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.

Well that's the view of John Partridge who plays gay muscle man Christian Clarke in EastEnders. In an interview in gay mag, Attitude, out today, he says of Sean's character, played by 34 year old Antony Cotton: "What I didn't want as a stereotype was what I call a tea-time gay. The Sean Tully type of character is the reason my character is here."

He goes on to say: "I've worked in theatre for 20 years and there are lots of queens in The West End that look and act like that. I'm not going to diss his performance or his style, or say 'Who does he think he is representing?' because he is representing one of those shades of gay."

It may not be your taste, but if that character hadn't happened and been so successful, I don't think the BBC would have gone, 'Right we need a gay character."

Well fair point John but if Sean is a gay stereotype, then surely a 'Muscle Mary' who wears a tight vest all the time in EastEnders is just as much as of a gay stereotype! Tell us what you think

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.

Norris thinks he's in line for a fortune when Blanche's will is read out in Coronation Street, only to find out that she has cancelled her copy of Crossword Monthly! And Betty is snubbed when Blanche insists on Elliot's pies at her wake and "definitely none of those terrible Betty's Hotpots".

These are just some of the japes that Blanche plays on her 'friends' and family from beyond the grave. According to the Daily Mirror, she also describes Ken as a "serial cheat" and demands her wake be held at an expensive hotel even though "he'll try to bury me on the cheap".

The reading of Blanche's will and her funeral will be seen in Coronation Street in May. Actress Maggie Jones who played battleaxe Blanche died in December, aged 75.

William Roache (Ken Barlow) led the tributes at Maggie Jones' memorial service today at Salford Cathedral describing her as "our on-screen, live-in, scene-stealing battle-axe," played by a "unique and truly wonderful" actress.

To laughter he recited some of Blanche Hunt's most caustic one-liners, describing the Rovers Return's brassy barmaid Liz McDonald with: "Skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eyeliner and roots as dark as her soul."

Blanche also branded Roy Cropper as "someone who should be crayoning summat".

"In lesser hands some of these lines could seem cruel, vicious even," Roache said, "I think only Maggie could have turned them into pure comedy gold."

Roache said her character, a straight-talking Northern mother-in-law, had a habit of putting people in their place which "rang a chord with the nation". He added: "We will miss Maggie deeply. We shall miss her as a friend and as a colleague."

"She grabbed the role of Blanche with both hands and turned it into something truly unique, which will become a legendary part of Coronation Street and British TV history."

Poor Shobna Gulati. In her role as Coronation Street's Sunita she virtually has to beat Dev away with a big stick. But in real life, she has just found out that her boyfriend has cheated on her with not one, not two, but three other women.

The Coronation Street star revealed to the News of the World (where else) she learned about his infidelity after reading the raunchy text messages to other girls on his mobile.

"I saw three names and they all began with 'S'. They were Asian names and all the girls worked in our industry. I couldn't believe it. The texts were about how lovely they were and how great their sex life was. I threw his mobile and everything at him. I was shouting and crying."

She added: "It was very harrowing to discover his infidelity. I'd fallen in love with him but he was such an adept liar."

Now happily single, the Brit said: "I'd like the sexual excitement of a relationship. But I'm not sure if meeting someone is a real desire anymore."

News of the World

Awww doesn't she look cute as this picture - on the left - taken from 2000 (courtesy of a Helen Flanagan blog) shows. Helen, who celebrated her 10th Anniversary on the show on January 23rd as Rosie Webster has certainly transformed from the shy young girl to the saucy minx she is today.

"I've grown with her although I'm nothing like her. She's gone through so many changes, from being a little girl through her gothic phase and falling in love with Craig, to going off the rails."

Having taken over the role from Emma Collinge, Helen said her first day on the Corrie set was an emotional one. "Sally Whittaker, who plays my mum Sally Webster, was like a real mum to me while we were filming.

"She came up and gave me a really big hug. I feel so lucky to be in Coronation Street and to have been given the opportunity to grow up as part of such an amazing institution."

Last week, Helen Flanagan confessed in an interview that she had a crush on former co-star Richard Fleeshman who played her boyfriend Craig Harris. "He's so nice and so beautiful, and I had this huge, painful crush on him. I think all the girls did though because he is so, so charming and stuff."

Via This is Lancashire

Actress Sally Lindsay, who played pub barmaid Shelley Unwin, has ruled out a return to Corrie for now, saying that she has "lots of other things to do".

According to the Daily Record, she said: "I never say never but there's too much going on in other parts of my career to even contemplate it."

"Once you are in the Street, you can't do anything else, you can't dip in and out of it, so it would have to be a massive commitment."

"My heart was in it right until the end. I left before it wasn't. You can't really fake it with a character like Shelley."

