Coronation Street General News Thread

[Perdita]

Sue Nicholls has described working with Rula Lenska as a "dream".

Lenska made her Coronation Street debut as Claudia, a glamorous friend of salon-owner Audrey Roberts (Nicholls), late last year.

Speaking to RTE, Nicholls revealed that Claudia will appear again at Audrey's birthday party and reveal more about Lewis (Nigel Havers) to her daughter Gail (Helen Worth).

"Yes, she's a little bit like the wicked witch, isn't she? It's great fun," she said.

"In my head Claudia is that friend you know is always going to be a pain. She's the one who says the wrong thing, is always trying to out do you and has a habit of saying really horrid things even though she thinks they're a joke.

"But I think in a funny way they really do get on. She gets quite drunk at the party and when Audrey makes her announcement she has no qualms about filling Gail in on Lewis's past."

Nicholls, who previously told DS that she wanted Lenka to return to the ITV soap, added: "It's been a dream - [Rula is] absolutely lovely and charming.

"The funny thing is in the past people have told me I look like Rula, I think it is because we are both tall and slim. And then when she came to set she told me that people told her that she looks like me! I think it's our good hair."

[alan45]

Adam Rickitt has admitted that he turned down the chance to return to Coronation Street.

The 32-year-old quit the role of Nick Tilsley in the ITV soap in 1999 but made brief comebacks in 2002 and 2003.

Shortly after ITV announced that the part was being recast, Footballers' Wives star Ben Price was confirmed as Rickitt's replacement.

Rickitt told Celebritain: "I was checked out at the time as to whether it's something I would be keen to do, and to be honest however much I loved doing the show and working with the people at that time I find the excitement of finding new and inspiring projects to work on too much of a drug to turn away from now.

"I do get lots of people comparing how we both play the role which is weird as it was eight years ago for me, and now I am back I shall be sure to tune in and see the new... new reincarnation!"

Rickitt, who has just returned from a four-year stint on New Zealand soap Shortland Street, is currently preparing to relaunch his music career with the release of what he described as an "awesome summer dance song".


THANK GOD HE DIDNT COME BACK

[Chris_2k11]

THANK GOD HE DIDNT COME BACK

Ben Price is no better

[Perdita]

Adam is far better looking (imo) and Ben Price can't act either, so I would have preferred Adam any time

[Perdita]

The cremated remains of Frisky the cat sold for more than £700 at an auction today.

The cat appeared in Coronation Street's title sequence for more than ten years before his death in 2000.

The 14-year-old cat's ashes, which were sealed in a wooden casket with a brass plaque, had been expected to fetch up to £150.

A spokesman for Dominic Winter Auctioneers in Gloucester****e confirmed that the remains had been sold to a private bidder for £700. With the buyer's premium added, the final price paid was £844.

At the height of his fame, Frisky had a fanclub with more than 1,500 members.

John Rimington, who put the ashes up for auction, plans to give the money to the Cat Protection League.

[Dazzle]

John Rimington, who put the ashes up for auction, plans to give the money to the Cat Protection League.

That's good of him

[lizann]

Coronation Street actor Ian Puleston-Davies has revealed that he suffers from a form of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

Speaking to The Mirror, the actor - who only recently joined the cast of the Weatherfield serial - admitted that the problem affects him when filming scenes as Owen.

He explained: "I worry I'm going to cut my lip or chip my teeth on the glass so that damn pint glass in the Rovers is always going to leave me susceptible to an OCD attack.

"I have to check the lip of the glass with my finger first to make sure that it's not chipped and then practice taking a sip and a swallow before we even rehearse.

Puleston-Davies continued: "If I waited until we began filming, my OCD - my little evil voice in my head - would say 'it's stained' or 'you've just chipped your teeth'.

"There are little minefields everywhere - there could easily be 20 in a scene. But I have a quick, well-rehearsed mental tick-list where I scan a scene beforehand and know the potential pitfalls.

[alan45]

Leigh Francis reportedly wants a role in Coronation Street.

The comedian, better known as his alter ego Keith Lemon, has asked his friend Samia Smith (Maria Connor) to organise a cameo, according to Inside Soap.

She said: "My friend Leigh Francis keeps saying to me 'Get me in the salon!'

"We'd love to have him in. He's mental, he just makes thing up as he goes along and you have to roll with it - I'd probably end up in a huge fit of giggles."

Smith also revealed that she would like to have Kiefer Sutherland on the ITV1 soap.

"I'm obsessed with 24 and Kiefer Sutherland, who played Jack Bauer. Apparently he's a Corrie fan as well - I'd love to get him in as a guest star," she said.

[Perdita]

Cricket star Freddie Flintoff has revealed his secret ambition to appear in Coronation Street.

England all-rounder Freddie, 32, is bowled over by the hit ITV1 soap.

He said: "Corries got everything. I could easily fit it in and Id love to have a go. I could be in The Kabin, marking up the papers with Norris and Rita. I heard Snoop Dogg is also interested in making an appearance. If hes a fan I'm in good company."

The Lancs-born dad-of-three catches up with episodes from his home in Dubai. But he said: They're a few weeks behind, so at the moment Tina is still in her flat and not coming out! Starstruck Freddie added: I know all the characters. I think Anne Kirkbride and Eileen Derbyshire, who play Deirdre and Emily, are two of the best on TV.

But bumbling Norris (Malcolm Hebden) is his favourite. He said: "He's a nosy parker. Every scene hes in makes me laugh. Freddie, an ambassador for Shell FuelSave, also revealed he'd turned down the chance of a cameo in BBC1s Waterloo Road, set in a Rochdale comprehensive. He said: "I didn't want to go back to school!"

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has reportedly had her boyfriend's name tattooed on her thigh.

The actress, who plays Rosie Webster in the ITV1 soap, has been dating footballer Scott Sinclair for seven months and got his name inked inside a love heart, according to the News of the World.

A source said: "The trouble is they've only been together since December.

"She kept the tattoo hidden for a few weeks but now wants everyone to know how much she loves Scott and doesn't care who sees it. It'll take drastic laser surgery to get rid of it if she changes her mind.

"I bet Scott's over the moon. He's had designs on her for some time!"