Coronation Street General News Thread

Lisa Maxwell has revealed that she very nearly took the role of Stella Price on Coronation Street.

The Loose Women star was rumoured to have auditioned for the role back in April, before it was announced that Michelle Collins had won the part.

Maxwell told The People that the offer to appear behind the bar at the Rovers Return was too good to resist.

"I have turned down other things but the chance of being on Corrie was too good an opportunity to miss. When I first started acting my grandparents said to me, 'You know you've made it when you're landlady of the Rovers'. So I couldn't really not go for it! I had to do it for them.

"I had an audition and a screen test, I even filmed scenes behind the bar of the Rovers. The decision was made by several different people and I know some of them wanted me and some wanted Michelle Collins.

"It just wasn't meant to be me. Michelle is great and I'm really pleased for her after she got it. I wanted it but leaving my family would have been hard, I know."

However, the actress added that she was more than happy with her place on the Loose Women panel, as it suits her lifestyle.

"Loose Women really is perfect. I love it. Its great. If I'm feeling a bit low or fed up there's always someone there to make me feel better.

"I've turned down a lot of other TV roles because I wouldn't want to give it up. I went from working 14 hour days, six days a week on The Bill to this. It couldn't be better.

"It's live and we finish at 1.30pm so I can be home in time to pick up my daughter Beau from school without her noticing I've been gone. What other job could be that good?"

Lisa Maxwell and her Loose Women colleagues recently threatened a mutiny on the show after Kate Thornton and Zoe Tyler were axed.

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Coronation Street star Chris Fountain passed out naked outside a holiday villa, according to his girlfriend.

The actor, who plays Tommy Duckworth in the soap, was found naked against a wall while other holidaymakers passed by.

Chris Fountain recently revealed that he is nothing like his alter ego Tommy Duckworth in real life.

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Looks like he is very like his Alter ego to me

Michelle Keegan has agreed a lucrative golden handcuffs deal with Coronation Street for another year.

ITV is finalising a deal with the actress, who plays barmaid Tina McIntyre in the soap, that will see her £90,000 salary increased to six figures.

A source at the soap told the Sunday Mirror: "Michelle is *over the moon. She was always *confident of being offered a new deal but actors' jobs are never secure.

"She says that life just can't get any better at the moment and so far this year has been the best of her life."

Keegan was rumoured to have been offered a £130,000-a-year deal by ITV earlier this year. The actress became engaged to The Wanted's Max George in June.

CORRIE'S Simon Gregson looks pretty in pink - after having his brown locks dyed.
Simon, 36, who plays Steve McDonald, was helping hairdresser Stephen Peel raise cash for The Christie cancer fund.

The crimper, 60, said: "I asked Ricky Hatton, the boxer. He said he'd donate boxing gloves but he wasn't having his hair dyed pink!

"I asked Simon and he said, 'Yeah why not?'."

Stephen, who runs the William Jon salon in Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester, washed the dye straight out of Simon's hair to avoid him turning up in the Rovers with a pink barnet.

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Coronation Street's Michelle Collins and Bill Roache have been announced as part of the lineup for two Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? soap star specials.

The pair, who play Weatherfield's Stella Price and Ken Barlow, will team up together in a live broadcast on August 20, while their co-star Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) will appear with fiancé Jamie Lomas, better known as Hollyoaks' Warren Fox, the following evening.

Emmerdale's Mark Charnock and Dominic Brunt (Marlon Dingle and Paddy Kirk) will also play the game together, as will on-screen mother and son Lucy Pargeter and Danny Miller (Chas Dingle and Aaron Livesy).

Hollyoaks' McQueen duo Gemma Merna and Jennifer Metcalfe - Carmel and Mercedes in the Channel 4 show - are also taking part.

Each pair will be raising money for charity and a viewer at home.

Danny Miller said of the challenge: "I've grown up watching Chris Tarrant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? so getting into the hotseat is going to be very daunting."

Meanwhile, Mark Charnock said: "It's such an iconic show and I've always wanted to do it, but I can imagine Dominic and I will be clinging to each other, panicking, going red and sweating!"

