Legendary ITV star ‘can't shake off' role in show watched by 25 million viewers
A former ITV soap star has said she 'can't shake off' a role that projected her into millions of living rooms each week – despite leaving 41 years ago.
Actress and broadcaster JoAnne Good rose to fame in 1981 when she joined the cast of legendary serial drama Crossroads.
As viewers will remember, the axed show followed the lives of staff and residents at a fictional Midlands hotel of the same name and aired between 1964 and 1988.
It was later revived in 2001, though ended two years later. By this point, Crossroads was a plush hotel.
Certainly a far cry from original owner Meg Mortimer's (Noelle Gordon) day!
JoAnne played rebellious Carole Sands, who was David Hunter (Ronald Allen) and his wife Barbara's (Sue Lloyd) housekeeper.
Rough and ready, she caused a small riot on the streets of Kings Oak, had an affair with Kevin Banks (David Moran) and later worked at the local garage.
Following her departure in 1984, she's gone on to appear in Casualty, Last of the Summer Wine, Heartbeat and Doctors.
Despite that, JoAnne still holds the role very close to her heart.
'I can't shake Carole off,' she told the Suddenly Single podcast.
'I'm quite proud of it because my character was the forerunner to Kylie Minogue's character (Charlene Robinson) on Neighbours.
'I played the car mechanic in the motel garage. It had a viewership of 25 million a night.'
In 2021 she recalled her time on the series with the Crossroads Appreciation Society, saying it was 'the best job [she's] ever had in [her] life.'
Speaking of her exit storyline, she added: 'It was like being kicked out of your family and you always believe you'll be asked back.
'And I think probably the problem with me is that I ended up having an affair with someone in it and I don't think they liked that, I think they felt that you should keep the two things separate. So that was probably my downfall!'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale?
Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews.
Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers!
A dramatisation based upon leading actress Noelle's time at the motel hit our screens in 2023.
Nolly, written by Russell T Davies, saw Helena Bonham Carter step into the iconic actress' shoes.
Last year, a selection of archive episodes hit streaming service ITVX – but were hit with a guidance notice before each episode: 'Contains broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time.'
Although not uncommon for older programmes, one former actor branded the move 'pathetic.' More Trending
Fiona Curzon, who appeared in 13 episodes of the show in the 1970s, didn't think viewers would find anything offensive in the episodes.
'I don't think anyone sitting down and watching Crossroads would be shocked by anything. On the contrary I think they would think, 'what is the matter with the people who are issuing these warnings?'' she was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.
'I just think it is absolutely pathetic. I am so sick of all of this. You cannot say boo these days.'
View More »
Classic episodes of Crossroads can be watched on ITVX.
If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we'd love to hear from you.
Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
MORE: Chris Tarrant reveals heartbreaking reason he left TV career after 52 years
MORE: EastEnders confirms another major exit as star leaves after two years
MORE: Eni Aluko returns to ITV for Euro 2025 as reason for Ian Wright absence revealed
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
Coronation Street star confirms exit as she jets off to Australia after revealing plans to emigrate
A CORONATION Street star has confirmed her soap exit as she jets off to Australia. The soap personality was working as a jobbing actress before she landed her role on the long-running ITV show. 5 5 5 Farrel Hegarty began playing Corrie's troublesome Lou Michaelis earlier this year. Taking to Instagram, the actress revealed she has joined partner in Australia. Farrel posted snaps from the journey on her story- as well as when she and her partner were reunited. The star had previously admitted that her contract on the show was only for a finite about of time. She also revealed having originally intended to move to Australia -before landing the role in Coronation Street. Lou arrived alongside husband Mick, as the pair moved into adjoining Mawdsley Street. Addressing her upcoming exit, Farrel previously told The Mirror: "Joe [Layton] and I came in together and will leave together. "How we do it, I can't say, but it's brilliant being part of the show. "Watching the other actors is like a masterclass in acting. When I do film my final scenes, I'll probably cry." Ahead of their debut, Lou and Mick had been billed as the soap's new "nightmare neighbours". Coronation Street signs TikTok & Casualty stars as 'nightmare neighbours' set to 'make life hell' for Cobbles residents Speaking at the time of her casting, Farrel said: 'I'm delighted and so grateful to be joining the cast of Coronation Street. "I have genuinely been blown away by how ridiculously warm and nice everyone is. 'Lou is definitely an exciting character to play because she's got good and bad parts to her, she's a life force and full of beans. "She's a very colourful person who likes to make waves and try to cause chaos. "But she also has that strong family loyalty, especially between Mick and Lou, they are thick as thieves and will stick up for each other, even when they probably shouldn't…' Since arriving, the Michaelis clan haven't been too popular in Weatherfield. Namely, due to Mick brutally killing popular cop Craig Tinker last month. History of the Coronation Street set By Jake Penkethman, TV Reporter 1960-1968 - Whilst the Coronation Street set remained on Quay Street for 53 years, it actually had three separate studio sites. The first was an entirely indoor wooden set which was used for the first eight years of filming. This encompassed a replica of the Street built entirely indoors. The set was known to be awkward for actors to use and the houses brought to three quarter scale. 1968-1982 - In 1968, the addition of an outdoor set was created to adjoin the existing indoor set which was still used for filming right up until 1982. The set was used only when required with many of the show's cast reportedly hating it and describing it as 'the coldest place on Earth'. 1982-2013 - A brand new set was officially constructed in 1982 and was almost built fully to scale but still only permitted for one car to drive down the cobbled street. The house were purpose-built using reclaimed Salford brick in order to give it the most authentic feel possible. During these years, some of the show's buildings were adapted to allow for both interior and exterior filming at the same time. These locations included Elliott's Butchers, Barlow's Buys, Prima Doner and Webster's Autos. The final scenes to be recorded on this site occurred in December 2013. By early 2014, it began operating as a tourist attraction for around two years before ultimately being demolished and re-purposed in 2017. 2014-present - In early 2014, the show's set moved to the TV hub of the North - MediaCityUK in nearby Salford Quays. It is now located a stone's throw from major TV studio Dock 10 as well as the BBC's base in the North - home to Blue Peter, Newsround, BBC Breakfast and BBC Sport. The new set was even bigger and built to 9/10 the scale of a real street and allowed for two card to be travelling down the road at opposite sides for the very first time. The site has even undergone major expansions during its 10 years. Just four years after opening in 2018, a brand new set extension was unveiled which introduced viewers to Victoria Gardens for the first time in its history. The Weatherfield North tram stop also became visible as did a series of shops which became used as part of product placement advertising deals. Brands to have been seen on the Street so far include a Co-Op, a Costa Coffee and a branch of Hay's Travel. Four years later in 2022, another brand new set was unveiled, this time being the heavily mentioned Weatherfield Precinct. It became the first time in 62 years that the area had ever been seen on screens. It fearued a variety of shop fronts, a playground and a number of small flats which have begun to house more and more residents on the street in recent months. Viewers also learned about the complicated past between the couple and police detective Kit Green. Lou and Kit had a secret fling years ago - resulting in the birth of her now-teenage son Brody. But just how will Mick and Lou's exit from the cobbles play out? Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and ITVX. 5 5
Daily Mail
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE ITV staff anger as 'tone deaf' bosses throw extravagant 70th anniversary party amid job cuts
ITV bosses have angered staff by throwing an extravagant anniversary party despite announcing major budget cuts and job losses. The broadcaster sent out a companywide invitation this month explaining the bash will be in honour of their 70th birthday after the channel was set up in 1955. 'Celebrate our 70th in style', the invitation reads, 'enjoy delicious food and drinks, Instagram worthy photo opportunities and DJs' as future guests were informed of the one night only event set to take place at a west London location. But ITV staff, who have been told the dress code is 'platinum', feel bosses throwing a party amid hundreds of redundancies is 'tone deaf' and they would rather the expense be used to salvage someone's position. A source told MailOnline that 'no one feels like celebrating right now' after ITV announced Lorraine and Loose Women will be halving the number of jobs and significantly reducing the time they are on air. Panel show Loose Women confirmed they have axed their live studio audience from next year, which presenter Nadia Sawalha said was a 'devastating' change. A TV source explained: 'The feeling among staff is that the channel throwing a party is in really bad taste given hundreds of people are losing their jobs. 'The event will no doubt cost a large amount of money, and many believe that bosses should put those funds towards tying to limit redundancies. 'Many feel the tone is completely off, no one at ITV daytime, which is the biggest part of the business, feels like celebrating right now. 'The company has also made widespread cuts and redundancies across Emmerdale and Coronation Street as well as production labels Lifted, who make Love Island, and Multistory. No one feels throwing a big party right now is appropriate.' As well as the London party, studios in Manchester and Leeds have also been invited to a bash for the 70th anniversary, which ITV bosses feel is an unmissable milestone. A spokesperson for ITV said: 'As ITV marks its 70th anniversary this September we are holding staff events in London, Manchester and Leeds to which all staff at ITV have been invited. 'We're taking this opportunity to thank everyone for their efforts and commitment in continuing to produce award-winning, impactful and entertaining programmes. 'We are of course mindful of the impact the proposed changes to our Daytime productions in 2026 will have on some of our staff and we are working hard to support them.' ITV Studios confirmed last month they are slashing the budgets of its biggest daytime shows including Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women, meaning more than 220 of 440 staff involved will lose their jobs. This Morning, presented by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, will remain the same length while Good Morning Britain is being extended by 30 minutes and for the 22 weeks of the year that Lorraine is not airing, GMB plans to run an extra half hour. MailOnline revealed how Lorraine was given the option to present the last 30 minutes of Good Morning Britain, but she refused the 'insulting' offer and insiders believe her show will only run for another year. Meanwhile, GMB anchor Susanna Reid is reportedly negotiating a longer-term contract to become the 'face of the network.' Loose Woman Nadia has expressed her distress over the looming redundancies, saying she is particularly upset by the fact the show will no longer welcome a studio audience, which means her friend, warmup artist Lee Peart is also losing his job. She said: 'From next year there will be no Loose Women audience. I am totally devastated by this fact, I can't get over it at all.
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
ITV hunting for contestants for new reality show
ITV is looking for 'smart' people to take part in an upcoming reality competition - could you fit the bill 🔍 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... ITV is looking for contestants on a new reality show. Producers are trying to find the 'smartest person in the room'. But you don't have long left to submit an application. ITV is on the hunt for 'super smart individuals' to take part in the first season of a brand new reality competition - and potentially win a 'life-changing prize'. The show is said to also feature a big-money quiz. Applications are already open - but potential contestants don't have long to put their names in the hat. The deadline is fast approaching and now is the perfect time to act. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Detailing what they are looking for, ITV explains: 'The series follows individuals, from all walks of life who are all competing to win! The aim of the game is to be the smartest! 'How you choose to play the game is entirely up to you, so players must have their wits about them at all times and be an excellent judge of character!' How to apply for ITV's new show and when's the deadline? ITV logo |It couldn't be simpler to throw your hat in the ring, all you have to do is go to ITV's website and complete an application form . However you will have to act quickly as the deadline is on Tuesday (July 1) - although the broadcaster adds that is subject to the producer's discretion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad ITV adds: ''Smart' can be defined in many different ways, so be prepared for a range of challenges and quizzes throughout the contest. They will be designed to test all aspects of intelligence.' Applicants need to be aged 18 or over to take part - which is not uncommon for TV shows. ITV's newest show is not the only one looking for contestants right now, Race Across the World is on the hunt for people to take part in the 2026 series - although you need to apply in pairs. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
