Coronation Street star Beverley Callard who plays Rovers Returns landlady Liz McDonald has revealed that she has been receiving treatment for a nervous breakdown and depression.

Callard was absent from the soap for five months last year. Viewers were told Liz had jetted to Spain to stay with her son Andy.

But Callard's disappearance from Weatherfield was today revealed to be the result of a "serious breakdown" for which she received treatment in the Priory Clinic.

She said: "I have been speaking to the mental health charity Mind about lending my support to the work they do - I feel it is really important to try and help lift the stigma that makes life so difficult for the one in four people who experience mental health problems."

We wish her all the best with her recovery.

Comedy actress June Whitfield is to guest star in two episodes of Coronation Street as one of Blanche's old pals.

The 84-year-old veteran of the Carry On films and Absolutely Fabulous turns up at the old battleaxe's funeral.

The plot will reveal that Blanche, played by the late Maggie Jones, was staying with June's character May in Portugal before she died.

June's scenes will be shown in early May. We celebrate with a gallery of just some of her famous roles over the years.

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO START JUNE WHITFIELD GALLERY

Coronation Street is taking to the stage in a proper play (not a panto this time!) bringing the show's 50 years to life. Written by Corrie script writer, Jonathan Harvey, the stage show will take theatre-goers through over 7000 episodes and 2000 storylines including 115 deaths, 37 births and 86 marriages, in under two hours!

Says the ITV press office. "You'll be able to laugh together all over again with your favourite characters including Ena Sharples, Bet Lynch and Curly Watts. You'll also be able to relive the darker side of the street with the revival of Richard Hillman and Alan Bradley and shed some tears remembering the sadder side of life on the cobbles like when we said goodbye to Vera."

It will be launched at the Lowry Theatre, in Salford, before embarking on a nationwide tour. The actors haven't yet been cast.

See here for more information

As pics go it's not very exciting. But over on the official ITV website there's the first shot of Kate Ford back as Tracy Barlow.

In the picture she's asking the prison governor if she can attend her grandma Blanche's funeral. Judging by the smile it seems she's got her own way.

Tracy is currently in prison for murdering her boyfriend Charlie Stubbs. She'll be back on our screens in May.

You can see the picture here.

Amazingly EastEnders, Casualty and even the Bill have all been nominated at the Royal Television Awards. But Coronation Street, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has not even been shortlisted for the Best Soap/Continuing Drama gong.

But it seems that Britain's best soap is taking it on the chin. A Coronation Street spokesperson told Digitalspy: "The three nominees have had an excellent year and fully deserve their nominations. We are very excited about the year ahead and have some fantastic storylines planned as we head towards our 50th anniversary. We have, of course, already been recognised with our National TV Awards win in January."

Meanwhile, reality show Britain's Got Talent will battle it out against The X Factor and Newswipe with Charlie Brooker under the best entertainment show category, while Ant and Dec are up against Harry Hill and Michael McIntyre for the best entertainment performance.

The prestigious awards ceremony will take place at London's Grosvenor House on March 16.

According to The Sunday People, that most august of journals, Corrie is set to blow EastEnders' popular 25th anniversary celebrations out the water by bringing back a load of popular old characters for its 50th anniversary - including Hilda Ogden, Curly Watts and Mavis Riley.

Not sure if I believe this one. It seems like an old story that's doing the rounds once again and there doesn't seem to be that much new information in it (it even mentions Noel Gallagher appearing in the show which has been rumoured for ages too). And Jean Alexander who played Hilda is well into her 80s.

Still, one thing's for sure Corrie will be blowing the budget on this one, in order to get maximum publicity and ratings. No doubt about it, EastEnders did very well with the live show in which we found out who killed Archie (personally I don't care) with nearly 17 million viewers. And Corrie will be hoping to beat that.

Kym Marsh, who plays Corrie's Michelle Connor, has waded into the row over the National TV Awards by saying in her New magazine column that the Beeb's complaints were just sour grapes, reports Digital Spy.

Kym Marsh claimed that BBC insiders were making "excuses" when they accused National Television Awards bosses of being biased towards Coronation Street when it won the 'Most Popular Serial Drama' prize ahead of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.

Writing under the headline "Sour grapes" in her column, Marsh said:
"They always have an excuse when we win! But it was just our year. You don't get to 50 [years] without making good TV. So 'in your face' is all I can say!"

BBC sources claimed that viewers may have been influenced by a three-minute Coronation Street showcase which aired on the NTVA programme while vote lines were still open. However, the ceremony's independent adjudicator PromoVeritas later dismissed the claims by confirming that the ITV1 drama had been ahead at all stages of the voting.

For years Hilda's flying ducks (pictured) were a regular on the Street thanks to Hilda's 'Muriel'. But now it seems that another bird is putting pay to Corrie's proposed move to Salford Quays.

STV reports that the noise of seagulls have foiled plans for a 'Coronation Street' set relocation, relocation, relocation.

Craig Gazey who plays Graeme Proctor told Manchester radio station Key 103: "I heard they were going to take it to Salford Quays, but someone mentioned the seagulls.

"Because it's based in Greater Manchester, Weatherfield can't suddenly have seagulls, because obviously we film outside - we can't have, like, 'All right Ken' and then seagull noises."

The actor said ITV producers were now in the process of finding another location to shoot the soap, which has used the same exterior set since it was built in 1982. He added: "We do need a new Street because as we're going into HD it's going to look absolutely rubbish."

Last chance to vote for Corrie in tomorrow's National TV Awards. Here's a reminder of who is up for an award:

Serial drama performance:
Gray O'Brien (Tony),
Katherine Kelly (Becky)
Simon Gregson (Steve)

Best newcomer:
Craig Gazey (Graeme)

All votes must be in by tomorrow, January 20th. You can see a video of the award nominees here.

Vote here.

The Guardian reports that talks are underway to demolish Coronation Street as part of ITV's plans to relocate the set and its offices to the £600m MediaCityUK development in Salford Quays, Manchester.

MediaCityUK developers Peel Media said that a site had been "pre-allocated" to ITV. An ITV spokesman said: "The Peel Group has been in contact with ITV and discussions have taken place."

Coronation Street's current set was built in Quay Street in the early 1980s, but some commentators think that with the transition towards high-definition broadcasting it's necessary to rebuild the ageing site so that it looks better on screen.

From the official Corrie website: Molly Dobbs finally tells her hubby Tyrone that she doesn't want to be with him. They have a row after Tyrone turns down the job in Cheshire and Molly decides she can't live a lie anymore.

Tyrone is caught completely off-guard by his wife's confession. Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone, said: "Tyrone gets some worldly advice from Jack which is always fun. He tries to lay the law down and then Molly hits him with the bombshell that she's leaving him."

Watch the full interview here.

According to Unreality TV Tracey Barlow is set to make a dramatic return to Coronation Street this summer.

Kate Ford who was fantastic as the murderess is to begin filming scenes in March with her first episodes going out a few months later. She is planning to make a full return to the Street in 2011.

Will be interesting to see how Steve and new wife Becky cope with Amy's mother on the scene as a result of being let out of prison early. Maybe it might Becky think again about having children of her own. But then again if she really is considering Bonjela as a first name perhaps it's best if she doesn't!

Bellagio Time has signed up a two year deal with Coronation Street to create pieces inspired by Coronation Street's 50th anniversary, reports Licensing Biz.

The firm - which already has celebrity endorsements from the likes of Nikki Sanderson, Tina O'Brien, Denise Welsh and Richard Fleeshman - will be designing watches, clocks and pendants from £20 up to £200 for certain special editions. Also available will be one-off limited edition timepieces to be auctioned for charity.

"We are extremely excited to be working with ITV Studios in creating a unique collection of products in celebration of Coronation Street's 50th anniversary," Bellagio Time MD Mike Cohen told Licensing.biz." It's sure to be the first of many such deals to mark Corrie's Golden Jubilee as ITV looks set to cash in on the amazing success of the soap.

Via Licensing Biz

Everyone's looked at their own house and had a nosey up and down their own street and around the local shops. But now you can check out Coronation Street on Google Street View.

The 360-degree images of the famous cobbles have taken the Google Street View team months to piece together, but they are now available for you to explore as if you were an actual Corrie character or visitor wanting to find your way to the Kabin or Roy's Rolls.

Coronation Street is the first TV soap to feature on Google Street View. The soap's producers threw open the gates to the set for the special Google car with camera equipment on its roof earlier this year to mark the re-launch of its website. Says a Corrie spokesman. "Thanks to Street View, fans will be able to have a good nose around the set in a way that would have been unimaginable almost 50 years ago when the show first aired."

Betty's trademark hotpots have been famous in Coronation Street for years. They've provided many a hungry local with sustenance and are of course the perfect complement to a pint of Newton and Ridley's. But now it seems the hotpot is the centre of a massive scandal.

In a dramatic storyline airing February, Steve McDonald throws a 90th birthday party for Betty and tells the Weatherfield Gazette the do is to celebrate the fact that she is the oldest barmaid in Weatherfield. But when 91 year old barmaid Enid Crump turns up at The Rovers spitting feathers Steve tries to pacify her with a glass of sherry and a dodgy old hotpot pulled from the back of the freezer.

When Enid is rushed to hospital with suspected food poisoning, Betty worries that she might go to prison. "It's murder. I'll have killed her. I'm too old to go to prison," Betty tells Steve. "I'll never come out alive." Steve, however, it seems is less sympathetic: "Look on the bright side, if Enid dies, you can then officially call yourself the undisputed Oldest Barmaid in Town." Classic Corrie stuff. Can't wait.

He may be best known for his hard man roles in programmes like Callan and Colditz but this time it seems that the floor got the better of him. Apparently, 70 year old Anthony Valentine, who plays George Wilson, the grandad of Peter Baldwin's son Simon, slipped on the floor and hit his head as he walked off set.

Production crew ran to help but fortunately he was not badly hurt, just shaken. There have been several injuries on Corrie's set this year. Robert Beck, who plays killer Jimmy Dockerson, injured his hand and a producer was hit by a car. Meanwhile, Maggie Jones who plays battleaxe Blanche Hunt is making a 'slow and steady recovery' according to Corrie's now ex producer Kim Crowther.

It's a rumour that has been doing the rounds for a year or so, ever since he told The Daily Star "why they've never asked me to be in it is really one of the scandals of our age." But now Noel Gallagher, who is known to be a huge fan of the soap, is looking set to appear in Corrie as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations next year.

Producer Kim Crowther told NME.com that she would love to bring the ex-Oasis star into the show alongside some older characters: "I would love to bring Hilda back and Mavis. Noel Gallagher would be great."

If Gallagher does make a cameo on the series he won't be the first rock/pop star to appear. Slade's Noddy Holder, also a hero of Gallagher's, appeared as Stan Potter in a live episode in 2000 to mark Corrie's 40th Anniversary. And of course Status Quo's Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt appeared as themselves in 2005, drinking in The Rovers and playing at Les and Cilla's wedding.

Personally I don't like it all when new characters come back as completely different actors and often I don't warm to them at all. Take Sophie Webster, played by Brooke Vincent. I'm sure she's lovely person, but I just see her as an interloper - pretending to be the Webster's younger daughter, they just haven't realised it yet.

Of course, there are some exceptions, perhaps most notably Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) who really brought a fairly dull character to life in my opinion. But on the whole they haven't been so successful. Which brings us to Nick Tilsley. Played by Adam Rickitt, an actor so wooden he would have been better off in Corrie's Timber Yard, I was actually really pleased to see him go in 2004 despite his good looks (I'm only jealous).

But now Nick is back, only this time played by actor Ben Price which can only be a good thing. Best known as bisexual love rat Conrad Gates in Footballers' Wives, Ben makes his Street debut on December 21st in time for Gail marrying Joe (nevermind that he's around eight years older in real life than the 29 year old character). I only hope he plays a good part.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE SOME PICTURES OF BEN PRICE

Coronation Street is set to become the first ever TV soap to feature on Google Street view! The popular Google tool - that allows you to take virtual 360° trips down roads throughout the world - will have our famous cobbled street available for viewing sometime in the next year.

The well-known Google Street view car - fitted with a rooftop rotating camera - has already taken it's trip down the Street, photographing it from all angles to allow the images to be carefully stitched together to make for 360° viewing. The Google car's visit coincides with the launch of the new ITV Corrie website.

A Corrie spokesman said: "Thanks to [Google] Street View, fans will be able to have a good nose around the set in a way that would have been unimaginable almost 50 years ago when the show first aired. "

Sounds like a fantastic idea, looking forward to seeing the finished result! Comment us with your thoughts on Corrie in 360°.

UPDATED 7.23PM: It turns out this was merely a story blown out of proportion by The Sun, and fans will be pleased to hear Rita is not retiring from the Kabin. An ITV spokesperson said: "We don't want to spoil the storyline for viewers, but rest assured Rita will not be permanently quitting the Kabin at all."

Rita Sullivan is set to step down from her role as newsagent in the Kabin after 36 years. The shock news broke today, and comes just a day after it was announced that Jack Duckworth is moving out of Coronation Street.

Rita will inform Norris and Emily of her retirement following Ramsay's wake, when she considers how short life can be. She tells them: "His death made me think about why I'm working at the shop when I don't need to. I'm fed up of working, I'm going to retire. I know I've said it before but this time I mean it and I won't be changing my mind."

This leaves the door in the Kabin open to some new faces, and Tina is expected to take up a bigger role in the running of the business. It is unclear yet if this will mean Rita's role in the show will be reduced.

What are your thoughts on the news? I'm hoping this doesn't mean we'll be seeing less of Rita now, and she will continue to play a significant part on the Street. Quite surprised at the decision, but in retrospect it is not too surprising as Rita is in her 70s now. Sound off below!

The sad news has broken today that Corrie's Jack Duckworth is to move out of Coronation Street, as actor Bill Tarmey cuts back his workload due to ongoing health problems. It has been stressed that he is not leaving the show altogether, and will still pop into the Rovers for occasional scenes.

Jack's set to move in with Connie, following the discovery that she is actually a millionaire and lives in a mansion in Middleton. It sounds like his final scenes in No9 will be emotional though, with plenty of reminicising about Vera.

He is set to make a moving tribute to her when looking back over photo albums, saying to himself: "Well Vee, I suppose this is it. Everybody knows we had more than our share of ups and downs between these walls. But we were happy here until you decided to sneak off to heaven before closing time. It's not like Connie will ever replace you. You know that don't you, my little puddle-duck? Aye, I'm sure you do."

A farewell drink in the Rovers with Rita and an emotional goodbye to Tyrone are also planned, and it sounds like Jack will only play a very minor role in the show in the future. Actor Bill Tarmey has had a series of health problems over the years, and requested to have his workload significantly reduced.

I'll be very sad to see Jack go! I enjoy his scenes with Connie and we know he will be enjoying life away from the Street, but I can't help thinking despite the promise to keep him in the show, we won't see much of him again. What's your thoughts on Jack's departure? Comment below!

Simon Gregson - Corrie's Steve McDonald - and his fiancée Emma Gleave have welcomed the arrival of their second son following a premature birth on Sunday. A delighted Simon and Emma have named him Harry, and he will be a younger brother for their 23-month-old son Alfie.

Scenes were re-written to allow Simon to be by Emma's side, as the surprise birth came two months early.

Our congratulations go out to them from Corrieblog!

The news broke during last week that Coronation Street's schedule is being altered. From July 23rd, the traditional Wednesday at 7.30pm episode is being moved to a new timeslot of Thursday at 8.30pm.

The Wednesday episode has been a fixture for the show since the early 1970s, but ITV bosses now feel it is best to move it to accommodate for their commitments to football contracts. An ITV spokesman said: "Coronation Street will make a move from Wednesday to Thursday nights on ITV1 from July 23 as part of a change to the schedule to reflect ITV's contracts for the Champions League, FA Cup and England internationals."

I do think it's a shame, as I enjoyed having the show spread evenly through the week, but we aren't losing an episode so it should only be a minor difference in the long run. This way we also won't need to watch out for any schedule changes due to the football.

What are your thoughts on the schedule change? Comment below :)

ITV.com's weekly behind-the-scenes video this week talks through the events leading up to the birth of Baby Connor with Samia Smith (Maria) and Gray O'Brien (Tony).

Maria and Tony head off for a walk on a deserted beach in the hope of bringing on the baby faster - only for Maria to go into labour right there and then!

"Maria's absolutely petrified when she realises she's in labour on the beach," says Samia. "But thank god she's got Tony there."

Gray adds: "I think it's Tony's true colours coming through. He really cares for Maria and he's obviously completely guilt-ridden about Liam's death, and he's trying to do everything he can to make amends."

Gray also discusses his shirtless role in the birth, and Samia adds how she hopes her birth will be different from Maria's!

* The ITV's Coronation Street website has had a major overhaul, and now looks fantastic! Well worth a look, there are great new character profiles in the process of being uploaded, with the each cast member doing a video description about their character, and much easier navigation around the site. Overall, much more modern and professional looking, hats off to ITV!