Sue Johnston - Gloria Price

Sue Johnston has revealed that her Coronation Street character Gloria will be "a terrible flirt".

Disclosing new details about her role, the Royle Family legend also confirmed that her matriarchal alter ego will clash with shopkeeper Rita Sullivan in the coming weeks.

Speaking to Radio Times, Johnston teased: "She's the sort of person who takes pride in shooting from the hip.

"She wastes no time in ruffling feathers when she arrives in Weatherfield, which she thinks is a dump.

"As well as being blunt to the point of rudeness, she's also a terrible flirt, which is terrific fun and a great combination to play."

The 68-year-old added: "I've just filmed some scenes with Barbara Knox because Rita is one of the first people Gloria goes into combat with, and she was wonderful.

"Because the characters are so familiar and I've watched the show as a fan, I have to make sure I call people by their real name."

Gloria Price, the mother of Rover's Return landlady Stella (Michelle Collins), upsets Weatherfield locals upon her arrival next Wednesday (September 5) as she turns the pub into a B&B.

Sue Johnston has spoken about her first spell in Coronation Street in 1982.

The Royle Family actress, who has rejoined the show as Gloria Price, originally played a lady referred to as Mrs Chadwick for a few months.

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© ITV


Speaking about her original stint on the ITV soap, she admitted: "I remember it so clearly because I was terrified.

"At the time, the characters were truly legendary and some of the actors were very intimidating. It really was true that if you sat in somebody else's seat in the green room, you'd get in trouble.

"Thankfully, Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) took me under her wing and we've been close friends ever since. She was one of the first people I called when I knew I was going to be in the show and she was delighted."

Recounting another meeting, the star went on: "One of my strongest memories from 30 years ago was being in the ladies' loos when Doris Speed (Annie Walker) entered. I froze. This was Doris Speed!

"I stood in awe as she chatted away to me ten to the dozen. She then brought her Annie Walker wig out of her bag still talking away. She popped it on, snapped into role, left the toilets and walked straight into the Rovers. I thought about that on the first day that I walked onto the Rovers set and had a chuckle to myself."

The 68-year-old, whose new character Gloria will arrive next Wednesday, revealed that the current cast have been more "welcoming", adding: "It's not like the old days."

However, she quipped: "So far, my only mistake has been calling Craig Charles 'Lloyd' and he laughed when I apologised."

Sue Johnston has spoken about her first spell in Coronation Street in 1982.

The Royle Family actress, who has rejoined the show as Gloria Price, originally played a lady referred to as Mrs Chadwick for a few months.

http://i1.cdnds.net/12/34/618x422/so...rie_7948_4.jpg
© ITV


Speaking about her original stint on the ITV soap, she admitted: "I remember it so clearly because I was terrified.

"At the time, the characters were truly legendary and some of the actors were very intimidating. It really was true that if you sat in somebody else's seat in the green room, you'd get in trouble.

"Thankfully, Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) took me under her wing and we've been close friends ever since. She was one of the first people I called when I knew I was going to be in the show and she was delighted."

Recounting another meeting, the star went on: "One of my strongest memories from 30 years ago was being in the ladies' loos when Doris Speed (Annie Walker) entered. I froze. This was Doris Speed!

"I stood in awe as she chatted away to me ten to the dozen. She then brought her Annie Walker wig out of her bag still talking away. She popped it on, snapped into role, left the toilets and walked straight into the Rovers. I thought about that on the first day that I walked onto the Rovers set and had a chuckle to myself."

The 68-year-old, whose new character Gloria will arrive next Wednesday, revealed that the current cast have been more "welcoming", adding: "It's not like the old days."

However, she quipped: "So far, my only mistake has been calling Craig Charles 'Lloyd' and he laughed when I apologised."

Interview with Sue Johnston

Gloria arrives out of the blue from her home in Spain to surprise daughter Stella (Michelle Collins) and granddaughter Eva (Catherine Tyldesley). But it is Gloria who gets the surprise when she discovers that Stella’s fella Karl has been playing away with Sunita Alahan. And she is finally re-acquainted with her long lost granddaughter Leanne (Jane Danson).

Larger than life, ballsy and outspoken Gloria will be in the great tradition of strong Weatherfield women who don’t take no for an answer and live life to the full. It soon becomes clear that Gloria has been economical with the truth about her reasons for leaving Spain and the sparks fly between her and her daughter as she tries to stamp her mark on the Rovers.

And the ladies of Weatherfield quickly discover that they will have to keep an eye on their men as she sets her sights on both Dennis and Lewis.

