Katherine Kelly (Becky) quits Coronation Street

[Perdita]

Coronation Street newcomer Jeremy Sheffield has praised his character Danny Stratton's blossoming relationship with Becky McDonald, claiming that they have a "special" connection.

Becky (Katherine Kelly) first met Danny in early December, when she approached the hotel manager over a possible contract with cab firm Streetcars. Viewers will see the pair grow much closer in upcoming episodes.

However, just as their romance is developing, Danny will be left with a big decision to make when he lands a work transfer to Barbados.

Sheffield told Soaplife: "It's a fantastic opportunity, but bad timing. He's devastated because he saw Becky as a chance of happiness, of the sort that doesn't come along very often. But he decides to go."

"He's thinking about asking her to go with him," the actor continued. "It's quick, but if you have that chemistry and it's such a special thing, you don't want to just let it go because it's not a regular relationship - it's something much more. For Danny, it could be a risk worth taking."

Sheffield also confirmed that Danny could play a part in helping to clear Becky's name after Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) falsely accused her of causing her miscarriage.

"Danny spots Tracy and he remembers how she collapsed and was carted off in an ambulance," he said. "Becky wonders if this might help her to prove she wasn't responsible for Tracy's miscarriage."

Coronation Street continues tonight at 8.30pm on ITV1.

[alan45]

Coronation Street's Becky McDonald is to get her own tribute documentary, ITV has confirmed today.

Farewell Becky will air on ITV1 on January 24, taking a look back at the blonde's greatest moments and exploring how they made it onto the screen.

Katherine Kelly, who recently shot her final scenes as Becky, has filmed an exclusive interview for the programme - while a number of her co-stars have also recorded contributions to the show.

An ITV statement explained: "The character of Becky may have started out as a petty criminal, but she went on to steal the hearts of the nation.

"So, as viewers prepare to say farewell to one of the best-loved characters in British soap, we follow Becky's journey from her first appearance in a police station, through her many triumphs and traumas - ending with her emotional send-off on the show.

"We hear how Katherine made the character of Becky her own after coming into the show in 2006, where the inspiration for those outlandish costumes come from - and fellow actors reveal all on how Katherine doesn't hold back when it comes to the fight scenes or even the soap's more intimate moments!"

Former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay will narrate the show, while Simon Gregson (Steve), Kate Ford (Tracy), Ryan Thomas (Jason), Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley), David Neilson (Roy) and Paula Lane (Kylie) are among the current cast members who will feature.

Farewell Becky airs on Tuesday, January 24 at 7.30pm on ITV1.

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Paula Lane has admitted that her mischievous character Kylie Platt will be sad to see half-sister Becky leave the cobbles.

Becky's final scenes air later this month following Katherine Kelly's decision to depart the show after six years.

Although Kylie and Becky have a turbulent history, the pair have found themselves on better terms in recent weeks.


Lane told Soaplife of Becky's exit: "Kylie will be bereft. She's thrilled for Becky, but it brings back the memories about when Becky left her last time. They have made amends and she is going to miss her a lot."

The build-up to Becky's departure sees her face a big decision as her new love interest Danny Stratton (Jeremy Sheffield) asks her to move to Barbados with him and his young son.

"Kylie would love to see Becky happy again," Lane added. "It is a fresh start for the pair of them - there is no rivalry any more. They both look like being able to start a new chapter."

Kylie proves to be one of Becky's only allies next week as the feisty blonde fights to clear her name following Tracy Barlow's (Kate Ford) false allegations over her miscarriage.

[ellie2]

We could do without an interview with Kate Plank. Who cares what she has to say?

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly has admitted that she is shocked by Steve McDonald's blind faith in scheming Tracy Barlow.

Tracy (Kate Ford) has set out to destroy Kelly's character Becky in recent weeks, falsely claiming that the feisty blonde caused her miscarriage by pushing her down a set of stairs.