Further soap star pairings are expected to be announced later this month.

Filming on Coronation Street finished early yesterday due to the rioting in parts of Manchester.

The soap's staff were sent home to avoid getting caught up in the escalating violence and because police helicopters and sirens were causing too much disruption on set.

A Coronation Street spokesperson told WENN: "We did actually just close a couple of filming units a little bit early due to the disruption in Manchester."

Michael Le Vell, who plays Kevin Webster in the soap, tweeted last night: "Just been sent home from work! Stay away from Manchester please!"

Brooke Vincent, who portrays Sophie Webster, tweeted: "As if everyone's been sent home from work!! This is stupid now! I can't believe that 10 mins down the road is getting destroyed yet nobody can do anything and stay inside!!! I feel so worthless, it's not cool."

Meanwhile, Antony Cotton, who stars in the soap as Sean Tully, added: "Devastated for my city and my fellow Mancunians. I LOVE Manchester - the GREATEST city in the world."

The rioting began in Tottenham over the weekend, before spilling over to Croydon, Clapham Junction, Peckham, Woolwich and other areas of London on Monday. Violence and looting have since been reported in Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Leicester, Manchester and Nottingham.

Journalists and cameramen from Sky News, ITN and the BBC were attacked on Monday evening when London erupted into mass looting and violence.

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Coronation Street's Michelle Collins and Bill Roache have been announced as part of the lineup for two Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? soap star specials.

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Call me a cynic but this strikes me as yet another attempt by ITV to force us to like this woman in Corrie. They are pushing her to the front of most of the major storylines in Corrie as well as these promoting her at every opportunity. FFS the woman has only been on Corrie a few weeks

Here's some pictures of Sacha Parkinson (Sian Powers), Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) and Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) all planking at work on Coronation Street. Pics all tweeted by @SachaLParkinson

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And here is one of Kate Ford Planking

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGStURw5ja...w+taunting.jpg

and Michelle Collins

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Coronation Street bosses have announced that the soap will be supporting the Manchester Pride parade for the second consecutive year.

Cast, crew and producers at the show are currently working on an ITV float for the event, which is the highlight of a ten-day festival celebrating gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender culture in the city.

Coronation Street won the 'Best Float' prize for its efforts in 2010, which marked the programme's 50th anniversary and contributed towards the parade's 'Through The Decades' theme.

The theme for this year's parade, which takes place on August 27, is 'Best of British'.

"For the second year running, Coronation Street and ITV are supporting Manchester Pride," a spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News. "It is a privilege to be the lead float in the parade again this year and it is a symbol of how we at ITV wholeheartedly and proudly support diversity not only in the workplace but everywhere."

Manchester Pride's festival director Jackie Crozier added: "The parade is one of the most 'Loud and Proud' and public parts of our festival so to have Coronation Street and ITV demonstrate such strong support as a part of this means a lot."


Brooke Vincent, who plays lesbian character Sophie Webster, is among the Coronation Street cast members supporting the project.

Vincent commented: "I had an absolute ball last year and think it's a great chance to come together in an awesome city like Manchester and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life.

"It's fantastic that Coronation Street is supporting Pride yet again and I'm very proud to be portraying a lesbian character on screen. Hopefully it will go some way towards making people realise there is nothing in any way wrong with being gay. You're born who you are!"

FAMILY Fortunes star Vernon Kay says he is fed up being asked to front new gameshows - and wants to move into ACTING.
The former T4 presenter, 37, says he has turned down countless offers to host other quizzes because he doesn't want to be pigeon-holed as a light entertainment frontman.

And he would like nothing better than to be in Coronation Street.

Vern declared: "I'd love to be a shop assistant in Dev's shop or a barman, or the cleaner in the pub."

The proud Boltonian - who also has a show on Radio 1 - even pulled out of ITV1's recent Saturday night show Sing If You Can.

Now Vernon says he wants to try new things like factual shows and acting.

He said: "I get offered loads of gameshows, but I host Family Fortunes - why would I want to do another one? Is there a gameshow out there that is better than ITV's Family Fortunes? I think not.