Corrie producer Phil Collinson said: “I'm delighted to welcome Sue Johnston to the cast of Coronation Street.* She is a national treasure and a stunning actress.* She has been at the heart of the very best comedy and drama the UK has produced over last 30 years and will step into the heart of Coronation Street as her character, Gloria, takes up running The Rovers with daughter Stella.”

Sue will make her Corrie debut as Gloria on Wednesday September 5th.

Interview with Sue
Thirty years ago a role in “Coronation Street” was SUE JOHNSTON’S first job in television. Now after a hugely successful career that’s seen her star in major television dramas, soap and sitcom, as well as creating at least two characters that became household names with Sheila Grant and Barbara Royale, Sue returns to the cobbles as Stella’s straight talking mother Gloria Price.


TELL US ABOUT GLORIA PRICE
I think people will be in for a surprise as she’s not the sort of character I’m usually associated with. She’s certainly not got the warmth or maternal instincts of Barbara or Sheila, in fact she’s a terrible mother.* I’ve still got so much to learn about her past with Stella but it’s fair to say she hasn’t always been there for her daughter and she gave her a bit of a rough ride when she was growing up. She’s very straight talking and just doesn’t care what she says and to whom she says it. She’s the sort of person who takes pride in shooting from the hip. It never wins her any friends but she’s clearly not bothered about that.* She wastes no time in ruffling feathers when she arrives in Weatherfield, which she thinks is a dump. As well as being blunt to the point of rudeness, she’s also a terrible flirt which is terrific fun and a great combination to play.

HOW DOES GLORIA LOOK?
Her appearance is also very different to many of the parts I’ve played in the past. I decided I didn’t want to go down the path of showing my cleavage and wearing animal prints.* Gloria’s a bit of an old hippy and I wanted her dress sense to reflect this. I went out shopping with the wardrobe department and we’ve chosen long skirts and flowing tops with lots of colours and lots of layers. Her look is very distinctive.

HOW DOES GLORIA ARRIVE IN WEATHERFIELD?
She comes from Spain where she’s been running a bar.* Her reasons for leaving are murky to say the least. Aside from the fact that they involve a man called Cliff and something a bit dodgy to do with his business, it’s clear she’s playing her cards very close to her chest when Stella quizzes her about her sudden appearance. Although she’s thrilled to see Stella and Eva and to meet Leanne, it’s not long before she’s showing her true colours. Stella never does anything right as far as Gloria is concerned, and she thinks running a grimy pub in a Manchester suburb represents her hitting rock bottom. She thinks the Rover’s is beneath her, and therefore so is anyone who drinks there. That doesn’t mean when she’s given the chance to rule the roost she doesn’t lap it up of course. When Stella goes away she leaves Gloria in charge and she decides she’s going to save the Rovers by putting it on the map at any cost.

HOW DOES SHE REACT TO THE NEWS THAT STELLA HAS THROWN KARL OUT?
She’s devastated. She thinks the world of Karl. She doesn’t care about his money problems and his womanising or that he’s had an affair with another woman. She thinks you have to pay a price to end up with someone as good as Karl and makes no bones about telling Stella she’s made another huge mistake by getting rid of him. One of the first things she does when she arrives is try to engineer a reunion. She knows perfectly well how much Karl has hurt Stella but that doesn’t matter. She won’t listen to anything anyone says. She’s always in the right and she’ll stop at nothing to get her own way.


WHAT WAS IT LIKE THE FIRST TIME YOU WALKED DOWN CORONATION STREET?

I played Mrs Chadwick the bookies wife and it was my big break. It was whilst I was playing the part that I was seen for this new soap that everyone was talking about called “Brookside”, and I got offered Sheila Grant. I’ll never know if Mrs Chadwick might have become a regular character because I only did a few episodes. But I remember it so clearly because I was terrified.

At this time the characters were truly legendary and some of the actors were very intimidating.* It really was true that if you sat in somebody else’s seat in the green room, you’d get in trouble. Thankfully Liz Dawn took me under her wing and we’ve been very close friends ever since. She was one of the first people I called when I knew I was going into the show and she was delighted.

