Coronation Street fans are desperate for Carl Webster to face his downfall for his recent villainous ways, including a sickening twist with his sister Debbie Webster
Coronation Street fans are desperate for Carl Webster to face his downfall for his recent villainous ways(Image: ITV)
Fans of Coronation Street think a downfall is set for villain Carl Webster, as he sunk to new lows this week.
The brother of Kevin and Debbie Webster has been up to all sorts, from dodgy car stealing schemes and fake MOTs, as well as his affair with sister-in-law Abi Franklin. With Carl also having a secret romance with James Bailey behind Abi’s back, and him also being behind the hit-and-run that injured Tyrone Dobbs, fans are eager to see him punished.
But his latest dark behaviour could be his cruelest decision yet, and it’s left sickened fans wanting him gone. Carl has been getting closer to his sister Debbie, and clearly wants access to her business accounts at the hotel.
Amid Debbie’s dementia diagnosis and her becoming forgetful, vile scenes have shown Carl tricking her and trying to get her out of the way. Wanting access to the accounts no doubt for the money, fans fear he will end up fleecing his own sister.
This and the fact he’s cruelly using her diagnosis against her at a time where she’s vulnerable, has left fans horrified. Many have called it the final straw and are hoping he gets found out soon.
The ongoing storyline has sparked speculation that it will lead to a big comeuppance for Carl, perhaps at Christmas or beyond. Fans are now trying to figure out who will expose Carl and who will bring him down.
As Kevin and Abi were named as potential suspects behind his downfall, other fans wondered if Debbie or her partner Ronnie Bailey, or even fling James, will stop him for once and for all. Taking to social media, one fan said: “Cant stand him. Someone has to catch him.”
Another viewer said: “Is he going to get caught out for EVERYTHING at Christmas? Tyrone, Debbie, Abi, James, they’ll all want a piece of him!”
A third fan wrote: “Debbie must have accountants checking the hotel books. Surely there will be investigations if things don’t add up. What about the other hotel staff too? They would notice dodgy goings on.”
Another fan said: “I think Debbie has her suspicions about him wanting access to the hotel’s finances. She should give him limited access and give the same access to Ronnie so he can keep an eye out for anything dodgy. Then when she confronts Carl, with Ronnie backing her, he can’t claim she’s confused because of her dementia.”
Coronation Street fans are convinced Cassie Plummer and Becky Swain are linked in some way, and now a scene on the ITV soap featuring a phone call has added fuel to the theory
22:41, 05 Nov 2025Updated 22:42, 05 Nov 2025
Fans think there’s a secret link between two Coronation Street characters(Image: ITV)
Fans think there’s a secret link between two Coronation Street characters, and the latest episode may have ‘confirmed’ this.
Cassie Plummer spoke about helping someone with business in Spain, before speaking in Spanish on the phone. With fans already suspecting prior to this that Cassie could be somehow linked to villain Becky Swain, this scene left fans wondering if it was a given now.
After all, Becky returned from the dead months ago and it was revealed for the past four years, she has been hiding out in Spain. She’s now being told she has to return there to stop her cover being blown, with Becky wanting daughter Betsy to go with her, as well as her ex Lisa Swain.
All the sudden talk about Spain, and a scene last week that involved both Cassie and Becky, has sparked a theory that they secretly know each other. So when Cassie spoke in Spanish and revealed all about her link to the country, fans wondered if this was proof that she and Becky know each other, and that Cassie knows all about her dodgy dealings.
Taking to social media, one fan said: “Cassie speaking Spanish and knowing someone in Spain… helped him with his business… she must know Becky!! The links are starting to link.”
Another fan agreed: “If this isn’t a clue to Cassie knowing or recognising dodgy business in Spain *couch* Becky I don’t know what is. Surely this isn’t coincidence.”
A third fan added: “So Cassie can speak Spanish and helped an ex out with his ‘business’ in Spain. Oh she is so gonna be the one to reveal backhand Becky’s dodgy dealings!”
A final comment read: “So, Cassie’s talking about a Spanish boyfriend, Peter’s name being dropped recently, and Becky’s been living in Alicante. Is this all a coincidence??”
It follows another theory suggesting Cassie might know Becky, and could trigger her downfall. Fans noted her watching as Carla Connor confronted Becky for kissing Lisa Swain, and she seemed very interested.
Viewers may recall Cassie was sleeping rough while she was taking drugs. She’s now in recovery, but could Cassie and Becky have crossed paths when Cassie was on drugs?
One theory is that Becky was her dealer as others wondered if she arrested her. A fan commented: “Cassie looked like she thinks she’s seen Becky somewhere before!”
Another said: “Right it can’t just be me, it’s going to transpire Cassie knows Becky somehow isn’t it? ISN’T IT?!” A third fan wrote: “That was a look of recognition for Cassie surely. Has Becky arrested her in the past?”
A theory suggested: “Oh she’s come across her before in her past… drugs?” as another read: “I reckon she was a mate of that Tia and was in the shadows and witnessed her murder/death.” A further tweet said: “Sold her drugs is more like it.”
The theories kept on coming with one reading: “Has Becky arrested her at some point?” as someone suggested they met in Spain. A final tweet said: “I’m thinking Cassie may have had some dealings with Rebecca in the past.”
Coronation Street fans believe Becky Swain may have bugged Carla Connor’s home in a bid to get dirt on her and split her and Lisa Swain up, with her intent on getting her family back
07:00, 05 Nov 2025Updated 07:07, 05 Nov 2025
Viewers are concerned for Carla Connor on Coronation Street(Image: ITV)
Viewers are concerned for Carla Connor on Coronation Street, with fears that Becky Swain is targeting her.
While it’s clear Becky is trying to oust ‘love rival’ Carla from her ex Lisa Swain’s life, in a bid to win her back, new scenes have teased she could be planning something sinister. A scene on Monday night left fans baffled, and alarmed after Becky made an odd comment.
Becky was winding Carla up, trying to tell her Lisa was still in love with her and that they would get back together. Carla very calmly made it clear to Becky that Lisa only had eyes for her, and they would stay together as Becky’s old life was gone.
It seems Becky is a little delusional though, smugly telling Carla that “it was all in the eyes” and that Lisa kissed her, even wearing a top she bought her years ago. Carla was stunned at just how wrong Becky was getting it all, reminding her that she and Lisa were together in their new home, and that Becky was her past.
It’s then that Becky started making jibes at Carla’s own past, referencing stuff about her exes and her alcohol issues. It’s stuff Becky and even Lisa were not around for, and Becky shouldn’t really know about.
She is a police officer so perhaps she did some digging, but chances are she’s not allowed at the police station. Perhaps Betsy told her about the stuff, if she knows any of it.
Becky also made a comment in a different scene, this time to Lisa where she commented that if Carla wasn’t around, they’d be back together. The way Becky said it was almost the same as what Carla had said to Lisa prior.
It left fans wondering if Becky had bugged Carla’s house, and was listening into conversations. One fan posted online: “Oh so Becky’s bugged No.6 then… ‘if she wasn’t around…you don’t have to say it, it’s enough for me just to know’. HOW DO YOU KNOW?????
“And using that very specific wording that… the same that Carla used the night before?? That can’t just be coincidence?” Another fan agreed: “Ohhhh, you could be into something with this!!”
A third fan said: “Oh she has defo planted bugs 100% there is no way she said that line the exact way Carla said it as a coincidence.” A fourth fan added: “That is why we have the bedroom set? Scene of her watching them and listening in.”
The comments kept being repeated, with one fan said: “Exactly… How else would she know those words plus knowing full well Carla said this to Lisa, she heard it.” A final tweet said: “Wouldn’t be surprised.”
Eva Price has burst back onto Coronation Street and much-loved actress Catherine Tyldesley says the future couldn’t be more exciting for the soap as she opened up on her anxiety
Coronation Street’s Catherine Tyldesley has spoken about her big return as Eva Price(Image: ITV)
Soap favourite Catherine Tyldesley feared her chances of ever returning to Coronation Street were in danger after she kept saying no to bosses – but now she thinks the show going in an ‘old school’ direction will keep the critics at bay.
Catherine is back on the Cobbles as feisty Eva Price following a seven-year absence, and admits she was incredibly nervous about reprising her role. The actress finally told producers yes after hearing their plans for the future and telling them she didn’t want her character involved in any cheating scandals.
Eva left Weatherfield behind in 2018, but now she’s back with some new faces. Joined by husband Ben Driscoll, played by Aaron McCusker, mother-in-law “from hell” Maggie [Pauline McLynn] and their blended family she is also the queen of the Rovers Return – and said the pressure of following in the footsteps of legendary landladies also added to her anxiety.
She said it was the perfect time to come back to the ITV soap and was sold as soon as producer Katie Brooks explained where the programme was heading. Catherine spoke to the Mirror as she juggles being a working mum and missing important family moments.
The 42-year-old said: “It’s been incredible to be back. You are like a family when you work at Corrie. We’ve all really make the effort to stay in touch, cast and crew, so it’s I just feel incredibly lucky and I’ve been made to feel super welcome. I needed that because I was really nervous. I was genuinely, really nervous because it’s been a long time.
“I’ve had to say no a few times. I was worried they’d just stop asking! That’s why I emailed them after having to reject the chance those times. I just said ‘I love the show and said I loved playing Eva, so please, please always ask me… and at some point, further down the line, hopefully the time will be right’.
“Kate [Brooks] is passionate about bringing a new golden era and kind of looking to the old school Corrie days for inspiration, which is what people seem to love – and what Kate is brilliant at, alongside our writing team. The route she envisioned Corrie going in is everything that I’m about, as soon as we spoke I was inspired and motivated.
“They really know how to do that, and that’s how she worded things to me. I want to bring Corrie into this brilliant new era. It’s a very exciting time, and I felt excited by everything that she was saying to me and how passionate the character and really exploring strong women.”
The show has faced criticism, with Charlie Lawson, who played Jim McDonald for decades, hitting out over ‘woke’ plots before claiming viewers are switching off. It was revealed that Corrie didn’t make it into the ten most-watched TV shows on Christmas Day last year but Catherine says things are looking up.
“They’re putting everything into it,” she said. “I think, if there has been criticism over the show, everything is peaks and troughs in life, you can’t be perfection day in, day out. It is important for shows like this to experiment with things and look at relevant topics that are things that are happening around us, and sometimes the audience like that, sometimes they maybe don’t.
“The only way you can learn is if you take risks, mixing things up and different producers have different ideas. It just so happened for me that I felt very, very aligned with Kate, and everything that she was saying, and her new vision for the show in terms of finding that old school era.”
But while her return has been a pleasure, it’s also been painful. The star added: “Obviously Eva is older and wiser, I wanted Eva and Ben to be tight, to be loyal, to be this power couple at the forefront at the pub. We were very passionate about the fact we wanted her to retain that childlike quality that she has, that really fun side. “I’ve been super happy to have Pauline and Aaron to bounce off. They are such wonderful human beings in real life. So we’re having the best time. The other day, I came up to my dressing room and I remember thinking, gosh, my face is hurting from smiling! Pauline is hysterical. I could just put her in a room and watch her and she just got comedy bones. Yeah, they’re both brilliant.”Mum-of-two Catherine has linked up with O2 to help launch an incredible 5G book that connects families for bedtime, even when they have to be apart. The unique book transforms a traditional children’s story into a shared, interactive experience and she says it’s a must for parents.
“I wanted to get involved in this campaign because, for me, a bedtime story is a ritual – it was always my favourite part and still is. That opportunity to kind of talk about their day with them and then to you, delve into a story is just so special.“O2 told me that through their research, I think it was more than half as parents also agreed with that statement that that was their favourite time of the day. So, for me to have the opportunity to do this connected storybook with Iris, who is three, was just amazing.“Whilst nothing can replicate being snuggled up in bed reading with your little one, seeing technology used in this way to make that special moment of connection still possible is just amazing. The book is beautiful and to see the look on Iris’ face when I popped up in the story was a very special moment. She loved being able to see me and read through the story together even though we were apart.”
A former Strictly Come Dancing contestant has said they want to return to the BBC show
Anita Rani says she was “robbed” on Strictly(Image:
BBC
)
Anita Rani, the Countryfile star and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, has confessed she’ll “never get over” her time on the dance show. The 48 year old telly favourite took part in the BBC competition a decade ago, narrowly missing out on the final by just two weeks.
She was partnered with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko during her stint on the show, which saw The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness and his partner Aliona Vilani take home the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Soap stars Georgia May Foote of Coronation Street and EastEnders‘ Kellie Bright were the runners-up that year. However, Anita is still convinced she was “robbed” of a place in the final alongside Aliona.
In a chat with The Sun’s TV Magazine, she revealed: “I wish I could do it again – I think they should bring back ‘the robbed’! I’ll never get over it, I should have got to the final.”
During the semi-final, Anita found herself in the dreaded dance-off against BBC presenter Katie Derham. Despite giving it her all, it was Katie and her partner Anton Du Beke who progressed to the grand finale, reports Wales Online.
Anita confessed that she used to turn down reality shows like Strictly, but has recently decided to say “yes” if the “offer arise”. Since then, she’s appeared on popular programmes such as Celebrity Gogglebox, The Chase, and Blankety Blank.
She even hinted that she’d consider joining the cast of Celebrity Traitors if the BBC decides to commission a second series. Meanwhile, Anita and her dad Bal are gearing up for their appearance on Celebrity Race Across the World.
She added: “I used to say no to other reality shows, but now I’m like: ‘If an offer arises, why not?’ The Traitors, I’m A Celeb… But I’ll tell you what me and Dad want to do next – Antiques Road Trip. Let’s put that out there!”.
Before taking part in the travel programme, Anita confessed she wanted her father to enjoy “an adventure”.
She told the BBC: “We get on, he makes me laugh and if I ever want help in making a decision, dad’s the person I call.
“Also, I want dad to have the experience. It’s about my dad having an adventure – he’s never had one before. I think we’re competitive, but I think we’re just really keen to have an amazing experience and give it our best shot.”
The Woman’s Hour presenter reveals she’s currently in a “new era” following the “confirmation” of her fresh romance with partner Alex Lavery.
This comes two years following her separation from spouse Bhupi Rehal. The former pair had been wed for 14 years before they ended their marriage.
Following their break-up, she revealed to Love Sunday Magazine: “‘Life is good, I’m in a good place. I’m focusing on myself and my own wants.
“It’s nice to be able to think about the second phase of my life. I’ve been calling it Chapter Two.”
An underrated period drama based on one of the most influential books of all time is available to watch for free
‘Must-watch’ period drama based on classic book is free to watch(Image: ITV/PBS)
Viewers shouldn’t miss out on this incredible four-part drama based on a classic novel, as it’s available to watch without spending a penny.
This breathtaking adaptation was originally aired in 2023 on ITV and PBS Masterpiece in the US and has developed a passionate cult following despite not receiving critical fanfare at the time.
Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, Tom Jones brings the seminal 1749 novel to life like never before with an ensemble cast of British legends.
William Tell’s Solly McLeod portrays the titular downtrodden hero, a young man with mysterious parentage who falls in love with his spirited neighbour Sophia Western (played by Sophie Wilde).
Sophie decides to flee her arranged marriage to be with Tom, but the pair are kept apart by a series of increasingly fraught misadventures.
They’re accompanied by some of the most recognisable names from the British screen, including Coronation Street’s Lucy Fallon, Harry Potter’s Shirley Henderson, New Tricks’ Alun Armstrong and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.
Many viewers consider the drama an essential watch and it’s still currently available to stream for free on ITVX.
One 10/10 review from an IMDb user declared it “Gorgeous viewing with a top notch cast”.
They continued: “The cast list is like a who’s who of the cream of British talent, topped by two lovely and good looking leads.
“The episodes fair gallops on its way, cutting through the boring exposition and getting quickly to the important stuff, the love story between Tom and Sophia.”
The review continued to particularly praise Waddingham’s performance as Lady Bellaston, declaring “Seriously, put this woman in EVERYTHING”.
“If you get a chance, watch it in one go, it’s perfect lazy weekend viewing,” the reviewer concluded.