"I want to go out there and spread my wings. I just want to do more stuff that is not in the genre of light entertainment gameshows.

"I'd like to do stuff where I go out and meet people, talk about an issue, or something like that. Or maybe just be a captain on a panel show.

"I just want to put more stuff on my CV that isn't light entertainment.

"I love doing Family Fortunes and Radio 1, but there's nothing to say I can't go out and produce more or do a bit of acting. I would definitely be up for doing some acting, as long as the role was right.

"I did speak to a guy on Coronation Street a couple of years ago and he had this character lined up. Nothing came out of that, but I would be up for doing it now.

"Corrie has a real subtle undertone of comedy and that is what I have been brought up around."

He recently ended his exclusive deal with ITV so he could work on other channels - and potentially with his wife Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing when Bruce Forsyth retires. But he said he wouldn't want to step directly into Brucie's shoes - and would prefer Tess's job.

Vern said: "I would much prefer the backstage role on Strictly because Tess gets to ask questions off the top of her head and have a bit of banter.


"To me that is more satisfying than saying, 'here's what's next'."
The new series of Family Fortunes, which launches this weekend, will see episodes extended to an hour long - and it will again get the prime pre-X Factor slot.

It also means Vern will go head-to-head with Tess when Strictly returns next month.

Despite the mainstream image, he says he is proud of hosting such an iconic show - and All Star Family Fortunes on which Corrie actor Simon Gregson has appeared.

Vern recently fronted several shows in the US, including Dancing on Ice-style series Skating with the Stars, but says he has no major ambitions Stateside.


He said he wished fellow former T4 host Steve Jones well on the US X Factor - and wasn't jealous of him being on such a huge show.
Vern added: "I want to do a show that enables me to get the best out of myself.

"Often on the big shows, all you do is read an autocue. I like to do more than that."

Coronation Street's Charlie Condou has revealed that he used to babysit for Lily Allen.

The 38-year-old actor, who plays midwife and gay dad Marcus Dent in the Weatherfield serial, still keeps in touch with the 'Smile' singer, PA reports.

Condou told Inside Soap: "I suppose Lily Allen's pretty famous! I babysat for her when she was 10!"

Referring to his daughter Georgia, Condou said: "Georgia is fantastic, and she's now getting to that age where she's really starting to interact with me and being absolutely hilarious.

"I think the 'terrible twos' could very well be on the way, though. She's beginning to get some opinions of her own - and she's also just learnt to say 'no'!"

Fellow Corrie cast member Kym Marsh recently announced that Condou will soon be a father for the second time.

Coronation Street stars Samia Smith and Alison King were forced to stop filming scenes on Tuesday when a real-life fight broke out on location.

The pair watched as a group of builders pulled up at a nearby semi-detached house and dug up the driveway in a dispute over a bill. Five police cars quickly arrived on the scene in Monton, Salford.

An onlooker said: "It could have been a scene from Corrie itself. The builders and the owner were kicking off. It looked like it could get pretty nasty.

"The Corrie girls had to stop and just sat on the pavement with their scripts, watching the action unfold.

"I don't think they were too pleased to be honest. It was a while before they could start filming again."

Officers calmed the situation down and advised both sides to settle the matter in a civil court.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "This was a civil dispute between the home owner and the builders and not a police matter."

Coronation Street crewmembers are reportedly unhappy with their working hours.

The backstage staff who work on the ITV1 soap have held meetings with bosses, where the Daily Star claims that they expressed their unhappiness with long hours.

"It got *really heated because everyone working backstage is at the end of their tether," an alleged insider told the paper. "We've been working our arses off and it's just getting worse. There is so much demand on us, it's like we're just being used and abused."

The source added: "The cast are doing long days too but we don't get paid anywhere near what they do."

Following the meeting, production controller Gail Kennett is said to have told staff in a memo that they could apply for a strict 40-hour week or flexible hours.

An ITV spokesperson commented: "We routinely hold meetings with the Corrie crew. There has been no discussion of strike action."

