Coronation Street General News Thread

[Perdita]

Samia Ghadie has revealed that she initially auditioned to play a different character on Coronation Street.

Prior to landing the part of Maria Connor in 2000, the actress tried out for the daughter of Des Barnes's girlfriend in the mid-1990s, a role which eventually went to Emily Aston.

Ghadie told TV Choice: "Do you remember Des Barnes? He had a girlfriend who had a daughter, and it's quite ironic really, because the part went to Emily Aston, who's Sam Aston's sister.

"Me and Emily would always go for auditions, we were at the same drama classes, and she's a gorgeous girl. She's lovely, and she got it. So I was really pleased for Emily.

"Looking back now, I'm glad I didn't get it. But I remember crying on the sofa at home, saying, 'What's wrong with me?'"

Fellow Weatherfield star Sam Aston has played Chesney since he was 10 years old in 2003.

Emily Aston played Becky Palmer between 1996 and 1997 before the character was written out.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Kate Ford has revealed that she suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The Tracy Barlow actress admitted that her anxiety problem had been "really bad" before her relationship with husband Jon Connerty.

Interviewed in today's Mirror newspaper, Ford divulged: "In my 20s I did have really bad OCD - I'd check things continually.

"I could check the oven 20 times before going to bed and all the sockets had to be turned off. It's like your brain gets stuck in a loop. I do still have a bit of OCD.

"When I'm in Manchester I do this thing on the phone with Jon every single night, where I go through a check-list of things he needs to do before he goes to bed.

"I say, 'Have you checked the oven's off? Have you checked you've locked the back door? Is the car locked? Is the intercom on to hear Otis? Is the alarm on?' I do it every night - I've never missed. I have to do it. One time I couldn't get in touch with him and I couldn't get to sleep.

"Jon indulges me in it. He probably hates it and I don't know whether he's really checked or not, but he says yes! Now when I check things just once I feel I've done really well."

The 35-year-old further disclosed that past problems with panic attacks were worsened by a poor diet and alcohol consumption.

"If you're tired you're more prone to it," she added. "I've had problems with anxiety and panic attacks in the past and if I'm not looking after myself, not getting enough *exercise, eating the wrong things and drinking too much, I'm worse.

"So I'm trying to swim two or three times a week and I don't eat junk food. I've never eaten a McDonald's in my life."

[Dennis tanner]

Coronation Street star Kate Ford has revealed that she suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The Tracy Barlow actress admitted that her anxiety problem had been "really bad" before her relationship with husband Jon Connerty.

Interviewed in today's Mirror newspaper, Ford divulged: "In my 20s I did have really bad OCD - I'd check things continually.

"I could check the oven 20 times before going to bed and all the sockets had to be turned off. It's like your brain gets stuck in a loop. I do still have a bit of OCD.

"When I'm in Manchester I do this thing on the phone with Jon every single night, where I go through a check-list of things he needs to do before he goes to bed.

"I say, 'Have you checked the oven's off? Have you checked you've locked the back door? Is the car locked? Is the intercom on to hear Otis? Is the alarm on?' I do it every night - I've never missed. I have to do it. One time I couldn't get in touch with him and I couldn't get to sleep.

"Jon indulges me in it. He probably hates it and I don't know whether he's really checked or not, but he says yes! Now when I check things just once I feel I've done really well."

The 35-year-old further disclosed that past problems with panic attacks were worsened by a poor diet and alcohol consumption.

"If you're tired you're more prone to it," she added. "I've had problems with anxiety and panic attacks in the past and if I'm not looking after myself, not getting enough *exercise, eating the wrong things and drinking too much, I'm worse.

"So I'm trying to swim two or three times a week and I don't eat junk food. I've never eaten a McDonald's in my life."

I reckon she should seriously consider quitting and taking things easy.

[Perdita]

Michelle Keegan has revealed that she is to become flatmates with fellow Corrie star Brooke Vincent.

The Weatherfield actress originally called up Manchester radio station Capital FM to deny a rumour that she was seen dating Mark Wright in the Salford town of Irlam.

The Tina McIntyre star, who split with Max George in July, is quoted as saying: "I am ringing in because this rumour is wrong.

"Everyone knows everyone in Irlam and I never went into Tesco or the buttie shop with Mark - and he's never been in my car. I want to stop this rumour before it goes any further."

Then, Keegan went on to reveal that friend Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) had stayed at her flat for the night, before confirming that the pair would be living together in the near future.

Keegan recently outlined her desire to find the "right guy" following her break-up with George.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley has been reportedly given a warning that photographs she sent an ex-boyfriend could appear on the internet.

The Weatherfield actress - Eva Price on the cobbles - has heard that pictures that were taken while she was still with her former lover are "doing the rounds", The Mirror reports.

A source claimed: "She's terrified they could appear on Twitter or Facebook at any moment, and it goes without saying she will be absolutely furious if they do.

"The snaps were sent in confidence but it looks as though somebody is threatening to betray her trust, which is very upsetting and disappointing.

The insider added: "There's nothing she can do apart from cross her fingers and hope for the best."

Earlier this year, the 29-year-old admitted that she was "disillusioned with men" and confirmed she had been "single for a while", adding that she discovered an ex-boyfriend had been unfaithful through a media interview.

Tyldesley, who joined Corrie last summer, made headlines last month for setting her hair on fire at her birthday party.

[Dennis tanner]

Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley has been reportedly given a warning that photographs she sent an ex-boyfriend could appear on the internet.

The Weatherfield actress - Eva Price on the cobbles - has heard that pictures that were taken while she was still with her former lover are "doing the rounds", The Mirror reports.

A source claimed: "She's terrified they could appear on Twitter or Facebook at any moment, and it goes without saying she will be absolutely furious if they do.

"The snaps were sent in confidence but it looks as though somebody is threatening to betray her trust, which is very upsetting and disappointing.

The insider added: "There's nothing she can do apart from cross her fingers and hope for the best."

Earlier this year, the 29-year-old admitted that she was "disillusioned with men" and confirmed she had been "single for a while", adding that she discovered an ex-boyfriend had been unfaithful through a media interview.

Tyldesley, who joined Corrie last summer, made headlines last month for setting her hair on fire at her birthday party.

Meanwhile, fans commence to search the interweb

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Alison King has split from her fiancé Adam Huckett.

The Carla Connor actress will, however, continue to work alongside the sound technician on the ITV soap's set, reports The Sun.

She had taken four months away from Corrie between June and October to enjoy a "nice holiday" with Huckett and the pair's 3-year-old daughter Daisy Mae.

However, an insider suggested they have now split, claiming: "There haven't been any big rows. It's been a difficult decision, especially because they have so many joint friends on the set.

"It's not an ideal situation coming face-to-face with your ex-fiancé every day. But they're determined to stay good mates and want to make it very clear that there isn't anyone else involved."

Alison King's return to work was confirmed by Corrie last week, while on-screen boyfriend Chris Gascoyne was spotted collecting a script from the Manchester studio at the end of September.

The 39-year-old had been engaged to Huckett since last September.

[Perdita]

Michelle Keegan has revealed that her heavy involvement in Coronation Street helped her to cope with splitting from Max George.

Keegan opened up for the first time about her break-up with the Wanted member, to whom she was also engaged for some time, in an interview with Hello magazine.

"Obviously it was a very sad time for us, as we were together for 19 months. But I got to think of it as, 'I'm not the only girl who has ever had a break-up'," the star said.

"The worst part for me was having the whole thing played out so publicly. In the end, I had to simply ignore the gossip and throw myself in my work.

"I was really busy with some great storylines and my friends were amazing. But eventually you just have to let things go and get on with life. I'm in a much better place now."

Her character Tina McIntyre has been in the forefront of Corrie this autumn with a surrogacy story that impacts upon her relationship with Tommy Duckworth (Chris Fountain).

Keegan, who was recently linked to rugby player Mark Flanagan, has set out her desire to meet the "right guy" in the near future.

[Dennis tanner]

Keegan, who was recently linked to rugby player Mark Flanagan, has set out her desire to meet the "right guy" in the near future.

A big improvement on David Platt.

[Perdita]

Michelle Keegan has revealed that she is to become flatmates with fellow Corrie star Brooke Vincent.

The Weatherfield actress originally called up Manchester radio station Capital FM to deny a rumour that she was seen dating Mark Wright in the Salford town of Irlam.

The Tina McIntyre star, who split with Max George in July, is quoted as saying: "I am ringing in because this rumour is wrong.

"Everyone knows everyone in Irlam and I never went into Tesco or the buttie shop with Mark - and he's never been in my car. I want to stop this rumour before it goes any further."

Then, Keegan went on to reveal that friend Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) had stayed at her flat for the night, before confirming that the pair would be living together in the near future.

Keegan recently outlined her desire to find the "right guy" following her break-up with George.

Coronation Street's Brooke Vincent has dismissed rumours that she is moving in with friend and co-star Michelle Keegan.

Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre, told a radio station earlier this month that the pair had plans to become flatmates in her home.

However, asked whether the story was true by the Daily Star, Vincent exclaimed: "No way! Her dog hates me. She has a Chihuahua who keeps trying to bite me. But I do stay at her flat after nights out."


© WENN

© WENN


She went on: "It's hard being a girl on telly because you do get scrutinised. I hate it when people think they know you and they don't. People say I'm feisty, but I just stick up for myself. When you are on telly you have to get to grips with people talking about you all the time."

In a separate interview with The Sun, the 20-year-old revealed that she has no plans to leave home, saying: "Mum says she palms me off with Josh [McEachran, her boyfriend] for a week if I'm getting on her nerves.

"But I like living at home and don't see the point in moving out. I don't have to be in at a certain time and I have my freedom. I'm not coming home to an empty house and my dinner is cooked."

Elaborating upon the rapport she has with her mum, the star recalled: "I also remember, a couple of years ago, I came home and said, 'Right, that's it, next week when I'm 18 I'm going off the rails!' Mum said, 'Brooke, you don't book yourself in to go off the rails'.

"The thing is I've always respected mum. Even now, if I've done something she won't like, I'm so scared of going home to tell her - not because I'm scared of her, I just don't want to let her down."