One of my strongest memories from thirty years ago was being in the ladies loos when Doris Speed entered. I froze. This was Doris Speed! I stood in awe as she chatted away to me ten to the dozen. She then brought her Annie Walker wig out of her bag still talking away. She popped it on, snapped into role, left the toilets and walked straight into the Rovers. I thought about that on the first day that I walked onto the Rovers set and had a chuckle to myself.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMING BACK?
Not at all like the old days. I was still incredibly nervous because obviously I’m working with all these terrific actors who’ve created iconic characters but everyone has been welcoming and very kind. I’ve just filmed some scenes with Barbara Knox, because Rita is one of the first people Gloria goes into combat with, and she was wonderful. Because the characters are so familiar and I’ve always watched the show as a fan, I have to make sure I call people by their real names. So far my only mistake has been calling Craig Charles Lloyd and he laughed when I apologised.

DID YOU EVER EXPECT THAT YOUR CAREER WOULD BRING YOU BACK TO THE STREET?
I never really thought about it. I’ve never really planned my career, I’ve just sort of rolled along and thankfully I’ve been incredibly lucky. When Phil Collinson called my agent however to say they were interested it did feel like fate and it’s happened at an ideal time. My son Joel lives in Manchester and he and his wife Zoe have just had Rory my first grandchild. So my house in Muswell Hill, where I’ve lived for eighteen years, is on the market and I’ve decided to move near Manchester to be close to them.* It’s a time of big change but it feels right. I’m entering a new stage in my career and my life

WHO DO YOU MOST GET RECOGNISED AS, BY FANS?
I’ve been very lucky to have played parts that have become so familiar.* Most recently people shout out Barbara, and I like that. I love working on “The Royle Family” and I’m pleased that my contract on “Coronation Street” allows me time off to film the Christmas Special that is definitely happening this year.* I also still get Sheila and it’s usually at a Liverpool match or by younger people who I always think couldn’t possibly remember “Brookside.” I hope one day people might shout out “Gloria”, but of course I really like people calling me Sue best of all.

Interview with Sue Johnston

Gloria arrives out of the blue from her home in Spain to surprise daughter Stella (Michelle Collins) and granddaughter Eva (Catherine Tyldesley). But it is Gloria who gets the surprise when she discovers that Stella’s fella Karl has been playing away with Sunita Alahan. And she is finally re-acquainted with her long lost granddaughter Leanne (Jane Danson).

Larger than life, ballsy and outspoken Gloria will be in the great tradition of strong Weatherfield women who don’t take no for an answer and live life to the full. It soon becomes clear that Gloria has been economical with the truth about her reasons for leaving Spain and the sparks fly between her and her daughter as she tries to stamp her mark on the Rovers.

And the ladies of Weatherfield quickly discover that they will have to keep an eye on their men as she sets her sights on both Dennis and Lewis.

Corrie producer Phil Collinson said: “I'm delighted to welcome Sue Johnston to the cast of Coronation Street.* She is a national treasure and a stunning actress.* She has been at the heart of the very best comedy and drama the UK has produced over last 30 years and will step into the heart of Coronation Street as her character, Gloria, takes up running The Rovers with daughter Stella.”

Sue will make her Corrie debut as Gloria on Wednesday September 5th.

Interview with Sue
Thirty years ago a role in “Coronation Street” was SUE JOHNSTON’S first job in television. Now after a hugely successful career that’s seen her star in major television dramas, soap and sitcom, as well as creating at least two characters that became household names with Sheila Grant and Barbara Royale, Sue returns to the cobbles as Stella’s straight talking mother Gloria Price.


TELL US ABOUT GLORIA PRICE
I think people will be in for a surprise as she’s not the sort of character I’m usually associated with. She’s certainly not got the warmth or maternal instincts of Barbara or Sheila, in fact she’s a terrible mother.* I’ve still got so much to learn about her past with Stella but it’s fair to say she hasn’t always been there for her daughter and she gave her a bit of a rough ride when she was growing up. She’s very straight talking and just doesn’t care what she says and to whom she says it. She’s the sort of person who takes pride in shooting from the hip. It never wins her any friends but she’s clearly not bothered about that.* She wastes no time in ruffling feathers when she arrives in Weatherfield, which she thinks is a dump. As well as being blunt to the point of rudeness, she’s also a terrible flirt which is terrific fun and a great combination to play.

HOW DOES GLORIA LOOK?
Her appearance is also very different to many of the parts I’ve played in the past. I decided I didn’t want to go down the path of showing my cleavage and wearing animal prints.* Gloria’s a bit of an old hippy and I wanted her dress sense to reflect this. I went out shopping with the wardrobe department and we’ve chosen long skirts and flowing tops with lots of colours and lots of layers. Her look is very distinctive.

HOW DOES GLORIA ARRIVE IN WEATHERFIELD?
She comes from Spain where she’s been running a bar.* Her reasons for leaving are murky to say the least. Aside from the fact that they involve a man called Cliff and something a bit dodgy to do with his business, it’s clear she’s playing her cards very close to her chest when Stella quizzes her about her sudden appearance. Although she’s thrilled to see Stella and Eva and to meet Leanne, it’s not long before she’s showing her true colours. Stella never does anything right as far as Gloria is concerned, and she thinks running a grimy pub in a Manchester suburb represents her hitting rock bottom. She thinks the Rover’s is beneath her, and therefore so is anyone who drinks there. That doesn’t mean when she’s given the chance to rule the roost she doesn’t lap it up of course. When Stella goes away she leaves Gloria in charge and she decides she’s going to save the Rovers by putting it on the map at any cost.

HOW DOES SHE REACT TO THE NEWS THAT STELLA HAS THROWN KARL OUT?
She’s devastated. She thinks the world of Karl. She doesn’t care about his money problems and his womanising or that he’s had an affair with another woman. She thinks you have to pay a price to end up with someone as good as Karl and makes no bones about telling Stella she’s made another huge mistake by getting rid of him. One of the first things she does when she arrives is try to engineer a reunion. She knows perfectly well how much Karl has hurt Stella but that doesn’t matter. She won’t listen to anything anyone says. She’s always in the right and she’ll stop at nothing to get her own way.


WHAT WAS IT LIKE THE FIRST TIME YOU WALKED DOWN CORONATION STREET?

I played Mrs Chadwick the bookies wife and it was my big break. It was whilst I was playing the part that I was seen for this new soap that everyone was talking about called “Brookside”, and I got offered Sheila Grant. I’ll never know if Mrs Chadwick might have become a regular character because I only did a few episodes. But I remember it so clearly because I was terrified.

At this time the characters were truly legendary and some of the actors were very intimidating.* It really was true that if you sat in somebody else’s seat in the green room, you’d get in trouble. Thankfully Liz Dawn took me under her wing and we’ve been very close friends ever since. She was one of the first people I called when I knew I was going into the show and she was delighted.

One of my strongest memories from thirty years ago was being in the ladies loos when Doris Speed entered. I froze. This was Doris Speed! I stood in awe as she chatted away to me ten to the dozen. She then brought her Annie Walker wig out of her bag still talking away. She popped it on, snapped into role, left the toilets and walked straight into the Rovers. I thought about that on the first day that I walked onto the Rovers set and had a chuckle to myself.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMING BACK?
Not at all like the old days. I was still incredibly nervous because obviously I’m working with all these terrific actors who’ve created iconic characters but everyone has been welcoming and very kind. I’ve just filmed some scenes with Barbara Knox, because Rita is one of the first people Gloria goes into combat with, and she was wonderful. Because the characters are so familiar and I’ve always watched the show as a fan, I have to make sure I call people by their real names. So far my only mistake has been calling Craig Charles Lloyd and he laughed when I apologised.

DID YOU EVER EXPECT THAT YOUR CAREER WOULD BRING YOU BACK TO THE STREET?
I never really thought about it. I’ve never really planned my career, I’ve just sort of rolled along and thankfully I’ve been incredibly lucky. When Phil Collinson called my agent however to say they were interested it did feel like fate and it’s happened at an ideal time. My son Joel lives in Manchester and he and his wife Zoe have just had Rory my first grandchild. So my house in Muswell Hill, where I’ve lived for eighteen years, is on the market and I’ve decided to move near Manchester to be close to them.* It’s a time of big change but it feels right. I’m entering a new stage in my career and my life

WHO DO YOU MOST GET RECOGNISED AS, BY FANS?
I’ve been very lucky to have played parts that have become so familiar.* Most recently people shout out Barbara, and I like that. I love working on “The Royle Family” and I’m pleased that my contract on “Coronation Street” allows me time off to film the Christmas Special that is definitely happening this year.* I also still get Sheila and it’s usually at a Liverpool match or by younger people who I always think couldn’t possibly remember “Brookside.” I hope one day people might shout out “Gloria”, but of course I really like people calling me Sue best of all.

Sue Johnston has disclosed details about Coronation Street character Gloria Price's past.

The Royle Family actress, who makes her Corrie debut next Wednesday, revealed that Gloria's reasons for relocating to Weatherfield are "murky to say the least".

"She comes from Spain where she's been running a bar," the star explained. "Aside from the fact that they involve a man called Cliff and something a bit dodgy to do with his business, it's clear she's playing her cards very close to her chest when Stella quizzes her about her sudden appearance.

"Although she's thrilled to see Stella and Eva and to meet Leanne, it's not long before she's showing her true colours. Stella never does anything right as far as Gloria is concerned, and she thinks running a grimy pub in a Manchester suburb represents her hitting rock bottom.

"She thinks the Rover's is beneath her, and therefore so is anyone who drinks there. That doesn't mean when she's given the chance to rule the roost she doesn't lap it up of course. When Stella goes away she leaves Gloria in charge and she decides she's going to save the Rovers by putting it on the map at any cost."

One report last week suggested that Gloria is to transform the Rover's Return into a bed-and-breakfast while daughter Stella (Michelle Collins) is away on holiday.

Sue Johnston has disclosed details about Coronation Street character Gloria Price's past.

The Royle Family actress, who makes her Corrie debut next Wednesday, revealed that Gloria's reasons for relocating to Weatherfield are "murky to say the least".

"She comes from Spain where she's been running a bar," the star explained. "Aside from the fact that they involve a man called Cliff and something a bit dodgy to do with his business, it's clear she's playing her cards very close to her chest when Stella quizzes her about her sudden appearance.

"Although she's thrilled to see Stella and Eva and to meet Leanne, it's not long before she's showing her true colours. Stella never does anything right as far as Gloria is concerned, and she thinks running a grimy pub in a Manchester suburb represents her hitting rock bottom.

"She thinks the Rover's is beneath her, and therefore so is anyone who drinks there. That doesn't mean when she's given the chance to rule the roost she doesn't lap it up of course. When Stella goes away she leaves Gloria in charge and she decides she's going to save the Rovers by putting it on the map at any cost."

One report last week suggested that Gloria is to transform the Rover's Return into a bed-and-breakfast while daughter Stella (Michelle Collins) is away on holiday.

Coronation Street newcomer Sue Johnston has admitted that she is trying to find the good qualities of her "selfish" character Gloria Price.

Gloria joins the cobbles in tonight's (September 5) episode as she pays a visit to her daughter Stella. She has been tipped to stir up life in Weatherfield in the coming weeks with some outspoken remarks and a controversial attempt to turn the Rovers Return into a B&B.

In a new Daybreak interview broadcast today, Johnston commented: "Gloria, what can I say? She's a bit of a one-off. I don't know what people are going to make of her - she's not of the norm!

"She doesn't take prisoners really, she makes enemies, she's outspoken, a very selfish woman I think. But I have to find all the good things about her, otherwise I couldn't play her!"

The Royle Family star also revealed that she would like to secure a US movie role in the future.

Johnston explained: "I really miss belonging, I think, so that's what's really nice about [Coronation Street]. I've always said I'd love to do a big Hollywood movie, even if it was only a little bit-part, just to have the experience of how the whole thing operates - not to be a massive star, but just to see how the cogs work. It's like the big end of everything."

However, she added: "I feel very good about where I am. I've got my grandson and my goddaughter - I'm an honorary grandmother to her baby. I'm seeing them all this weekend. So my life is very rich and I do feel privileged that it is so rich because I know that not everyone is so fortunate."

Coronation Street airs Gloria's first scenes tonight at 7.30pm on ITV1.

Julie Goodyear has expressed her approval of the casting of Sue Johnston in Coronation Street.

The Corrie legend commented on the soap's new addition following her recent departure from the Celebrity Big Brother house.

"I think it's a fantastic idea," Goodyear said of Johnston's role as Gloria Price. "I love, respect and admire her. I think she will be a fantastic barmaid."

She also praised the current state of the soap, telling the PA: "Tony Warren, creator and dear friend of mine, has always said that Coronation Street will reflect real life as it is now. I think they have got it spot on."

The Bet Lynch actress, who faced a hostile crowd when she left the Big Brother house on Wednesday (September 5), said the experience had not come close to 'breaking' her in the way that it had done for previous winner Denise Welch.

"I feel sorry for Denise, but it's had the opposite effect on me. Not only do I feel not broken, I feel stronger than ever - so brace yourself," she commented.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Julie Goodyear has expressed her approval of the casting of Sue Johnston in Coronation Street.

The Corrie legend commented on the soap's new addition following her recent departure from the Celebrity Big Brother house.

"I think it's a fantastic idea," Goodyear said of Johnston's role as Gloria Price. "I love, respect and admire her. I think she will be a fantastic barmaid."

.

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I'm sure to have such a well respected actress such as the much loved Ms Goodyear comment is the highlight of Sue Johnstons career. :lol::sick: