Soap operas

Actor David Jason has reflected on the highs and secrets of Open All Hours as he took on one of the most iconic comedy roles on television in the 1980s

Sir David Jason famously landed two iconic comedy roles in the 1980s. One was the lead in Only Fools and Horses as wheeler dealer Del Boy Trotter.

The other was playing second fiddle to Ronnie Barker as unlucky-in-love errand boy Granville in Open All Hours. With such a workload, some actors might have ditched the co-star role and concentrated solely on being ‘the star of the show. But not Sir David.

Looking back on Open All Hours’ 50 ^th anniversary, he says he would never have turned his back on the loveable put-upon corner shop assistant. He says: “I was never grand about ‘Oh I’m above playing Granville.. I have got my own series.’ No, I was just happy to be doing another character which was so different. I had this character that was the total opposite. The leading man, the driving force, the wheeler dealer.”

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Open All Hours is regarded as one of Britain’s top classic sitcoms. Viewers fell in love with penny-pinching stuttering shopkeeper Albert Arkwright (played by the late Ronnie Barker) and his endless efforts to woo ‘the lust of his life’ – the very buxom Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (the late Lynda Baron) while a string of regular customers would pop in and out of the shop in Yorkshire often being conned by his latest crafty tricks.

Added into the mix was Arkwright’s over-worked shy and awkward nephew Granville played by Sir David. The show was made for Ronnie in 1973 as one of seven new comedy pilots by the BBC who had lured him away from LWT to work for them.

Sir David, who is now 86, was excited to be among its cast as it meant working with the comic genius. Their paths had crossed when he appeared in his sketch show Hark at Barker in 1969 and he claims he learned so much from him over their years together.

In a new TV special called Open All Hours: Inside Out marking its 50 ^th anniversary this year, Sir David pays a fond tribute to the legendary funny man saying: “I couldn’t wait to work with him to see what I could learn from him.

“When we first started to work together he was a big star and I was in his shadow for years. Ronnie was at the top of his trade if you like. The rest of us crawled about underneath desperately trying to learn how to be as clever as Ronnie B but with that came the generosity of spirit he was so wonderful to work with he was good fun and he was respectful.

“It was a huge learning curve in my career to work with Ronnie B. It was a great journey to have travelled with him and learned his respect for showbiz and what it meant to be in it and to entertain people. A brilliant man.”

Audience research for the pilot of Open All Hours was very positive but the BBC wanted Ronnie for another show called Prisoner and Escort (which became Porridge). It meant Arkwright and Granville stayed on the shelf for three more years as the comedy was not fully commissioned until 1976.

But there was unrest about its scheduling on BBC Two on a Friday at 9pm. Writer Roy Clarke calls it ‘terrible’ and adds: “That was the equivalent of burying it.”

Even Sir David comments: “BBC One would have had the kudos over BBC Two but at least it was going out I suppose.”

Ratings for series one topped more than six million each week but, remarkably, the BBC went cold on the show. They wanted Ronnie to do more Porridge and more of The Two Ronnies with his pal Ronnie Corbett and writer Roy busied himself penning more episodes of Last Of The Summer Wine.

Meanwhile, Sir David landed the lead role in a new ITV sitcom called A Sharp Intake of Breath in 1977 and then in 1981 he was cast as Del Boy in a new BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses.

It was an immediate hit.

But at the same time, the Beeb decided to revive Open All Hours for a second series. This time it was scheduled to go out on BBC One. Sir David had no hesitation in juggling both roles as he loved playing Granville and knew fans loved the character too.

He says: “Granville appealed to the viewers as people saw a bit of themselves in him – a dreamer who wanted to see the world. Granville was wistful and a bit romantic. I was so happy to be working with that sort of personality.”

Ratings for the sitcom soared with an average of 13 million viewers tuning in. In addition to its main stars, the shop’s badly behaved till became a character in its own right. And the Carry On style humour appealed to the masses especially when Nurse Gladys used to comfort Granville in her ample breasts – something which always made Arkwright jealous.

Sir David now recalls those scenes with a chuckle: “She was so padded everywhere you couldn’t get any pleasure about being pulled into her bosoms.”

Open All Hours bowed out in 1985 after 26 episodes and even beat Corrie in the ratings. It always remained popular whenever it was repeated but fans never expected to see the corner shop again especially since Ronnie passed away in 2005 aged 76.

However, in 2012, Sir David went to the BBC head of comedy with an idea for a sequel. He says: “I always wondered what would have happened to Granville if Arkwright left the shop to him.. and the rest is history as they say.”

And in 2014, Still Open All Hours was launched with the actor reprising the role. However, the new twist was that Arkwright had died and left the shop to Granville who had turned into a miser just like his uncle and was now tormenting his errand boy son Leroy played by James Baxter.

James says: “I had the toughest role. I was nervous at the beginning but I was in very safe hands with David. He built this world, him and Ronnie and Roy so I never felt too scared. Arkwright and Granville are icons of British comedy. I will stand in that shadow. That is fine by me.”

Some characters from the original made appearances too including Lynda Baron, Stephanie Cole and Maggie Ollerenshaw. It was a huge hit and ran for six series. A seventh was planned but ended up being cancelled when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the series was shelved for good.

Sir David – who has also starred in The Darling Buds of May, A Touch Of Frost and A Bit Of A Do – comments: “I always felt it would be nice to see how we round it all up so that we the audience would go ‘Oh that’s lovely, you know’.”

His wish is granted in the new TV special as he gets to dust down his old shopkeeper overcoat one more time as Granville for a final sketch penned by Roy Clarke. And he jokes about the script: “It might be rude. Knowing Roy Clarke it might be very rude.”

On the show’s 50 ^th anniversary he concludes: ““It’s as much as that? 50 years? Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun? I was so lucky to work with such lovely people who were so good at their job and had a wonderful sense of humour because this is what it is all about.”

* Open All Hours: Inside Out airs on U&Originals on Thursday 7 May at 8pm.

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As Coronation Street’s power couple Swarla tie the knot, British LGBT Awards founder Sarah Garrett says the soap highlights huge progression in the representation of same-sex couples on TV

Lisa Swain and Carla Connor have finally said ‘I do’ on Coronation Street, leaving Swarla fans rejoicing.

The couple got together in 2024, growing closer before realising their feelings for one another. After almost two decades on Corrie, this is Carla’s first same-sex relationship, while it’s certainly not her first wedding.

That said, Carla has finally found her soulmate in Lisa, something agreed on by cast members Alison King and Vicky Myers who play the pair. But it’s not just about the characters and what it means to them.

There’s been a huge shift with how women-loving-women (WLW) romances are presented, and perceived, onscreen in recent decades. When you think back to the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss on UK TV, that aired on former soap Brookside in 1994, it sparked both backlash and praise, while it was historic in that it was something that had never been aired before 9PM until then.

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Fast-forward 30 years and we now have Lisa and Carla’s wedding, and the soap’s first WLW wedding that sees both characters actually make it down the aisle. Viewers have backed the couple from the very start, with many fans inspired by their love story.

With the wedding airing during Lesbian Visibility Week, a deliberate choice by the soap, it has to be noted that many viewers feel represented by the characters and their union.

Yes, Swarla have had many obstacles in their time together, and more than most. They’ve had evil wives returning from the dead, killer brothers and a few hiccups along the way, not forgetting the disastrous proposals.

But they’ve made it, and Swarla are here to stay. It’s clear from the love the viewers have for Lisa and Carla that not only are they offering a powerful representation onscreen of a lesbian relationship, but it also shows how far television has come where the visibility of same-sex romance is concerned.

Addressing this progression and what Coronation Street has got right with Carla and Lisa, Sarah Garrett, Founder of the British LGBT Awards, shared her thoughts with The Mirror. She shared how much of an impact Swarla have had, and why it matters.