I'm surprised something like this has not happened on previous soaps. There are too many episodes of soaps on our screens. Crew members must live at the studios with all the hours they have to put in.

FOOTIE-mad Corrie babes Brooke Vincent and Michelle Keegan have kicked off the War of Weatherfield with a secret bet on which Manchester team will win the league.

United fan Brooke, who plays Sophie Webster, thinks the title's a cert after her side smashed Arsenal 8-2.

The 19-year-old, whose boyfriend is Chelsea star Josh McEachran, said: "I know Josh will say I'm a traitor. So I suppose I'd best say if it isn't United it will be Chelsea."

But City supporter Michelle, 24 – voted sexiest female soap star as Tina McIntyre – reckons her team's 5-1 win at Spurs makes them favourites.

Corrie legend Bill Roache, 79, who plays Ken Barlow, just wants to make sure one local club wins the Premier League.

He said: "They're both up there. It's brilliant."

Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton is said to have developed an "incredible fondess" for the four-year-old twins who play the love child of his character Sean Tully.

The Weatherfield favourite has become "best friends" with Connor and Liam McCheyne since they joined the ITV soap earlier this year and said that he is looking forward to working with them again for a Christmas storyline.

The McCheyne twins even helped celebrate Cotton's 36th birthday last month, after which he told friends: "I've had a lovely day, particularly the bit I spent with Liam and Connor McCheyne. They made me beautiful cards, which I will keep forever."

Commenting on the boys' special relationship with their "telly dad", a source told the Daily Star Sunday: "Antony makes no secret of his fondness for the two boys - he has bonded with them in an incredible way since they joined Corrie earlier in the year.

"They have just finished some scenes which will see them going back to London to stay with their mum Violet (Jenny Platt), who has recovered from back injuries she suffered in a car crash, but are expected back for another stint around Christmas time."

Cotton signed a new Coronation Street contract back in July.

Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent has clarified a report that said she was working in a Greater Manchester wine bar following a spending spree.

The 19-year-old, who plays Sophie Webster in the Weatherfield soap, had been helping out at the White Room in Whitefield and was reportedly paid £6.08 an hour for a seven-hour shift at the family-run bar and restaurant over the weekend.

A source was quoted as telling The Mirror that Vincent claimed she was "glad of the extra cash", but the actress quickly clarified the report on her official Twitter page.

Vincent spoke out about a number of claims made in the piece, writing: "1. My mate was ill so I covered for her!. 2.I didn't used to work there at all I help out every now&then and 3. My mum aint 41! (sic)"

Criticising the report for suggesting that she led a "WAG lifestyle" because she dates Premiership footballer Josh McEachran, she also reminded her followers: "Unless I've told you, shown you or informed you of any sort don't think you know anything!"


Vincent concluded: "I aint arsed wot people write or say but I will always correct them!!! My job brings me so much happiness but papers making up storys about people they don't even know is just a down fall...

"You need to realise I'm a teenager that is lucky enough to have the job I have and still get the chance to work behind a family friends bar and get away with it!!!"

A Coronation Street spokesperson told the paper that Vincent had been paid for her work but said that she was "helping out a friend", adding: "I can't say that she won't help them out again.

"That's the kind of girl she is - she always looks out for her friends."

The daughter of Johnny Briggs, who played Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin, has been given a prison sentence for stealing collection money from a church, says The Mirror.

Karen Briggs, 46, is behind bars for nine months after admitting burglary and theft at two churches in Cobham, Surrey. And Johnny’s granddaughter Emma Beach, 23, who also pleaded guilty to the charges, has been ordered to carry out community service.

Briggs and her daughter Beach, who live together, have both battled drug addiction and have a string of previous convictions. Four years ago, they were caught stealing Poppy Appeal collection boxes. Beach took two boxes as her mum distracted collectors. In June, they stole pensioner Margaret Roberts’ handbag during a service at the Methodist Church in Cobham.

Michael McCabe, defending, said Beach had been hooked on heroin since the age of 14 after being introduced to the drug by her mother.

Coronation Street star Paula Lane will take part in a charity run in Belfast, it has been revealed.

