Coronation Street General News Thread

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley is reportedly planning to release a fitness DVD.

The actress, who plays Eva Price in the ITV1 soap, was 15st as a teenager and wants to share tips on how she transformed to a 9st size 8-10.

She has described her daily workouts with close friend and personal trainer Sam Witter as "awesome", saying that he "butt kicks" her through gym sessions, the Daily Star Sunday reports.

"There's no doubt that Catherine looks the part these days. She is putting a tremendous amount of work into looking the way she is," a friend is quoted as saying.

"And she is excitedly telling people that she wants to produce a fitness DVD for Christmas. They have been huge earners for Corrie stars past and present. So Catherine is thinking, 'Why not do one myself?'

"Nowadays she is full of confidence and turns heads because of her figure. She has kept her bust but reduced other parts with carefully selected workouts in the gym and dieting."

Beverley Callard, Vicky Entwistle and Debbie Rush are among the Coronation Street stars to have previously released workout DVDs.

I won't be buying it, that is for sure

[Perdita]

Nigel Pivaro has signed up to star in a pantomime production of Aladdin later this year.

The former Coronation Street actor will appear at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft, Suffolk this December as the panto villain Abanazar.

The RADA-trained actor joined the ITV1 soap in 1983 as villainous businessman Terry Duckworth, before making his final appearance last week after a brief return.

Pivaro said of his festive role: "It will be an interesting pleasure to work in the historic sea faring town of Lowestoft, its residents are hardy, inventive and resilient from its fishing roots to leading the way in renewable energy.

"However my stage persona will not be undergoing any such transformation as I will be sticking to the script to perform one of the most dastardly pantomime villains known to man!"

Pantomime producer Paul Holman added: "Nigel is the archetypical soap baddie. He has so much experience to bring to the production of Aladdin at the Marina Theatre and we're thrilled to have him on board."

Aladdin will run at the Marina Theatre from December 18 to January 6. Further cast members will be announced in the near future.

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased either at the box office or by calling 01502 533 200.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine has announced plans to open her own restaurant.

The actress, who plays Weatherfield's Fiz Stape, is teaming up with long-term boyfriend Chris Farr to launch the venture in Manchester city centre.

McAlpine and Farr have chosen a site on Old Bank Street near St Ann's Square and are planning to call the venue Annie's.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, McAlpine explained: "Ever since we've met, we've talked about the idea of opening our own restaurant non-stop, to do something as a little team together.

"People often ask us if we are going to get married, but I actually think this is more of a commitment to do something like this together."

As McAlpine has no plans to leave Coronation Street, Farr will oversee the day-to-day running of the business. He was previously in charge of another restaurant in Eccles.

McAlpine added: "Chris will be the hands on person, but I will be there as much as I can - but obviously it won't interfere with my Corrie commitments."

The couple are planning to launch the venue in the autumn.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has joked that he will beat Bill Roache's record of sleeping with over 1,000 women.

Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, made the revelations during an episode of Piers Morgan's Life Stories earlier this year.

"I'll have a go. I'll see if I can beat him," Thomas told The People. "Bill is a god. He's even more godly since he announced he has slept with 1,000 women.

"He is an absolute legend. Bill is so cool, such a cool guy. And nobody can say a bad word about him. He doesn't exploit it at all. It wasn't done in a seedy way.

"When the news came out, my friend Kelvin Fletcher from Emmerdale called me up and said, 'Ryan, can you get me Bill Roache's number. I want to go out for a drink with him'. I thought it was hilarious."

Thomas split from former co-star Tina O'Brien in 2009. The couple have a 3-year-old daughter named Scarlett.

"I'm not thinking about settling down," Thomas added. "I'm nearly 28. I'm having a good time and that's what it's all about. Going out is all part and parcel of being a young lad. We all like a good party, myself included.

"When I'm in nightclubs, girls do throw themselves at me but it's all done in good taste. The majority of them are quite respectful. I'm quite lucky. I get some good girls. I'm not silly with it though and know what I'm doing. I have some good people around me."

The actor, who plays Jason Grimshaw, confirmed that he is in talks for a new contract and has no immediate plans to leave Coronation Street.

"The storylines are great," he said. "I think I'm in Corrie for the long haul. The storylines I have been doing with Sue (Cleaver, who plays Eileen) lately have been amazing. She blows me away. She is absolutely incredible."

[Dennis tanner]

I have always assumed that kenny's figure of 1,000 was a guesstimate

[Perdita]

Coronation Street actor Phil Middlemiss was recently declared bankrupt, it has been revealed.

The 48-year-old, best known as bookmaker Des Barnes from 1990 until 1998, was hit with a petition after unpaid taxes.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he explained that his decision to direct a film in Africa caused his financial hardship.

Middlemiss recalled: "It was partly-funded by myself but I didn't have the money to fund the rest of the film. Filming came to a grinding halt. It was nearly three-quarters of the way along the line.

"It has been a difficult time. Three-and-a-half years is a long time to fund myself without any income. I have had to get money from family and friends."

He elaborated: "They [the HMRC] applied for whatever they said I owed in back taxes. I disputed it and disputed it again.

"I was waiting for money to come in but I didn't have enough time so they petitioned for bankruptcy. I have petitioned for an annulment and that takes about six weeks to get done."

Middlemiss, who is no longer acting, also starred in ITV's gentle Sunday night drama Where the Heart Is between 2000 and 2006.

A tabloid newspaper recently claimed that Bev Callard - who portrayed Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald in the soap - has also filed for bankruptcy.

[Dennis tanner]

Coronation Street actor Phil Middlemiss was recently declared bankrupt, it has been revealed.

The 48-year-old, best known as bookmaker Des Barnes from 1990 until 1998, was hit with a petition after unpaid taxes.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he explained that his decision to direct a film in Africa caused his financial hardship.

Middlemiss recalled: "It was partly-funded by myself but I didn't have the money to fund the rest of the film. Filming came to a grinding halt. It was nearly three-quarters of the way along the line.

"It has been a difficult time. Three-and-a-half years is a long time to fund myself without any income. I have had to get money from family and friends."

He elaborated: "They [the HMRC] applied for whatever they said I owed in back taxes. I disputed it and disputed it again.

"I was waiting for money to come in but I didn't have enough time so they petitioned for bankruptcy. I have petitioned for an annulment and that takes about six weeks to get done."

Middlemiss, who is no longer acting, also starred in ITV's gentle Sunday night drama Where the Heart Is between 2000 and 2006.

A tabloid newspaper recently claimed that Bev Callard - who portrayed Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald in the soap - has also filed for bankruptcy.

I guess that we will all have to pay a bit more tax to cempensate for their actions

[Perdita]

Coronation Street stars Ryan Thomas and Alan Halsall have renewed their contracts, meaning the pair will stay with the soap for another year.

Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw, is said to have bought a talking bird to make the occasion. The actor, who has played builder Jason for over 12 years, has apparently named his pet 'Norris' after the nosey Corrie character.

Halsall, who plays mechanic Tyrone Dobbs, revealed his good news on Twitter yesterday (June 9). He joked that while he may be delighted to be returning to the Street next year, Natalie Gumede, who plays his pregnant on-screen girlfriend Kirsty Soames, might not be so pleased.

"Exclusive! Ha not much of 1. I'm delighted to say I signed my new contract 2day @ corrie!" he wrote. "Good news if ya a fan but not for @NatalieGumede x"

The pair have been involved in a domestic abuse storyline, in which Tyrone has fallen victim to Kirsty's temper.

"Tyrone is one of the Street's most-loved characters so there was no way Phil was going to let [Halsall] go anywhere," an ITV source told the paper.

"He has big plans for him and Natalie."

The source also revealed that Thomas had been given a new nickname after news of his new pet spread on set.

"Ryan is over the moon to be staying," they said.

"He celebrated by buying a cockatiel... it's all he's been talking about. Some of the cast have even *nicknamed him Captain Hook."

The insider added: "Jason's a really popular character, *particularly with female viewers, so fans will be pleased to hear he is staying on."

[Perdita]

An ITV spokesman has confirmed on Twitter the Coronation Street stars that will be fronting the channel's documentary on Kenya.

Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw), Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) and Ben Price (Nick Tilsley) will present the documentary, to be screened in July.

Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) was also rumoured to be taking part in the programme, but is no longer involved according to ITV sources.

Corrie Goes To Kenya will feature the actors flying to the African country to visit struggling families and raise awareness about HIV in the country.

A production source said: "This trip will be a real eye-*opener. The cast will come face to face with people whose lives could not be more different from their own.

"When you talk to people affected by these problems, the impact is huge. And the Corrie stars are *desperate to help in any way that they can."

[Perdita]

The Coronation Street set has been refused listed status by English Heritage.

An application was made so that limitations would be imposed on how the iconic construction in Manchester, which has been in use since 1982, could be altered when the ITV soap moves to the MediaCityUK complex at Salford Quays next spring.

English Heritage said that although the Corrie set is "certainly unusual", it is not historic enough to qualify as a monument and receive protection from being torn down.

"The criteria against which we must assess the architectural significance of buildings - or in this case, a television set - is extremely strict," a statement to BBC News read.

"The oldest buildings [on the set] are just less than 30 years old - and most do not have interiors and therefore exist as facades, most of which have been altered.

"The set as it stands today is an active reminder of the long-running television programme, rather than a survival of an earlier era of television productions."

However, the organisation supported the idea that local groups could "care for" the set and "allow Corrie fans from all over the world to visit and enjoy it".

ITV is considering all bids for the plot where the Corrie set currently resides. It has been suggested that the site could function again as a tourist attraction, as it did between 1998 and 2001.

It was confirmed in April that Coronation Street's current set will not be preserved by the neighbouring Museum of Science and Industry.