Fans of the soap know that Tracy is lying as she actually lost her babies the night before the incident at Becky's flat, which saw her slip down the stairs accidentally following a row.

However, Steve (Simon Gregson) has chosen to believe Tracy's version of events, despite her history of lies and manipulation.

Kelly told itv.com: "It's like Steve has just lost his memory. Everything that Tracy Barlow has done to him over the past seven years, long before I was even on the scene, has just been wiped and he now believes Tracy.

"Tracy says that Becky pushed her down the stairs, she says that she didn't - and he believes Tracy. Come on!"

This week's Coronation Street episodes see Becky step up her attempts to clear her name, asking Gail McIntyre (Helen Worth) for help with breaking into Tracy's records at the local medical centre.

Reports have suggested that Becky will eventually get the proof she needs, but Kelly kept tight-lipped over what is ahead.

She said: "The end is nigh. Will she get the medical records? Will Gail help her out? Will Steve believe Becky over Tracy? Just keep watching and then you'll find out, won't you?"

Becky's final Coronation Street episodes air on Monday, January 23 at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV1.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Paula Lane has revealed that working alongside screen sister Katherine Kelly was an "inspiring" experience.

Kelly filmed her final scenes for the ITV1 soap late last year and fans will see her alter ego Becky McDonald bow out from the cobbles in a week's time.

Lane's character Kylie, meanwhile, will be sticking around in Weatherfield for the foreseeable future as her married life with David Platt (Jack P Shepherd) continues.

Discussing Kelly's departure, Lane told The Mirror: "I have had a good 12 months to get used to the idea. I have known pretty much since I started, but I do feel that Katherine has taught me a lot and there is no point in being upset about it.

"She has made such a mark on this show, it just inspires me to achieve the same things that she has."

The actress added that Kylie has mixed feelings as Becky's exit storyline unfolds on screen.

"She is thrilled for Becky, but when it happens it is a massive shock to her," Lane confirmed.

Coronation Street continues tonight at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV1

[alan45]

IT'S a triple whammy for the Barlows as Becky rocks Coronation Street with a series of sensational revelations.
In some of the most dramatic scenes in the soap's history, she WRECKS Tracy Barlow's wedding by proving she lied about the cause of her miscarriage.

And as Tracy's web of deceit unravels next week, long-suffering Ken Barlow CHUCKS Deirdre out for covering for her daughter.

Then Tracy's brother Peter is exposed as a HOME WRECKER.

But Kate Ford, who plays evil schemer Tracy, admits she can't feel sorry for her.

Kate told TV Biz: "When I watched it, I didn't feel any sympathy for Tracy. She is quite cold and when she wants her own way, she will do whatever it takes.

"As soon as Tracy loses control she turns nasty, which is in her nature. I don't think she gets up in the morning wanting to be nasty, she can't cope with things not going her way. She thinks she deserves happiness."

Tracy, who is set to wed Steve McDonald, had claimed her love rival, his ex Becky, pushed her downstairs, leading her to miscarry their twins.

But she will be left sobbing on the floor in her wedding dress when Becky hands Steve medical records showing she lost the twins the day before she claimed Becky had attacked her.


Upset ... Ken Barlow (William Roache) chucks out Deirde (Anne Kirkbride)
The stunning storyline marks the exit of Katherine Kelly after five years as hellraiser Becky — and even made the actress weep.
In nail-biting scenes, viewers will see Becky struggle with whether she is doing the right thing. But after a tearful confrontation with Steve on the wedding morning, she decides to make the revelation public.

Kate said: "It's quite sad because Tracy did discover that Steve had feelings for Becky. The way she dealt with it was wrong but she was acting in fear.

"She just didn't want to lose what she had wanted for so long. It's dark but the way she sees it is that Becky pushed her emotionally."

Viewers see Becky expose Tracy as a liar before turning on Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride) who had covered for her. Ken (Bill Roache) is disgusted.