The actress, who plays Kylie Platt in the ITV1 soap, will participate in RunHer at Stormont on October 9, a female-only running event involving 5k and 10k races.

The race is in aid of the Cash for Kids charity, which helps underprivileged children in local communities.

"I'm a keen runner and I take private ballet lessons, as it's something I missed out on," Lane told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I love Ireland. Somewhere along the line, I've got some Irish blood in me - a sixth of a quarter, but it counts!"

Revealing her own charity interests, Lane added: "I am an ambassador for Henshaw's charity, which supports blind children."

Lane recently admitted that she'd like more Coronation Street scenes with Kylie's sister Becky (Katherine Kelly).

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Coronation Street star Paula Lane will take part in a charity run in Belfast, it has been revealed.

The actress, who plays Kylie Platt in the ITV1 soap, will participate in RunHer at Stormont on October 9, a female-only running event involving 5k and 10k races.

The race is in aid of the Cash for Kids charity, which helps underprivileged children in local communities.

\"I'm a keen runner and I take private ballet lessons, as it's something I missed out on,\" Lane told the Belfast Telegraph.

\"I love Ireland. Somewhere along the line, I've got some Irish blood in me - a sixth of a quarter, but it counts!\"

Revealing her own charity interests, Lane added: \"I am an ambassador for Henshaw's charity, which supports blind children.\"

Lane recently admitted that she'd like more Coronation Street scenes with Kylie's sister Becky (Katherine Kelly).

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Already posted http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/s...133#post756133

Coronation Street's 50th anniversary appeal raised over £150,000 for charity, the soap has announced today.

As the show reached its milestone birthday last year, bosses and cast members launched a series of fundraising events to bring in cash for Cancer Research UK, the NSPCC and The Christie cancer centre in Manchester.

Coronation Street has now donated £50,000 to each of the charities, which were chosen by the cast in a democratic vote last year.

Initiatives used to raise funds included a charity auction and gala dinner.

Coronation Street's executive producer Kieran Roberts commented: "We're delighted fundraising initiated by the Coronation Street cast during the 50th anniversary year has generated £50,000 for each of the charities.

"We felt raising money for charities during the anniversary year would be a tangible way of celebrating Coronation Street's heritage."

Coronation Street star Kate Ford is joining forces with a number of other celebrities to record a charity single, it has been announced.

The actress, who plays Weatherfield schemer Tracy Barlow, will add her vocals to a new version of The Pretenders' 'I'll Stand By You' to help raise funds for The Ryan Stanford Appeal.

Ryan Stanford is a 3-year-old boy from Lancaster who has the terminal illness Alpers Syndrome. His parents have set up the appeal to fund research into the rare disease.

Ford commented: "Although I have an incredibly busy working schedule, I am absolutely delighted to have been asked to support such a worthwhile charity, The Ryan Stanford Appeal.

"I am very much looking forward to recording for the charity CD, from which all the proceeds will go into researching Ryan's condition, Alpers Disease. I know the CD, 'I'll Stand By You', a song for Ryan, will touch people's hearts."

Schoolgirl Amy Jo Clough, 14, will take lead vocals on the single, while other celebrities involved in the track include X Factor hopeful Carolynne Poole, Britain's Got Talent star Steve Hall and Bargain Hunt expert Paul Hayes.

Coronation Street outgunned EastEnders again in the Monday evening ratings war with more drama for Carla and Frank, according to overnight audience data.

ITV1's Coronation Street averaged 8.94m (39.7%) from 7.30pm as Carla sent Frank reeling after she said that she can't marry him. Carla's trauma after Frank lost control was seen by 9.44m (38.8%) from 8.30pm.

EastEnders appealed to 8.44m (35.2%) on BBC One from 8pm, as Jodie uncovered Darren and Lauren's drunken night of passion. A further 675k (3.5%) caught BBC Three's repeat screening from 10pm.

On Emmerdale, 7.11m (34.8%) tuned in on ITV1 from 7pm and 129k (0.5%) on +1, as Amy downed alcohol as her troubled time continued.

