Coronation Street fans have been given an update on a former cast member who hasn’t appeared on the ITV show for several years, with their son posting about them on social media
The son of a former Coronation Street cast member who appeared on the show for decades has shared an update on how she’s doing. They had prompted comments about the actor after sharing memorabilia from their home.
Eileen Derbyshire, 93, is best known for her role as Emily Bishop on the long-running ITV soap opera. She made her debut as the character back in 1961 and then remained on the show for over 50 years before leaving in 2016.
She later made a brief cameo back in 2019. That marked her latest appearance on Corrie and it saw her character Emily feature in a video message for Ken Barlow (played by William Roache) to mark his 80th birthday at the time.
Her son Oliver Holt, 58, shared an update on Eileen on X just days ago. The sports journalist posted a series of photos that showcased memorabilia related to Corrie which he suggested he had found at his mother’s home during a visit.
Someone responded to one of the posts: “I’m loving these memories, but is your Mum okay?” Oliver replied: “She’s doing ok, Matthew. It’s kind of you to ask. She’s 93 now so she has a few issues but she’s well looked after and is happy.”
Eileen’s former co-star Antony Cotton – who has been on the show since 2003 – also reacted. He wrote: “Hey Oliver. Please give my love to your mum – we miss her very much x.” Eileen’s son replied: “Thanks very much, Antony. I will.”
Someone else responded amid the post: “A fantastic actress and am sure a wonderful Mum Ollie.” Oliver said: “Thanks pal. Yeah, she’s a great mum. Hope all good with you mate.”
Oliver had shared several photos related to her career on the platform last week. It included a black-and-white photo of Eileen stood beside several co-stars outside the Rovers Return.
The group featured likes of the late Pat Phoenix, the late Doris Speed and the late Betty Driver. The trio played Elsie Tanner, Annie Walker and Betty Williams respectively.
Oliver wrote in the caption of the framed photo, which was his first post in the series: “Back at my mum’s place. Found this packed away. Halcyon days of Coronation Street.”
A second photo shared recently showed Eileen and colleagues stood outside the fictional pub as part of Corrie’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Oliver wrote in that post: “Still in its wrapping – photo marking 30th anniversary of the start of the Street.”
Another of his posts showcased a newspaper article, dated 1965, which reported on his parents’ marriage. The article announced that Eileen had married her late husband Thomas Holt, who passed away decades later in 2021.
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