Coronation Street General News Thread

[Perdita]

Coronation Street's Charlie Condou has revealed that he used to babysit for Lily Allen.

The 38-year-old actor, who plays midwife and gay dad Marcus Dent in the Weatherfield serial, still keeps in touch with the 'Smile' singer, PA reports.

Condou told Inside Soap: "I suppose Lily Allen's pretty famous! I babysat for her when she was 10!"

Referring to his daughter Georgia, Condou said: "Georgia is fantastic, and she's now getting to that age where she's really starting to interact with me and being absolutely hilarious.

"I think the 'terrible twos' could very well be on the way, though. She's beginning to get some opinions of her own - and she's also just learnt to say 'no'!"

Fellow Corrie cast member Kym Marsh recently announced that Condou will soon be a father for the second time.

[alan45]

Coronation Street stars Samia Smith and Alison King were forced to stop filming scenes on Tuesday when a real-life fight broke out on location.

The pair watched as a group of builders pulled up at a nearby semi-detached house and dug up the driveway in a dispute over a bill. Five police cars quickly arrived on the scene in Monton, Salford.

An onlooker said: "It could have been a scene from Corrie itself. The builders and the owner were kicking off. It looked like it could get pretty nasty.

"The Corrie girls had to stop and just sat on the pavement with their scripts, watching the action unfold.

"I don't think they were too pleased to be honest. It was a while before they could start filming again."

Officers calmed the situation down and advised both sides to settle the matter in a civil court.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "This was a civil dispute between the home owner and the builders and not a police matter."

[Perdita]

Coronation Street crewmembers are reportedly unhappy with their working hours.

The backstage staff who work on the ITV1 soap have held meetings with bosses, where the Daily Star claims that they expressed their unhappiness with long hours.

"It got *really heated because everyone working backstage is at the end of their tether," an alleged insider told the paper. "We've been working our arses off and it's just getting worse. There is so much demand on us, it's like we're just being used and abused."

The source added: "The cast are doing long days too but we don't get paid anywhere near what they do."

Following the meeting, production controller Gail Kennett is said to have told staff in a memo that they could apply for a strict 40-hour week or flexible hours.

An ITV spokesperson commented: "We routinely hold meetings with the Corrie crew. There has been no discussion of strike action."

[Chloe O'brien]

I'm surprised something like this has not happened on previous soaps. There are too many episodes of soaps on our screens. Crew members must live at the studios with all the hours they have to put in.

[Perdita]

FOOTIE-mad Corrie babes Brooke Vincent and Michelle Keegan have kicked off the War of Weatherfield with a secret bet on which Manchester team will win the league.

United fan Brooke, who plays Sophie Webster, thinks the title's a cert after her side smashed Arsenal 8-2.

The 19-year-old, whose boyfriend is Chelsea star Josh McEachran, said: "I know Josh will say I'm a traitor. So I suppose I'd best say if it isn't United it will be Chelsea."

But City supporter Michelle, 24 – voted sexiest female soap star as Tina McIntyre – reckons her team's 5-1 win at Spurs makes them favourites.

Corrie legend Bill Roache, 79, who plays Ken Barlow, just wants to make sure one local club wins the Premier League.

He said: "They're both up there. It's brilliant."

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton is said to have developed an "incredible fondess" for the four-year-old twins who play the love child of his character Sean Tully.

The Weatherfield favourite has become "best friends" with Connor and Liam McCheyne since they joined the ITV soap earlier this year and said that he is looking forward to working with them again for a Christmas storyline.

The McCheyne twins even helped celebrate Cotton's 36th birthday last month, after which he told friends: "I've had a lovely day, particularly the bit I spent with Liam and Connor McCheyne. They made me beautiful cards, which I will keep forever."

Commenting on the boys' special relationship with their "telly dad", a source told the Daily Star Sunday: "Antony makes no secret of his fondness for the two boys - he has bonded with them in an incredible way since they joined Corrie earlier in the year.