Sarah also shared what it was about Swarla, and what Corrie have done with the characters, that is so important – and why other TV shows and screenwriters should take note. Sarah told us: “In the 32 years since Brookside first aired a pre-watershed lesbian kiss on British television, same-sex relationships have been portrayed in many ways – the good, the bad and the ugly.

“What makes the portrayal of Carla and Lisa’s relationship so compelling is that it has never been framed as a coming-out story; instead, it is simply a story about falling in love. Their journey centres on two women who know exactly who they are, finding each other and building a relationship marked by compassion, conflict and vulnerability.

“It’s a powerful example of authentic storytelling and one from which screenwriters around the world could take note when depicting healthy, nuanced same-sex relationships.

“Going forward, the industry has the opportunity to build on this by continuing to normalise diverse relationships without sensationalism, investing in layered character development and allowing LGBTQ+ stories the same depth, longevity and ordinariness as any other on screen.”

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Johnny Vegas has hailed his Benidorm co-star Elsie Kelly, who played his mum Noreen on the sitcom, as a “mother figure” to him following her death at the age of 89

Johnny Vegas has hailed Elsie Kelly as a “mother figure” to him following her death at the age of 89. The comedian, 54, was the on-screen son of Elsie ‘s character Noreen Maltby in the long-running ITV sitcom and after her passing, he has led the tributes with an emotional message.

The actor starred as Geoff Maltby, an obsessive quizzer who liked to call himself as The Oracle, and formed a memorable double act with Elsie, who, as long-suffering mother Noreen, was often at the resort with him and had to play along as he as he practiced his craft.

Taking to Instagram following the sad news on Wednesday, Johnny wrote: “A more generous, talented, funny, kind and hard grafting soul, and as an actor you could ever hope to meet. Elsie was a Mother figure to me, on and off screen. and guided me through many highs and lows whilst overseas together. When I say Elsie was loved by all, it is a wonderful fact, not merely an apt comment to make during such sad times.

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“I had many young actors over the years saying to me ‘I worked with your mum,’ Elsie touched and guided so many careers and crammed more into her 89 years than anyone else I’ve known in this profession. When not giggling poolside, she was in her hotel room, putting together her next musical line-up for many a Liverpool theatrical production. “Elsie made going into work a true joy, in fact, it was more like playtime, and our time together, something to truly treasure. Bless you my other Mum, and thank you for the endless joy you brought into so many of our lives xxxx Elsie Kelly RIP.”

Crissy Rock, who played hotel manager Janey Yorke on Benidorm in the years before she was replaced by Sherrie Hewson, was the first to announce the news. She wrote on Instagram : “So sad to hear of the passing of Elsie Kelly this morning. We shared so many wonderful memories filming Benidorm, moments I’ll always treasure. She was an absolute joy to work with and brought so much warmth and laughter wherever she went.

She wrote on Instagram : “So sad to hear of the passing of Elsie Kelly this morning. We shared so many wonderful memories filming Benidorm, moments I’ll always treasure. She was an absolute joy to work with and brought so much warmth and laughter wherever she went.

“With a career spanning decades across television, theatre, and film, she most recently became a household name through her work on Benidorm…Her unmistakable charm, sharp timing and gentle humour made her a fan favourite.”

The cast was made up of other famous faces from British television, including the likes of Janine Duvitski, Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran and Sheila Reid, who famously starred as Madge Bishop for several years.

Before joining Coronation Street as undertaker George Shuttleworth, actor Tony Maudsley was perhaps best known for his role as camp hairdresser Kenneth Du Beke on Benidorm. Other stars to enjoy short stints on the programme, which was created and written by Derren Litten, included Sheridan Smith, Nadia Sawalha and Denise Welch, whilst showbiz legends like Dame Joan Collins and Cilla Black also made guest appearances.

As her on-screen career developed, she appeared in the sitcom Bread in the late 1980s, and took on the role of Enid in the film 1996 comedy Intimate Relations opposite Julie Walters, Les Dennis and Amanda Holden.

Elsie also filmed two episodes of Coronation Street in 2011, where she played Mrs Hargreaves, who died under a hairdryer at Audrey’s Salon, but, just months before her death, Elsie revealed that she had been in contact with Derren Litten amid speculation of a Benidorm comeback.

Speaking in a video that surfaced on TikTok, she said: “Hello all you holidaymakers in Benidorm! I do hope you’re having a lovely time, I am sure you are!

“We’ve just had a nice lunch with Derren and it will mean a lot to both of us. Anyway, I hope to see you soon, in Benidorm, and as Noreen would say, ‘I do hope your holiday is inconclusive!’ Siobhan Finneran, who played Janice Garvey also paid trubute, as she wrote on X: “We are devastated to hear about the passing of the incredible Elsie Kelly, known to many as Noreen in #Benidorm. Her acting + comedy abilities were out of this world. May she Rest In Peace.”

TV writer Derren, who starred alongside Catherine Tate on her sketch show before creating Benidorm, wrote: “So sad to pass on the news of the passing of Elsie Kelly aka Noreen in Benidorm.

“One of the best-loved characters in the show and certainly one of the most beloved cast members. Elsie’s acting abilities and comic genius were so natural they were almost taken for granted.”

“For someone who initially auditioned for the role of Madge (and gave an excellent reading of the part), her personality and natural warmth encouraged me to build up the part of Noreen from one or two lines in the first two episodes (initially intending to lose the character by the end of the first series) to many episodes and many series, culminating in her playing Noreen’s own twin, Doreen in series 10.

“Thanks for your talent, but most of all your friendship, Elsie. I am very sad today, but also happy to think of such a wonderful life well lived.”

Emmerdale’s Moira Dingle actress Natalie J Robb has hinted her character could take a deadly revenge on evil Joe Tate in a gun showdown, and she ‘could kill him’

There’s dramatic scenes on the way on Emmerdale as Joe Tate is finally rumbled by Moira Dingle.

Robert Sugden confesses his part in Moira being arrested over Celia Daniels’ drugs and human trafficking crimes. When he explains what really happened, Moira finds out Joe was blackmailing him and Victoria Sugden.

But she’s left even more rage-filled when she realises Joe is a huge part of the reason she’s been in prison over a double murder she did not commit. Preparing to take revenge, it all leads to a gun showdown at Home Farm.

Will Moira end up in prison again though if she takes a deadly revenge on Joe? Actress Natalie J Robb has revealed what fans can expect from the moment, and what the future holds for Joe…

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Robert tells Moira the truth about planting the documents. How does she react?

Robert starts to feel guilty because he finds out that it’s Moira’s birthday and everybody has kind of forgotten about it. She says that it doesn’t matter and then he gets really guilty about it.

Moira starts to get a little bit suspicious and thinks: ‘What’s going on here? This is odd’. He gives her some pictures that Holly did, and things like that, which he found in the attic.

And then he just says something and she says: ‘How did you know about that?’ Because he wouldn’t have known where the documents were hidden. Then of course she gets it out of him and he confesses that it was him and she goes ballistic.

She’s really hurt actually, because she doesn’t expect that of him. She actually thought he’d turned a corner and changed as a person. Then he admits that it was down to Joe Tate – that he forced him – and why he had to protect Victoria and it was down to Joe Tate.

Moira plots revenge doesn’t she…

I’m fuming then, so I go back to the house to tell Cain but he’s having a bit of an argument with Sam. He’s just not in the mood so I think, good old Moira style, she gets her shotgun and goes to visit Joe Tate.

And literally at that point, she’s going round there to kill him. She has the shotgun, she makes him sit down and try to confess. He’s trying to play dumb but she knows it’s down to him.

Then more people get involved. Obviously she doesn’t kill him. But she swears to him at this point that she will make it her priority to make his life a living hell. Or a non-living one…

Why does she decide not to tell Cain about Robert?

She thinks if he finds out, he’s going to go ballistic and do something stupid. She’s just got out of prison, the last thing she wants is for him to go to prison.

But that’s going to eat him up because he knows what she’s been doing for Robert as well. And the fact that he’s in my farm, it’s just a hard pill to swallow. But I’m trying to prevent something terrible happening and protect the marriage as well, because we’re dealing with something that’s a lot bigger than money.

When she has the shotgun, does it not enter her head that she might end up back in prison?

I don’t think she cares at that point. In that split second, she’s so angry because he’s [Cain] had to deal with the cancer on his own. He’s [Joe] kept me away from my children and she thinks: ‘Really? Are you really that horrible and that cruel? Are you really that greedy? It’s all about power’.

It’s a bit like the world we’re living in now, all about power and it’s not actually about being humane to people. And at that point she’s definitely going there to kill him and she nearly does.

Can you tease what’s to come for Joe?

Well I think he’s going to be under her radar, it might just be quietly. He might try to worm her round. But we don’t know how that’s going to pan out with the writing and which route they’re going to go.

But when I was filming the scenes, it was pretty certain that she was going to get him back in some way or another. And she does, she does team up with people to get him to suffer in a similar way, but that would be by him losing everything, so that he has no power. So we’ll see.

Would you like Moira and Kim to become friends after their recent heart-to-heart at the prison?

It’s nice that they don’t get on but they have that mutual respect for each other. You really see how Kim knows what that farm meant to Moira. And for her to do that for him, it really opens Kim’s eyes. Like: ‘Oh right, okay, it’s a proper love’.

She really respects that and it’s about family roots and values. So there’s that respect for each other. I think that’ll always be there in the background now but they’ll still have fights – probably because of Joe to be honest, he’ll be the main factor!

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

EastEnders fans were not expecting to see one character randomly head back to the BBC soap without warning during Monday’s episode of the BBC soap amid a scene with Ravi Gulati

Fans got a surprise during Monday’s episode of EastEnders as a character returned without warning after four years offscreen.

With the episode now up on BBC iPlayer ahead of it airing on BBC One on Monday evening, we saw Ravi Gulati faced with a blast from the past. The death of his ‘father’ Ranveer Gulati was revisited, as Ravi headed to hospital amid his mental health spiralling.

There, his nurse was none other than his ex and former stepmother Nina Gupta. Fans may recall Nina was having an affair with Ravi behind Ranveer’s back.

Around this time we saw Suki Panesar believe she had killed Ranveer after he sexually assaulted her. She attacked him in self-defence, and Ravi walked in and decided to help her cover up the crime.

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It was soon apparent his ‘dad’ was still alive though, and Ravi killed him. Nina was helping Ravi trying to get Ranveer’s money, and she covered for Ravi for killing her husband too.

Now she’s back, treating Ravi in hospital where she addressed their past. Seeing him struggling, she said it was karma for what he did all those years ago.

Fans were divided over the return, as one fan posted on social media: “Now why did we need to bring Nina back. We didn’t need her the first time and she’s just proven why we didn’t need her this time.”

A second fan said: “I’m glad they bought back Nina for this episode cause even though this sl was triggered by the drugs and the spiking I think it reminds people that everything genuinely stems from Ranveer and Nish.” A third added: “Unexpected Nina in the bagging area!!!”

Another viewer said: “Seeing Nina return today took me by suprise but has equally left me convinced that Kheerat and/or Ash might return at some point. Kheerat took the fall for Ranveer’s death in the end and that showdown at the surgery beteeen Ash and Nina was brilliant.”

The reactions kept on coming too, with one fan saying: “Bringing back Nina Gupta wasn’t on my bingo card!” another confessed: “For some reason I thought Nina died lmao clearly not.”

A final comment read: “I was really divided about Nina. I think it’s really good when you bring back a past character to explore someone else’s past and I think this did that and reminded us of that time in Ravi’s life. But equally why was she acting like she wasn’t a ‘baddie’ style character then too?

“She was hardly innocent! I thought it was a good twist as we didn’t know it was going to happen and it was like oh hello, but at the same time I don’t know if it added much.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Waterloo Road star Adam Thomas has admitted that he wishes he had “stood his ground” when David Haye bullied him on the set of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…South Africa

Adam Thomas wishes he had “stood his ground” when David Haye ‘bullied’ him on I’m A Celebrity…South Africa. The Emmerdale star, 37, is currently on-screen in the all-stars edition of Ant and Dec’s reality survival show, having initially competed on the regular edition of the ITV series a decade ago.

The programme was all filmed towards the end of last year but as it was being broadcast to the nation, viewers got to see boxer David Haye trying to force Adam into doing a Bushtucker Trial, even though he was unwell.

Adam has arthritis, which he has been open about. Explaining how it affects him, he said previously: “It is an autoimmune disease. Basically means my immune system is attacking my own body. It causes a s**t-load of pain,” and on Sunday evening, the former Strictly Come Dancing star took to social media where he admitted that it has all been a struggle to watch his time on I’m A Celebrity play out on TV.

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As part of his lengthy statement, Adam explained that he just wished he had stood up for himself during the tense moment but has decided to choose “peace” since it all happened.

He wrote: “I won’t sit here and say I handled everything perfectly, because I didn’t. I wish I spoke up for myself sooner. I wish I stood my ground instead of trying to keep the peace, but I’ve learned that being kind doesn’t mean being weak, and sometimes it takes going through tough moments to find your voice.

“Since coming out, I’ve taken time to process everything, and I’m in a much better place now. I let go of the anger, had the conversations I needed to have, and chose peace.”

Adam’s twin brother Scott, who found fame himself when he appeared on Love Island in 2016, was amongst the first to show his support publicly as he wrote: “It’s tough watching my twin bro go through that in there…makes my blood boil!

“To see someone’s pure heart be tested like that is hard to watch, especially my brothers. But I understand he had to go through his own journey in there and the man he’s become during/since this experience has made me so proud! I love you @adamthomas21 and will always have your back.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Thomas, who is best known for having played Jason Grimshaw on Coronation Street, also showed brotherly support as he wrote: “I would like to say I would stick up for you in there but hes not the guy to pick a fight with! We need to give [fellow boxer] Tony Bellew a call bro!”

Gogglebox legend Scarlett Moffatt, who won I’m A Celebrity in 2016 and is also back for the all-stars series, wrote: “Aww Adam I bloody love you. You’re one of the kindest men i know, if my little boy ends up being as caring as you then I know I’ll have done a good job as a mam. LOts of love [heart emoji].”

Loose Women panellist Denise Welch, who starred alongside Adam in Waterloo Road, wrote: “Love you Adam [heart emoji], whilst Liam Scholes, who also appeared in the BBC school drama, wrote: “An incredible individual my man, so much love xx”

Michelle Hardwick, who plays Vanessa Woodfield in Emmerdale, said: “You handled yourself incredibly Adam and the rest of your campmates were right behind you,” whilst Isabel Hodgkins, currently on maternity leave away from her role as Victoria Sugden, said: “Never been prouder.”

Danny Miller, who took time away from Emmerdale in 2021 to compete in, and eventually win, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! himself, said: “You’re a beautiful man and those who really know you know what you bring to their lives. Love and laughter, you’ve handled yourself incredible. Love you, brother x”

It all came to blows as Adam tried to sleep and admitted it would be hard for him to undertake a Bushtucker Trial because he was feeling dehydrated. David raged: “Dehydrated?! We’ve all got the same amount of water! Adam is doing it and that’s it!”

“When is your top form gonna come? Why aren’t we forcing this dude to go and do it? Coincidentally, every time there’s something to do, he’s not feeling well.” It was at that point that Gogglebox legend Scarlett Moffatt, who won I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016, weighed in as she begged David to “stop it.”

* I’m A Celebrity…South Africa airs weekdays at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.

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The former England footballer is said to be in talks to appear on Celebrity Traitors following the success of series one which saw Alan Carr crowned winner

Peter Crouch successfully pivoted from being a legendary footballer to a broadcaster, showing off his wit and likability. And over the years he has extended his fanbase.

So it comes as no surprise that he has now caught the attention of BBC bosses who have earmarked him to appear in the next series of Celebrity Traitors.

According to reports, the ex England footballer, 45, is one of the major names that had been thrown into the mix as bosses want the same level of success that was generated off the back of series one.

On the first celebrity spin show which aired last year, Alan Carr fought off all his contenders to be crowned winner back in November.

A source told The Sun: “Producers think Peter would be brilliant. He’s sporty, competitive and really funny.”

They added: “They know landing him would be a big coup and bring a new type of viewer to the series.” If it is confirmed that Peter is part of this year’s line-up, he is set to make history as the first ex professional footballer to be signed to the show.

Peter has previously shown interest in the show. He once said: “I love Celebrity Traitors but I don’t know if I could go on it. I’d be a traitor. Being a traitor is the one.”

This comes after the show’s host Claudia Winkleman confirmed that a number of high profile names had been presented to her ahead of filming series two.

While on The One Show to promote her new BBC chat show, she was asked if there were a number of big names set to appear on the upcoming game show.

She replied saying: “There certainly are. The people who make it are extraordinary and they had to repeat the people twice to me because I was like, ‘Huh, are you joking? Come again.’ So, we’re incredibly lucky.”

She added: “Yeah, I hope so. We’re so grateful that people want to come and play the game. And the people who said yes for series one, I still can’t believe it.”

Claudia continued: “I was shaking when you see Stephen Fry walking around the castle and Alan Carr, Ruth Codd, all of these people I was obsessed by. I’m very excited. But I can’t say anything else, don’t make eye contact with me.”

Ahead of the official confirmation a number of names have reportedly been shortlisted in the hope of joining the show. The first being iconic actor Stephen Graham, famed for the success of A Thousand Blows and Adolescence.

A TV insider reportedly told the Daily Mail: “They are absolutely desperate to nail down Stephen for the show. He would be their star signing. He is one of the most formidable actors of our generation, and the nation adores him, but no one really knows what he’s like as a person, so there is a definite hunger among viewers to see what he is like in a more reality-based setting.”

Earlier this year, it was speculated that Danny Dyer, best known for his role as Mick Carter in EastEnders, was also being lined up. Previously, the actor had shown no interest in the game show until he saw the first series with Alan Carr as champion.

Another source told the publication: “Danny was always top of The Celebrity Traitors wish list but had zero interest until seeing the fun and games last autumn. As soon as his tune changed, it was all systems go.”

They added: “Danny is a reality TV booker’s dream signing and will be incredible value, as he’s naturally funny but in a totally different way to Alan Carr.”

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Coronation Street legend Kevin Kennedy played beloved character Curly Watts for 20 years

Coronation Street icon Kevin Kennedy portrayed Curly on the ITV soap for two decades, but off-screen, he battled addiction.

Curly made his debut in the summer of 1983 and is fondly remembered for his romantic misfortunes and a succession of unsuccessful marriages. He was married to Rovers Return barmaid Raquel (Sarah Lancashire), though regrettably, they ended their rocky marriage after just five years.

Ultimately, however, Curly discovered contentment with his second wife, police officer Emma Taylor (Angela Lonsdale). The couple left the cobbles and set off to begin a fresh chapter in Newcastle-upon-Tyne following a perjury incident in 2003. Tragically, their marriage didn’t survive.

Curly returned briefly in a 2010 DVD special for the Coronation Street film A Knight’s Tale, where he disclosed that he and Emma had separated, leaving Curly single once more, reports the Daily Star.

Kevin’s health battle

Away from the BBC soap, Kevin struggled with alcohol addiction and has remained clean and sober for 27 years.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2013 regarding his addiction, Kevin admitted he would add shots of rum to his coffee. He would then consume a bottle of vodka before arriving at the Corrie set, where he secretly drank more in his dressing room to cope with filming.

Kevin said, “If it wasn’t for Coronation Street, I would be dead. If I were lucky, the drink would have killed me straight away by a fall or by walking in front of a bus.

“If I were unlucky, it would have taken everything from me first, kept me alive for another 10 years, and then killed me.”

Having departed the Cobbles in 2003, Kevin established an addiction recovery charity to support others battling addictive and mental health disorders, following more than two decades on his own personal recovery journey from alcohol addiction.

The organisation provides a helpline, staffed by trained coaches all in active recovery, alongside free virtual recovery coaching, support, signposting, and workshops.

Kevin told the Manchester Evening News: “The Kennedy Street Foundation is my passion; all we want to do is help people who find themselves in the desperate situation I was in 22 years ago.”

He further stated: “Our national recovery helpline is receiving calls every day, and we really need to raise as much money as possible in order to be able to help each and every one start their own Road2Recovery.”

Kevin’s other talents away from acting

Since departing Coronation Street 23 years ago, Kevin wrote and produced a programme entitled Spanish Capers, which broadcast between 2005 and 2007.

The 64-year-old, from Manchester, took on a role in Ben Elton’s musical We Will Rock You, portraying a hippie named Pop. Further television credits include appearances in Blue Murder, Doctors (both in 2006), and Holby City (in 2017).

In 2019, Kevin made his return to the small screen, portraying Clyde in a single episode of Mrs Brown’s Boys. The former Coronation Street star also trod the boards between 2018 and 2019, taking on the role of Dennis Dupree in the hit musical Rock of Ages.

According to The Guardian, Kevin is also an accomplished musician who was once signed to Simon Cowell’s record label. He performed in America alongside globally renowned acts, including Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

“Along with [the Smiths bassist] Andy Rourke, we were in a band called Paris Valentinos. As soon as I heard Johnny play the guitar, I thought: this is special, what a privilege to be here for this”, he told the publication.

Kevin is equally at home on stage, having played His Royal Highness, King Curlington in Cinderella at a County Durham pantomime in 2024, before going on to appear in the Pretty Vacant UK tour, which charts the story of punk and the new wave generation.

He has also been cast in the forthcoming UK tour of The Picture of Dorian Gray – A New Musical, scheduled to run from October 2026 through to April 2027, in which he will take on the role of Mr. Issacs.

For more information, help, and advice about addiction and recovery, visit Kennedy Street here.

Coronation Street airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX

Coronation Street couple David and Shona Platt could be about to split up after some worrying scenes aired during Friday night’s episode of the world’s longest-running TV soap

Coronation Street’s David and Shona Platt could be about to split up after worrying scenes aired on Friday night. The couple have been together since 2016 and met after it emerged that Shona was the mother of Clayton Hibbs, who murdered David’s first wife Kylie in broad daylight.

David (Jack P Shepherd) and Shona (Julia Goulding) tied the knot in 2019 and whilst the marriage has so far survived numerous ups and downs but their troubles really seem to have started since the mysterious and calculating Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances Brown) turned up earlier this year.

Having arrived in the soap’s crossover with Emmerdale, Shona immediately recognised Jodie as her long-lost sister, whom she had never mentioned before, and after moving into number eight, Jodie has insisted on meddling in their lives whilst posing as some sort of saint who takes care of household duties. This suited David and Shona nicely they went back and forth to the hospital to see their daughter Harper, who is currently in the neonatal intensive care unit after being born prematurely.

READ MORE: Suranne Jones dumbfounded as fan asks if she ‘quit acting’ after Coronation Street

OPINION

Over the last few months, Jodie has made a habit out of stealing various items that belong to other Weatherfield residents, and, earlier this week, she stole a tablet from a little girl by claiming she was a police officer. On Friday’s instalment of the world’s longest-running TV soap, Jodie decided to hand the stolen tablet over to her niece Lily and pass it off as a gift, much to Shona’s dismay.

Shona told her stepdaughter that she was not to accept the tablet, and the schoolgirl stormed off upstairs in the huff. Later that day, the conflict was clearly not resolved as David reasoned: “Look, I don’t want the hassle, babe. Can we not just let her keep it?”

Shona shot back: “We agreed not before her birthday. And if we decided not to get her one, no-one should be giving her one.” A row broke out as David said: “Can we not just let her keep the thing and save the headache?”

Shona raged: “Oh, a headache, am I?” as she stormed off. All this time, Jodie had pretended to be flicking through a magazine as she sat on the sofa in the living room but was listening in and rolling her eyes every time her long-lost sister spoke.

When Jodie apologised to David, he said: “To be honest, I don’t… I don’t care any more. I mean, when you’ve been at the hospital all day, there’s bigger things to be worrying about than flipping tablets. It’s not your fault. It’s just Shona. She’s only ever happy if everyone else is miserable.”

Jodie said: “Hey, come on, that’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?” But, with a concerning reply, David said: “Harsh? Just you wait. You’ll see.” Fans have previously suggested that the storyline could follow a similar path Single White Female, the 1992 thriller that starred Jennifer Jason Leigh and Bridget Fonda and followed a woman whose roommate decides to steal her identity.

One said: “I am getting some single white female vibes, I won’t lie,” and another said: “Shona and Jodie. Remember the movie ‘Single White Female’? Jodie has copied Shonas hair.”

Another said: “I’m convinced Jodie is gonna try and steal Shona’s life, first her clothes, then her kids, then her fella!” There is definitely some mystery surrounding Jodie, as she was previously seen suffering from a panic attack after being harassed by an intrusive caller.

Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream from 7am on ITV X.

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Gogglebox legend and former jungle queen Scarlett Moffatt will beg David Haye to “stop it” on tonight’s I’m A Celeb as the boxer causes tensions in the camp to rise even further

Scarlett Moffatt is seen begging David Haye to “stop it” as a huge row breaks out on tonight’s episode of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa. The TV star, 35, who became Queen of the Jungle on the regular edition of Ant and Dec’s reality survival show just two years after she found fame on Gogglebox in 2014, is back on the All Stars version of the programme and can be seen trying to keep the peace during tense scenes set to air on Friday night.

Already at the centre of controversy thanks to sexist comments he made earlier this week, boxer David will be seen trying to bully Emmerdale star Adam Thomas into taking part in the Termite Terror, unable to accept that the former soap actor just isn’t feeling up to it.

Trying to sleep, Adam admits it would be hard to get through it today because he is feeling dehydrated, but David is seen raging: “Dehydrated?! We’ve all got the same amount of water! Adam is doing it and that’s it!”

READ MORE: I’m A Celebrity’s David Haye under fire for nasty comments to Adam ThomasREAD MORE: I’m A Celebrity fans fume at ‘ungrateful’ David Haye after Adam Thomas’ risky move

Adam has arthritis, which he has been open about. Explaining how it affects him, he said previously: “It is an autoimmune disease. Basically means my immune system is attacking my own body. It causes a s**t-load of pain.”

Some days he will need help doing simple day-to-day tasks and his mental health has been affected, but ultimately, it’s made him stronger. He can experience pain in his fingers and knees on some days, but others, he can be in pain all over his body

David’s co-stars continually try to remind him that their campmate isn’t feeling well enough to get through it, but he becomes hellbent on trying to force Adam into it. He continues: “When is your top form gonna come? Why aren’t we forcing this dude to go and do it? Coincidentally, every time there’s something to do, he’s not feeling well!”

It is at that point that Scarlett, clearly in despair at the situation developing, says: “Stop it David, he’s not well!” David has already caused a major stir during his All Stars stint, when early on in the series, he made comments about his girlfriend Sian. When talking about his partner cooking for them all, he then added: “She’s like tall, blue eyes. She’s lovely. She’s got the personality of a proper ugly bird.”

Despite Scarlett’s suggestion he should stop there, he continued his tirade as he added: “She has. Most ugly girls realise they don’t they’re not pretty enough to… they gotta have a personality to banter and to tell jokes and s**t, so people overlook the fact that they’re not aesthetically amazing, straight away.

“Which is what’s called Ugly Duckling syndrome, where girls are ugly, when they start off, and then they and then they kind of they, they get pretty as they get older. But they still got the personality of when they’re ugly. Does that make sense?”

In the rant, which left angry viewers fuming, he added: “You get a girl who’s pretty from day one, you get a girl who’s different day one. Everyone goes ‘You’re so beautiful. You’re amazing’. She grows up thinking, I’m amazing. Everyone loves me. I can open any door. I can go anywhere I want.

“They don’t have to have a personality, because most super pretty girls are just idiots. But then their ugly friend, they’ve got work a bit harder, be more personable. They got to be nicer to everyone. Gonna get you a drink.”

It was recently claimed that David made those comments because he could not rely on AI to tell him that they were “safe” to say out loud. The source insisted there was “no malice” but added he would use AI to “check he’s not offending someone before he comments”.

“His focus inside camp has always been the game, survival decisions and camp dynamics rather than trying to offend anyone. Those who know him best understand there was no malice behind the remark,” a source told The Sun.

“When AI started he started using it all the time to check he’s not offending someone before he comments. It’s a bit of a comfort blanket for him – but he didn’t have that in the jungle.”

* I’m A Celebrity…South Africa airs weekdays at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.

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Coronation Street actor Gareth Pierce has been playing Todd Grimshaw since 2020, but fans were shocked to discover his real accent

Coronation Street’s Gareth Pierce is well known for his portrayal of Todd Grimshaw, yet in real life, he sounds remarkably different.

Gareth, 45, rose to prominence when he joined the Corrie cast in 2020 as Todd Grimshaw, stepping into the role previously held by Bruno Langley, who departed the show in 2017.

Over the past six years on the long-running soap, Todd has been at the centre of some heartbreaking storylines, including the deaths of his closest friends Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) and Paul Foreman (Peter Ash).

Last year, Todd embarked on a relationship with dashing scaffolder Theo Silverton (James Cartwright), who was already married with two children.

Theo, who had kept his sexuality a secret, found himself ostracised by his family when his wife Danielle (Natalie Anderson) uncovered his affair with Todd, reports the Daily Star.

Despite initially pulling away from Todd to concentrate on his family, the pair quickly rekindled their romance, though the road has been far from smooth.

Matters took a darker turn when James Bailey (Jason Callender) drunkenly attempted to kiss Todd at number eleven, prompting Theo to deliver a stark warning. He has since continued to tighten his grip on every aspect of his boyfriend’s life.

For months, Theo has been subjecting Todd to both mental and physical abuse in a deeply disturbing domestic violence storyline. Most recently, Theo launched a brutal attack on Todd, leaving him bloodied and battered in deeply distressing scenes.

The funeral director has been quietly struggling for months, with Todd’s nearest and dearest beginning to notice that something isn’t quite right. Regrettably, their concern about his wellbeing has driven the scheming Theo to resort to increasingly extreme measures.

Theo manipulated Todd into walking down the aisle with him, but his sinister plans didn’t stop there. The conniving villain subsequently schemed to spirit his new husband away to Belfast, far from his loved ones and support network.

Todd informed Theo that he wasn’t prepared to relocate, prompting the villain to confiscate his phone and hold him captive. As a Weatherfield resident is set to meet a grisly end in an upcoming whodunnit, could Theo be next in line?

Away from the Manchester-based soap, Gareth has left fans stunned after revealing his real-life accent. Last year, he took to Instagram to wish the Welsh women’s football team well as they competed in the Euros.

Sporting a Welsh football shirt, Gareth, who hails from Gwynedd in Wales, said: “Massive week ahead in the Women’s Euros. Wales and England both playing today, but also playing each other on Sunday. Big showdown. Obviously, I’m shouting for Wales.”

Speaking in Welsh, he added: “Good luck, Wales. Let’s go. Come on, Wales!”

Soap devotees were left gobsmacked after watching the clip, as Todd’s Mancunian accent on Coronation Street is worlds apart from Gareth’s natural Welsh lilt.

Flocking to the comments, one viewer wrote: “You learn something new every day. Did not know he was Welsh”, while another added: “Love the slight Welsh accent.

“Didn’t know you were Welsh”, a third chimed in as another exclaimed: “Didn’t know he was welsh c’mon Cymru.”

“Are you Welsh, mate?” asked one fan while another stated: “Mind blown!”

Coronation Street airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX

Coronation Street viewers were left in tears as the “most distressing scenes ever” aired on Wednesday night as a long-running abuse plot finally began to unravel

Coronation Street fans were left in tears as the “most distressing scenes ever” aired on Wednesday night. The world’s longest-running TV soap has been exploring another abuse storyline for several months now, which has seen Todd Grimshaw become the victim of coercive control at the hands of Theo Silverton.

What started as cutting Todd off from his friends turned into bizarre forms of abuse, like making him eat his dinner cold and then coercing him into getting married. Theo caused the death of Todd’s friend Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) in the programme’s crossover with Emmerdale, leaving him to die in an explosion following a multi-car pileup.

Things came to a horrifying head earlier in the week when Theo, who had been making plans to move himself and Todd away to Ireland, attacked Todd so badly that he stumbled over to his best friend Sarah Platt’s (Tina O’Brien) flat, where, with a bloodied face and barely able to walk, she knew immediately what had happened.

READ MORE: Where is Coronation Street’s Kirsty actress now 13 years after exit for abusing TyroneREAD MORE: Coronation Street spoilers: Character killed off, villains exposed and Swarla wedding

As the events unfolded in a special mid-week episode of the programme, Todd was at the police station for an interview, where he promptly broke down in tears and spoke of everything he had been put through. Back on the street, Gary caught Theo (James Cartwright) trying to make an escape, but had taken his keys out of his van to stop him, and made sure that he had no option but to go to the police station.

Sarah set about taking Todd (Gareth Pierce) to the hospital once his police interview had finished, but he collapsed in the car park. She later confirmed to George Shuttleworth, who has become a father figure to Todd, that he had suffered a lacerated spleen and internal bleeding as he and the other residents of Weatherfield wondered how they could ever let it get this far.

Through tears, Todd’s daughter Summer said: “I hate him. How could he do this to Todd? I’ll kill him. I swear I will!” Police then confirmed that Theo’s devices would be searched, and he was ordered into a cell.

To wrap up the episode, DS Lisa Swain, who has wrongly arrested most of the street during her time in Weatherfield and once failed to realise her wife had faked her own death, was given the honour of delivering a powerful monologue to tackle the issue head-on.

Viewers immediately took to social media to share their reactions, with one writing: “Oh my Days I think I’ve just used a full box of tissues. One of the most distressing, moving and amazing acting I’ve ever seen on Corrie! Well done for bring Domestic violence to the forefront.”

Another said: “Spoilers, but tonight’s episode is so powerful. It’s heartbreaking but so important. I hope this helps people to reach out for help. The last few minutes were so moving, it really got to me. I don’t think Theo will be killed, it’s too obvious, I hope he goes to prison.”

A third wrote: “Excellent episode tonight. It reminded me so much of how I felt 20 years ago. How I was scared to stay, but scared to leave. And I’m glad they mentioned honour abuse because that badly needed saying. WELL DONE.”

A fourth said: “Absolutely Heartbreaking & a hard watch[heartbroken emoji] but today’s episode was brilliant. Gareth pierce, the actor you are truly a fantastic performance throughout this storyline he has been outstanding and Lisa’s monologue at the end, was powerful what a scene!”

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X.

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Kirsty Soames is one of Coronation Street’s most infamous villains before she was sent to prison for her crimes over a decade ago

Coronation Street’s Kirsty Soames caused plenty of drama during her stint – but what has the actress been up to since her exit?

Back in 2011, Kirsty (Natalie Gumede) made her debut as the love interest of Tyrone (Alan Halsall). The pair soon hit it off – and even went on to welcome a daughter, Ruby, together in 2012.

However, things took a dramatic turn when Kirsty started to abuse Tyrone, often turning against him in violent rages. The nasty police officer ended up lying and accusing Tyrone of abusing her.

However, during his trial in 2013, Kirsty confessed that she was the abuser and Tyrone was cleared of any wrongdoing while she was convicted and sent to prison. She nominated Tyrone to have custody of Ruby, and he told her he never wanted to see her ever again.

A year later though, she was referenced on the long-running ITV soap when she sent Tyrone abusive texts after leaving prison in 2014. Fast forward to 2021 and Tyrone was informed that Kirsty had died. It was claimed that Kirsty died from an aneurysm, and she was discovered in her flat by a neighbour.

And over on the long-running soap this week, Tyrone’s domestic abuse past was mentioned after it came out that Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) has been abused by husband Theo Silverton (James Cartwright).

Talking about her decision to leave the soap, Kirsty actress Natalie previously said: “It was really tough, but I was ready to leave.

“I think it was a healthy time to go after such an intense storyline, but it’s surprising how a place kind of creeps under your skin, and I don’t think I could have wished to work with a better team so it did surprise me how emotional I was at leaving.””

After her cobbles exit, Natalie was in high demand. She appeared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, and was partnered with Artem Chigvintsev. The pair lost out to Abbey Clancy & Aljaz Skorjanec and came joint second along with Susanna Reid & Kevin Clifton.

Her other TV credits include 2015’s ITV Jekyll & Hyde, Vera in 2019 and Netflix’s Free Rein from 2017 to 20192. Natalie also appeared in the 2022 Netflix smash Your Christmas or Mine? and it’s sequel in 2023, playing Kaye Taylor.

Speaking at the premiere of the movie, Natalie revealed it was refreshing to play the fun Kaye after always playing a “dark” and “sinister” character.

“Aunty Kaye is one of the my most favourite characters I’ve ever played. I’m always sort of the dark, slightly miserable character, a bit cold a bit sinister,” she said. Natalie added: “And so for the first time I could really just get my teeth into something where I could just be silly and have fun and I absolutely loved it.”

Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX

Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard, who played Liz McDonald on the ITV soap for 30 years, has admitted she is “trying to be strong” after receiving a cancer update

Beverley Callard has admitted she is “trying to be strong” after receiving a cancer update. The actress, 69, who is best known for having starred as Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, recently located to Ireland with her husband Jon McEwan so she could star in the BBC soap Fair City.

But just before filming her first scenes, the star, who can currently be seen competing on the pre-recorded I’m A Celebrity…South Africa series, received a call informing her that she had been diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer and underwent her first bout of surgery shortly afterwards.

Beverley underwent the initial operation in March and expected to receive her results, which will indicate whether she is cancer-free or not, around four weeks later, but received one setback at the beginning of April when she heard that there was a “backlog” in the system. On Tuesday evening, Beverley took to Instagram once again to update her followers once again on the situation.

READ MORE: Corrie legend Beverley Callard tearfully admits she’s ‘in denial’ amid cancer diagnosisREAD MORE: I’m A Celebrity’s Bev Callard slams ‘crazy’ Coronation Street decision

Beginning with a sigh, she said: “Oh well, I’ve been painting all day again and I’ve nearly finished it, which is amazing. God, I’ve put some hours in that room, but I really want it finished for when Jon gets back. As you know, I’m waiting for my results, which has made me paint for England, well, for Ireland!

“Anyway, I got a text just a couple of hours ago. It says that my consultant is away at the moment, but there is someone else who I have seen before, another consultant, who wants to discuss my results on Thursday at 12 o’clock, so I’ve got a consultation then. I don’t know what that means. So I’m sort of like, ‘Okay… I just thought that the nurse was going to ring.’

“I spoke to one of the cancer nurses last week, she was great, and she said they would ring me as soon as they know anything. So I’m thinking, ‘Well, why have they not rung me then?

“Or am I mistaken? I don’t know but I will know more on Thursday at 12 o’clock so I will be glad when Jon is home. I wasn’t going to tell him but [my daughter] Rebecca said to tell him, so I have just told him. There we are. I just wondered if this has happened to anyone else. Lots of love everyone – I’m being strong.”

Beverley, who is also known for starring in the classic sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps alongside Sheridan Smith, Natalie Casey and Will Mellor, wrote in the caption: “Had a bit of a weird update and not sure how to feel about it…trying to be brave and strong.”

The soap icon was immediately supported by fans following the update, with one writing in the comments section: “I got called in Monday, 2 hour drive, for follow up results from my scan after lung surgery from recurrance after 2yrs (not breast cancer) I had health anxiety for 2 weeks waiting for the appointment day thinking it must be bad or oncologist would just phone.

“Was in office 5 mins, she said all clear, we’ll do another scan September. It’s not always bad but i think they sometimes forget the anxiety of the wait. Sending love,” (sic), whilst another said: “Stay positive Bev. Be as strong as you were in the jungle darling, You’ve got this, beautiful lady!”

Trying to reassure her, a third wrote: “This is the phone call the nurse promised. The dr has to speak to you because, whatever the outcome, there will be a treatment plan which they need to go through with you. Try not to worry – it doesn’t mean it’s bad news xxx”

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

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EastEnders spoilers have teased some big moments ahead as the path is paved for Grant Mitchell’s return after some sad news about Nigel Bates, while there’s also a car crash

There’s big scenes ahead on EastEnders next week, including a stunt, a sad twist and big news about a returning legend.

Grant Mitchell’s return to the BBC soap is finally about to happen, and the path is set next week. It comes off the back of a sad update about his long-time friend Nigel Bates, whose health is continuing to deteriorate amid his dementia battle.

There’s also stunt drama as two separate families are caught up in a car accident – but will everyone be okay? People are confronted over bad behaviour, feud are put to bed and there’s some worrying scenes on the cards.

According to new spoilers, Ravi Gulati continues to struggle amid his mental health battle, feeling powerless that he is unable to protect his family. His actions to keep them safe soon spark concern, and soon there’s a revelation that rocks everyone.

READ MORE: EastEnders’ Gemma Bissix says self-doubt made her question if she was good enough on soapREAD MORE: Coronation Street’s Megan’s death ‘sealed’ as fans ‘rumble’ Sam murder twist

Priya Nandra-Hart’s attempt to help partner Ravi leads to an accident on the road, as their car collides with another vehicle driven by Max Branning and Cindy Beale, with baby Jimmy also in the car. Both families are shaken, but Ravi returns home before fleeing.

Max is able to help Cindy and Jimmy, and they head to the hospital to get checked over – while there’s also a moment between secret lovers Max and Cindy. Back in Walford, Priya is trying to track down missing Ravi.

It’s not long before she finds him on the bridge, with him having climbed up after fleeing his family. As Priya talks to Ravi, she makes him realise that he needs help, and he agrees to get down to safety.

Will she be able to get him the help he desperately needs? Their son Nugget is also facing trouble, as he realises Will has recorded and shared a video of him having a seizure online.

Nugget confronts Will and his friends about their video, but will he get the reaction he’s hoping for? Warring business rivals Elaine Peacock and Ian Beale finally put their feud to rest next week.

Sadly, Nigel’s condition deteriorates and the news soon reaches a devastated Sam Mitchell and Mark Fowler Jr. The news sees Sam and Mark make contact with Grant, asking him to return to be there for Phil and Nigel.

Mark actually suggests it believing he should know what is happening with Nigel, but also he and Sam are worried about how Phil will cope. We do know that Grant is coming back to the BBC soap very soon, so how will Mark feel about seeing his dad?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Rudolph Walker’s love life away from EastEnders is just as dramatic as Patrick Trueman’s

Rudolph Walker is an EastEnders legend – but what do we know about his off-screen love life?

The actor joined the BBC soap way back in 2001 as Patrick Trueman – and it didn’t take him long to become a firm favourite with fans. The character has also played a part in several big storylines

From his many romances, marrying Yolande (Angela Wynter) and the recent murder of son Anthony (Nicholas Bailey), Patrick’s time in Walford has not been short of drama.

Away from the TV sets, though, Rudolph’s love life has been just as dramatic as his Walford alter ego. From being married three times to ending up homeless after a divorce, here’s a look inside the talented actor’s romances.

Rudolph was first married to Lorna Ross in 1968. The pair welcomed two children together, daughter Sheona and son Darren.

However, in the early 90s, Rudolph and Lorna went their separate ways. The pair remained on good terms, though, as years later, when Rudolph’s second divorce left him penniless and homeless, she helped him out through the tough times.

“Bless her. We are still extremely good friends. It didn’t take me out of what I was experiencing, but it cushioned a lot,” he told the Mirror.

Rudolph went on to find love again with Dounne Alexander, whom he married in August 1998. Dounne is the founder of Gramma’s, a collection of herbal pepper sauces that have been sold in shops such as Harrods and Fortnum and Mason over the years.

She was also awarded an MBE due to her work with the Joining Hands In Health campaign. In the mid-2010s, though, Rudolph and Dounne called it quits. However, the legal costs of his second divorce took their toll on Rudolph, and he spent two years broke and homeless.

“It was painful. It was extremely difficult. I just didn’t have any financial means. I was literally starting from scratch again in my 70s, with nowhere to live. It was a time of great pain and loneliness,” he shared.

The TV star went on: “Some days on my way to the studio, I would pull up at the side of the road, have a cry. I suppose it was a sort of double life.

“Questions of: ‘Who am I? Why am I in this position?’ There was no way the public watching me as Patrick every other night were aware that was what was happening.”

After Dounne, Rudolph began a romance with Evangeline Vincent, and the pair married in 2016. The couple is still together to this day.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.

There could be more problems ahead for George Shuttleworth, whose business is in big trouble after losing his court case with right-hand man Todd Grimshaw set to depart for Belfast

Slippery Coronation Street character Rupert Copley is returning to the Cobbles to create more misery for the residents of Weatherfield.

Two years after his exit, Rupert is sure to have old rival George Shuttleworth in his sights after viewers learned the undertaker is putting his business up for sale – and there could be more problems ahead for George, played by Tony Maudsley. Last week, he headed to court, and it wasn’t a good result.

The judge ruled against him and ordered George to pay the legal costs after a customer launched a smear campaign against him, leaving the funeral director devastated. A glum George opens up to his sister, Glenda (Jodie Prenger), and tells her that he might have to sell the business to rivals RestEasy at a knock-down price.

Rupert, played by Peter Carroll, is set to reprise the role of the trouble-making undertaker after leaving back in 2024. The last time we saw the character, he tried to poach his work partner Todd Grimshaw but was soon sent packing. With Todd heading to Belfast with conniving Theo Silverton, will there be more agony ahead for George?

READ MORE: The Inbetweeners ‘returning to screens for first time in 16 years’READ MORE: BBC Casualty star welcomes first child and shares adorable first pictures

His Corrie return was confirmed by agents Thinking Actors with a post on social media. It read: “Thinking Actors’ Peter Carroll is back filming next week for ITV’s Coronation Street.”

Tony joined the ITV soap in 2020, portraying George, the son of the late funeral director Archie (Roy Hudd). Since then, he’s won over viewers and has been involved in numerous major plotlines.

The actor has featured in Queer As Folk, Emmerdale and also starred in the popular ITV sitcom Benidorm, playing hairdresser Kenneth Du Beke from 2011 to 2018. He also made an appearance in the Harry Potter series in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, portraying Hagrid’s half-brother, Gawp.

Todd could be about to find the courage to confront his abuser Theo after months of coercive control, and physical and verbal abuse, sparking a showdown between the pair. Todd reports Theo to the police for assault, and Summer finds out exactly what her father figure Todd has been going through behind closed doors.

As their doomed relationship progressed, Theo began cutting Todd off from his close friends one by one before subjecting him to bizarre forms of abuse, such as pouring milk over his head and forcing him to eat his dinner cold. They became engaged on New Year’s Eve and then then Theo caused the death of Todd’s best friend Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) in the programme’s crossover with Emmerdale.

They called it quits a short time later – only for Theo to worm his way back in. Last week, Theo revealed to Gary Windass (Mikey North) that he hadn’t cancelled the wedding and wanted to surprise Todd, so Gary and his wife Maria (Samia Longchambon) acted as witnesses, and had not picked up on the signs at all that this was not what Todd wanted at all.

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X.

Viewers think Megan Walsh could be the victim of the brutal Coronation Street murder later this month, and that Sam Blakeman might be the killer in a shocking twist

Fans of Coronation Street think Megan Walsh is about to meet a grisly end – with an unexpected killer.

Megan is one of five characters who could be killed off later this month in a whodunnit twist. The child groomer was recently exposed for sexually abusing her teenage pupil Will Driscoll.

She and Will have denied it, with Will manipulated into believing they are in love. It was Sam Blakeman who first rumbled the ‘romance’, with Megan and Will targeting Sam as a result.

Megan was vile, threatening him and claiming she was going to make it look as though he was spying on her. Will also pretended to be his friend in order to keep him on side, while both of them accused Sam of lying when it all came out.

READ MORE: Emmerdale fans ‘rumble’ why Dr Todd is really targeting Jacob in ‘revenge twist’READ MORE: Coronation Street fans ‘work out’ who’s targeting Sam – but it’s not Will

The lies and what he was covering up, on top of exam stress, has had a really bad impact on Sam. As well as misusing ADHD medication, which led to a hospital dash, he’s been struggling with his mental health.

This week he’s accused Will of harassing him with menacing behaviour and sinister threats over the phone. Will has denied this, and now fans are convinced Sam is hallucinating, as he continues to spiral.

A new theory though could see things escalate, and see Sam turn killer unexpectedly. We know that Megan might die later this month, and now fans think Sam will kill her by accident.

Believing he is suffering from psychosis and is imagining things, such as Will chasing him, viewers have wondered if he will experience the same with Megan. A theory is that he will attack her and maybe even kill her believing he is in danger.

A fan posted on social media: “My gut feeling is it will be Megan and Sam is the killer.” Another fan said: “I still think it’s Megan that dies. At one point I thought Maggie would be the killer but with Sam’s psychosis storyline, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up snapping and killed her without realising it.”

A further theory read: “I didn’t think about Sam accidentally killing Megan. If he really is hallucinating so vividly, I could definitely see him accidentally killing her to get her away from him, even if he doesn’t realise he’s done it.”

One fan wrote: “What if Sam kills Megan because he’s in a state of psychosis and it’s lining up a storyline of ‘manslaughter by way of reduced capacity’?? What then?! #Corrie #CoronationStreet.” Another fan agreed: “My theory changes every day do we reckon Sam is gonna kill Megan #corrie?”

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Coronation Street fans think Jodie Ramsey has crossed the wrong person amid her stealing things from other characters, and it could lead to her big downfall on the ITV soap

The game could be up very soon for Coronation Street villain Jodie Ramsey.

She may have made a grave error, crossing the wrong person – and it could seal her downfall. Fans have called out her silly decision amid her targeting a number of Weatherfield characters.

Jodie has been stealing items belonging to characters as well as other people we don’t know of, and she then places them in a trinket box. It seems anyone that crosses her or annoys her, she steals something they’re either fond of or that is linked to them.

Examples have been Brian Packham’s beloved book, her sister Shona Platt’s wedding ring, which she then returned, and the face of Bernie Winter’s wedding photo, which she cut out and put in the box. Her latest token could be what exposes her though, with fans convinced she’s gone too far.

READ MORE: Emmerdale fans ‘rumble’ why Dr Todd is really targeting Jacob in ‘revenge twist’READ MORE: Coronation Street fans ‘work out’ who’s targeting Sam – but it’s not Will

This week, she got annoyed at detective Lisa Swain, amid her being in Lisa and partner Carla Connor’s home as a nanny for Carla’s baby niece Connie. After Lisa demanded a coffee from Jodie, Jodie was not impressed and took action.

While Lisa did apologise over the coffee drama, Jodie stole her police badge. We saw her keeping it in her bag in the latest episode, with Lisa set to grow confused over its whereabouts in upcoming scenes.

So will Jodie play the hero like with Shona’s ring, and magically find it and return it to Lisa? Or is it about to join the famous trinket box with the other missing items.

Either way, fans think this could be the moment Jodie trips up and is exposed. While not everyone has a theory on who exactly will find the badge, many fans are sure that this latest theft will be what leads to her downfall.

A fan said on social media: “So Jodie taking Lisa’s warrant card for her box of trinkets is gonna be the one that exposes her. But who’s gonna find it? Lily again? Or maybe Shona?”

Another fan said: “I feel like she’s just implicating herself. Chances are Lisa knows her badge was there when she got home and Jodie is the only person she left her things alone with. It doesn’t take a career in law enforcement to put two and two together.

“Might lead to Lisa actually doing that background check she’s been so vocal about.” A third viewer added: “Jodie’s crossed the wrong person this time, Lisa’s gonna catch her out.”

A further theory read: “I do think Jodie’s made a mistake here in taking Lisa’s badge because it’s not something that is easily misplaced and Lisa can probably narrow down where it was. I think this could be what gets Jodie exposed for that box because it might cause suspicion and of all the things to steal, and her carrying it around with her, I think it’s hinting this will be what gets Jodie found out.”

A fan added: “Yeah what a weird thing to steal.” A final post said: “Whatever about stealing Brian’s book or Bernie’s face, stealing an actual detectives pass for your silly little box Jodie, because Lisa mildly offended you because of how she likes her coffee after a night shift probably isn’t the best idea Jodie.”

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Emmerdale viewers think Sadie King’s huge return to the ITV soap after 20 years could be linked to Graham Foster’s mystery phone call after he targeted Kim Tate

Sadie King’s return to Emmerdale could be linked to Graham Foster’s mystery behaviour, according to a fan theory.

Reports that Sadie would be back for explosive scenes were shared earlier this month, while ITV are yet to confirm the news. It follows Graham’s revenge against former flame Kim Tate being exposed.

We’d seen Kim be rushed to hospital after choking and collapsing. It was initially thought she’d suffered from severe mushroom poisoning, but doctors soon confirmed it was an overdose of her painkillers.

While other residents assumed Kim had been confused and accidentally taken too much, we soon saw Graham was to blame. He’d swapped out her tablets for a bigger dose, before swapping them back.

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans ‘work out’ who’s targeting Sam – but it’s not WillREAD MORE: Emmerdale fans ‘rumble’ why Dr Todd is really targeting Jacob in ‘revenge twist’

He had a mystery phone call with someone, where he told them the tablets had not worked. Making it clear he had planned to kill Kim, it seemed he was planning a different move after the pills failed to do what he had intended.

It wasn’t clear if the person he was talking to was also after Kim, but fans now think they know who it was on the phone. Viewers think it could be Sadie, and that she and Graham know each other.

They wondered if Sadie could be helping Graham to target Kim and that this is what will spark her return to the village later this year. One fan posted on social media: “So is it Sadie on the phone to Graham?”

Another fan agreed: “I wonder if Graham is working with Sadie King? Hence the phone call from the other day.” A third fan wrote: “Presumably she is somehow connected to Graham.”

A further theory read: “Graham is hooked up with Sadie King.” Another added: “Sadie King is on her way back to Emmerdale and Graham is on the phone with a mystery person to bring down Kim Tate.”

Others also named Sadie as the person they thought Graham was talking to. Just days ago it was reported that Patsy Kensit would be reprising her role on the ITV soap.

The character debuted on the show back in 2004 as part of the King family. The former wife of Jimmy King, who is still in the village with his new wife Nicola King, Sadie turned against the family when she teamed up with Cain Dingle to target them.

Cain ended double-crossing his former flame and her plan backfired, sparking her exit from the show in 2006. A source is said to have told The Sun: “This signing has been kept a top secret as bosses want Patsy’s return to shock fans.

“She is apparently delighted to be get her teeth back into the meaty role. Scriptwriters want to keep the show going with explosive plots and divisive characters.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .