A news thread for all general peices of news regarding the show and the cast. I.e Digitial Spy news reports etc.
For big news stories, please feel free to set up a thread of it's own.
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A news thread for all general peices of news regarding the show and the cast. I.e Digitial Spy news reports etc.
For big news stories, please feel free to set up a thread of it's own.
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has expressed an interest in a Coronation Street role.
The 38-year-old, who returns to screens on Saturday as part of the new series of the nationwide talent search, previously appeared in BBC soap EastEnders for five episodes back in 1994 as a minor character called Carmen.
"I have to say I find EastEnders brilliant at the moment, but I wouldn't go into it at the moment, no," she told PA.
However, the former Wild at Heart and Cutting It actress has said that she would love a stint in the Weatherfield soap.
"What I'd like to do is go into Coronation Street. I love Corrie and that's kind of more iconic. I'd go into that for a bit," she continued.
She added: "I'd love to go into it as some kind of snooty southern bitch. Maybe go and buy The Kabin from under Rita's nose and turn it into a beauty salon or something horrendous that they hate, so they oust me and I go back to London."
Holden recently spoke of her desire to launch a career in the US, similar to that of fellow panelist Piers Morgan.
Britain's Got Talent returns for its third run on Saturday at 7.45pm on ITV1.
Former EastEnders actor Shaun Williamson has revealed that he doesn't miss working on the BBC soap.
The 43-year-old played Barry Evans for nine years until his character was killed off onscreen in 2004. He then went on to appear as himself in hit BBC comedy Extras alongside Ricky Gervais.
Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: "I don't miss EastEnders at all - I haven't since the day I left. When Barry played an evil s**t it was great, but I wouldn't go back to playing a loser again, otherwise I might as well have stayed."
"I got gobbled up by EastEnders and spent nine years there, which wasn't planned. You just keep re-signing the contracts. I spent a long time on TV and when I left EastEnders in 2003, I couldn't wait to get back to doing comedy on stage."
Despite his reluctance to return to the Walford soap, Williamson admitted that he would "jump at the chance" to play a villain in ITV1's rival soap Coronation Street, saying: "Just to do something really evil like kill someone would be fantastic."
Williamson is currently playing the role of Ron Freeman in the Take That musical Never Forget.
Another one wanting to join Corrie. :cheer: Perhaps Carla can hire him to bump off Tony :lol:
CORRIE legend Julie Goodyear was in tears yesterday after being mistakenly accused of shoplifting nicotine gum.
The chain-smoking actress, who played Rovers Return barmaid Bet Gilroy for more than 25 years, was stopped at her local supermarket.
Store detectives claimed they saw Julie’s fourth hubby Scott Brand, 40, putting a packet of gum into her pocket.
When the 60-a-day star — who famously puffed on Cartier cigs in the ITV soap — got to the till, they accused the couple of nicking the £15 item and called police.
Julie, 67, was reduced to tears as she pleaded: “It’s all a mistake — I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Scott went to see the general manager at Morrisons near their farmhouse in Heywood, Lancs, to explain it was an innocent mix-up.
Cops arrived about an hour later — but the couple were spared a grilling because staff accepted their explanation.
Julie refused to comment last night on the astonishing drama.
But a source said: “It all seemed a bit bizarre because she shops there twice a week — Julie looked really upset.”
Shopper Marjorie Cutler, 52, who saw the star in tears, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw her coming out of the manager’s office.
“I think she’d been crying as her eyes looked red. She was shaking her head and she looked really upset — but she just put her head down and walked out.”
A spokesman for Morrisons said: “The police were called to our Heywood store to investigate a suspected shoplifting.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that no further action had been taken.
A spokesman added: “Before officers arrived, the person paid for the item and no offences had occurred.”
Former Coronation Street star Tina O'Brien has admitted that she was "naive" over her controversial teen pregnancy plot.
The actress's character Sarah Platt was just 13 when she fell pregnant to her classmate Neil Fearns on the ITV1 soap.
Sarah eventually decided to take on the responsibility of motherhood and welcomed her daughter Bethany months later.
"It was really big at the time," O'Brien told PA. "At the time I didn't realise it because I was very new to it all and naive, so I didn't realise what a big sort of splash it made really, but yeah, I did get a lot of people writing in to me, even young girls saying: 'I'm in a similar situation'."
Naming the 2000 plot as her most memorable, she added: "It's because it was the first biggy as well. For me, that really stuck in my head."
O'Brien left Coronation Street in 2007, but recently announced that she would be willing to return in the future.
I remember that storyline since I was like 9 at the time. I know teenage pregancies have been done loads now, but she was 13 and thats the one that stands out to me
Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell has claimed that the show's cast are living in fear for their jobs.
The actor, who has played Kevin Webster for 26 years, revealed that even long-established Weatherfield stars are concerned about their future following recent job cuts at ITV.
"We are scared that we face getting axed with what's going on," Le Vell told The People. "But we all have the attitude we will just carry on doing what we are doing to the best we can.
"What will happen will happen, but in the meantime we want to continue working hard as a team and hopefully we will reign supreme at what is a difficult time for ITV."
In February, reports suggested that the Manchester-based soap could be sold off to an independent production company due to the current financial climate.
Meanwhile, The People also claims that paranoia over the show's future has led to a widespread "mole hunt" in recent weeks.
Following recent storyline leaks to the media, executive producer Kim Crowther reportedly ordered staff to hand over their phone records - and also recruited an expert to sweep conference rooms for bugging devices.
A source revealed: "Staff couldn't believe what they were hearing. They deal with top-secret storylines and internal matters week in, week out so found it astonishing that the finger of suspicion should be pointed at them.
"Most were happy to do it because they knew if they didn't, questions would be asked. As for the bug sweep, it shows how paranoid the bosses have become. The atmosphere is really bad now because everyone is worried about their jobs in this difficult climate."
A ITV spokesperson this afternoon told DS: "We are very vigilant when it comes to protecting storyline leaks on both Coronation Street and Emmerdale as we don't want to spoil plots for our viewers."
Coronation Street star Samia Smith has admitted that she feels "drained" following her recent depressing plotlines.
The actress's alter-ego Maria Connor gave birth to a lifeless baby boy after six months of pregnancy in early 2008. Later in the year, she faced further heartbreak when her husband Liam (Rob James-Collier) was killed.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Smith revealed: "It's been a good 18 months of solid misery. It's quite draining really, having to think really depressing thoughts for 12 hours a day, all week.
"I can't muck about in the green room like I used to, I don't have the energy to. I've found that it's better to just sit in my dressing room and read a book and be quiet for a while. I've become a bit of a hermit."
Discussing the impact on her social life, she added: "I'm doing this all the time, and at weekends I'm really tired. Luckily I've got good friends, who understand. I have to try to smile a lot in my real life. I put lots of loud music on in the car on the way home and then pour myself a big glass of wine."
Smith has previously insisted that she was pleased to adopt a "grim" new look for the storylines.
EX-CORRIE star Kevin Kennedy, who played nerdy Curly Watts, wants to return.
Kevin, 47, who quit in 2003, said: “Curly moved to Newcastle and there’s more mileage in him. I’d like to return as he still has a story to tell.”
But times and characters have changed since he was last on the cobbles.
He added: “I just want to walk into the Rovers and say, ‘Who are you? Who’s that?’ as I don’t know some of the newer characters!
“I adored my time on Corrie, especially the Curly and Raquel romance.
“I still watch it now and again although I’m often on stage when it’s on the telly.”
I think Curly is best left in the past! as for Raquel lets not go there!
Aww I liked Curly! Although I cant remember much of him :o
He's very much a 90's character though and most from then wouldn't work in the show nowadays. I did love that storyline with him and that crazy Ann woman though haha.
There has to be a decent storyline for him to be brought back otherwise it will just be rubbish, the only ones who really know him are The Websters, Barlows,McDonalds, Rita, Jack and Emily.
ITV and Ofcom have reportedly received a number of complaints over remarks about Christianity made by Ken Barlow during Coronation Street's Easter Sunday episode.
The Sunday evening edition of the soap, which attracted an audience of 5.4m, contained scenes in which Ken - portrayed by William Roache - played down the role of the church and Christianity in front of his family, including his grandson Simon (Alex Bain).
In the script, written by Mark Wadlow, Ken was seen telling his son Peter (Chris Gascoyne) that his attendance at church was "pure tokenism", which prompted Blanche (Maggie Jones) to interject, claiming that Simon needed some "spiritual sustenance" following the his recent ordeals.
Ken, however, responded that Simon should seek such strength "in his fellow man rather than recourse to a supernatural being", to which Blanche accused her son-in-law of being a "heathen".
As the Barlows readied themselves for the Easter service, Ken questioned why his son was "joining in with the charade", before challenging Peter as to why he was allowing his son to be "indoctrinated".
Despite Peter suggesting that Simon would be able to make his mind up when he was older, Ken held the belief that "it might be too late by then".
The episode in question did, however, feature scenes within an animal-filled church, in which worshippers - including the Webster family - sang the hymn 'Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven'.
On the Barlows' return home in the second half of the episode, Ken went on to criticise Simon's school for teaching him creationism, before justifying his standpoint, claiming that his grandson "should have another viewpoint to balance the teachings from the church".
However, while talking to Simon about The Big Bang Theory, the ex-school teacher was silenced when Simon questioned whether his late mother Lucy was actually in heaven.
Towards the end of the episode, Ken appeared in The Rovers with Gail's (Helen Worth) father Ted Page (Michael Byrne), where he spoke of Peter "spouting religious clichés about angels and harps" and insisted that "even children should be told the truth".
During the scene, Ken questioned whether Ted was "one of them", meaning a Christian, spurring his intellectual friend to clarify that he found the church "comforting" after the loss of his partner. Ken, however, closed the conversation by saying: "Well of course it's comforting - that's how they get their hooks into you when you're feeling vulnerable."
A Weatherfield spokesman this evening told DS: "Coronation Street is a soap opera set in modern society and therefore represents views from all side of the religious spectrum.
"At the moment, we have a very positive story involving Sophie Webster and her new-found interest in religion, while Emily Bishop has also always been seen as a very positive representation of Christianity."
They added: "Likewise Ken Barlow's different views on religion have always been a strong aspect of his character."
Ironically, during the discussion about creationism in the first half of Sunday's episode, Blanche made a snide, off-the-cuff remark to Ken, asking whether he would prefer Simon to be taught lesbianism as opposed to creationism.
The remark follows last week's report that churchgoing student Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) is to embark on a lesbian relationship with best friend Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson).
In January, Coronation Street execs came under fire after a vicar accused the soap of covering up a brass cross at his church's altar during filming for Molly (Vicky Binns) and Tyrone's (Alan Halsall) wedding for 'fear of causing offence'.
ITV later issued a statement denying that the cross was intentionally obstructed, instead claiming that the religious symbol was moved "so that it was not hidden".
FFS, do some people only watch tv so they can pick on the scripts? What about free speech? Ken was having a private conversation with his family and then Ted, surely he is allowed to air his views, even if viewers disagree with his statement?
CORRIE beauty Samia Smith was devastated last night after her dad died following a battle with cancer.
The 26-year-old actress, who plays downtrodden crimper Maria Connor, has taken time off the ITV1 soap to grieve.
A show insider said: “Samia was close to her dad Joseph and is upset.”
It is the latest tragedy to hit the Corrie cast.
The wife of Ken Barlow star Bill Roache died suddenly in February and Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) suffered the loss of her new-born premature baby.
Producers have had to juggle filming schedules for Samia because a major storyline has pregnant Maria unwittingly getting closer to husband Liam’s killer Tony Gordon.
Samia said recently she felt drained by her depressing storylines, adding: “It’s been 18 months of solid misery.”
Her real-life mum Patsy, a one-time cabaret star, met French-Lebanese hubby Joseph, an ex-diver, while touring the Middle East.
They ran an off-licence in Salford before separating.
How sad for her
Coronation Street actor Mikey North suffered a broken jaw and required emergency surgery after being attacked during the Easter break.
According to The Mirror, the 22-year-old - who plays Weatherfield's cocky Gary Windass - was assaulted by two attackers as he returned home from a club with his girlfriend and a group of friends in his hometown of Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
Reports suggest that the two thugs provoked North about his Corrie role, before leaving him in a heap on the pavement, covered in blood.
Following the attack, North attended A&E at the local hospital for treatment.
A Coronation Street spokesman said: "There was an incident at the weekend which resulted in Mikey North sustaining facial injuries.
They added: "He was treated in hospital and the matter is now in the hands of the police."
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police commented: "A 19-year-old male has been arrested in connection with the incident. He has been released on bail while police enquiries continue."
:eek: Hope he gets better soon.
HUNKY Rupert Hill is set to shock his army of female fans – by playing a paedophile.
His role as a sick barrister is a world away from Street heart-throb Jamie Baldwin.
Rupert, 30, plays a lawyer called Peter who accidentally sends an email to everyone in his address book – with a child porn picture attached.
The stage play Future Me, showing at Only Connect in London’s King’s Cross until April 26, follows Peter as he becomes close to a girl of 12.
Rupert said: “It is a difficult subject and a lot of people have problems with it.”
He took the part to get rid of the “Jamie Baldwin” tag.
“I would like to be known for other things,” he said.
A female Coronation Street director was injured on set earlier today when a car collided with her.
At around 12.30pm, preparations were underway for filming a scene, which involved a small amount of non-essential background car movement.
However, filming was halted when an action car collided with the unnamed female member of the production team. No cast or other crew members were involved.
She was subsequently taken to Manchester Royal Hospital to be checked by doctors.
A Weatherfield spokeswoman this afternoon said: "We can confirm an accident occurred on the set of Coronation Street today during filming. The accident occurred as the crew were setting up for a scene which involved a small amount of vehicle movement.
"Contrary to press speculation, this accident did not occur during the filming of a stunt. The female director has been injured as a consequence and been taken to hospital. No other member of the crew or cast has been injured."
Producers have since called in ITV's health and safety advisors to investigate the incident.
The spokeswoman added: "ITV's health and safety team on-site in Manchester are currently conducting an investigation into how this accident occurred and are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive."
I read that in the evening news. Ivwonder how it happened. That article even stated it occuredvoutside jack duckworths house. They have as much drama off screen than they do on at the minute corrie.
CORONATION Street stars watched in horror as a runaway car mowed down the director on set yesterday.
Kay Patrick was hit as she set up a scene on the cobbles near the Rovers Return when the car’s accelerator jammed.
Vicky Binns, 26, who plays Molly Compton, fled in tears while Michael Le Vell, 44 — mechanic Kevin Webster — was shaken.
Kay, 68, was last night being treated at Manchester Royal Infirmary for a suspected fractured hip.
Another production staff member was hit and slightly hurt.
The driver was treated at the scene for shock.
Filming on the ITV1 soap was halted for the day at Granada Studios, Manchester.
One fan waiting for autographs outside said: “I heard a really loud bang then screaming.
"Then I saw crew and cast members running across the set. Some were crying. They all looked pretty shocked.”
A Corrie insider said: “The cast and crew are absolutely horrified.
“The car was being driven around when the accelerator pedal jammed. It lurched forward, knocking down Kay. She was in agony and everyone feared the worst. Thankfully she just injured her hip.”
Veteran soap director Kay’s credits include EastEnders, Holby City, Emmerdale, Brookside and Crossroads.
She started out as an actress on classics like Dr Who and Z Cars in the 60s.
Former Coronation Street star Samuel Robertson has joined the cast of Scottish soap River City, it has been announced.
The 23-year-old actor, who played Weatherfield's Adam Barlow from 2004 to 2007, has signed up for the role of art history student Innes Maitland on the BBC One show.
Robertson's character will immediately attract romantic attention from Amber Murdoch (Lorna Anderson) when he hits screens later this year.
Discussing his new role, he revealed: "I'm having an amazing time filming River City. Innes is a very cool, confident character and he's a lot of fun to play."
Meanwhile, TV newcomers Ryan Smith and Lorna Craig have been cast as siblings Charlie and Jennifer Bowie, who share a flat with their fellow student Innes.
River City's executive producer Gaynor Holmes said: "It's wonderfully exciting to welcome a mix of established actors and fresh new talent to River City.
"The arrival of the students will bring a lot of fun to the drama. Samuel will already be recognisable to many of our viewers, and it's a pleasure to also introduce talented newcomers Ryan Smith and Lorna Craig."
The trio will make their first appearances on the programme in June.
CORRIE chiefs have ordered a safety crackdown after an on-set car accident — but staff condemned the new rules as BONKERS.
Cast and crew were horrified when director Kay Patrick was accidentally mowed down on the cobbles near the Rovers — as we revealed on Saturday.
But one insider said of the new ultra-cautious regime: “There will be more health and safety people on set than anyone else.”
Gray O’Brien, 40, today films a scene where factory boss Tony Gordon burns his hand on a kitchen grill. TWO electricians will stand by to ensure the oven is OFF.
Vicky Binns, 26, and Michael Le Vell, 44, will be on location for scenes where their characters Molly Crompton and Kevin Webster run in a race. The stars, who witnessed last Friday’s car drama, have been banned from exercising for more than 30 SECONDS.
Tomorrow other members of the ITV1 soap’s cast will be filmed working out in a gym — with every move supervised by a qualified instructor. And when Molly slaps Kevin on Friday it will be overseen by a professional “fight arranger”.
Under the crackdown all staff and crew are banned from going within 20ft of unsupervised props. One worker at the Manchester studios said: “Some of these rules seem a bit bonkers. You don’t need an electrician to tell you an oven is not hot.” Director Kay, 68, had hospital treatment after the car lurched into her on set.
From The Sun
CORRIE stars fear the show has been cursed by a ghost.
The female spirit is being blamed for a nightmare run of bad luck and accidents.
In the most recent mishap, producer Kay Patrick, 58, was badly hurt on the set when she was hit by a car after its accelerator jammed.
The Manchester studios where the ITV1 soap is made were built on a former cemetery where 22,000 people are buried.
In the past few months, cast members claim to have spotted the woman ghost with long brown hair at several locations on the set. She wore a dark jacket.
It follows previous reported sightings of the ghost of Pat Phoenix, who played Corrie legend Elsie Tanner. She died of lung cancer in 1986 aged 62.
Actress Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, said of the new woman ghost: “So many people have seen and felt the same things that there has to be something in it.”
A show insider added: “The curse of Corrie is no joke among everyone involved with the soap. Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and Betty Driver (Betty Williams) have recently had to take time off with mystery illnesses.”
Other cast members have been hit by personal tragedies.
The insider added: “Terrible things have happened — and then there’s this sighting of the ghost. It sounds silly, but everyone who’s seen it has given the same description of her. The cast and crew no longer joke about the ghostly rumours.
“They are being treated deadly seriously. It just seems to be one thing after another, so much so that a lot of us are convinced there’s more to it than just bad luck.
“It has to be a curse.”
Para-psychologist Dr Ciaran O’Keefe has investigated the sightings. He reckons the ghost could have risen from the spirits under the set.
Apart from the personal tragedies, there have been other accidents among those working on the show.
The insider said: “So much bad luck just can’t be explained away logically. There are a lot of people convinced that there’s something really spooky going on.
“It’s making everyone think twice about being alone in the studios, especially at night. No one wants to be the last person left in the building.”
The giant cemetery was demolished 30 years before the Granada studios were built on the site.
Even the Street’s creator Tony Warren is convinced that spirits haunt the set. He believes he has seen the ghost of Pat Phoenix.
There was also a further reported sighting of her in 1990 during celebrations to mark the show’s 30th anniversary.
:eek:
I heard that this monring i had no idea that they were built on a cemetary! thats really weird. They arent having much luck recently, off screen anyway.
CORRIE star Kym Marsh has told how she spent the Soap Awards in agony — after having a boob job just days earlier.
Kym, who plays barmaid Michelle Connor, was supposed to rest for a fortnight after going from a 32B to a 32D. But instead she went to Saturday’s London bash to support her Hollyoaks star fiancé Jamie Lomas, who was up for three awards.
A pal said: “Kym was complaining that her boobs were really sore. She was knocking back painkillers to stop the agony.
“They must have been giving her grief because she had to lie on her back in her hotel room with bags of ice on her chest.
Mum-of-two Kym, 32, and Jamie, 29, tragically lost baby Archie in February after the tot was born 18 weeks premature. Friends said she wanted the £4,000 boob op to boost her confidence.
Kym said: “It was something I wanted to have done.
“I’m delighted with the results.”
Coronation Street star Nikki Patel took part in a series of stunts to promote the work of her local fire service this week.
The Bradford-born actress, who plays Amber Kalirai on the ITV1 soap, helped to put out a blaze before being "rescued" from a car wreckage in the staged incidents.
Patel's action-packed day was designed to display the range of skills required by firefighters ahead of the forthcoming West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Awards.
Speaking afterwards, Patel told The Huddersfield Daily Examiner: "The experience was fun and also a real eye opener as it made me realise that firefighters do a lot more than the job title suggests.
"I think the kind of incidents they have to deal with and the training they go through is greatly underestimated."
Yesterday, it was announced that Patel's Weatherfield role will be reduced. The 18-year-old will no longer have an ongoing contract but she is expected to continue making regular appearances on an episodic basis.
Coronation Street star Samia Smith has admitted that she feared telling the show's producers about her pregnancy.
The actress, who plays Maria Connor on the ITV1 soap, confirmed in April that she is expecting her first child with husband Matthew. She was the tenth cast member to announce baby news in the past 18 months.
Smith has now revealed that she feared her bosses would be annoyed about the disruption her personal life would cause to her character's current storyline with killer Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien).
"I was really scared about telling work because of all the people that have been on maternity leave this past year," Smith told the Daily Star Sunday. "But they were completely fine. We had to speed things up a little with the Maria and Tony story, but the ending's still the same."
The star also revealed that she has developed a craving for doughnuts, commenting: "I can't stop eating them. I'm going to turn into one at this rate."
Smith's happy announcement came just a week after her father Joseph passed away following a battle with cancer.
CORONATION Street stars are fuming after a boss brought in £200 on-the-spot fines for “bad” behaviour.
The cast are said to feel “like factory workers” over a memo of rules from new executive producer Kim Crowther.
They include a studio smoking ban extending to dressing rooms, hitting smokers such as Anne Kirkbride, who plays Deirdre Barlow.
Late stars will be fined, no matter the excuse, while visits from pals and relatives require permission and must last under 30 minutes. Pets have also been banned.
A “silence please” sign has been put in the green room where the cast socialise — while music has been banned.
And new mums such as Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) have been told to limit bringing in tots.
An insider at the ITV1 soap said: “The cast feel they are being treated like naughty children.
“Some are talking about considering some sort of industrial action that would see them working to rule.”
From The Sun
How ridiculous. No wonder the cast feel like naughty children!
The producer has got a right grump. I can understand the smoking ban they shouldn't be smoking indoors but baning music and having freinds and family visit that's out of order.
All to do with Health and Safety and claims for compensation - everybody is too scared to be taken to court beause some people have kicked the ar$e out of things to make a quick buck
Happy Birthday today to Betty Driver, who is 89 years young today and one of the best oldies in Corrie. Long may her hotpot cooking last :D
Former Coronation Street star Denise Welch has announced that she is planning to release a tell-all autobiography.
The actress is expected to write candidly about her past battles with alcohol and drugs, which plagued her three-year stint as Natalie Barnes on the ITV1 soap.
Speaking to the News Of The World, Welch confirmed: "I was out of control during Corrie."
A source added: "There will be some Corrie stars quaking in their boots. She took drugs and went on massive binge drinking sessions for years. Some people will be wondering exactly what she is set to reveal."
It is believed that the star will also lift the lid on her past relationships and long-running struggle with clinical depression.
Welch appeared in Coronation Street from 1997 to 2000. She currently stars as French teacher Steph Haydock in BBC drama Waterloo Road and is a regular panellist on ITV1's Loose Women.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/...5875-21384302/
Congratulations to Tupele and Mark on their wedding.
Coronation Street star Malcolm Hebden has admitted that he is surprised by the popularity of his alter-ego Norris Cole.
The 69-year-old actor made his debut in the role in 1994 - and the busybody shopkeeper has since become one of Weatherfield's most recognisable characters.
On how he copes with fame, Hebden told the Blackpool Citizen: "I am a private person. I live alone and I quite like it like that. I don't hide away though, and I've been filmed shopping in Sainsbury's on someone's mobile phone once - it was on YouTube.
"You do have to be careful though. I don't go out clubbing at night. For one thing I'm too old, but I don't anyway because when people have had a few drinks their attitude can be slightly different."
He added: "Norris is a very popular character in general though, and he's also very popular with children, which surprises me. I would have thought he'd get on our nerves, but he doesn't."
Norris's current plot sees him constantly clashing with his estranged half-brother Ramsay Clegg (Andrew Sachs), who arrived on the street earlier this month.
"The storyline is starting very slowly and at the moment I'm just being very vile to him, and I remain so until much later on when the true story comes out," Hebden confirmed.
Liz Dawn has revealed that she will be jealous if Bill Tarmey kisses his new Coronation Street love interest.
The 69-year-old actress filmed her final scenes as Vera Duckworth on the ITV1 soap in December 2007 after deciding to quit due to ill health.
Vera's death left Tarmey's alter-ego Jack a widower - but he has recently formed a close bond with fellow pigeon lover Connie Rathbone, played by Rita May.
Speaking on This Morning, Dawn admitted: "Do you know, Jack and Vera never kissed - not once. And when I found out Jack had got another woman, I rang him up and said: 'I hope you don't kiss her'.
"I really miss Bill, but I still feel as if I'm in it because the public talk to me as if I'm in it - but I couldn't go on, the last year I was so unhappy."
Dawn was diagnosed with the lung disease emphysema seven years ago. In an interview earlier this year, she claimed that quitting Weatherfield had saved her life.
On her current projects, the star confirmed: "I am still doing charity work, one is called Breathe Fresh Air and it's about making people aware that they can get something to make them feel better. I'm also an ambassador for The Lung Foundation and for people who are smoking or have chest problems - the obvious thing to say is not to smoke."
Dawn will return to screens tonight with an appearance on ITV1 gameshow All Star Mr and Mrs alongside her partner Don.
Aww, I suppose after working with him, she probably feels she is his wife :lol: Understandable.
I love Norris him and Roy are the two best characters in Corrie.
Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent has revealed that she has been banned from answering calls at her Saturday job because her voice is "too common".
The 16-year-old, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow, plays church-going student Sophie Webster in the Weatherfield soap but continues to work part-time at the weekend for her local hair salon Scizzor Sisters in Denton, Manchester.
However, her strong Mancunian accent apparently "puts off clients".
Speaking to The Mirror, Vincent said: "My boss says I'm not really allowed to answer the phone because my voice is too common. If I do have to answer it though, I put on a posh accent."
She said of the job: "It's good to have something different to do where I can just be normal."
:eek: Don't know the area but this sounds quite snobbish if she has to put an act on just to answer the phone :(
My nicknames sophie Webster because of my accent, i know the area and it surpruises me as its not that much of a snobby area.
CORRIE icon Bill Roache has vowed he will NEVER retire from the show that made him a star.
The 77-year-old actor has played unlikely ladies’ man Ken Barlow in the ITV soap from the very first episode on December 9, 1960.
And he plans still to be on the cobbles when the cast and crew celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary next year.
In the second part of an exclusive interview with The Sun, Bill says he could never be persuaded to quit The Street, even following the recent death of his beloved wife Sara.
He says: “I never ever considered retiring. While I can do it, while they want me, I’ll be there. They’ll have to carry me out!
“I love The Street, I’m proud of it — and I love everyone dearly.”
Speaking about Sara’s sudden passing in February, he says one of the saddest things is that she was starting to get work as an actress again. She even played the judge in Tracy Barlow’s murder trial.
Bill adds: “Sara and I both knew that I would never retire — but Sara was just getting her career back.
Cheat
“She had auditioned for a summer season at Southwold in Suffolk. We were pretty sure she was going to get that part, so we were going to get a place there for the summer and the kids could come down. But it was not meant to be.”
Sara rested from acting when the couple got married in 1978.
Since her death, Bill has thrown himself into work with barely any time off — and millions have seen Ken cheat on wife Deirdre with the ever-glamorous Stephanie Beacham as Martha Fraser.
So far, lothario Ken has had 24 girlfriends and three wives. Bill says: “It must be coming to an end.
“I’m 77 and Ken’s 67, so I would have thought that Martha was his last fling.”
Ken has even tied the knot with Deirdre, his soulmate played by Anne Kirkbride, twice.
Bill adds: “It was interesting when Ken had this fling. I was told that Deirdre was never going to know. I was glad about that because I didn’t want another one of those blazing rows — although we thoroughly enjoy them. Then I found out she WAS going to know.
“But it just shows that Ken and Deirdre are getting that bit older, because Deirdre simply said, ‘He’s always doing things like that’ — as if it’s just his fantasy world.
“They’ve both been around the block, so I thought that was a good trick of the writers. Ken likes to keep the peace but he always gets it wrong — especially with women.
“Deirdre’s obviously a bit hurt, and Ken gets a bit of earache for a while. But whatever happens, I could never see them splitting up. They’re welded together by their infidelities. They always get back together eventually.”
Anne, 54, recently hinted that she was ready to leave Corrie, saying: “I’m happy to stay in The Street but as I get older I hope to slow down to pursue different interests. I am loath to grow old in Coronation Street.
“I don’t want to grow old working as hard as I am now — out on the cold cobbles for hours on a Monday morning in the middle of winter.”
Bill, who is an MBE, admits he could not imagine Ken without Deirdre, saying: “Anne and I play it so well together. We love it when we argue and I often see a glint in her eye.”
Speaking about their famous on-screen partnership, Bill says: “We get on very well and have always acted well together. Ken and Deirdre just work.
“Because Coronation Street’s on five times a week you can’t maintain a high dramatic standard all the time. Life isn’t like that.
“But at the moment we’re on the crest of a wave. The show needs a producer who loves The Street and realises it’s more than a show.”
When I joke that Ken’s daughter Tracy must be about due for parole over the murder of Charlie Stubbs because of our weak justice system, Bill opens up about his support for the Conservatives.
And he reveals that he would back Tory leader David Cameron to be Prime Minister if there was a General Election tomorrow.
He says: “I am horrified that people who bang someone over the head can be out of prison in 12 months — but you can get 15 years for financial crimes.
“I’m all for reform but the only people who should be in prison are those who commit physical violence. No one else should be there. They should be out making amends.”
Former EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella, 25, has called for national service to be reinstated following the murder of her 16-year-old brother Ben.
And Bill, a former Army captain, says: “It’s a great idea but it’s too expensive, although I’m sure something similar could be found.
“I think instead of putting our kids into detention centres we should bring back very strong discipline in schools.”
The actor has met David Cameron a few times and says: “I look at what I consider to be the best party to govern. The Conservatives believe in less government and more personal freedom.
“Now there’s a huge pack of people employed by the Government, so we have to pay huge taxes in order to pay them. There should be an Election immediately.
“I know Cameron and he’s one of the most beautiful politicians I have ever met, and I mean that in every sense of the word. He doesn’t do things to court popularity, which is happening right now in the Government.
“He’s a family man and he is very intelligent. He understands what ordinary people need and he has that ability to go out and impose that on the country.
“When Obama was sworn in I think we all felt a sense of collective relief. You knew he was a good man — a family man who cares. It’s the same for Cameron.”
Bill and David Cameron have both had to face the tragic death of a young child. Bill and Sara lost their daughter Edwina at 18 months in 1984, while David and Samantha Cameron’s son Ivan — who had epilepsy and cerebral palsy — lost his fight for life in February at the age of six.
Bill has not written a note of sympathy to the Camerons yet.
He says: “I’ve still got letters that people wrote to me about Sara. They came from all over. I knew the Camerons would have them too. I will wait to offer my condolences when I see him.
“People try to say Cameron’s just a toff from Eton — but that doesn’t stop you feeling.”
It sounds like Bill would do a great job in the Cabinet.
The Sun