's affair plot has made her feel like she is living "in a world of misogynists".
The actress took to Twitter and complained about how harshly her character had been judged for cheating on Dev (Jimmi Harkishin) with Stella Price's (Michelle Collins) partner Karl Munro (John Michie).
"Use of the word "slag" for a woman who is "cheating"commonplace with you tweeters and nothing is said about the man WOW #justsayin #baffled," she wrote.
"Since doing this story about sunita and being back on twitter I realise that we are still in a world of misogynists #2012...yawn yawn yawn bored of the misogyny now!"
When a follower pointed out that the backlash could be because Sunita's affair painted her as a hypocrite, Gulati replied: "Change is as good as a rest...maybe but most people are [hypocrites] when u scratch the surface great debate.... That's the beauty of drama !"
Gulati recently said that she believes Sunita is genuinely in love with Karl.
In a new interview, Harkishin suggested that Dev has been "honourable" as his relationship deteriorates.
Coronation Street star Jimmi Harkishin has offered advice to troubled alter ego Dev Alahan.
Shopkeeper Dev's wife Sunita, who earlier this year admitted she was unhappy in their marriage, is now having an affair with Karl Munroe.
Harkishin believes that Dev ought to tell Sunita to leave her children and family home at number 7.
"I would say, 'Dev, mate, you've tried your best. Throw her out and find a 22-year-old with a bit of cash'," he told Soaplife.
The 53-year-old actor recently predicted that Dev will "be prepared to sweep an affair under the carpet if it meant his family was secure".
Shobna Gulati last week claimed that her character Sunita is in love with Dev as well as secret lover Karl.
Over the coming months, viewers will be left to wonder if either Dev or Karl's partner Stella Price will find out about the affair.
Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati has said that Sunita's affair plot has made her feel like she is living \"in a world of misogynists\".
The actress took to Twitter and complained about how harshly her character had been judged for cheating on Dev (Jimmi Harkishin) with Stella Price's (Michelle Collins) partner Karl Munro (John Michie).
\"Use of the word \"slag\" for a woman who is \"cheating\"commonplace with you tweeters and nothing is said about the man WOW #justsayin #baffled,\" she wrote.
\"Since doing this story about sunita and being back on twitter I realise that we are still in a world of misogynists #2012...yawn yawn yawn bored of the misogyny now!\"
When a follower pointed out that the backlash could be because Sunita's affair painted her as a hypocrite, Gulati replied: \"Change is as good as a rest...maybe but most people are [hypocrites] when u scratch the surface great debate.... That's the beauty of drama !\"
Gulati recently said that she believes Sunita is genuinely in love with Karl.
In a new interview, Harkishin suggested that Dev has been \"honourable\" as his relationship deteriorates.
Coronation Street star Jimmi Harkishin has offered advice to troubled alter ego Dev Alahan.
Shopkeeper Dev's wife Sunita, who earlier this year admitted she was unhappy in their marriage, is now having an affair with Karl Munroe.
Harkishin believes that Dev ought to tell Sunita to leave her children and family home at number 7.
\"I would say, 'Dev, mate, you've tried your best. Throw her out and find a 22-year-old with a bit of cash',\" he told Soaplife.
The 53-year-old actor recently predicted that Dev will \"be prepared to sweep an affair under the carpet if it meant his family was secure\".
Shobna Gulati last week claimed that her character Sunita is in love with Dev as well as secret lover Karl.
Over the coming months, viewers will be left to wonder if either Dev or Karl's partner Stella Price will find out about the affair.
Surely these two posts would be better in your original thread about Sunita and Karl http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?129369-Sunita-and-Karl&highlight=shobna
tammyy2j
18-07-2012, 15:48
Coronation Street star Michelle Collins has revealed viewers have been urging her character Stella Price to leave boyfriend Karl Munro.
Rovers landlady Stella is about to discover ladies' man Karl has been cheating on her with barmaid Sunita Alahan and Michelle told the Coronation Street website how viewers have definitely taken Stella's side over the affair.
"They hate it! They keep telling me to 'get rid of him'!" she revealed.
Michelle added: "I think she is making the right decision, Karl is a loser who is only going to hurt her again if she gives him the chance to. A leopard never changes his spots!"
The soap star revealed this is not the first time Karl has cheated, but Stella feels even more betrayed as she thought Sunita was her friend. She feels humiliated and she and Sunita have a very public catfight.
Michelle said: "She probably feels more betrayed by Sunita, as she took her for a friend and has done so much to help her recently. She feels betrayed by both of them, but I think she expected more from Sunita.
"It has happened before with a few other barmaids. Stella has forgiven him in the past and learnt to trust him again, but this time it's different. She hates him for what he has done to her."
And Michelle doesn't think Stella will be in any hurry to find a new man.
She said: "I think she should concentrate on having some fun. Stella isn't the type to have an affair, so he would have to be single. But after Karl, I think she will focus more on looking after herself and trying to get over the affair."
I agree that Stella should leave Karl.
She should return to Albert Square
He should return to Glasgow
and the gormless Eva back to Hotten Prison
Michelle Collins has disclosed information about her Coronation Street character Stella Price's relationship with Karl Munro.
The actress revealed that Stella has forgiven wayward Karl for flings he had with other women before they moved to Weatherfield.
Next week, Stella and her daughters Leanne and Eva find out about Karl's affair with Sunita in an explosive scene in the Rovers Return.
Collins told ITV.com: "She feels betrayed by both of them, but I think she expected more from Sunita.
"It has happened before with a few other barmaids.
"Stella has forgiven him in the past and learnt to trust him again, but this time it's different. She hates him for what he has done to her."
The 52-year-old further divulged that fans of the ITV soap have been urging her alter ego to leave the gambling taxi driver.
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© ITV
She explained: "They hate it! They keep telling me to 'Get rid of him!' I think she is making the right decision, Karl is a loser who is only going to hurt her again if she gives him the chance to. A leopard never changes his spots!"
Collins also seemed to rule out a reunion for the pair, despite having previously proclaimed that Stella is in love with Karl.
"I think she should concentrate on having some fun," she added. "Stella isn't the type to have an affair, so he would have to be single. But after Karl, I think she will focus more on looking after herself and trying to get over the affair."
Who cares
You Alan of course be honest you love Stella :p
Who cares
You Alan of course be honest you love Stella :p
tammyy2j
16-08-2012, 11:04
Coronation Street newcomer Marc Baylis has explained Rob Donovan's attraction to Rovers Return landlady Stella Price.
Speaking to Digital Spy, the actor revealed that Rob hopes to "put a bit of a smile" on Stella's face following her split with love cheat Karl Munro.
Baylis said: "Well, I'm sure that any hot-blooded male out there would probably agree that she is a hot lady! There's a cheeky glint in her eye that he's latched onto - he definitely finds that attractive.
"It's purely the fact that he does think Stella is very hot. There's no boundaries for Rob where women are concerned. Even though he's been spending a bit of time with Eva, he's up for having a bit of fun elsewhere."
However, Baylis remained coy on whether Stella (Michelle Collins) will reciprocate Rob's advances, adding: "It's not an outright refusal - it's just a bit of teasing and a bit of flirting that's going on.
"I think Rob's pushing that as far as he possibly can, to see how far he can get with the situation!
"Rob also wants to put a bit of a smile on Stella's face, because he knows exactly what's been going on with Karl.
"It's not necessarily harmless fun, but he's definitely working to cheer her up a bit."
Coronation Street rubbish actor Michelle Collins has hinted that her pitiful character Stella Price will soon embark on a new romance.
The 51-year-old actress - who joined the soap last year - told Metro that the Rover's landlady will fall for a current Weatherfield resident in a forthcoming storyline.
"Stella is going to have a little bit of a romance in her life coming up," Collins said. "I can't really say who it is, but it's quite exciting.
"It is someone on the street and it's someone that people like," she continued. "That's all I'm going to say. I don't really know too much about it as they've just started it."
Viewers saw Stella's marriage collapse earlier this year following husband Karl's affair with barmaid Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati).
When Sunita's husband Dev was suggested as a potential love interest for Stella, Collins refused to comment. However, she said that filming such scenes with Jimmi Harkishin, who plays the corner shop owner, would be interesting.
"I've known Jimmi for years," she said. "We go back a long way, so that would be quite fun. I adore him, he's very funny. It's nice working with him."
Collins also admitted that she would be willing to be involved in some more risqué scenes if the storyline demanded it.
"I'm not sure people would be interested in that, to be honest with you," she joked. "No-one has ever paid me to take my clothes off for a job, ever.
"Hopefully I've got jobs on my acting ability and nothing else," she continued, "so hopefully I can grow old gracefully. But if the storyline wanted something like that then I'd talk to the director [and] if it was tastefully done, then why not?"
Collins added: "I don't think you can be too precious about these things. But it is Corrie, it's before [the] watershed, so you can't really get away with too much.'
owenlee4me
13-10-2012, 11:21
Well Stella is to get a fella and we have to guess who it is, seems it's someone liked?
well that rules out Nick Tilsley Kev:searchme:, Lloyd:(, David:nono:, Ryan:moonie:, Norris:wall:, Carla's brother:hmm:, Peter and Ken Barlow:angry:, not many left cept Tyrone:cheer:?
How much on a bet they do the same storyline as in Eastenders with Kat, not telling the viewers who it is for months to keep us guessing, we all know how Soaps copy each others storylines, yep bet thats it!!!
parkerman
13-10-2012, 11:26
You've forgotten Roy....
You've forgotten Roy....
and Dennis Tanner :p
tammyy2j
13-10-2012, 23:55
Lloyd or Dev or Steve maybe since he breaks up with Michelle and she gets with Rob
owenlee4me
14-10-2012, 12:04
and Dennis Tanner :p
Roy? well i know he went through hell when Scary Mary was after him, could not see a strong bold woman like Stella pressing his buttons!
parkerman
14-10-2012, 12:06
Roy? well i know he went through hell when Scary Mary was after him, could not see a strong bold woman like Stella pressing his buttons!
Really? You do surprise me.
parkerman
14-10-2012, 12:06
Roy? well i know he went through hell when Scary Mary was after him, could not see a strong bold woman like Stella pressing his buttons!
Really? You do surprise me.
owenlee4me
14-10-2012, 12:13
I did think of those, DEV? but bit obvious with Karl taking Sunita, But Dev and Stell do seem to get on, and we all know what soaps are like!!
Lloyd, yea did forget him I try hard too all the time and Steve?, hmmm now your talking, after all common intersts with Pub, he is probably the most liked.
Remember Owen too, but no one really likes him??
But what i want to know is why do they all end up getting off with each other on the street, take Jason, with Sarah Platt, Rosie Webster and now Maria, can he not find a girl on anthoer street????
owenlee4me
14-10-2012, 12:13
why
owenlee4me
14-10-2012, 23:12
I remembered Kev, but is he liked??
Coronation Street's Jason Grimshaw is to become Stella Price's new lover in a forthcoming storyline, a report has claimed.
The pair jump into bed together later this year after Jason has split from hairdresser Maria Connor, according to the Daily Star.
Rovers boss Stella later considers ending the fling when Jason's mother Eileen (Sue Cleaver) spots them kissing, but the Weatherfield builder is determined to keep things going between them.
Stella is quoted as saying: "I feel mortified and embarrassed. Your mum saw us snogging. Just saying that makes me want to cringe. She's right though, what was I thinking?"
However, Jason (Ryan Thomas) replies: "I don't care. We're both free and single, why can't we?"
Stella apparently agrees to continue with the relationship following the chat, but whether the pair have a long-term future remains to be seen.
Michelle Collins, who plays Stella, recently confirmed plans to give her character a new love interest following her split from cheating Karl Munro.
Collins said last week: "Stella is going to have a little bit of a romance in her life coming up. I can't really say who it is, but it's quite exciting.
"It is someone on the street and it's someone that people like. That's all I'm going to say. I don't really know too much about it as they've just started it."
Coronation Street continues tonight (October 15) at 7.30pm on ITV1.
owenlee4me
15-10-2012, 12:56
Welll well well, another Cougar on the street and yet again Jason does it with a local lass, blimey whose he going to conquer next? EMILY""""
Coronation Street star Michelle Collins has named Pat Phoenix's Elsie Tanner as her all-time favourite TV character.
The Weatherfield actress, who plays Rovers Return landlady Stella Price, described Corrie as a "female show" in an interview with Metro.
"It's a strong female lead in a female show. Corrie is very matriarchal; the women are always painted as strong, while a lot of the men are quite hapless and a bit weak," she said.
"Elsie was one of the original female icons that came out of the kitchen-sink drama. Life was hard for her, she always had broken relationships but she was gutsy and feisty."
Collins added: "I hate the phrase but she was a 'tart with a heart'."
The 51-year-old, who formerly starred in EastEnders, also reserved praise for US sitcoms Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory.
Last week, a report emerged that Collins's Corrie character Stella will embark on a fling with Jason Grimshaw.
Michelle Collins has admitted that her Coronation Street love scenes with co-star Ryan Thomas are "not very romantic".
The Weatherfield actress, whose character Stella Price embarks on a relationship with Jason Grimshaw this week, revealed that she and Thomas collided with each other during filming.
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© ITV
When asked by ITV.com how she has found shooting the storyline, details of which emerged in October, Collins quipped: "It is very funny, I am really enjoying it. The romantic scenes are not very romantic.
"One day we clashed heads and he ended up with a nose bleed and I ended up with a swollen cheek.
"They were supposed to bring some ice and they brought out a cold potato as it was the only thing they could find so he was there with a bleeding nose and I was holding a potato on my cheek!
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© ITV
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© ITV
"But I don't generally mind kissing scenes, you just have to get on with them, I don't find them awkward."
Teasing the development of Stella and Jason's chemistry, the star added: "In the beginning it is all playful banter really and she does think it would just be a one-off. She is a bit embarrassed and mortified when people start saying things.
"She even apologises to him and says it was just a one-off and she is surprised when he says he wants to see her again. Then she finds it all quite liberating and she even makes an announcement in the pub!"
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a444134/michelle-collins-ryan-thomas-corrie-love-scenes-not-very-romantic.html#ixzz2Ee8LtOCd
parkerman
10-12-2012, 11:21
Pass the sick bag
Not likely. I'm hanging on to it.
parkerman
10-12-2012, 11:21
Pass the sick bag
Not likely. I'm hanging on to it.
parkerman
10-12-2012, 11:30
As many as I can get!
Coronation Street star Michelle Collins has admitted that she doesn't expect her character Stella Price's latest romance to last forever.
Stella embarked on a relationship with builder Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) late last year, sparking gossip on the cobbles over the pair's age difference.
Collins told Inside Soap: "People do keep asking me what it's like to kiss Jason - he's a very popular lad among women and men! When I first heard about them getting together, I thought, 'Wahey! Bring it on', and it's been really fun.
"I'm not sure that Jason is what Stella wants for the rest of her life, though. I don't think they are a match intellectually, and she'll want a fella she can really talk to. But I'm enjoying working with Ryan Thomas - it's great fun."
Asked whether Stella's cheating ex-partner Karl (John Michie) could ever win her back, the actress replied: "You can see that Karl really wants to be back with Stella and is worming his way back in. We've been filming some scenes where Karl is trying to get back in with Gloria, because he thinks she's a soft touch, and may well help him get back with Stella. He's using plenty of different tactics."
As previously reported, Gloria returns to Weatherfield in a few weeks' time alongside a new love interest named Eric, played by veteran actor Timothy West.
Of West's casting, Collins commented: "That's amazing, isn't it? When we filmed the scenes where they arrive on the Street together, I just kept thinking, 'Oh my God, I can't believe this! I'm in Corrie with Sue Johnston and Timothy West! I need to pinch myself! How amazing is this?' I love Gloria and Stella because they bounce off each other. They are yin and yang."
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV.
Coronation Street star Michelle Collins has admitted that she doesn't expect her character Stella Price's latest romance to last forever.
Stella embarked on a relationship with builder Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) late last year, sparking gossip on the cobbles over the pair's age difference.
Collins told Inside Soap: \"People do keep asking me what it's like to kiss Jason - he's a very popular lad among women and men! When I first heard about them getting together, I thought, 'Wahey! Bring it on', and it's been really fun.
\"I'm not sure that Jason is what Stella wants for the rest of her life, though. I don't think they are a match intellectually, and she'll want a fella she can really talk to. But I'm enjoying working with Ryan Thomas - it's great fun.\"
Asked whether Stella's cheating ex-partner Karl (John Michie) could ever win her back, the actress replied: \"You can see that Karl really wants to be back with Stella and is worming his way back in. We've been filming some scenes where Karl is trying to get back in with Gloria, because he thinks she's a soft touch, and may well help him get back with Stella. He's using plenty of different tactics.\"
As previously reported, Gloria returns to Weatherfield in a few weeks' time alongside a new love interest named Eric, played by veteran actor Timothy West.
Of West's casting, Collins commented: \"That's amazing, isn't it? When we filmed the scenes where they arrive on the Street together, I just kept thinking, 'Oh my God, I can't believe this! I'm in Corrie with Sue Johnston and Timothy West! I need to pinch myself! How amazing is this?' I love Gloria and Stella because they bounce off each other. They are yin and yang.\"
http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?120514-Michelle-Collins-and-John-Michie-join-as-Stella-and-Karl&p=787377#post787377 already posted
Coronation Street's Karl Munro will become completely obsessed with Stella Price in a new storyline.
Stella actress Michelle Collins has let slip that Karl (John Michie) will turn "very sinister" as he attempts to find a way back into his ex-partner's affections.
Karl Munro was kicked out of the Rovers' Return after his affair with Sunita Alahan, who he later moved in with due to having nowhere to go.
"I've got loads of other good stuff coming up where my ex [Karl] gets very sinister and becomes totally obsessed with me," actress Collins told the Daily Record.
The 51-year-old soap star, who famously played Cindy Beale on EastEnders for 10 years between 1988 and 1998, remains upbeat about her decision to join Corrie.
"I never envisaged I'd be in Corrie. If someone had told me years ago, I'd have said, 'You're joking', but right now it's amazing and obviously the toy boy storyline is great fun," she added.
Magazine reports have claimed that Karl will follow Stella's new hunk boyfriend Jason Grimshaw.
Coronation Street's Karl Munro will become completely obsessed with Stella Price in a new storyline.
Stella actress Michelle Collins has let slip that Karl (John Michie) will turn "very sinister" as he attempts to find a way back into his ex-partner's affections.
"I've got loads of other good stuff coming up where my ex [Karl] gets very sinister and becomes totally obsessed with me," actress Collins told the Daily Record.
Karl to burn down the Rovers then?
parkerman
01-02-2013, 14:28
Karl to burn down the Rovers then?
Let's hope he waits till he, Stella, Tracy, Rob and Michelle are all locked inside then....
parkerman
01-02-2013, 14:28
Karl to burn down the Rovers then?
Let's hope he waits till he, Stella, Tracy, Rob and Michelle are all locked inside then....
Let's hope he waits till he, Stella, Tracy, Rob and Michelle are all locked inside then....
if Rob and Tracy are inside it will be an inferno in no time ....all that wood piled together...
Chloe O'brien
02-02-2013, 21:18
if Rob and Tracy are inside it will be an inferno in no time ....all that wood piled together...
Don't forget the dreadful Eve and spiteful Julie she is really getting on my nerves with the Tyrone and Kirsty storyling.
Chloe O'brien
02-02-2013, 21:18
if Rob and Tracy are inside it will be an inferno in no time ....all that wood piled together...
Don't forget the dreadful Eve and spiteful Julie she is really getting on my nerves with the Tyrone and Kirsty storyling.
Corrie landlady Michelle Collins, 50, talks to The Sunday People's Take It Easy Magazine about her character Stella’s love interests, her critics and her battle to give up smoking
Michelle as landlady Stella
What’s it like being in Corrie after being on rival soap EastEnders for 16 years?
I do have to pinch myself sometimes, it’s very odd that I’m in Corrie. It’s not just another acting job it’s a national treasure, loved by millions.
You had a hard time in the beginning with critics, how did you feel?
It was difficult, I don’t think people were criticising me as an actress, it was because I am a southerner putting on a northern accent. I think people have got a bit bored of it now really, they are far more involved in Stella’s character than they are in Michelle Collins playing a northern person, so hopefully I’m doing something right. I’ve noticed a lot of the new cast members have had a bit of a hard time too recently, you’ve got to be tough. But as far as I can see I’ll be in Corrie for the foreseeable future.
Stella has caused a bit of a stir by getting together with Jason. How do you feel about being known as a cougar?
I hate that word! Well they’ve been together for quite a while now and everyone does think ‘what on earth is she doing, she’s old enough to be his mother!’ But luckily Stella is very much like ‘this is who I’m seeing, if you don’t like it you can lump it.’ She’s very brave. Most people have accepted it. It doesn’t go down too well with Eileen, Jason’s mum. Stella and her are about the same age.
And how does Stella’s ex Karl feel?
He hates the fact she is going out with Jason, he really can’t believe it. We all know what men are like, his ego has been damaged. He thinks, ‘What is she doing with him when she could have had me? Why would she want hamburger when she could have had steak?’
Do you think Stella will ever get back with Karl?
If you’d asked me a month ago I would have said no but stupidly I still think there is a little flame there that’s still flickering. When you’re in love with someone and someone cheats on you, initially you hate them and you’re angry but at the end of the day it’s difficult to stop loving someone you’ve loved so much. He is trying to woo her so we’ll see what happens. You never do know with Corrie.
What would you like to happen next for Stella?
I’d quite like to see her be a bit more fun. She was a bit too good for my liking when she first came into the show.
How do you spend your time when you’re not filming for Corrie?
I travel up to Manchester for Corrie, but my main house with my daughter Maia Rose is in London, so I don’t get much chill out time really. My favourite thing to do is just be at home with her and be a mum, or spend time with my friends. I’m really lucky because I’ve got a close set of friends. I have a rescue dog called Humphrey, who I just adore. He’s a puganise shih tzu. I would have him up in Manchester with me but my daughter would miss him too much. My weekends are so sacred, I like to do home stuff, the weekly shop, lots of things with Maia. I miss being a mum and not coming home at the end of the day. And I love the gym!
Is being fit and healthy important to you?
Oh yeah I think for my age I’m far fitter than some people half my age. I like keeping fit, I like myself to feel good. Not just because I work in TV and HD is horrible, you get to a certain age and you should just make an effort. I got to the gym three or four times a week for about 30 mins. I don’t go crazy like some people and stay for hours. We’re lucky enough to have a gym at work so I can go quickly before or in breaks. I was going to do the marathon last year but it didn’t happen because I was working so much, I just couldn’t train.
You gave up smoking recently, has that made you feel fitter?
Definitely. My skin is better, I have a lot more stamina and I think I’m far less stressed than I was when I was smoking. When you’re stressed you reach for a cigarette, but I think that has the opposite effect, it makes you more stressed. It’s funny because people spend loads of money on skin care and clothes to look good yet they’re still smoking. I did it myself, I’d been smoking all my life. A lot of women worry about their appearances but still smoke. It makes you look older and your breath stink, your teeth yellow. I think I look far healthier now than I did in my 30s and 40s.
What encouraged you to give up after so many years?
I’d been trying for years. I’d tried all the fads, like hypnotherapy. That didn’t work, I walked out and lit up a fag straight away. I was also sent on one of those courses where a guy bores the pants off you for three hours and make you smoke six zillion cigarettes so you never want to touch another one again. Until a month later of course. 18 months ago I did a play up north and wanted to be really healthy so I gave up drinking and smoking and then I got into Corrie. I thought I needed to be healthy to do this job so I went to a doctor to get some help.
You’re working with the campaign ‘Don’t go Cold Turkey’ which promotes seeking help from your doctor to quit smoking, was that an important thing for you?
Yes it was. You need to want to give up but just because you haven’t got the will power to give it up on your own you shouldn’t feel bad about having to go to the doctor to do it. It’s not easy to give up and the doctor can give you lots of options and it’s free. These days it’s not seen as ‘cool’ to smoke like it used to be. In the last couple of years I’ve also seen people die through smoking related illnesses and it’s horrible. I think people should get the help that’s available to them.
Michelle Collins is supporting the Don’t go Cold Turkey smoking cessation campaign as seeking help from a healthcare professional helped her finally quit her habit. For more information and support visit dgct.co.uk or call QUIT on 0800 00 22 55
Corrie star John Michie has said that his character Karl Munro is 100% confident he can win back ex-partner Stella Price.
Karl becomes increasingly desperate to reunite with Stella (Michelle Collins) over the next few weeks, kidnapping her in his cab for an evening and also plotting against her new boyfriend Jason Grimshaw by torching his work van.
Michie told itv.com of his alter-ego's chances: "Karl's been trying really hard to get back with Stella, because he realises that she is the love of his life and everything with Sunita has gone pear-shaped. So he's just completely desperate - scarily desperate - to get back with her.
"Stella has got absolutely no interest in Karl whatsoever, so he's struggling, he's scrambling uphill to get to her. But he thinks that he'll get to her in the end, because Karl thinks he'll always get what he wants."
He continued: "Karl starts to do some pretty crazy stuff. It starts to get quite dark. He's a desperate man, he's losing everything, he's living in a bedsit, he doesn't have a home anymore - he hates that. He's going to get it back at whatever cost.
"You can expect a lot of drama from Karl Munro. He's a man on the edge of a precipice. He's a desperate, desperate guy."
With his van ruined thanks to Karl, Jason gives up on his career as a builder, but it's not all bad news as he moves into the Rovers Return to run the pub with Stella.
Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason, added: "Jason's determined to stick the knife in with Karl. He has a little word with him, making sure that Karl's aware that he knows he torched his van, but because of that, he and Stella are more solid than ever.
"He doesn't feel threatened by Karl but maybe he should, as the audience will see that this is far from over for Karl!"
Coronation Street continues tonight (March 4) at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
Corrie's Stella Price and Karl Munro could be heading for a surprise reunion.
Michelle Collins and John Michie, who play the former couple, were spotted filming a shock kissing scene out on location today (March 6), The Sun reports.
Cast and crew have been working away from the studio today as Sunita Alahan's funeral is being filmed.
With Stella in a passionate embrace with Karl on the sad day, it remains to be seen whether she is really willing to take him back for good. The romantic moment also puts a question mark over the future of Stella's current romance with Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas).
Stella split from Karl last summer after discovering that he had been cheating on her with Sunita.
In recent weeks, however, Karl has become obsessed with winning back his ex - and it looks like his efforts may be about to pay off.
Sunita's death scenes will air within the next few weeks as she has been widely tipped to be killed off as part of the upcoming Rovers fire storyline.
Shobna Gulati, who played Sunita, announced her departure late last year and filmed her final scenes last week.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01686/corrie_main_1686090a.jpg
EAMONN & JAMES CLARKE
CORRIE landlady Stella Price sensationally ends up back in the arms of her cheating ex Karl Munro — at his former lover's FUNERAL.
Stella, played by Michelle Collins, booted gambling addict cabbie Karl (John Michie) out when she discovered he had been having a fling with married Sunita Alahan behind her back.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01686/corie_1686085a.jpg
Funeral ... Street says farewell to Sunita Alahan
EAMONN & JAMES CLARKE
But in a desperate bid to win her back, viewers of the ITV1 soap will see Karl burn down the Rovers Return later this month — killing Sunita (Shobna Gulati) in the process.
Driven by jealousy over Stella's new romance with toyboy lover Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), Karl plots to blow up a van owned by the young builder and torch the Rovers.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01686/corrie2_1686087a.jpg
Embracing ... Stella Price is back in Karl Munro's arms at Sunita's funeral
EAMONN & JAMES CLARKE
He also wants to punish his ex-lover Sunita, who he blames for splitting him and Stella up.
But things get out of hand and Sunita perishes in the blaze.
Karl should be racked with guilt following the horror, but by the looks of these snaps of the cast filming on location it appears he is too busy reuniting with his ex to be remorseful.
As the rest of the Street say goodbye to mum-of-two Sunita, Karl and Stella are seen sneaking off for a passionate kiss.
(c) The Sun
shame he didnt kill himself and stella in the fire as well
Coronation Street actress Michelle Collins has spoken about playing the character of Stella Price in the ITV soap, stating that humility is necessary in the industry.
Collins, 51, told PA that she takes "every day as it comes" when playing the Weatherfield businesswoman.
She said: "I think you should always be a little bit humble in this business. You never know when you could get axed or killed off!"
When Collins was cast as Stella, the Hackney-born actress - who played Cindy Beale in EastEnders - faced criticism for the northern accent she adopted for the role in Coronation Street.
"It was a bit of a rocky road but I've worked extremely hard to make it work," said Collins. "I still work very hard and I think that's paid off."
Collins also stated that she hopes to remain in the soap for "a while", adding that she's "got some good storylines this year".
On her character, Collins said: "I love playing Stella because she's so feisty and her own woman - her affair with a younger man, Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), is just one sign of that."
seeing in the photos there that Karl has a bandaged hand? and looks to be wearing black, so he survives but is injured in the fire?
seeing in the photos there that Karl has a bandaged hand? and looks to be wearing black, so he survives but is injured in the fire?
don't think that is a bandage, looks like a shirt sleeve
seeing in the photos there that Karl has a bandaged hand? and looks to be wearing black, so he survives but is injured in the fire?
don't think that is a bandage, looks like a shirt sleeve
Looks like a bandage to me too, especially on top photo
parkerman
08-03-2013, 11:11
Me too.
Looks like a bandage to me too, especially on top photo
Ah ok, see it now. I just saw in the bottom photo
Looks like a bandage to me too, especially on top photo
Ah ok, see it now. I just saw in the bottom photo
tammyy2j
08-03-2013, 13:22
seeing in the photos there that Karl has a bandaged hand? and looks to be wearing black, so he survives but is injured in the fire?
He might be the one who saves Stella
Corrie star Michelle Collins will be sticking with the soap for at least another year.
The actress, who plays Rovers Return landlady Stella Price, told TV Times that she is "really enjoying" her time with the show and has signed a new contract which takes her up to April 2014.
Stella has a busy year ahead as she attempts to get her pub up and running again following next week's shock arson attack.
Reports suggest that Stella will take refuge at Number 13 as she plots to rebuild her business from scratch.
Collins told the magazine: "Stella literally loses everything in the fire, so her nice dresses have all gone. People in the cast have been asking me, 'Can I have this?', 'Can I have that?'
"But it's been great, and it felt like starring in a mini-blockbuster. Two people die in this fire. It's a big shock to the system and it's going to totally change the dynamic of Stella's relationship with Karl.
"She takes stock of her life and makes some big decisions about the future."
Coronation Street airs the fire on Monday, March 18 at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
Corrie star Michelle Collins will be sticking with the soap for at least another year.
My evening has been ruined. I may have to take some alcohol to deaden the pain of this woeful actress still here for another year.
Corrie star Michelle Collins will be sticking with the soap for at least another year.
My evening has been ruined. I may have to take some alcohol to deaden the pain of this woeful actress still here for another year.
tammyy2j
13-03-2013, 19:39
My evening has been ruined. I may have to take some alcohol to deaden the pain of this woeful actress still here for another year.
Maybe if you start to like and praise her then she will be out soon reverse psychology and all :p
tammyy2j
13-03-2013, 19:39
.
|Michelle Collins has revealed that eating disorders left her so thin she was mistaken for a heroin addict.
The Coronation Street actress, who has signed a new contract with the ITV soap for at least another year, told The Mirror that she struggled with both anorexia and bulimia in the early days of her career.
The Stella Price star said that the situation came to a head when casters at an audition told her agent they suspected she was a heroin addict.
She explained: "I went to audition for a fashion commercial and they said they didn't think I was quite right for it because I wasn't 'upmarket' enough.
"Later that day my agent called to see if I was okay and told me that actually I had looked so awful the casters had thought I was a heroin addict and wanted to know if I was on drugs.
"That was the wake-up call I needed."
Before securing her breakthrough role as Cindy Beale in EastEnders, Collins said that she would starve herself for weeks and drink alcohol rather than eat.
"It was a running joke with friends that I would order a salad without the oil and then drink copious amounts of alcohol like them," she said.
"That was just what I did because I thought it had fewer calories than food.
"Then as I got worse I was drinking instead of eating so I could still go out and have a good time. I went for weeks without really eating any food.
"I'd starve all day then come home late and binge on anything I could get my hands on.
"I raided the fridge and cupboards then stuck my fingers down my throat to feel empty again. Soon I was doing it after every meal, it was so addictive."
The 50-year-old added: "My arms and legs were scrawny. I had the body of a child, but when I looked in the mirror I still wanted to lose more.
"My life felt out of control and I felt if I could control my body I could control my life. In my head skinny equalled successful and I thought the only way I could be a successful actress was to be a skinny woman."
Coronation Street character Stella Price could marry her ex Karl Munro in an upcoming storyline.
The Rovers Return landlady, played by Michelle Collins, is trapped in the fire until Karl (John Michie) comes to her rescue.
She apparently agrees to wed her former lover after he saves her life, transforming their troubled relationship.
An insider told The Sun: "As far as Stella is concerned, Karl has risked his life to save her and her attitude towards him - and their relationship - begins to change.
"As they grow closer, he becomes her rock and all the animosity between them seems to vanish. So when he pops the question, Stella accepts.
"But viewers will have to wait to see whether plans for their big day will go ahead - or be scuppered if it turns out that Karl played a part in starting the fire."
The dramatic fire scenes air tomorrow (March 18) at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
Will ITV stop at nothing in forcing the useless and unliked characters down our throats. Since the arrival of Ms Collins and her brood she has featured in every major storyline going. For someone who has only recently arrived in the street she seems to have to stick her nose into everyones business and giving them the benefit of her advice. Rubbish character
Coronation Street fans have seen a whole new side to Karl Munro in recent weeks as his desire to win back Stella Price has driven him to shocking measures.
Last week, over 10 million viewers watched Karl set fire to the Rovers Return in a desperate bid to sabotage Stella's relationship with Jason Grimshaw. The destructive blaze led to the death of firefighter Toni Griffiths, while Sunita Alahan remains critically ill in hospital after being caught up in the incident.
We recently chatted to John Michie, who plays Karl, to hear his thoughts on his character's recent antics and where things go from here.
How do you feel about Karl turning to the dark side?
"Well, the first thing is that it's really interesting to play. Karl now has these strange thoughts in his mind all the time. There's a lot more going on in Karl's head, so I'm enjoying that side of it.
"I suppose it's also enjoyable because it creates great situations with the other characters. At the moment, the audience knows what's going on but the other characters don't, and I think that's always fun for the viewers."
Were you surprised at this change in direction for Karl, or do you think this dark side was always lurking beneath the surface?
"I was surprised, because it was quite a radical and quick change, but I think it was always beneath the surface in some ways. For example, Karl thought it would be acceptable for him to go and have an affair, but not for Stella to move on with somebody else. As soon as Stella was with Jason - who's the type of person Karl used to be 20 years ago - then the jealousy and the middle aged angst all kicked in, and he just had to get his woman back.
"I can see that Karl would want to get Stella back at any cost, but the cost has been much, much greater than he thought. He wouldn't ever have wanted to be responsible for anyone's death, but he's in a situation where he is, because Toni has just passed away. Karl is finding that very hard to deal with, but he's just selfishly surviving as best he can."
Did you have much prior warning that Karl would start the fire?
"Yeah, I knew in advance that Karl would end up starting the fire and that he'd be driven to desperation in his attempts to kill the relationship between Stella and Jason. Once I knew what was coming, I had to try to build up the thoughts of the character to make that believable."
With Sunita fighting for her life in hospital, is Karl actively hoping that she will die?
"It's strange, because like I said, Karl doesn't want to be responsible for anyone's death. However, at the same time, he knows that Sunita has the knowledge to put him down. If she exposes what he's done, he'll go away for a long time - if not for life. Karl is struggling within himself and he is prepared to let Sunita go to save himself."
Have you had much reaction or feedback from Corrie fans since we saw Karl start the fire?
"Mostly it's been from people saying that the show is really buzzing at the moment. They've been really excited by watching it. Obviously there's a bit of a negative response from some people when you're playing a villainous character! (Laughs.) But you just have to let that go over your head. The general response is just that people are loving the show."
Will Karl find it easy or difficult to hide his guilt as the story moves forward?
"Karl's an operator - he always has been and always will be! He actually doesn't find it that hard to physically hide his guilt. The only thing is that he is suffering incredible emotional turmoil from the guilt that he feels."
That guilt must be particularly difficult for Karl to handle when he sees Dev and the kids…
"Really, really difficult! I just imagine Karl crying at night with the devastation that he's brought onto that family, and that's the hardest thing for him."
With Jason suspecting that Karl started the fire, can we expect more tension between those two?
"Jason tries to wind Karl up a bit, which is a bit dangerous considering the state that Karl's in! He's definitely someone who Karl is beginning to hate more and more. I think Jason needs to watch his step!"
Do you think Karl is becoming irredeemable, or does he still have some redeeming qualities?
"I always play it so that Karl does have redeeming qualities - he's just caught up in events. The trouble is how serious those events are, so we'll have to wait and see whether he can stay in the show or not. Obviously there has to be some moral retribution.
"I actually don't know myself how villainous Karl will become. Whether he'll ramp up his campaign to keep Stella at whatever cost, I don't know. I'll have to wait and see what the writers come up with!"
Karl and Stella will soon start growing closer again. Is Karl making the moves on her, or is it more of a mutual thing?
"Karl is definitely making the moves on Stella, in a slightly obsessive way. He's trying hard to calm himself and be as normal as possible. However, because he's in such an emotional state, he finds it hard to approach Stella in a natural, normal way."
If Karl did get Stella back, would he treat her better this time around?
"Definitely. Well, that's his intention anyway!"
Will Eva warm to Karl now?
"Yes, Eva comes round to seeing Karl as a potential stepfather who she can get along with. In the past, Eva and Karl have always disliked each other, mainly because they've been vying for attention from Stella. But Eva thinks that her mum needs a good man, and she's starting to think that maybe Karl is the right person for Stella after all, so she chills out a lot.
"Leanne, on the other hand, goes the other way and is very suspicious of Karl, his motives and him generally!"
How do you feel about being nominated for 'Best Actor' and 'Villain of the Year' at the British Soap Awards?
"It's great to be nominated. It's always good as an actor to have your work recognised, so I'm really, really chuffed. The other two Corrie guys who are up for 'Best Actor' - Alan [Halsall] and Jimmi [Harkishin] - are good mates of mine, so it'll be good fun.
"I've been to the Soap Awards once before and I remember that I had such a ball. It's a great night out."
Is there anything you'd say for why our readers should be backing Corrie in the voting this year?
"Well, it's the only soap that I've ever watched. I've dipped into it all my life. I think it's the writing - the writing team here at Corrie are fantastic. We've got very, very strong writers who tend to stay here for a long time, because they love the show. Of all the shows that I've worked on, this is definitely the happiest bunch of people that I've ever worked with.
"The writing is everything on this show - all of us are only as good as the writing. I would definitely doff my cap to the writers!"
Coronation Street star John Michie has revealed that Leanne will become suspicious of Karl's motives.
Last week, viewers saw Karl set fire to the Rovers Return in a desperate bid to sabotage Stella's relationship with Jason Grimshaw. The destructive blaze led to the death of firefighter Toni Griffiths, while Sunita Alahan remains critically ill in hospital.
Stella and Karl will start growing closer again next week, with even Eva beginning to warm to Karl since he has been hailed a hero for rescuing her mum from the fire. However, Leanne will not be so trusting of him.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Michie said: "Eva comes round to seeing Karl as a potential stepfather who she can get along with.
"In the past, Eva and Karl have always disliked each other, mainly because they've been vying for attention from Stella. But Eva thinks that her mum needs a good man, and she's starting to think that maybe Karl is the right person for Stella after all, so she chills out a lot.
"Leanne, on the other hand, goes the other way and is very suspicious of Karl, his motives and him generally!"
Michie also revealed that he is enjoying playing a darker side to Karl.
He added: "It's really interesting to play. Karl now has these strange thoughts in his mind all the time. There's a lot more going on in Karl's head, so I'm enjoying that side of it.
"I suppose it's also enjoyable because it creates great situations with the other characters. At the moment, the audience knows what's going on but the other characters don't, and I think that's always fun for the viewers."
tammyy2j
27-03-2013, 23:05
It will probably drag on for a year or two ending with Peter saving Leanne just as Karl is trying to kill her for discovering the truth
parkerman
28-03-2013, 09:01
It will probably drag on for a year or two ending with Peter saving Leanne just as Karl is trying to kill her for discovering the truth
In an explosive Christmas Day episode that will rock the cobbles.
parkerman
28-03-2013, 09:01
It will probably drag on for a year or two ending with Peter saving Leanne just as Karl is trying to kill her for discovering the truth
In an explosive Christmas Day episode that will rock the cobbles.
Coronation Street's Stella Price may be forced to sell off a 50% share of the Rovers Return in order to reopen it in an upcoming storyline.
The landlady - who was injured in last month's fire at the pub - will turn to builder Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies) for help, the Daily Star reports.
Viewers will see Stella, played by Michelle Collins, face a tough decision when she is discharged from hospital and realises the extent of the damage at the Rovers.
The cost of getting the pub open again will force Stella to consider going into partnership with someone.
Owen is employed to repair the damage, upon which Stella makes him an offer.
In scenes to be aired this month, Owen tells Stella: "Let me get this right, are you saying to me that if I cancel your debt and finish the repairs you'll give me half of the Rovers?"
"I've already got a business. How do I pay for all the materials and the lads?" Stella admits: "It's the only solution I can think of. Maybe you could ask the bank for a loan?
"They might say yes if they know you're investing in a second business. That's all I can offer you, I'm doing my best here - do you think I want to lose half my profit?"
It is rumoured that Owen will refuse to give Stella an answer, leaving the future of the ITV soap's iconic pub in doubt.
Recent rumours have suggested that Michelle Connor (Kym Lomas) will become the new landlady at the pub when it reopens.
A show insider said: "Stella has got her back against the wall.
"Owen is offered the deal first but if Michelle is set to be the new landlady then maybe Stella goes into business with her instead.
"Only time will tell."
Maybe Steve will buy it back and make Michelle the landlady.
Michelle Collins has revealed that her character Stella Price refuses to be pushed around by daughter Leanne Tilsley in an upcoming storyline.
Stella is in dire need of financial help from Leanne (Jane Danson) next week, as her insurance company decides not to pay out for repair work at the Rovers Return following the recent fire.
Leanne is happy to help her mum, but adds a shock condition to the mix by ordering her to dump Karl Munro (John Michie) if she wants the cash.
Corrie fans know that Leanne doesn't trust Karl and is looking for any way to get him out of Stella's life again.
Collins told All About Soap of Stella's troubles: "It's not looking good. Her insurance company is refusing to pay out because it seems Sunita started the fire, and she used keys to get into The Rovers - and if so, that means Stella hadn't stored the keys in a safe place.
"Stella's horrified, because she has already had Owen doing the refit work and she owes him thousands.
"Leanne's not happy about Stella and Karl being back together, or Karl being involved with the pub. Leanne says she will help Stella, but only if Karl is not on the scene. Basically, she's telling Stella to dump Karl in exchange for the money!"
The actress added: "She will not be blackmailed! She tells Leanne to stick her money. The thing is, Stella loves Karl and because he saved her life, she's totally blind to all his faults. She doesn't want to listen to anyone who tries to remind her of all the things he did to her."
Coronation Street continues tomorrow (April 24) at 7.30pm on ITV.
parkerman
24-04-2013, 06:45
Crickey! Looks like another big storyline for St Ella. Who'd have thought it?
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