Happy, for now ... it all goes wrong for Tracy Barlow and Steve McDonald
Kate said: "It's a mother daughter thing — she doesn't believe there is any wrong in her. Ken disowns her and throws her out in the street."
The messy aftermath will see Tracy and Steve living in their new house divided by a partition wall as Tracy desperately tries to salvage their relationship.

Kate said: "She will fight tooth and nail to keep Steve — she has been talking him round for 15 years!"

Kate is contracted to be in the soap until next autumn but hopes her character will be able to stay on.

Katherine watched the sensational scenes that signal her departure at a preview screening.

She said afterwards: "I hope people will be cheering for Becky when they watch the episode. Tracy has been so mean — she set out to destroy Becky and that's what she did.


From better, to worse ... Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) is exposed as a home wrecker
"It's great that Becky gets to go out with a bang — she drops the bomb then leaves the carnage behind.
"I actually cried twice during the episode — once when her and Steve have that final showdown in the street.

"And then I got really teary watching her saying goodbye to Roy and Hayley. Hayley's tears are totally real, Julie (Hesmondhalgh) who plays her was a right mess on the day.

"We've become so close and she kept crying all the time even though we were seeing each other a week later. She was crying between takes."

Producers went all-out for Becky's exit. It includes the traditional ride in a Street Cars cab but becomes a race against time with Steve dashing to the airport to try to stop her flying off with Danny Stratton (Jeremy Sheffield).

Viewers will see Becky for the final time in the first-class cabin of a plane in scenes filmed at Manchester airport.

Producers decided killing off the character would have been a "cop-out".

Katherine said: "I'm so glad they didn't kill her off — that would have been too easy. This way she's always going to be a cloud hanging over Steve because she could come back at any moment.

Becky makes her dramatic revelation on the ITV1 soap on Monday

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly has admitted that she wants fans of the soap to cheer on Becky McDonald as she gets her revenge against Tracy Barlow. I most certainly will cheer her on

Tracy (Kate Ford) has falsely accused Becky of causing her recent miscarriage, but the truth is finally exposed at the schemer's wedding next week.

Once Becky has obtained her enemy's medical records to clear her name, she wrecks Tracy and Steve's (Simon Gregson) big day - getting the last laugh.

After watching the dramatic episodes at a preview screening, Kelly told The Sun: "I hope people will be cheering for Becky when they watch the episode. Tracy has been so mean - she set out to destroy Becky and that's what she did.

"It's great that Becky gets to go out with a bang - she drops the bomb then leaves the carnage behind."

Becky leaves the cobbles shortly after her revelation as Kelly decided to bow out from Coronation Street last year.

"I'm so glad they didn't kill her off - that would have been too easy," Kelly continued. "This way, she's always going to be a cloud hanging over Steve because she could come back at any moment."

Coronation Street airs Tracy and Steve's dramatic wedding on Monday at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV1.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly has predicted that Becky McDonald's departure storyline will prove a hit with fans.

Becky makes an explosive exit from Weatherfield next week, wrecking Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) and Steve McDonald's (Simon Gregson) wedding day by exposing her arch-rival's twisted lies.

The feisty blonde leaves the cobbles shortly afterwards, but she has a big decision to make as she can either start a new life in Barbados with love interest Danny Stratton (Jeremy Sheffield) - or head off alone to pick up the pieces following recent events.

Kelly told the Worksop Guardian: "I think it's just not the ending that you maybe would expect. I certainly didn't expect it. I know they were wrestling for ages with what to do with her.

"The joy of Becky is that she's always been able to do everything at any point, and you never really know which way she's going to go. She's been through so many twists and turns. For me, it would have been completely believable if her final episodes would have been her on a park bench high as a kite! Because why not?

"It could have been anything, really. But the ending that they chose and they wrote is really fitting and I hope it's what the nation would want for her. It's certainly what I would want for her. Hopefully it just wasn't too predictable."

Coronation Street airs Becky's final episodes on Monday at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV1.

[tammyy2j]

I'll miss Becky she has been one of fav Corrie characters ever I hope she might return one day