Another warned that fans of the book should expect some changes to the narrative, but admitted: “Even though the story is not like really really the one from the book is one pretty entertaining and very fun to watch. The choice of actors was really good and they did a great job.
“I really recommend for you to watch it if you want some light series combined with romance, a bit of jealousy and of course some British scenery.”
And a 9/10 review said: “This is what you want from English costume drama – and more. I really liked it.
“Fans of historical dramas and literary adaptations will find Tom Jones a must-watch, as it stays true to the spirit of the novel while making it accessible and enjoyable for modern audiences.”
In the mood for a cosy period romance with plenty of laughs and scenery-chewing performances from British greats? Look no further.
FORMER Corrie actress Michelle Keegan is being courted for her first Hollywood film role.
US screen star Reese Witherspoon is keen for the 38-year-old to play the lead in a big-budget movie adaptation of her new novel.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Michelle Keegan is being courted for her first Hollywood film roleCredit: GettyHollywood A-lister Reese Witherspoon is keen for Michelle to play the lead in her upcoming filmCredit: Refer to sourceEx-soap star Michelle became a global success thanks to mystery drama Fool Me OnceCredit: Getty
Oscar-winner Reese, 49, wrote crime thriller Gone Before Goodbye with American author Harlan Coben, who was behind Michelle’s Netflix hit show Fool Me Once.
Harlan introduced the women to each other at the launch of the book at the London Literature Festival, held at the capital’s Festival Hall last weekend.
A source said: “Harlan has been singing Michelle’s praises to Reese and she was keen to meet her. They got on really well and it was clear Reese was really taken with Michelle.
“The plan is to turn the book into a film and Michelle is their first choice to take on the role of the lead character, Maggie McCabe.
“She is a combat surgeon and Michelle previously played an Army medic in Our Girl on the BBC, so it’s a role they know she could take on with style.
“It’s early days but Harlan and Reese think Michelle is tailor-made for this role and would love her to come on board when the time is right.”
Ex-soap star Michelle became a global success after the mystery drama Fool Me Once was released last year.
The series became one of Netflix’s most watched TV shows of 2024 — with more than 107 million people streaming it worldwide in the first 90 days.
Best-selling author Harlan said of his leading lady: “I think what Michelle has, besides tremendous talent and all the other stuff, is a genuine authenticity.
“I think the audience, loves her, people want to follow her life, because they sense that there’s a kindness and a gentleness.
“And that’s really her, she’s truly authentic.”
Speaking last year, 63-year-old Harlan insisted he would be keen to work with her again and reckoned: “If we could get Michelle, we’d love to get Michelle.”
Fans of Michelle, from Stockport — who has a daughter with Heart FM DJ husband Mark Wright — will next see her on screen in ITV crime drama The Blame.
She plays Detective Inspector Emma Crane in the six-parter, which is an adaptation of Charlotte Langley’s 2023 debut novel of the same name.
Michelle is also known for her roles in the Sky One comedy drama Brassic and BBC drama Ten Pound Poms, about Brits who migrated to Australia in the 1950s.
Michelle is also known for her role in the Sky One comedy drama BrassicCredit: Sky UK LimitedReese wrote crime thriller Gone Before Goodbye with American author Harlan Coben
One Corrie star is celebrating their little sister’s huge new career move as she joins the cast of the hit ITV soap in an episode as the daughter of an iconic character
Eva is back on the cobbles with her new family
Coronation Street is becoming a family business for one of its stars as his little sister is set to join the show. The ITV soap’s newest cast member is making her debut on the show in Monday’s (27 October) episode.
Bobby Bradshaw, who plays Jake Windass, is the older brother of Aurora Bradshaw. He announced on his Instagram that his sister was joining Corrie as Susie Price, the daughter of Catherine Tyldesley’s Eva.
He posted a picture of the new family, the Driscolls, which feature both Susie and her mother, and captioned it: “The news is finally out!!! Congratulations to my little sister aurora! She is part of the new family and her first episode airs 27th October.”
Fans will remember Susie as the baby Eva had in 2018. When Eva learned she was pregnant, she struck a deal with Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) to give the child to her and Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) after their surrogate had a miscarriage. Toyah faked a birth certificate so that Peter would never know Susie wasn’t born via the surrogate.
Eva struggled being away from her baby, but eventually the two ended up together and have been living away from Weatherfield since 2018. But Eva and Susie are now returning.
The mother and daughter are moving into the Rovers Return alongside Eva’s new husband Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker). Ben is the person the pub was sold to, as he bought it as a surprise for his wife. Alongside Ben, his mother Maggie Driscoll, played by Pauline McLynn of EastEnders fame, will also be moving in. Catherine Tyldesley told the Mirror that Maggie is the “mother-in-law from hell”.
“There are so many twists and turns with the Driscolls. The mother-in-law from hell feels like a harsh title but I don’t think I am far off,” she said. “The constant swipes at each other, and Ben is very much stuck in the middle. Things do start to come to a head and he has to make that decision of whose side are you on here. They both get frustrated with him.”
These Driscolls are relatives of Ollie Dirscoll (Raphael Akuwudike), who is already on the show and dating Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown). Dee-Dee is more than a girlfriend to Ollie, she is also his legal representation after he was involved in a car accident.
Though Aurora and Bobby are siblings, their characters are not. Jake Windass is the son of Gary Windass and Izzy Armstrong, born via surrogacy with the help of Tina McIntyre. Jake currently lives with his dad and his step-mother Maria Connor, who is not best pleased to see Eva return.
Jeremy Sheffield has played Patrick Blake and his twin brother Jez in Hollyoaks, but the actor also appeared in Coronation Street
Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter
22:31, 21 Oct 2025
Jez Blake arrived in Hollyoaks as the twin of his deceased brother Patrick(Image: Channel 4)
Hollyoaks actor Jeremy Sheffield previously appeared in Coronation Street before securing his memorable parts on the Channel 4 drama.
The 59-year-old actor is recognised for portraying Chester’s Patrick Blake between 2012 and 2016, and has recently returned to the enduring soap as the character’s twin sibling Jez.
Jeremy initially left Hollyoaks in 2016, when his character met a shocking end at the hands of killer granddaughter Nico Blake (Persephone Swales-Dawson).
Discussing his character in 2024, actor Jeremy hinted at a troubling history between Jez and his late twin, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He revealed to Inside Soap magazine: “A huge event blew the brothers apart and Jez disappeared – whatever went on was so traumatic he just had to escape. I imagine Jez was Patrick’s first victim.”
However, before the actor set foot in Chester as Patrick or his wicked serial killer twin Jez, Jeremy featured on competing soap Coronation Street and contributed to a beloved character’s exit.
In December 2011, Jeremy joined the Cobbles as Danny Stratton, who became a fresh romantic prospect for unlucky-in-love Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly).
Danny, working as a hotel manager, initially encountered Becky at a perfect moment as she attempted to move forward from her collapsed marriage to Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), who had swiftly begun a fresh relationship with Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford).
Becky and Danny’s romance hit a rocky start when she discovered a woman and a young lad at his house, leading her to believe he was a married man.
However, Danny quickly clarified that the individuals were his sister and son, Billy.
When Tracy accused her romantic rival of causing her miscarriage, the Weatherfield locals turned against Becky.
But, Danny, being the good soul he is, stepped in to clear Becky’s name and expose Tracy as a fibber.
Just as things seemed to be looking up for the new couple, Danny and Becky, they were left heartbroken when his hotel company moved him to Barbados, putting their relationship in jeopardy.
In a surprising romantic turn, Becky chose to join Danny and Billy in their new life overseas, bidding a final farewell to Weatherfield in January 2012.
Apart from Hollyoaks and Corrie, soap star Jeremy has featured in several other telly shows and films, including Murder in Suburbia, Hotel Babylon, Creep and The Wedding Date.
He also portrayed Alex Adams in Holby City from 2000 to 2003. In 2010, he took part in the ITV series Dancing On Ice.
According to IMDB, Jeremy’s first acting gig was as a dancer in Queen’s iconic music video for the chart-topping ‘I Want To Break Free’. He also played the man in Natalie Imbruglia’s music video Torn.
Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am
Two iconic stars of the ITV soap Coronation Street have shared what their future with the soap is looking like after fans feared they would be leaving the show
22:49, 19 Oct 2025Updated 22:49, 19 Oct 2025
Legendary Coronation Street stars’ soap future unveiled after exit fears
Coronation Street legends William Roache and Barbara Knox have opened up about their future on the show, after accepting an award for their long service to television and amid fans’ fears that they are due to leave the show.
William, 93, and Barbara, 92, were awarded with the Outstanding Contribution to Television Award at the Variety Awards on Sunday (19 October).
Following the award, the pair both insisted they would not be leaving the show anytime soon, despite their combined 118 years on the show.
Coronation Street aired it’s first episode, starring William, in 1960. Four years later, Barbara appeared in an episode, and by 1972, she was back in a continuous role. When asked if they had plans to retire, both said they weren’t thinking about that as an option.
In fact, it was the work that kept them feeling young. The nonagenarians were asked what they do to feel young and Barbara responded: “Well honestly, I think we’ve had the opportunity to work, that’s the greatest thing.
“I don’t want to and I know Bill doesn’t want to retire, because stimulus from your brain gets you up. So we’re fortunate to have been able to do that.”
They were also asked what their advice would be for actors starting their careers and William joked that “the first 65 years” were the hard part. “When young actors come to me, I say the first 65 years is the tough bit, the rest is easy.”
Before he acted, William was a captain in the British Army. He started acting on a stage in Nottingham and went on to appear in various films and TV shows before landing Ken Barlow in Corrie. As he was in the first episode, he is the longest-serving castmate on the show. In fact, he is the longest-serving actor to play a continuous role on a show ever and, as such, has a Guinness World Record.
Meanwhile, Barbara is best known for playing Rita Tanner on the show. She is the second longest-serving Corrie member, after William.
Ant and Dec also picked up an award for Outstanding Contribution to Television, while Vernon Kay was given a prize for the Outstanding Contribution to Radio. Jamie Wilson got the same for Musical Theatre, and Olly Murs was recognised for his contribution to music.
ITV, who air Corrie, were celebrated as well. They were given the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Broadcasting. The network celebrated 70 years in the business this year.
Over 70 years, ITV has become a core part of British television. They are one of the leading networks in the country, with iconic shows such as Corrie, Emmerdale, Love Island and Britain’s Got Talent under their belt.
Catherine Tyldesley says her returning Coronation Street character Eva Price is set to lock horns once more with nemesis Maria Connor, while a ‘scary’ new arrival will also see a clash
21:00, 19 Oct 2025Updated 21:11, 19 Oct 2025
There’s set to be plenty of drama on Coronation Street as Eva Price makes her big return(Image: ITV)
There’s set to be plenty of drama on Coronation Street as Eva Price makes her big return.
Catherine Tyldesley reprises her role very soon, and it seems there’s more than one character she will clash with. Viewers will recall Eva’s feud with Maria Connor over Aidan Connor, with catfights and even a fight in a water fountain on Eva’s wedding day.
Well, we can confirm that conflict between the characters is still very much there, and it will be reignited when Eva makes her comeback. But it isn’t just Maria that Eva is set to clash with, as a “scary” new character features in dramatic scenes with the new Rovers Return landlady.
Catherine told The Mirror: “I was so thrilled when Kate Brooks said we’d be playing that out [between Eva and Maria]. Kate referenced Gail Platt and Eileen Grimshaw, which I just absolutely loved.
“She is a dog with a bone, she will lock onto things in the same way that Maria does. And Eva really loved Aidan, she really loved him. Although she’s moved on and she loves Ben, she finds that very hard to let go of and she loves a grudge, so I think that’s going to be a long-term thing. Don’t let them near any water features, I think.”
Then there’s Eva’s “mother-in-law from hell” Maggie Driscoll, and the pair do not get on. Catherine spilled: “I’ve watched a lot of what Pauline McLynn’s done and when I’m watching what she’s doing on set, sometimes I’ll just watch the monitor and I know I am seeing a Corrie icon.
“The writers have structured things for our characters, it’s hilarious, it’s constant jibes. But I think deep down, there’s a moment that we did not so long ago where Eva, in a roundabout way, says ‘If I wasn’t with Ben and I’d just met Maggie, I think we’d be mates.’ There’s a lot of similarities.
“They both love the family, they’re both striving for the same thing, it’s just that now and again they come to blows. But that’s great fun to play.” Things will get heated between them, with Catherine hinting that scenes will reveal just how “scary” Maggie can be.
She explained: “It’s an interesting one, because early doors, I wouldn’t say she’s scared of her, she’s more irritated by her. But as time goes on, Eva does start to see this side to her that’s like ‘Wow, okay, I’ve got your number’ and I think that element develops where she goes ‘Yeah, I am a little bit scared of her now and intimidated’, yes.”
There’s more nostalgia too when Eva bumps into her ex Adam Barlow, but Catherine says Eva’s new partner Ben has nothing to worry about. She told us: “The day that Eva left Weatherfield, Adam was slightly heartbroken but said ‘I really care about you.’
“They’ve maintained that and they’ve stayed in touch. You know when you can be friends with an ex – it’s rare, but it happens – and they’ve kept that. Ben doesn’t have anything to worry about there.”
Catherine also offered a glimpse of what we can expect with Eva being the new landlady. She shared: “I think it’s easy to underestimate Eva as a dizzy blonde. She does have that side to her and she’s great fun and can be dizzy and spontaneous but she is a very strong woman and we start to see even more reasons why, as time goes on, why she has got this inner strength.
“And also, she’s her mother’s daughter, Stella was a really strong woman, and that is probably part of the reason why her and Maggie clash so much, they’re such strong personalities. But again, to bring that fun dynamic into The Rovers, especially with Sean and Glenda, has just been an absolute scream.”
Catherine’s also thrilled to be reunited with co-stars Jane Danson and Georgia Taylor, who play Eva’s sisters Leanne and Toyah Battersby. She teased: “I’ve pretty much stayed in touch with everybody, so it’s extra lovely to come back to. That dynamic, the three witches reunited, it’s great.
“It’s strong women, again, and when they’re together, they’re even stronger, they’re a real force to be reckoned with. They’ve got each other’s backs, it’s that solidarity, it’s such a joy to play as an actress. The three concubines of Nick Tilsley, and the girls are just a dream and we’ve stayed in touch. I felt really welcomed by everyone, especially my sisters, so it’s great that we’ve got lots of stuff coming up together.”
Coronation Street Becky Swain works on getting close again with her ex Lisa Swain next week, amid her plan to ‘oust’ Carla Connor out of the family on the ITV soap
00:00, 18 Oct 2025Updated 00:09, 18 Oct 2025
Becky Swain gets to work on winning over her ex Lisa Swain on Coronation Street next week.
A new preview reveals the moment the pair grow closer again, as they reminisce about the past and discuss the moment that tore them apart. Becky faked her death four years ago and fled to Spain, with it revealed someone was after her.
DI Costello helped cover it all up and now it’s been teased the pair are hiding much more, and that Becky is “a villain”. Corrie boss Kate Brooks has revealed that we’re yet to see just what Becky is fully capable of, but she’s out to “oust” Carla Connor from the family.
Lisa was ‘widowed’ after Becky’s fake demise four years ago, and in the past year she’s grown close to new partner Carla. Just months ago the pair got engaged, only for Becky to rock up – and now it’s clear she’s out to ruin it all.
While it’s not known what she has up her sleeve, we do know she’s desperate to have her wife and their daughter Betsy Swain back. She wants the family back together again, and Carla is stopping that.
Carla’s existence alone proves difficult for Becky’s agenda, never mind the fact Carla is clearly suspicious of her ‘rival’. So perhaps with Carla in Ireland, we’re about to see Becky make her first move.
In a new preview clip, Becky spends some time alone with Lisa amid trouble with Betsy after her arrest. The pair are on the sofa having enjoyed a curry and a glass of wine.
Lisa is a little tipsy, and the pair are debating whether or not to watch Game of Thrones “like they used to”. Becky very quickly reminds Lisa of the life they once had, and how they’d spent nights often at home with a takeaway and watching the telly.
Lisa is thoughtful as she remembers this well, but she quickly points out the reason it all stopped was because Becky died, or at last she thought. Becky guilt trips Lisa with a comment about it not being fun and games for her, having to hide out from criminals.
As she tells Becky how hard it was without her, Becky tells her she wishes she could turn the clocks back to a time that they were together as a family, wishing she could have stopped everything that led to her fleeing. Caught up in the emotions, Lisa agrees with her that she too wishes they could go back.
As Lisa appears emotional, Becky strokes her hair, leading to Lisa grabbing her hand and placing it against her face. This, and the fact that Lisa misses the way things were, leaves Becky smiling, no doubt believing she may have a chance of winning Lisa back.
But what will Lisa do, and is the moment on the sofa not what it seems? After all, Corrie boss Kate hinted Swarla, Carla and Lisa, could survive the drama with Becky, with twists ahead for the newcomer – but how far will Becky go to get what she wants?
Coronation Street fans witnessed the moment Becky Swain and DI Costello met up onscreen, weeks on from us finding out he helped her fake her death as she was ‘in danger’
20:55, 17 Oct 2025Updated 20:55, 17 Oct 2025
There was a moment on Coronation Street on Friday night that left fans convinced they’d seen Becky Swain’s true colours(Image: ITV)
There was a moment on Coronation Street on Friday night that left fans convinced they’d seen Becky Swain’s true colours.
After weeks of speculating about her intentions and what she might be hiding, viewers finally saw a tense exchange between her and DI Costello, the man who helped fake her death four years earlier. Becky rocked up and shocked her ‘widow’ Lisa Swain recently, as well as their teen daughter Betsy Swain, with both of them led to believe Becky had died in the line of duty.
It’s clear Becky is trying to get her family back, with Corrie boss Kate Brooks confirming Becky is keen to oust Lisa’s fiancée Carla Connor out of the fold. Carla is suspicious of Becky, but she’s not the only one with Kit Green involved too, not to mention fans being convinced there’s more to why Becky went into hiding, and what she and Costello have been up to.
So when Betsy found herself arrested on Friday, it soon became clear there was more to the tale. It all stemmed from Betsy’s social media post that featured Becky in, with Becky meant to be keeping a low profile.
With Lisa worrying about where her daughter had been, Becky offered to help track her down only for Kit to drop some big news. Betsy had been arrested, accused of wrecking a car and resisting arrest. Of course it didn’t take Becky long to realise Costello was behind this.
As Becky offered to be there for Lisa, worming her way into the house amid their daughter being stuck in a cell, fans believed she was doing the unthinkable. Some fans claimed Becky wasn’t even bothered about poor Betsy’s ordeal, instead using it as a means to get closer to a troubled Lisa.
Not only that but some fans feared Becky could have orchestrated it, while this seemed not to be the case as Becky appeared shocked when she figured it all out. That said, she still managed to come up with a plan to threaten Costello who was admant she must return to Spain.
She told Costello that she’d go but only if she went with Lisa and Betsy, telling him he needed to make this happen. So while Betsy was still in a cell fearing for her future and Lisa was in turmoil, leading to a clash with Becky, Becky herself was a little preoccupied trying to turn it into a way of getting her family back and away from Weatherfield.
Fans suggested we were seeing Becky’s true colours and intentions, amid soap boss Kate confirming Becky was “a bit of a villain”, and we would soon learn what she was fully capable of. One fan tweeted: “So much for Becky fearing for her safety and needing to keep a low profile, just walking down the cobbles and then meeting Costello in the alley. Yeah she’s not fearing for her life it’s all an act and lies.”
Another viewer said: “So maybe Becky didn’t orchestrate Betsy getting arrested but when she found out Costello did as leverage to send Becky back to Spain, she was okay with letting Betsy spend the night in jail to get some alone time with Lisa. Give her the Mum of the Year award.”
A third fan commented: “Becky knew Costello stitched Betsy up and she made a plan to stay the night with Lisa and conveniently brought a bag.” A fourth added: “Becky and Costello scenes. Remember those are just the tip of the iceberg with these two.”
CORONATION Street fans have been left with their mouths open after discovering TWO of the soap’s legends once were a couple.
What is even more surprising, is that these pair of actors were on the soap almost a decade apart.
7
Coronation Street star Alison King once dated another very famous co-starCredit: Getty – Contributor
7
The actress is known for playing Carla on the soapCredit: ITV
7
Actress Alison once dated fellow Corrie star Phil Middlemess who played Des Barnes – seen here with onscreen wife Natalie played by Denise WelchCredit: PA
7
Alison and Phil dated for five years in the late 90sCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Reddit sleuths have unearthed an old article from October 8, 1995 that confirmed they were once a couple who were “madly in love”.
The story was from when actor Phil was at the height of his Corrie fame.
Alison, however, who was just 22 at the time, was not famous and was referred to as a “surf shop girl” in the story.
In the article Phil claimed that he had “bedded 100 women” but was now “in love” with Alison.
Posting the story on the discussion forum, fans went wild at this revelation.
One wrote: “No way!!”
Another added: “How random,”
This Corrie fan said: “I still can’t get my head around this!”
A fourth added: “Small world!”
Phil Middlemiss stars as Des in Coronation Street
According to reports the pair dated for five years, Phil telling the Scottish Daily Record: “I’ve never been happier. She is a wonderful girl. I love her to death.”
They reportedly met at a Tenerife bar in March 1995, before splitting in 2000.
Phil confessed: “I was in love with Allie. She’s the only person I’ve ever really loved.
“But she was working in London and I was in Manchester.
7
Phil’s character is known for being a ladies manCredit: Granada Television
“In another life, if I had been a bus driver and she had worked at the local baker’s shop, we would have got married and had kids by now.”
Corrie fans will well remember lothario Des Barnes who graced the cobbles throughout the 90s.
Actor Phil was a regular fixture of the ITV soap from 1990 to 1998 when he quit the show.
Phil’s character Des was known for being a charming ladies man.
7
Phil’s character Des was killed off Corrie when he left the soapCredit: PA:Press Association
On the soap he was married to Natalie Barnes, the Rovers landlady played by Loose Women star Denise Welch.
However, during his time on Coronation Street, Des went onto to also have an off-again romance with Raquel, who was played by the legendary Sarah Lancashire.
Raquel later moved onto her famous screen partner, Curly Watts, but it was Des that played havoc with the pair in a bid to get revenge on Raquel leaving him.
Des even sabotaged their engagement party as an act of jealousy and rage.
7
Phil appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss his ups and downsCredit: Rex
Since quitting the cobbles in the late 90s, when his character was killed off, Phil has enjoyed a varied career mixed with a series of personal setbacks.
In 2012, the actor faced bankruptcy after a film he had put his life-saving into in 2008 failed to take off as a result of the financial crisis.
It forced Phil to take money from family and friends as he told the Manchester Evening News: “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.”
Meanwhile, his former girlfriend Alison joined the soap in 2006, almost a decade after Phil left, and six years after their split.
The actress’ character Carla is best known for being the boss of the knicker factory, Underworld.
Over the last two decades she has been involved in numerous high-profile storylines, from steamy affairs to battles with alcoholism.
This is turn has seen her win numerous awards, including Best Actress at the British Soap Awards in 2012.
Coronation Street Spoilers: News & Cast Updates
The beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
The show follows the lives of the residents as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
DAME PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE created a monster, and we loved her for it.
The actress, who has died aged 96, turned Hyacinth Bucket – pronounced “Bouquet” – into one of the most memorable TV characters of all time.
15
Dame Patricia Routledge with Keeping Up Appearances co-star Clive SwiftCredit: Shutterstock
15
The actress passed away aged 96Credit: Alamy
15
The star portrayed one of the most memorable TV characters of all timeCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Decades on from Nineties sitcom Keeping Up Appearances the pearl-wearing snob, with her candlelight suppers and white slimline telephone, is still as embedded in the national psyche as a character from Charles Dickens.
In Patricia’s own words: “She was grotesque.”
But the actress, like viewers, could not help but admire her: “She was always getting it wrong and slipping on the banana skin, and then coming back and flying the flag.”
By the time the sitcom first hit screens, Patricia had been acting for nearly 40 years, in roles from Coronation Street to Broadway musicals, with co-stars from Sidney Poitier to Jerry Lewis.
She was also a favourite of writer Alan Bennett, who wrote his first great TV monologue especially for her in 1982.
Its success led to the landmark series Talking Heads, in which she also starred.
Alan said in 1998: “She has an enormous amount of zest and brio and she puts a lot of air into the language, so it lifts dialogue which might otherwise seem quite banal.”
After leaving Keeping Up Appearances, Patricia had a second smash-hit with Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, and in 1996 was voted the nation’s favourite actress of all time.
But Patricia managed to keep her private life out of the spotlight.
She never married or had children, and for years refused to discuss her relationships except to say: “I do know what it is to have loved and suffered.”
Only Fools & Horses legend Patrick Murray had died aged 68
Eventually, she revealed she had had three great love affairs, including one with a married man, which tormented her as a devout Christian.
She also admitted: “I didn’t make a decision not to be married and not to be a mother -– life just turned out like that because my involvement with acting was so total.
“Now I think it’s a pity I didn’t have children. But I’m not sure you can have a career and a family and do both satisfactorily. I always knew, deep down, that everything has a cost.”
But whenever she was asked how to become a success, she had the same answer: “I say, I can give you a tip. It’s called risk. And if you’re prepared to risk everything, then you can do anything.”
The icon as Hyacinth BucketCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
15
The 90’s sitcom ran for five yearsCredit: Alamy
Katherine Patricia Routledge was born on February 17, 1929, in Birkenhead, Wirral, and grew up in a house behind father Isaac’s “high-class gentlemen’s outfitters” shop.
The family was theatre-mad and Patricia acted in school plays but never saw it as her future: “I always intended to be a go-ahead headmistress in a red sports car who had romances all over Europe in the holidays.”
With that in mind, she studied English at the University of Liverpool but spent so much time in the student drama club that older brother Graham urged her to audition for the Liverpool Playhouse.
She said: “He was the one who said, ‘That’s what you ought to do.’” In 1952, aged 23, she made her professional debut with the company as Hippolyta in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Just two years later she was in the West End, showing off her roof-raising contralto singing voice in musical comedy The Duenna.
By early 1961 she was so well known on stage stage that the makers of Coronation Street, which had begun a couple of months earlier, pounced: “They created a character for me – Sylvia Snape. She had a little cafe.”
Their idea was for the no-nonsense proprietor to become one of the cobbles’ stalwarts, but after just three episodes Patricia quit.
She recalled: “I just knew inside that I needed to have other adventures.”
That included belting out satirical songs on That Was The Week It Was, as well as her big-screen debut in 1967’s To Sir with Love.
She played a teacher who offers support to Sidney Poitier’s character, and years later recalled the actor’s generosity: “I just had one scene alone with him, and he gave it to me.”
Patricia had less happy memories of working with Jerry Lewis in 1968’s Don’t Raise the Bridge, Lower the River: “An absolute nightmare. And I’m afraid I didn’t find him funny at all.”
BROADWAY DEBUT
That year Patricia also took Broadway by storm, with the New York Times critic describing her performance in Darling of the Day as “the most spectacular, most scrumptious, most embraceable musical comedy debut since Beatrice Lillie and Gertrude Lawrence came to the country.”
It landed her a Tony Award, presented by Groucho Marx.
Back at home, Alan Bennett had been a long-time fan and so when he wrote his first ground-breaking TV monologue, he wrote it for her.
Initially, Patricia turned him down: the piece was 47 minutes of just one character speaking directly to the camera.
Patricia recalled: “I said it wouldn’t work – people would switch off in their thousands.”
But Alan told her: “If you don’t do it, nobody will. I’ve written it for you.”
A Woman of No Importance screened on BBC2 in November 1982, with Patricia as Miss Schofield, who bubbled away about office gossip and the goings on at a hospital where, it slowly dawned on viewers, she was dying.
It was a sensation, and won Patricia a British Press Guild award for best actress. She later said of the writer: “He turns cliche into poetry. “He sees a world in a grain of sand – the sympathy, the humanity.”
Its success led to 1988’s beloved Talking Heads series of six monologues, with Patricia in A Lady of Letters as a lonely busybody who finally finds friendship when she is sent to prison.
She said: “It’s about salvation, about learning to love at a tremendous cost. Oh, it was a joyous thing to do.”
15
Dame Patricia received a Tony Award for her stage performancesCredit: Getty – Contributor
15
The legend was awarded and MBE in 2004Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
15
The icon was born on February 17, 1929 in Tranmere in Birkenhead, CheshireCredit: Rex Features
A second series was made in 1998, with Patricia’s monologue this time about a shop assistant who ends up in the thrall of her chiropodist.
In 2004 she admitted she found that part “very kinky”: “I didn’t really enjoy it. I didn’t understand it, deep down.”
Alan said later: “Patricia has a very strong moral streak and very strong views, and I think if a part doesn’t conform with those she’s very dubious about it.”
In between all this, she showed off her comedy brilliance again in Victoria Wood’s series As Seen on TV, playing an overconfident recurring character called Kitty who came out with lines like: “I’m something of a celebrity having walked the entire length of the Pennine Way in slingbacks, to publicise mental health.”
But when sitcom writer Roy Clarke, already famous for Last of the Summer Wine, presented the BBC with scripts for a new series about a suburban social climber, he did not have a lead actress in mind.
He recalled in 2004: “People do assume I must have written Keeping Up Appearances for Patricia Routledge, but I didn’t.”
It was director and producer Harold Snoad who Roy credited for “that perfect bit of casting”.
Harold said: “I wanted the character of Hyacinth to be a sort of stately galleon. I didn’t want somebody lightweight, either in size or vocal terms.”
Patricia said of the character: “She leapt from the page.”
GLOBAL HIT
The first series began on BBC1 in October 1990; soon 13million people a week were tuning in, including superfan the Queen Mum.
Nobody could have delivered lines like her (“I hope that’s a first-class stamp. I object to having second-class stamps thrust through my letterbox”) but she also brought a bursting energy to the role that was unmatchable.
The late Clive Swift, who played Hyacinth’s long-suffering husband Richard, said in 1998: “I can’t think of an another actress who could have brought the physical clowning to the part, which isn’t there particularly in the script.”
It was a global hit, but in 1995 after five series Patricia announced she would not do any more, despite the BBC’s pleas: “There were other adventures to have.”
They included, at the time, a new relationship.
Speaking to The Sun in 1996 she opened up about her private life for the first time, admitting: “A corner of my heart is taken. I’ve got a sneaking feeling that I might have almost everything in the end.
“He’s someone I’ve known for years and years. He’s in theatrical management but we hadn’t seen each other for a long time and then we met again.
“Life is full of the most wonderful surprises.”
15
In 2017 she was made a dame for services to the theatre and charityCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
15
Patricia was once voted Britain’s favourite actressCredit: Alamy
15
Patricia as Laura Partridge, during a photocall for the production of 1950s comedy ‘The Solid Gold Cadillac’ at The Garrick TheatreCredit: PA:Press Association
Patricia moved to Chichester, West Sussex, in 1999 to be closer to this new love, whose identity was never revealed, and lived there for the rest of her life.
She also told The Sun: “I had my heart broken when I was young. It was a grand passion, but it was complicated because he was married and, of course, I felt very guilty.
“I would gladly have lived with him and I wanted his children. But I couldn’t do it because I thought it would kill my parents.”
Her second great passion came in the late Eighties, when she least expected it: “Out of the blue this enchanting person appeared.
“He was a theatre director – a very funny and delightful man. But he had a heart condition, which I didn’t know about for a while.
“One day I went to rehearsal and was told he’d died in the night. This dear man was no more. I was just so hurt, so sore with the pain of loss.”
‘ILLUMINATING LIFE’
Work was always a refuge. In 1996 she was back on screen in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates as pensioner-turned-crime fighter, who was a down-to-earth, proud working-class opposite of Hyacinth.
Patricia later said of that character: “I loved her.”
It was another hit and the actress never forgave the BBC for axing the programme after four series without telling the cast: “No word ever came – how rude.”
Hetty was her last major TV role; afterwards she focused on theatre. Her final role was in Oscar Wilde’s play An Ideal Husband in 2014 in her adopted hometown of Chichester, where she worshipped at the cathedral each week.
In 2017 she was made a dame for services to the theatre and charity.
On getting the news, she said: “I started to laugh, and then I started to cry. It was extraordinary.”
But Patricia believed her profession was important.
She once said: “It sounds a bit high-faluting, but I think acting is the physicalisation of the imagination.
“If the word becomes flesh, then you are illuminating life for other people.”
15
Patricia never married and leaves behind no childrenCredit: Shutterstock
15
Mary Millar, Patricia and Judy CornwellCredit: Getty
15
She surprised diners after being spotted at a restaurant more than 30 years after her hit show endedCredit: michaelnewtonyoung / instagram
Fans are already buzzing about what could go wrong… or right!
The two soaps are going all out, with production teams cooking up a jaw-dropping stunt that promises life-changing consequences for the characters involved.
ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama Iain Macleod said: “It’s beyond exciting that filming is underway on Corriedale.
“There is a massive buzz around both the Leeds and Manchester sites and the images coming out of the shoot are utterly spectacular.
“And that’s before we’ve even got to all the brilliant transpennine interactions between characters from the different shows!
“As a soap fan myself, I think my head is going to explode when the episode airs next year.
“It will be mind-blowing, historical and unmissable.”
There will also be an interactive twist for fans to determine one part of the episode.
Explosive Emmerdale twist as real villain behind drugs gang is exposed – and they’re a very familiar face
A vote will be opened allowing soap fans to choose which Emmerdale and Coronation Street character will share a carefully-written scene together as part of the episode.
Corriedale is set to hit screens on ITV and YouTube in early 2026 – kicking off the brand-new soap power hour.
From then on, Emmerdale will roll out at 8pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8.30pm, every weekday in a double dose of drama.
The schedule change sees both soaps lose one episode a week amid dwindling ratings.
Soaps are no stranger to dramatic stunts in the storylines. Not only do these moments create a spectacle for viewers, they also fundamentally change characters’ lives.
Here is a look at some of the biggest soap stunts from over the years.
CORONATION STREET
Tram crash (2010): The ITV soap marked its 50th anniversary with a intense tram crash – and live episode to boot. Overall, the crash and its effects were broadcast across a week in December 2010. Its resulting chaos saw regular characters Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) die.
Richard Hillman tries to kill the Platts (2003): Of all the men unlucky-in-love Gail tied the knot with, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) is probably the one she regrets most in hindsight. In 2003, murderer Richard tried to kill his step-family: first by gassing them with car fumes and then driving Gail (Helen Worth), Sarah (Tina O’Brien), David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Bethany (Amy and Emily Walton) into a canal.
EASTENDERS
Queen Vic fire (2010): In September 2010, EastEnders bid farewell to matriarch Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) as a permanent fixture on the soap – she returned as a guest before the character’s death in 2016. In the build-up to her initial exit, Peggy had trapped crack cocaine-addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) in the Queen Vic. However, he escaped and set the boozer on fire.
Bus crash (2017): In April 2017, a total of 11 Albert Square residents had their lives at risk in a terrifying bus crash. The stunt saw a double decker bus – the 764 to Barking – lose control and crash through the Albert Square market before hitting a low-level bridge. Notable passengers at the time included Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper).
EMMERDALE
James Barton’s death (2016): Interestingly about James’ (Bill Ward) death was that it came in a spiral of events. After wife Emma (Gillian Kearney) locked James up in a jealous rage, he escaped and they tussled on a bridge over the bypass. Emma pushed him and James fell into traffic, in turn causing a 12-vehicle pile up, As well as James dying, key characters including Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) were injured.
Coronation Street star Denise Black, whose character is best remembered for her relationship with Ken Barlow, has joined Waterloo Road, more than 30 years on from her cobbles debut
Denise Black starred on Coronation Street for a number of years before joining Emmerdale but has now been cast in Waterloo Road (Image: ITV)
Coronation Street legend Denise Black has joined the cast of Waterloo Road. The actress, 67, is best known for starring as hairdresser Denise Osbourne on ITV’s flagship soap, who is best known for her relationship with Ken Barlow (William Roache) in the 1990s.
The actress initially appeared on Coronation Street from 1992 until 1997. Her relationship with Ken resulted in the birth of their son Daniel Osbourne, but it all ended in tears when it emerged she had been having an affair with Brian Dunkley (Benny Young), and she was not heard from for a decade.
In 2007, Denise made a brief appearance to reintroduce Ken to Daniel after his adoptive daughter Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) was sent to prison for the murder of Charlie Stubbs. She tried to make a pass as him but he opted to return to Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride), and it would almost another 10 years before she was seen again. In 2016, Daniel, now played by Rob Mallard, arrived back on the scene after his father suffered a stroke and has been a fixture on the programme ever since. But Denise made a return with him and was last seen offering her condolences to Ken over the death of Deirdre.
She followed her various stints on the cobbles with a role on fellow ITV show Emmerdale, and played Joanie Dingle, the adoptive grandmother of Amy Wyatt’s on-screen son Kyle from 2013 until 2017. Her character had an affair with Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) and they later married but it all ended in tragedy when Joanie died of a heart attack in January 2017.
But now, Denise has swapped soap for drama and she has joined the cast of the BBC’s flagship school drama, which was revived in 2023 after nearly a decade off air. In the sixth episode of the latest series, Denise plays the grandmother of Liam Scholes’ character Noel McManus. In explosive scenes, Denise’s new character, Mo McManus, gets caught up in a confrontation for the police.
Over the course of its first nine series, the programme dealt with tough issues like teenage pregnancy, murder and addiction and featured a stellar cast of TV favourites, with ex-EastEnders star Jill Halfpenny as drama teacher Izzie Redpath, Loose Women favourite Denise Welch as hapless French teacher Steph Haydock and Silent Witness actress Amanda Burton as headmistress Karen Fisher.
It was revived in 2023 after streaming of the original series proved popular, but bosses recently admitted that the reboot has surpassed all of their expectations.
The show’s executive producer, Cameron Roach, said: “When the BBC commissioned the reboot of we had hoped it might run for a few seasons.
“To be commissioned for further series, bringing the total episodes since relaunch to seventy hours, is a huge achievement and a reflection of the incredible creative teams in front of and behind the camera.
“As well as continuing to celebrate emerging talent, the show is fast gaining a reputation for working with the best comedy talent, as Jon Richardson joins the cast this season.
“As a team we’re incredibly proud that a very British show can be such an enduring success for the BBC and continue to bring in new generations of viewers.”
Waterloo Road is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Coronation Street spoilers for next week reveal worrying scenes for Asha Alahan, while Kevin Webster wants revenge and Tim Metcalfe’s shocking past is confirmed
Coronation Street spoilers for next week reveal worrying scenes for Asha Alahan(Image: ITV)
There’s some big moments on Coronation Street next week, and some emotional scenes according to new spoilers.
Asha Alahan takes centre stage as she struggles to cope, with a hospital dash sparking fears about her mental wellbeing. Her family are left devastated, with questions raised as to whether she has attempted to take her own life.
There’s concern for Theo Silverton too as he continues to target his partner Todd Grimshaw amid his recent abuse. Abi Franklin is left out in the cold, and Kevin Webster takes brutal action.
The key storyline is Asha’s turmoil which she continues to hide from her loved ones. Her stepmother Bernie Winter is worried about her after recent events, with Asha avoiding work ever since the vile and racist abuse she faced weeks earlier.
Asha remains exhausted and hits the bottle, before telling Brody to mind the shop while she heads out. She leaves Brody panicked as he’s left in charge, with Asha suddenly heading down the street in tears.
But in a concerning turn of events we next see Asha in a bad way, having been found by Theo with Amy Barlow also at the scene. Dev races out and sees a paramedic tending to his daughter, while the paramedic asks Dev and Amy whether Asha may have taken any drugs.
Dev fears for his daughter at the hospital, where he’s met by Asha’s paramedic colleague Sienna who reveals drugs were found on his daughter. Bernie is with him, and she shocks her husband when she asks Sienna if Asha tried to kill herself. Will Asha be okay, and what has happened?
Later in the week Dev spirals over his daughter’s hospital dash. He tells his wife that he can’t help feeling angry that Asha was prepared to put the family through so much pain. So does this mean Asha did try to harm herself?
When Dev visits his daughter at the end of the week, it’s not clear if Asha is okay and if she is, what she will reveal. Elsewhere next week, Tim Metcalfe sparks concern as he faces someone from his past, leading to a worrying confession.
Tim recognises newcomer Trisha as someone he knew in the 80s. When he sees her again later while out for a drink with his wife Sally Metcalfe, Tim explains that they know each other.
Later in the week Trisha pops by at the cab office to see Tim, leaving Sally unnerved. She introduces herself as Tim’s wife, before berating her husband for being with Trisha instead of her.
Sally storms out, leaving Tim to reminisce about Trisha. But what he says about her leaves pal Brian stunned. He claims he was in a relationship with Trisha years earlier, but says he was only 14 years old and she was nearly 20.
Brian wastes no time in accusing Trisha of grooming Tim as a child, leaving her and Tim mortified. Brian urges Tim to face the fact that Trisha groomed him. When Sally finds out about the relationship, Tim admits that he was 14 when Trisha, 20, took his virginity leaving Sally shocked.
Also next week, Theo reappears after his sudden disappearing act last week. With him not being in touch, Todd is concerned for his partner, only for Theo to find an unresponsive Asha slumped on a bench in Victoria Garden.
He shouts for help before he faces a telling off from Todd. When Amy tells Todd that if it wasn’t for Theo things may have turned out very differently for Asha he’s left thoughtful.
Later in the week Todd lies to Theo on the day of Noah’s funeral, hiding from him that he’s got an appointment at the hospital to check for bowel cancer. He tells pal Billy Mayhew who agrees to go with him.
When Theo later spots them together he’s furious. Finally next week, Abi continues her secret relationship with brother-in-law Carl Webster after her split from husband Kevin Webster.
Debbie Webster demands they end things, knowing the truth about their affair. She also urges Kevin to hire a lawyer as Abi “isn’t to be trusted”. Fearing she’s about to be exposed, Abi sends a message to Carl to warn him that Kevin knows everything.
However, Abi is mortified when she realises she’s sent the text to Kevin by mistake. As Carl attempts to get hold of Kevin’s phone to delete the text, will it be too late? It seems so as at the end of the week Kevin kicks her out of the home.
Former Coronation Street star Sarah Lancashire ‘knew when to stop’ doing Happy Valley despite its major success, according to the show’s creator Sally Wainwright
19:42, 28 Sep 2025Updated 19:42, 28 Sep 2025
Sarah Lancashire ‘knew when to stop’ doing Happy Valley despite its major success, according to the show’s creator (Image: BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire)
Sarah Lancashire ‘knew when to stop’ doing Happy Valley despite its major success. The actress, 60, starred as Catherine Cawood in Sally Wainwright’s hit drama over the course of three series that were filmed over a decade, and even helped write its final episode, which pulled in almost 10 million viewers.
Despite the show’s incredible popularity, creator Sally, 62, insisted that a short run had always been agreed upon. She told The Sunday Times: “Sarah’s good at knowing when to stop and when to say no. There were a couple of things in the script that she wanted to question, and it was a good process.”
However, fans of the programme need not be disappointed as seasoned television writer Sally explained that she and Sarah, who won a BAFTA for her portrayal of policewoman Catherine, are already working on a new project together, insisting that they are ‘still friends’ and the character is ‘still there’ in their minds.
As well as Happy Valley, Sally is also the creator of several other hit series such as Last Tango in Halifax and Gentleman Jack. She started out writing episodes of radio soap The Archers before going on to work on Coronation Street, which turned Sarah into a household name when she was cast as barmaid Raquel Wolstenhume, in the late 1990s.
Following the advice of late TV writer Kay Mellor, she went on to create At Home With The Braithwaites, which starred Amanda Redman as a woman who had won the lottery but tried to keep it all a secret from her dysfunctional family. Reflecting on those early days of her career writing episodes of the long-running ITV soap, Sally admitted that she worked with some ‘fabulously clever’ people at the time.
She said: “The Coronation Street storyline meetings were amazing. There were some fabulously clever story-makers. Dialogue comes easily, characters come easily, but story is relentlessly hard. I have to just really bash it out. With Happy Valley, I do pride myself on the last episode being just as good as the first episode.”
The scriptwriter previously admitted that she got ‘bored’ of writing for the soaps because of how all the stories had become so similar, and acknowledged that viewing habits have changed dramatically in recent years as streaming services have become the norm.
“I think one of the reasons I got bored of the soaps (is that) all the stories got a bit samey,” she admitted. Referencing the amount of choice TV viewers now have, Sally added: “There is so much content, it is increasingly easy for people to turn over.”
She explained: “You’ve got to be captivating your audience moment by moment… its seems increasingly important.” Discussing her time on Corrie, Sally revealed that she did not initially have the ‘confidence’ to contribute to storylines at Coronation Street.
Sally said she was ‘in awe’ of everyone who worked in the writer’s room when she joined, which had two women within its 15-writer team at the time. Wainwright recalled that it was a time when writers would go to the pub at lunch which she said would mean the afternoon could be a ‘bloodbath’
She added: “It wasn’t a nasty atmosphere, it was very lively and often fun.” Wainwright revealed that writing is how she can ‘make sense of the wppr;d’. In a discussion with broadcaster Adrian Chiles, she reflected on how she began writing as a child with her sister creating strip cartoons and plays.
“It’s just a childhood habit that has continued,” Sally explained. “I make sense of the world by writing about it. I also love the idea of writing dialogue, creating characters, I love the idea of making people say things, I love the actors and love the whole process of drama.”
All Creatures Great and Small is back on Channel 5 and will see the return of all the fan-favourites including Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
The first episode, dubbed Gathering the Flock, showcases James and Tristan (portrayed by Callum Woodhouse) taking drastic measures after witnessing Siegfried’s wild and disorderly conduct, with some touching behind-the-scenes moments.
Anna Madeley reprises her role as Mrs Hall, alongside Rachel Shenton as James’s wife Helen. Tony Pitts and Imogen Clawson also make a comeback as Helen’s father and sister, Richard and Jenny.
The sixth series will also welcome back Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey and Mollie Winnard as Maggie.
Here’s everything you need to know about the guest stars for the first episode of the sixth series.
All Creatures Great and Small series 6 episode 1 cast
Archie Tredwell – Wayne Foskett
Wayne Foskett joins the cast for the opening episode. The 61 year old English actor is renowned for his roles in Merlin, Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders.
He’s also an avid artist and has showcased his works at the Jardiniere art exhibition.
Fans might also recognise him as Richard Stark from Game of Thrones or as Tom in Lightfields.
Jimmy Herriot – Thomas Riches
James’s son Jimmy is portrayed by Thomas Riches, but little is known about the young star at this point.
Susan – Lucy-Jo Hudson
Susan, an acquaintance of Siegfried’s, is played by Lucy-Jo Hudson, a 42 year old actress hailing from Leeds.
She’s the sister of rugby league player Ryan Hudson and was previously married to Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall, who portrays Tyrone Dobbs, until 2018.
The mum-of-two is recognised for her roles as Katy Harris in Coronation Street, Rosie Trevanion in Wild at Heart and Donna-Marie Quinn in Hollyoaks.
Rosie Herriot – Arlie and Autumn Doyle
Arlie and Autumn Doyle join the cast as James and Helen’s daughter Rosie, but little is known about these young twins.
Mary – Siena Marsden
Siena Marsden joins the cast as Mary, Edward’s daughter, although not much is known about this young actress yet.
Edward Hall – Conor Deane
Conor Deane returns as Mrs Hall’s son Edward, and he is also known for his roles as Fred Holdsworth in The Hardacres and Kyre Branson in Sherwood.
His other credits include Ridley, Happy Valley and What It Feels Like for a Girl.
All Creatures Great and Small airs on Channel 5 on September 25 at 9pm
