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Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Iconic Coronation Street star returns to screens at 95 after retirement
Iconic Coronation Street star returns to screens at 95 after retirement Thelma Barlow played Mavis Riley on Coronation Street from 1971 to 1997 Thelma Barlow will once again be seen on screens (Image: Justin Goff, UK Press via Getty Images ) Thelma Barlow, the esteemed actress who portrayed Mavis Riley on Coronation Street from 1971 to 1997, has discussed her decision to leave the iconic ITV soap as she steps out of retirement for a new acting role. Following Helen Worth's recent departure from her long-standing role as Gail Platt, Barlow, 95, reflected on her own exit from the show during an appearance on the Conversation Street podcast. She expressed that leaving was the correct choice for her at the time, saying: "It was the right thing for me. Helen's just left, and it's probably the right thing for her too. You just know, I think. I couldn't be doing it now." Barlow also reminisced about returning to theatre work after her stint on television, stating: "But, no, I just felt that I just had to get back to theatre and that happened, fortunately." Thelma Barlow became a household name due to her role in Coronation Street (Image: Ferdaus Shamim, WireImagevia Getty Images ) During her tenure in the cobbles, Barlow's character Mavis became a beloved figure, especially known for her marriage to Derek Wilton (played by Peter Baldwin) and her partnership with Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) at The Kabin newsagents. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter When asked about the enduring appeal of Mavis's on-screen friendship with Rita, Barlow highlighted the contrasting personalities of the two characters: "Well, they were such opposites to begin with, weren't they? Article continues below "Everyone caved in rather heavily on Mavis to begin with, but it gradually rubbed off on her, this little bit of spirit and she got more strength." The Manchester Evening News reports she continued to describe their dynamic, noting how Mavis often exasperated Rita: "They were really good friends, although there was a lot of stick coming from Rita! I think [Mavis] probably irritated Rita, 'Get some spine, woman, stand up for yourself!', because she was being very soppy with all these menfolk. She had so many men in her life over the years, it never came to anything, though." The former Dinnerladies actress has made a return to the screen in the short film 'Sleepless in Settle', taking on the role of an elderly mother intent on finding the perfect match for her 72-year-old son. Despite originally having no plans to jump back into acting, she was persuaded by a friend to take on the project. Reflecting on her unexpected comeback, she said: "I had no intention of working again, but a friend who had written a lot of things, she's an actress, and a very good one, Judy Flynn, she asked if she could write something for me. "I was delighted, I don't think I hesitated at all. She wrote this lovely piece, and we talked about it quite a lot. We were very much on a wavelength, and we did it about a year and a half ago now. "It was just the best thing ever because I started off in theatre, and it was like being back in my first job with young people. Young technicians, everyone had this great feeling of trying to do the best they could." In a recent interview, following her emergence from retirement to take part in the short film 'Sleepless in Settle', where Thelma plays the character Barbara who embarks on a mission to set up her middle-aged son Alan with a woman, yielding many comedic scenes. Chatting with Radio Times, Thelma shared her reasons for embracing this new role, revealing how her old colleague and friend, the talented Judy Flynn, who is both a writer and director, crafted the character of Barbara expressly with her in mind. Article continues below Thelma expressed: "I was familiar with her work and knew it would be good. The characters are so well drawn, it was a joy. Good writing is easy to learn, there are some lovely lines that reminded me of when I joined Coronation Street."
