Latest news with #BillRoache
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Three Coronation Street legends sign up to money-spinning tour – including star who hasn't been seen for 24 years
A TRIO of Coronation Street icons have signed up to the soap's money-spinning tour set to take place this September. The programme revealed it would be allowing its cast members to sign up to a speaking tour, An Audience with Coronation Street, all about the show to travel around the country later this year. 6 6 Now, it has revealed that three veteran stars will be taking part in the tour - including one soap icon who hasn't been seen on screens for 24 years. Current show legend Bill Roache and Barbara Knox, known for their roles as Ken Barlow and Rita Tanner, have both agreed to appear at two stops of the tour each. Bill will appear for one of the show's Salford performances as well as the date at Sunderland 's Empire Theatre. Whilst those hoping to catch Barbara, she will appear at the second Salford performance as well as in the capital, London. But someone that fans may be shocked to learn is putting in an appearance is Amanda Barrie. Amanda was famed for playing the role of Alma Halliwell for 20 years before she was killed off the soap. But now she will be chatting all things Corrie once more by agreeing to appear on the tour. Amanda will join the cast in Sheffield and Glasgow to reminisce on her time walking the famous cobbles. The six-show tour will be fronted by This Morning star Sharon Marshall with a whole host of current Corrie favourites appearing at the various dates. Jack P. Shepherd, Samia Longchambon, Andy Whyment and Simon Gregson are all among the cast who are hoping to cash in by participating in the tour. Celebrity Big Brother lads tell Amanda Barrie and Rachel Johnson about the filthy world of DM Jane Danson, Vicky Myers and Sam Aston will also all be taking part. The cast are understood to be able to command a fee for their appearance on the tour - allowing them to top up their soap income in a rare move. Soap stars are often forbidden from seeking employment and cash from anywhere outside of the soap. 6 6 6
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Coronation Street star addresses future after 15 years on the cobbles
CORONATION Street favourite has broken their silence on whether they'll be sticking around in Weatherfield – after 15 years on the cobbles. The long-serving soap star opened up about their future on the ITV soap, leaving fans wondering if ANOTHER shock exit could be on the cards. 4 4 Coronation Street's Elle Mulvaney has revealed she's not going anywhere - and even joked she's got her sights set on beating soap legend Bill Roache's 65-year reign on the cobbles. Elle, 22, said: "Bill, we have spent 15 years together. They are more than colleagues, they do become a part of your family. "It's quite the challenge to beat. I am young enough to do it, I guess. It must be incredible for someone to be here 65 years. "All the stories he must have done and all the people he must have met. "Who knows what the future will bring? But right now I am loving Corrie more than ever and have no plans to leave, so long as they still want me." The actress, who's played Amy Barlow since she was just seven, first rocked up to Weatherfield in 2010 and has become a firm fan favourite ever since. She's been at the heart of huge storylines - from her harrowing rape and spiking ordeal to being brainwashed by The Institute. The star added: "I still can't believe I have been there for 15 years. It's hard to describe because in one way it feels that long but in another way it doesn't. "I joined when I was just seven and I'm now 22. I was just a young kid. I am so fortunate though. I still love Corrie, where I work and everyone I work with. I am just really lucky." While she's staying put on the cobbles for now, Elle has her sights set on a different kind of drama. Coronation Street's battered and bloodied Craig left unconscious on the cobbles after a vicious attack The actress confessed she'd love to swap Weatherfield for the wild and have a crack at I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Elle revealed: " Simon [Gregson], who plays my dad, did it and loved it. Bev Callard, who played my nan, also did it so we have a family tradition," she said. "I'm alright with bugs and creepy crawlies and snakes. They don't bother me. But I think I would really struggle with the food and the drink. "I'd struggle eating or cooking the meal in camp, never mind the Bushtucker Trials. I'd have to stick to the rice and beans." Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025 ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap. This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama. Colson Smith - Craig Tinker The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig's on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role. Sue Cleaver - Eileen Grimshaw After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I'm A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she's already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future. Luca Toolan - Mason Radcliffe Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him. Sue Devaney - Debbie Webster In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline. Charlotte Jordan - Daisy Midgeley The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she's hungry to see what other opportunities await. Shelley King - Yasmeen Metcalfe The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter. Meanwhile, Corrie is gearing up for a number of exits for some iconic characters this summer. Eileen Grimhshaw is set to exit the cobbles with actress Sue Cleaver quitting the soap after an incredible 25 years. And Craig Tinker's life will hang in the balance in his explosive exit storyline. The soap has already seen several characters depart the cobbles from Daisy Midgeley to Mason Radcliffe. Coronation Street is facing a financial crisis due to soaring production costs, a decline in advertising revenue, and a drop in viewing figures, leading to budget cuts and cast departures. Consequently, ITV is reducing the length of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale episodes from hour-long to 30-minute installments, starting in January 2026. This change will create a "soaps power hour" where Emmerdale airs at 8pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8:30pm each weeknight. But with ratings falling and viewers switching to streamers like Netflix, soap stars are fearing the axe - should they be worried? Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX. 4 4
