Coronation Street General News Thread

[Perdita]

TOUGH guy producer Phil Collinson is slowly turning Weatherfield into Coronation Strict.

For the new boss is cracking down on his stars by FINING them if they're late on set.

Punctuality problems with the Street actors is costing the soap's chiefs tens of thousands of pounds a month in extra filming fees.

Craig Charles (who plays Lloyd Mullaney) fell ASLEEP in his dressing room recently so a scene was scrapped when he didn't show up on set.

Now anyone arriving more than half an hour late will be stung for 15 per cent of their episode fee of £500 to £1,000. A source said: "Many of the stars are often very late for their call times. There were a few moans when Phil introduced the fines system."

[Perdita]

Craig Charles has reportedly agreed to stay on Coronation Street for another year.

The 45-year-old actor, who plays the unlucky-in-love Lloyd Mullaney, signed a £155,000 deal with producer Phil Collinson last week, says the Daily Star.

"Craig's over the moon. A lot of other big names are only getting six-month contracts, so it shows how much Phil values Craig," an insider revealed.

"He has taken a bit of a back seat in terms of storylines in the last year or so. But Phil wants him to have a major impact while he's at the helm. Craig is a ratings winner. He's a popular character and a great actor and ITV want to make the most of that," the source added.

It is thought that the deal will make Charles a flagship star on the show behind the likes of Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan), Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and Bill Roache (Ken Barlow).

Good news, I like him and Steve together, very well suited

[alan45]

It is thought that the deal will make Charles a flagship star on the show behind the likes of Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan), Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and Bill Roache (Ken Barlow).
]

How could anyone compare the talentless Kym Marsh along with such greats as Barbara Knox and Bill Roache

[Dazzle]

How could anyone compare the talentless Kym Marsh along with such greats as Barbara Knox and Bill Roache

Lol, that's what I thought when I read it too. If Corrie bosses want to promote a young, female star, Becky is far better than Michelle.

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Ben Price has revealed that he is keen to secure a long-term future with the Weatherfield soap.

The actor took over the role of Nick Tilsley last October and is currently confirmed to remain on screen until at least the end of the year after extending his contract in January.

Speaking to the Daily Record about his experiences on the programme, Price explained: "I get to do great stories which people watch. It's been going for 50 years. That's big. There's nothing like Corrie. So that's why I want to be in it.

"It's the most-watched TV show there is. If you don't want to do that as an actor, then what do you want? I will be in it for as long as they'll have me."

Praising his current storylines, he commented: "A lot of people seem to want to hit Nick. It always makes it interesting if you can change an audience's opinion of yourself a few times.

"You see him being nasty to Peter and you think he's not very nice, then you see him with Leanne or his mum and he's trying his best. What's great for me is you are always keeping it alive, giving the audience something to like and dislike. I find it more interesting rather than a straight-down-the-line businessman."

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Kate Anthony led over 3,000 participants in the 2010 Manchester Midnight Walk on Friday night.

The actress, who plays Molly Dobbs's aunt Pam Hobsworth on the ITV1 soap, took part in the charity event to raise money for Cheshire's St Ann's Hospice, for which she works as a celebrity ambassador.

Anthony and her fellow walkers gathered for a celebration at Manchester Central at 8pm on the night, before setting off for a 10km trek through the streets of the city once the clock turned 12am.

In a statement, the soap star said that she is "so proud" to be an ambassador for the hospice and described its fundraising efforts as a "great cause".

Catherine Williams, the director of fundraising and communications for St Ann's, added: "We never cease to be astonished with the number of participants who joined Kate on the starting line and who were all willing to give their evening up to help such a worthy cause.

"The help and support from everyone will mean the hospice can continue to offer a superb standard of care - not only to patients, but to their families and carers as well."

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has reportedly hit back at John Partridge after the EastEnders actor branded his Weatherfield character a "stereotype" of a homosexual man.

In a magazine interview earlier this year, Partridge admitted that he did not want his Walford alter ego Christian Clarke to be anything like Cotton's character Sean Tully, explaining that it was important to represent other members of the gay community.

Speaking at the time, Partridge remarked: "What I didn't want as a stereotype was what I call a teatime gay. The Sean Tully type of character is the reason my character is here.

"I've worked in theatre for 20 years and there are lots of queens in the West End that look and act like that."

According to the Daily Star, Cotton has now responded to Partridge's comments by saying: "This is from a man who on the same day goes on Elaine Paige's show and reveals how he hoovers dressed in a catsuit."

Partridge's character Christian is currently involved in a high-profile gay storyline with practising Muslim Syed Masood (Marc Elliott).

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has revealed that she is planning to release an autobiography.

The actress, who plays barmaid Michelle Connor on the soap, confirmed that she plans to share the highs and lows of her career and personal life in the forthcoming memoir.

Writing in her New magazine column, Marsh explained: "I'm going to start writing my autobiography this week. I'm very excited - and a bit scared - by the prospect!

"It'll start from when I was a kid because people seem to be very interested by my life before I was in the limelight and how different it is now. I've certainly had my ups and downs!"

The 34-year-old added that the book will be "both funny and sad at the same time".

News of Marsh's book deal first emerged in The People newspaper last month. Speaking at the time, a source said: "Kym's not only one of Britain's most popular actresses but also has a real story to tell. She will talk of her experiences honestly."

FFS shes only 34. Hopefully she has another 40 yrs of life. Its a tad early to be writing an autobiography

[Ruffed_lemur]

Oh no, not another book!

[Perdita]

You don't have to read it lol