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
ITV Corrie legend admits they couldn't do soap now almost three decades after exit
Thelma Barlow, 95, who famously portrayed Mavis Riley in ITV's Coronation Street from 1971 to 1997, has admitted she "couldn't" be part of the soap now as she steps out of retirement for a new role. Following the recent departure of Helen Worth, who played Gail Platt for half a century, Barlow confessed that she knew it was the "right thing" for her to leave the ITV soap when she did. In an interview on the Conversation Street podcast, she stated: "It was the right thing for me. Helen 's just left, and it's probably the right thing for her too. You just know, I think. I couldn't be doing it now." She added: "But, no, I just felt that I just had to get back to theatre and that happened, fortunately." During her tenure on the cobbles, Mavis notably married Derek Wilton (Peter Baldwin) and formed a dynamic duo with fellow Street legend Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox), running The Kabin newsagents together as reported by the Manchester Evening News . When asked about the success of her on-screen friendship with Rita, she explained: "Well, they were such opposites to begin with, weren't they? Everyone caved in rather heavily on Mavis to begin with, but it gradually rubbed off on her, this little bit of spirit and she got more strength. "They were really good friends, although there was a lot of stick coming from Rita! I think [Mavis] probably irritated Rita, 'Get some spine, woman, stand up for yourself!', because she was being very soppy with all these menfolk. She had so many men in her life over the years, it never came to anything, though." The ex-'dinnerladies' actress has ended her retirement to feature in the new short film 'Sleepless in Settle', portraying an elderly mother orchestrating a romance for her 72-year-old son. Despite previously having "no intention" of returning to acting, she was convinced when her friend, the talented actress and writer Judy Flynn, offered to create a role specifically for her. Commenting on the opportunity, she revealed: "I had no intention of working again, but a friend who had written a lot of things, she's an actress, and a very good one, Judy Flynn, she asked if she could write something for me. "I was delighted, I don't think I hesitated at all. She wrote this lovely piece, and we talked about it quite a lot. We were very much on a wavelength, and we did it about a year and a half ago now. "It was just the best thing ever because I started off in theatre, and it was like being back in my first job with young people. Young technicians, everyone had this great feeling of trying to do the best they could." In a recent interview coinciding with her return to acting in 'Sleepless in Settle', Thelma portrays Barbara, who plots comically to pair her middle-aged son Alan, played by Graham Turner, with an ideal partner in the 22-minute production. Speaking with Radio Times, Thelma discussed what drew her back to acting, crediting her friend Judy Flynn, who not only wrote but directed the film, as the one who tailored the character of Barbara specially for her. Thelma expressed: "I was familiar with her work and knew it would be good. The characters are so well drawn, it was a joy. Good writing is easy to learn, there are some lovely lines that reminded me of when I joined Coronation Street." Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Metro
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Coronation Street legend, 95, comes out of retirement after 27 years
Coronation Street icon Thelma Barlow has come out of retirement to star in a new short film at the age of 95. Thelma first appeared on the ITV soap as dithering Mavis Riley at the engagement party of Emily (Eileen Derbyshire) and Ernie Bishop (Stephen Hancock) in 1971. The character reappeared the following year at their wedding, and by 1973 was a regular face on the cobbles having been employed as Rita Littlewood's (Barbara Knox) assistant at The Kabin. The two worked side by side for the next 24 years, but following the death of Mavis' husband Derek Wilton (Peter Baldwin), she decided to move to Cartmel, Cumbria to open a bed and breakfast. Mavis is still regularly mentioned whenever Rita needs a break from the drama. Since then, Thelma has had roles in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies (which also starred Corrie alumni Anne Reid and Sue Devaney, alongside Sue Cleaver and Shobna Gulti, who would later join the show) plus in an episode of Doctor Who. More recently she's made personal appearances in documentaries celebrating her former colleagues Malcolm Hebden and Barbara Knox. Now, after years out of the spotlight, she's starring in Sleepless in Settle – a 20-minute comedy filmed in Rye and Rye Harbour on the East Sussex coast. The town doubles for Settle, North Yorkshire, where Thelma has lived for almost three decades. The film has been written and directed by actress Judy Flynn, who appeared as a secretary in Dinnerladies, which is where the two women met back in the late 90s. It follows a woman, Barbara, who tries to find a new partner for her middle-aged son. 'The film is just the sort of thing people need right now – a gentle comedy,' Thelma said of the film, which is now available to watch for free on YouTube. 'It has a very sweet message that people of different generations can successfully live together. 'It was such fun to make,' she added to the BBC. Speaking of her involvement with Judy, she told the RadioTimes: 'I was familiar with her work and knew it would be good. 'The characters are so well drawn, it was a joy. 'Good writing is easy to learn, there are some lovely lines that reminded me of when I joined Coronation Street.' Thelma previously appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the film when it was announced last year. Hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls were also keen to know whether she'd ever reprise her role in Weatherfield. 'Well no, I would be far too terrified' she told them. 'I would be scared to do something commercial and in a big studio and the pressure of it.' She continued: 'I know the pressure of doing things perfectly. Said movie was less stressful because [I was] among friends.' 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! The GMB team also addressed Helen Worth's departure after 50 years on the Street as Gail Rodwell, and wondered whether that would be enough to tempt her back, something which Thelma was very quick to shut down! More Trending 'Oh don't keep on!' she said. 'Leave me alone…Not many people I knew are in it now.' It sounds as though she's keen to keep the past in the past, but then again, if you were to ask Mavis herself – she 'wouldn't really know'! View More » This article was originally published on 1 July 2024. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – 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: ITV viewers are sobbing over new series that's 'television at its best' MORE: I'm A Celebrity legend who only lasted 3 days 'tipped to return' MORE: Celebrity Big Brother's JoJo Siwa reveals how she really dumped ex at afterparty
North Wales Chronicle
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
95-year-old Coronation Street star comes out of retirement
Actress Thelma Barlow, who is known for playing Mavis Wilton on the ITV show, had a 26-year run on the programme before leaving in 1997. Now, the star has revealed she is starring in a new film called 'Sleepless in Settle'. According to the Radio Times, the 22-minute film sees Thelma star as Barbara, a character trying to find a romantic partner for her middle-aged son Alan (Graham Turner). The Coronation Street legend told the magazine that she was excited to join the project and revealed what tempted her to take part. She shared that the role of Barbara was specifically created for her by her friend, writer and director Judy Flynn. The ITV actress said: 'I was familiar with her work and knew it would be good. "The characters are so well drawn, it was a joy. "Good writing is easy to learn, there are some lovely lines that reminded me of when I joined Coronation Street.' New Coronation Street star breaks silence after backlash to 'affair' Coronation Street star gives birth to first baby and shares 'gorgeous' name Coronation Street star to return to soap after 25 years - but there's a twist The movie sees the character Barbara worrying that she does not have a lot of time left, leaving her terrified that her son will be left alone when she is gone. After watching Sleepless in Seattle, she comes to the conclusion that she needs to find her son a wife. Unfortunately, her efforts attract a high volume of interest, and she is found out.
Rhyl Journal
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
95-year-old Coronation Street star comes out of retirement
Actress Thelma Barlow, who is known for playing Mavis Wilton on the ITV show, had a 26-year run on the programme before leaving in 1997. Now, the star has revealed she is starring in a new film called 'Sleepless in Settle'. According to the Radio Times, the 22-minute film sees Thelma star as Barbara, a character trying to find a romantic partner for her middle-aged son Alan (Graham Turner). The Coronation Street legend told the magazine that she was excited to join the project and revealed what tempted her to take part. She shared that the role of Barbara was specifically created for her by her friend, writer and director Judy Flynn. The ITV actress said: 'I was familiar with her work and knew it would be good. "The characters are so well drawn, it was a joy. "Good writing is easy to learn, there are some lovely lines that reminded me of when I joined Coronation Street.' New Coronation Street star breaks silence after backlash to 'affair' Coronation Street star gives birth to first baby and shares 'gorgeous' name Coronation Street star to return to soap after 25 years - but there's a twist The movie sees the character Barbara worrying that she does not have a lot of time left, leaving her terrified that her son will be left alone when she is gone. After watching Sleepless in Seattle, she comes to the conclusion that she needs to find her son a wife. Unfortunately, her efforts attract a high volume of interest, and she is found out.
