Michelle Collins and John Michie join as Stella and Karl

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LizzyBizzy

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:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LizzyBizzy

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...#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."

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.

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tammyy2j

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.

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.

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.

:d

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."

There seems to be an echo round here...:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by parkerman

There seems to be an echo round here...:D

---

here here here here

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by parkerman

There seems to be an echo round here...:D

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Siobhan

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.

I'm sick of hearing about "accentgate"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tammyy2j

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/a...a_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/a...2_1369669a.jpg


http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/a...1_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."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Perdita

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

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.