"They have just finished some scenes which will see them going back to London to stay with their mum Violet (Jenny Platt), who has recovered from back injuries she suffered in a car crash, but are expected back for another stint around Christmas time."

Cotton signed a new Coronation Street contract back in July.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent has clarified a report that said she was working in a Greater Manchester wine bar following a spending spree.

The 19-year-old, who plays Sophie Webster in the Weatherfield soap, had been helping out at the White Room in Whitefield and was reportedly paid £6.08 an hour for a seven-hour shift at the family-run bar and restaurant over the weekend.

A source was quoted as telling The Mirror that Vincent claimed she was "glad of the extra cash", but the actress quickly clarified the report on her official Twitter page.

Vincent spoke out about a number of claims made in the piece, writing: "1. My mate was ill so I covered for her!. 2.I didn't used to work there at all I help out every now&then and 3. My mum aint 41! (sic)"

Criticising the report for suggesting that she led a "WAG lifestyle" because she dates Premiership footballer Josh McEachran, she also reminded her followers: "Unless I've told you, shown you or informed you of any sort don't think you know anything!"


Vincent concluded: "I aint arsed wot people write or say but I will always correct them!!! My job brings me so much happiness but papers making up storys about people they don't even know is just a down fall...

"You need to realise I'm a teenager that is lucky enough to have the job I have and still get the chance to work behind a family friends bar and get away with it!!!"

A Coronation Street spokesperson told the paper that Vincent had been paid for her work but said that she was "helping out a friend", adding: "I can't say that she won't help them out again.

"That's the kind of girl she is - she always looks out for her friends."

[alan45]

The daughter of Johnny Briggs, who played Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin, has been given a prison sentence for stealing collection money from a church, says The Mirror.

Karen Briggs, 46, is behind bars for nine months after admitting burglary and theft at two churches in Cobham, Surrey. And Johnny’s granddaughter Emma Beach, 23, who also pleaded guilty to the charges, has been ordered to carry out community service.

Briggs and her daughter Beach, who live together, have both battled drug addiction and have a string of previous convictions. Four years ago, they were caught stealing Poppy Appeal collection boxes. Beach took two boxes as her mum distracted collectors. In June, they stole pensioner Margaret Roberts’ handbag during a service at the Methodist Church in Cobham.

Michael McCabe, defending, said Beach had been hooked on heroin since the age of 14 after being introduced to the drug by her mother.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Paula Lane will take part in a charity run in Belfast, it has been revealed.

The actress, who plays Kylie Platt in the ITV1 soap, will participate in RunHer at Stormont on October 9, a female-only running event involving 5k and 10k races.

The race is in aid of the Cash for Kids charity, which helps underprivileged children in local communities.

"I'm a keen runner and I take private ballet lessons, as it's something I missed out on," Lane told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I love Ireland. Somewhere along the line, I've got some Irish blood in me - a sixth of a quarter, but it counts!"

Revealing her own charity interests, Lane added: "I am an ambassador for Henshaw's charity, which supports blind children."

Lane recently admitted that she'd like more Coronation Street scenes with Kylie's sister Becky (Katherine Kelly).

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Paula Lane will take part in a charity run in Belfast, it has been revealed.

The actress, who plays Kylie Platt in the ITV1 soap, will participate in RunHer at Stormont on October 9, a female-only running event involving 5k and 10k races.

The race is in aid of the Cash for Kids charity, which helps underprivileged children in local communities.

\"I'm a keen runner and I take private ballet lessons, as it's something I missed out on,\" Lane told the Belfast Telegraph.

\"I love Ireland. Somewhere along the line, I've got some Irish blood in me - a sixth of a quarter, but it counts!\"

Revealing her own charity interests, Lane added: \"I am an ambassador for Henshaw's charity, which supports blind children.\"

Lane recently admitted that she'd like more Coronation Street scenes with Kylie's sister Becky (Katherine Kelly).

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