Coronation Street General News Thread

[Perdita]

Kym Marsh has laughed off claims that she is being groomed as Coronation Street's new flagship star.

Last month, a tabloid report suggested that Marsh's alter ego Michelle Connor would soon become the most prominent character in the show after producer Phil Collinson handed the actress a new two-year deal.

However, speaking to RTE, Marsh insisted: "I did read that and I just laughed. The show is so much bigger than one person and that can't possibly be true.

"Maybe [Phil] has some ideas for my character, I don't know, but he certainly won't be thinking, 'How can I make Kym the biggest star of the show?' I wish he was!"

Since Collinson took the helm of the Weatherfield soap earlier this year, a number of cast departures have been announced, including the forthcoming exits of Julia Haworth and Steven Arnold (Claire and Ashley Peacock).

Reflecting on the shake-up, Marsh commented: "We're obviously sad at seeing Steven and Julia go, but I think that was very much a joint decision. I don't think anyone was particularly surprised. But the show won't be the same without Ashley!"

[alan45]

Kym Marsh has laughed off claims that she is being groomed as Coronation Street's new flagship star.

Last month, a tabloid report suggested that Marsh's alter ego Michelle Connor would soon become the most prominent character in the show after producer Phil Collinson handed the actress a new two-year deal.

However, speaking to RTE, Marsh insisted: "I did read that and I just laughed. The show is so much bigger than one person and that can't possibly be true.

"Maybe [Phil] has some ideas for my character, I don't know, but he certainly won't be thinking, 'How can I make Kym the biggest star of the show?' I wish he was!"

Since Collinson took the helm of the Weatherfield soap earlier this year, a number of cast departures have been announced, including the forthcoming exits of Julia Haworth and Steven Arnold (Claire and Ashley Peacock).

Reflecting on the shake-up, Marsh commented: "We're obviously sad at seeing Steven and Julia go, but I think that was very much a joint decision. I don't think anyone was particularly surprised. But the show won't be the same without Ashley!"

Thank God for that. She is a talentless bimbo. She cant act and wasnt much of a singer either

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Keith Duffy has revealed that he is keen to tackle challenging storylines on the soap.

The actor confessed that he is eager to prove his versatility and wants his womanising character Ciaran McCarthy to show a more "serious" side in the future.

Duffy returned to play Ciaran last December following a four-year break from the role. During his time away from Corrie, he portrayed the part of Ringo Leyden on Irish soap Fair City.

Speaking to Inside Soap, the 35-year-old explained: "I feel like I deserve to be here this time - and I can do the job much better! I'd like to show viewers a side to Ciaran they haven't seen before. I want him to get serious.

"I know the character so well that the scenes I'm doing at the moment don't take me long to learn. There's more to me as an actor and I'd love to show the producers what I can do. I've done some other roles that I'm very proud of, and I'd really like to bring some of that to the Street."

Duffy currently balances his Coronation Street job with his commitments as a member of Boyzone.

[Perdita]

Kym Marsh has revealed that her Coronation Street character Michelle Connor will feature more in future storylines.

The 34-year-old, who has refuted suggestions that new producer Phil Collinson was making her the soap's flagship star, insisted that her alter ego's plots will "heat up again" following a "quiet period".

She told RTE: "I think you just go through periods when you're not working so much and the producers are concentrating on other characters.

"We're a cast of about 50 and sometimes you have to be off to give other people a chance. So I've been going through a quiet period but things are going to heat up again."


Just can't take to the character and actress

[Dazzle]

Kym Marsh has revealed that her Coronation Street character Michelle Connor will feature more in future storylines.

Just can't take to the character and actress

I agree with you there, Perdita - Michelle does nothing for me, either. I'm not looking forward to her featuring more in future storylines.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Alan Halsall reportedly head-butted an opponent during a recent charity football match.

The actor, who plays Tyrone Dobbs in the ITV1 soap, was playing as part of a celebrity team to raise money for the Fire Fighters’ Charity when he reportedly attacked fire fighter Kevin France.

A spectator told the Sunday Mirror: "Everyone had turned up looking forward to seeing famous faces. But the atmosphere changed into something you’d expect outside a nightclub on a Friday night.

"Alan lost it when he was making a run towards goal and Kevin ran across to tackle him. He missed the ball and the referee gave a penalty to the All Stars.

"But after the tackle Alan jumped up in a rage and lunged at the player and head-butted him. Kevin went down like a pack of cards.

"He was crumpled in a heap and had blood all over his face. Alan had blood from a huge cut to his forehead and had to be dragged away. Nobody could believe what they were seeing."

A source from Coronation Street added: "Alan was mortified about what he’d done. But the pair of them shook hands after the game and went for a pint together. There were no hard feelings and both have agreed to play again next year."

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Steve Huison has announced that he is to lead a 12-mile sponsored bed-push in aid of mental health charity The Soteria Network.

The actor, who plays Eddie Windass in the long-running soap, will join forces with a team of volunteers to push a bed from St James Hospital, Leeds to Bradford Playhouse next month.

The Soteria Network is currently aiming to open a special care house in Bradford which would provide a safe, social setting for young people with mental heath issues to recover.

Speaking of his support for the organisation, Huison commented: "The Soteria Network is one of the most exciting movements happening in mental health care in Bradford or even the UK at present. It's an honour to be asked to be part of this pioneering group.

"I only hope more people can contribute to making it happen. Come and help push the bed with me and the others on the 3rd."

Huison has previously organised a series of auctions to raise funds for the Network.

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Kate Anthony has continued her support for Greater Manchester hospice St Ann's by opening the centre's annual summer fair.

The actress, who plays Molly Dobbs's aunt Pam Hobsworth on the Weatherfield soap, appeared as a celebrity guest at the event in Heald Green, Stockport on Saturday afternoon.

Anthony attended the fair as part of her ongoing commitment as a charity ambassador for the specialist care centre.

Speaking about the role, she commented: "When I was asked to support St Ann's and subsequently invited to become their ambassador, I didn't hesitate. It's a wonderful cause and I was astonished to learn that it costs £9m to keep the hospice open each year and the majority of this funding comes from voluntary contributions.

"Only 35% is received from government funding so it's vitally important that St Ann's Hospice gets continuous funding and that's why I and so many other amazing people continue to show their support. I'm delighted to have played a small part in helping the hospice."

This year's St Ann's fair featured a bouncy castle, balloon artists, competitions and various stall activities.

[alan45]

Antony Cotton has rubbished rumours that he and co-star Katherine Kelly do not get along.

The Coronation Street actor denied the claims in a series of messages on his Twitter account this evening.

"My lovely friend @katherine_kelly and I have heard a very stupid rumour that we are not friends. Funny, what with her visiting my mum and dad (sic)," he wrote.

"And if whoever is flogging this crap then come to the Lamproom in Barnsley in July where Katherine and I will be doing An Evening With."

Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in the ITV1 soap, posted a picture of himself and Kelly pointing at a trash can and wrote: "Here's what we think of the story!"

He is reported to have recently signed a new 12-month contract to remain with the show.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride collapsed in tears this week after taking part in a photoshoot, a report has claimed.

The actress, best known for her role as Weatherfield's Deirdre Barlow, suddenly required medical attention following a shoot for the soap's 50th anniversary celebrations, according to The Mirror.

It is thought that Kirkbride was brought round after staff placed a pillow under her head and dabbed her face with water. She is then said to have been taken away in a wheelchair for further treatment.

A show source commented: "It was a bit of a shock to see her in that way."

A Coronation Street spokeswoman explained that the 56-year-old's collapse was caused by heat.