Elsewhere, Hollyoaks managed 1.46m (7.5%) on Channel 4 from 6.30pm and 124k (0.5%) on +1, before E4's first look at the next episode pulled in 513k (2.5%).

Doctors averaged 1.67m (22.6%) on BBC One from 1.45pm, while Neighbours had 688k (9.3%) on Channel 5. The Aussie drama also fetched 1.23m (8.1%) for the repeat from 5.30pm.

Home and Away managed 830k (4.6%) on Channel 4 from 6.30pm, before 5*'s first look at the next episode pulled in 447k (2.3%).

Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has suffered a panic attack on set.

The 21-year-old actress, who plays Rosie Webster in the long-running soap, reportedly sparked fears for her health when she stopped mid-scene, hyperventilated and clutched at her chest. Production staff later took her to her dressing room to calm down and be given the all-clear by medical personnel.

An industry insider told the Daily Star: "It was very distressing for everyone to watch. She's a young, bubbly girl and was in a right state. It came on all of a sudden. It was very scary for Helen and for everyone else in the studio."

Flanagan apparently admitted to Coronation Street bosses that she has experienced a few panic attacks in the last few weeks, but does not know the cause.

A spokesperson for Coronation Street said last night: "Helen has experienced a number of panic attacks recently. It is something she is trying to deal with to move forward."

Flanagan, who is currently dating Swansea City footballer Scott Sinclair, recently said of her colleagues: "I love the people at my work. So many people here are understanding and make me laugh. I'm very lucky."

Flanagan was recently given her own online spin-off show called Just Rosie, which follow her as she tries to reach her career dream of being a fashion model.

The Coronation Street actress who plays Emily Bishop set herself alight during filming earlier this week.

Eileen Derbyshire, who received an MBE last year after 50 years in the ITV soap, was shooting a scene for special Bonfire Night episodes when she got too close to a candle and set the arm of her shawl on fire.

The production team had to run on set and spray her with a fire extinguisher and the 80-year-old was then taken to her dressing room to receive treatment from a doctor.

One source told The Mirror: "It was a scary moment for Eileen. She got too close to the tea-light candle and her clothes went up in flames. She was lucky someone on the crew acted so quickly. Thankfully, she didn't get burned but the costume was ruined so the scene had to be completely reshot.

"It was hardly the biggest scene for November 5. There are others which have fires and fireworks in them so it's amazing this one caused such a problem."

The incident reportedly resulted in filming being called off for most of the afternoon, but Derbyshire has recovered and is now back at work.

A Coronation Street spokesperson confirmed the fire last night but added: "It was a minor incident and no one was in serious danger at any time."

Coronation Street star Alison King has reportedly become engaged to her boyfriend.

Sound technician Adam Huckett proposed to the actress in Paris and she immediately said yes, according to The People.

King, who plays Carla Connor, called her family to tell them the good news as she continues her late summer break in the French capital, after recently visiting Ibiza.

A friend said: "She is over the moon. They've been together three years and Alison is sure Adam's the one for her. They're very much in love."

The couple, who met in 2007, have a daughter together - 2-year-old Daisy.

Another source added: "Adam's a brilliant dad to Daisy. They are very happy, loving parents and this engagement is the icing on the cake for Alison."

King recently admitted that Carla's dramatic storylines have left her "physically and mentally exhausted".

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has suffered a panic attack on set.

The 21-year-old actress, who plays Rosie Webster in the long-running soap, reportedly sparked fears for her health when she stopped mid-scene, hyperventilated and clutched at her chest. Production staff later took her to her dressing room to calm down and be given the all-clear by medical personnel.

An industry insider told the Daily Star: "It was very distressing for everyone to watch. She's a young, bubbly girl and was in a right state. It came on all of a sudden. It was very scary for Helen and for everyone else in the studio."

Flanagan apparently admitted to Coronation Street bosses that she has experienced a few panic attacks in the last few weeks, but does not know the cause.

A spokesperson for Coronation Street said last night: "Helen has experienced a number of panic attacks recently. It is something she is trying to deal with to move forward."

Flanagan, who is currently dating Swansea City footballer Scott Sinclair, recently said of her colleagues: "I love the people at my work. So many people here are understanding and make me laugh. I'm very lucky."

Flanagan was recently given her own online spin-off show called Just Rosie, which follow her as she tries to reach her career dream of being a fashion model.

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Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has said that she hopes to discover what triggers her panic attacks so that she can begin trying to deal with them.

The actress, who plays Rosie Webster, confirmed reports that she recently suffered one of the attacks while filming the ITV1 soap. Writing on Twitter, she said that she was "getting them under control".

Flanagan, 21, told The Mirror: "I have recently suffered a few panic attacks. And as anyone who has ever suffered from them knows, they are very scary.

"I did have one at work and everyone was very understanding but I didn't know what might have caused it. I am speaking to people like Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) who has said that in the past she suffered from them too."

Flanagan continued: "I am trying to work out what triggers them so that I can start to deal with them and move forward. But I am starting to realise that they are more common than people think and that there are ways of dealing with them."

Rosie Webster takes centre stage in a new online Coronation Street spinoff, which follows her attempts at launching a modelling career in London.

Coronation Street's recent rape storyline has helped influence real life victims to call the helpline Rape Crisis.

The helpline has reported an 800% increase in calls since the storyline aired, in which businessman Frank Foster (Andrew Lancel) raped his fiancée Carla Connor (Alison King) on the eve of their wedding, after she attempted to call it off.

Rape Crisis have had to employ more volunteers to take the extra amount of calls, and have praised the episode, which was aired pre-watershed.

Rosa Knight, Helpline Coordinator at Rape Crisis South London said: "Though other programmes have run similar storylines, the response for the Coronation Street storyline has been like nothing we've experienced before.

"It is so important for mainstream shows to tackle these important issues in a well-researched way and it appears the programme makers worked hard to do just that."

Rape victim Sarah Scott also praised the storyline, telling The Sun: "Most rapists are people the victims know and I think it is important for women to realise this. That's why Carla's story is so realistic. I think it's vital that women watch scenes like this on TV to remind them that, sadly, rape is not unusual.

"Even though it doesn't make easy viewing, I think it is vital for soaps such as Coronation Street to tackle these hard-hitting storylines. I believe the agony we saw Carla suffering will help other women realise it is not their fault and they must report it and seek counselling."

Kym Marsh recently praised Lancel for his portrayal as Foster during the storyline.

yes i think they have done it very well there but it has took them long time to get it sorted out after maria

Michelle Keegan has said that she and fiancé Max George have no time to plan their wedding.

The couple, who began dating last December, became engaged earlier in the summer when The Wanted star proposed on set of the ITV1 soap.

However, the Coronation Street actress told The Mirror that their busy schedules meant that they had not had time to discuss their plans.

"I've been busy with work and he's been touring so we haven't even sat down and spoke about it yet," Keegan admitted.

"He's been away a lot recently, Australia, Singapore, Denmark. He comes home for one night here and there. I should have gone to Madrid this week, but I couldn't go because of work."

Keegan, who was named 'Sexiest Female' at the Inside Soap Awards earlier this week, said that she and George keep in touch online.

"We Skype though, and he knows I work and I know he works. It works, it's fine," the 24-year-old added.

Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has claimed that she cannot understand her sex symbol status.

The 24-year-old, who plays Rovers Return barmaid Tina McIntyre, said that she was surprised to be named 'Sexiest Female' at the Inside Soap Awards this week.

Keegan further explained that she considered her fiancé, The Wanted singer Max George, to be easier on the eyes.

"Max is very proud that I won this award but he's a lot sexier than I am," she told The Mirror. "My friends and my mum laugh at me because I am the most un-sexy person in the world. I go to Tesco in my PJs."

Keegan added that her commitment to Coronation Street had prevented her and George from planning their wedding.

"I've been working non-stop," she said. "And the *engagement was a shock - I haven't thought past it."

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Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has claimed that she cannot understand her sex symbol status.

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This would be the same michelle keegan who has expressed a desire to appear in Playboy and has graced the pages of numerous lads mags in a state of undress

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Originally Posted by alan45

This would be the same michelle keegan who has expressed a desire to appear in Playboy and has graced the pages of numerous lads mags in a state of undress

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Just because she can't see herself as sex symbol does not mean she is not prepared to make some money while others do

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Just because she can't see herself as sex symbol does not mean she is not prepared to make some money while others do

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She is the one who expressed a desire to appear in Playboy. She has not been approached by them. In fact I doubt they have even heard of her.

Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has denied a report claiming that she had a panic attack in a coffee shop.

Yesterday, the 21-year-old admitted that she left her local Costa after becoming paranoid about people "staring" at her.

She explained in a series of tweets: "Just went to costa for brunch. Never again on my own. I walked in and these two girls burst out laughing and started talking about me and I felt people were staring at me. It gets me really flustered and when I make my order I feel like all eyes are on me.

"I know I am an actress but I'm very strange sometimes I can be really shy. I sat down with my food and coffee and ended up leaving early as I felt like I was on show. It was just horrible. Now back in my sanctuary Lol.

"And before I get people messaging me saying who do you think you are thinking everyone staring at you I dont mean it to sound like that at all. I really should care less what people think of me and just get on with my thing I'm going to work on that one."

However, earlier today, The Mirror alleged the Rosie Webster actress had a "panic attack" in the shop.

She has since written on Twitter: "By the way I did not have a panic attack in costa yesterday thanks the daily mirror for making me sound like a loon. Lol hahahahahahahha x"

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Just because she can't see herself as sex symbol does not mean she is not prepared to make some money while others do

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Originally Posted by alan45

She is the one who expressed a desire to appear in Playboy. She has not been approached by them. In fact I doubt they have even heard of her.

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Michelle Keegan has said that she would consider posing for Playboy if she was asked.

The Coronation Street actress told Heat that she would never pose fully naked for the publication.

"Playboy's a good thing to do," Keegan said.

"If it was tastefully done and I didn't have all my bits and bobs out, I would probably think about it, because it's Playboy. But I wouldn't just get totally naked."

Keegan was speaking at last week's Inside Soap Awards, where she had been named the 'Sexiest Female'.

The actress has said that despite the gong, she is "the most un-sexy person in the world" and that her fiancé Max George of The Wanted is "a lot sexier".

Keegan recently claimed that she and George are too busy to start planning their wedding

Antony Cotton has become a patron for a charity that supports ex-battery hens.

The Coronation Street actor revealed that he is "besotted" with the birds, and that he began adopting them last year.

The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) has 25 regional centres around the UK, and takes in hens from farmers at the end of their laying life. The hens are then put up for 'adoption' to members of the public.

Cotton revealed that it was an easy decision to become a patron for the charity.

"The British Hen Welfare Trust does an amazing job, not only re-homing ex-battery hens but also campaigning to encourage consumers and retailers to go free range," he said.

"Hen-keeping is one of life's simple pleasures and I'm particularly happy to be able to give ex-battery hens that have had such a dreadful life a happy retirement."

Jamie Oliver and Antony Worrall Thompson are among other celebrities who have supported the cause.

Antony Cotton recently signed a deal that will keep him with the ITV soap until at least 2013.

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Antony Cotton has become a patron for a charity that supports ex-battery hens.

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That's nice of him :)

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antony cotton has become a patron for a charity that supports ex-battery hens

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Duracell :d

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has claimed that she cannot understand her sex symbol status.

The 24-year-old, who plays Rovers Return barmaid Tina McIntyre, said that she was surprised to be named 'Sexiest Female' at the Inside Soap Awards this week.

Keegan further explained that she considered her fiancé, The Wanted singer Max George, to be easier on the eyes.

"Max is very proud that I won this award but he's a lot sexier than I am," she told The Mirror. "My friends and my mum laugh at me because I am the most un-sexy person in the world. I go to Tesco in my PJs."

Keegan added that her commitment to Coronation Street had prevented her and George from planning their wedding.

"I've been working non-stop," she said. "And the *engagement was a shock - I haven't thought past it."

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I am not impressed with false modesty.