Sally, who started off as a comedy actress, has appeared in several theatre productions since leaving the Street and has also just filmed a second series of BBC3 sketch show Scallwagga. She told the Daily Record:

"I love doing comedy telly because there's nothing like it. It's just so throw-away and mental whereas in theatre it's quite a deep and difficult process you have to go through to get the play right."

Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn congratulates Loose Women on their National TV Award, talks about the kindness of Corrie fans and says how she got into the soap. "Actually it were the money," she says honestly.

The evening ended on a high with Coronation Street winning the award for Best Serial Drama. It seemed the whole cast and crew invaded the stage to celebrate the last award of the night.

Cravat-wearing Craig Charles who plays cabbie Lloyd carried Peter Barlow's son Simon aloft as did presenter Dermot O'Leary. And what was it with the cravats? Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald, also wore one. I think there must have been a bet in the cab office.

While Craig Gazey won best newcomer for his performance as Graeme Proctor, elsewhere it was a mixed night for Coronation Street. With three Coronation Street actors up for the Best Serial Drama Performance award (Katherine Kelly, Simon Gregson and Gray O'Brien) against one EastEnders actor, a Corrie victory looked almost inevitable.

But unfortunately for Corrie fans, EastEnders' Lacey Turner who plays Stacey Slater in the London-based soap scooped the award voted for by the British public. Elsewhere William Roache and Jack Shepherd (Ken Barlow and David Platt) reminded fans of why Corrie, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, is streets ahead of its competition - though William Roache did look particularly wooden delivering his lines.

We were greeted to a sneak preview of some of the forthcoming story lines including Joe's watery exit and Peter Barlow dramatic fall off the wagon.

Corrie's Craig Gazey has won the Best Newcomer Award in the National Television Awards. Up against mostly serious drama actors from Emmerdale and Eastenders, Craig won for his comedy performance as the unlucky in love Graeme Proctor.

Acknowledging the award he announced to casting directors that 'he could do serious' before dedicating the gong to the late great Maggie Jones who plaid Blanche Hunt. "She just got better and better." Certainly you couldn't doubt Craig's infectious enthusiasm as he commanded the stage with his larger than life personality. "Give me a jacket I feel like a rockstar," he said.

See Craig Gazey, aka Graeme Proctor, on Loose Women talking about finding love in the Street very soon!

There's a chance to see Kym Marsh as you don't normally see her, all dressed up in her gladrags as she takes on the likes of Bernie Nolan, McFly's Danny Jones and Blur's Alex James in ITV1's From Popstar to Operastar tomorrow night.

Speaking to ITV she said: "You can be sure I'll be wearing something glamorous."

"You can't sing opera in a pair of jeans. I spend enough time in tracksuits looking after the kids and going back and forth to Corrie. I love getting dressed up."

Talking about the show she added: "It might well convert a lot of people to opera, which can only be a good thing."

It's presented by Kym's former Hear'Say bandmate, Myleene Klass and gardener cum chat show host Alan Titchmarsh.

From Popstar to Opera Star, ITV1, Friday, 15 January 2010, 9pm to 10.30pm

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO START KYM MARSH GALLERY

He was the bad boy of Corrie in his day, but now it seems that actor Nigel Pivaro who played Jack and Vera's son Terry has got a taste of his own character's medicine.

Ironically Pivaro, 50, was shooting a film funded by probation services and prisoners' charities when a youth on a motorbike in Salford stole his sound gear. Nigel, who now works as a journalist, and his producer Julia Berg gave chase to the thief but he got away.

Nigel said: "It is ironic that the film that seeks to help offenders go straight was put in jeopardy by a criminal who might need help himself one day."

Via The Daily Express

As has been widely reported, filming of Coronation Street had to be stopped yesterday because heavy snowfall meant most of the cast and crew couldn't get in. But you'll be pleased to hear that today it was business as usual - though the filming took place indoors because otherwise all of the snow would have to be cleared from the cobbles. Here we have some nice pics of the Street in the snow, taken from the official Corrie site. You can just about make out the Corrie snowman in picture 3!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE CORONATION STREET IN THE SNOW

Dog lover Kym Marsh, who plays Coronation Street's Michelle Connor, phoned This Morning this morning to offer a home to an abandoned dog, reports Now Magazine.

Apparently within minutes of seeing a three-month-old retriever-cross puppy called Oliver, Coronation Street star Kym, 33, rang in to try to adopt him. "We can't obviously just give Olly away, even to Kym, but we are putting her in touch with the RSPCA and they can hopefully sort it out between the two of them," said host Phillip Schofield.

A spokeswoman told the Daily Record: "Kym was obviously moved by what she had seen. We are delighted to have been able to help the dogs get a home."

The full list of nominees has been published for this year's National Television Awards with Coronation Street not surprisingly dominating the best drama category.

There are no less than three Corrie nominations for Gray O'Brien, Katherine Kelly and Simon Gregson with EastEnders star Lacey Turner also up for a gong (you wouldn't fancy her chances). Our money is on Katherine Kelly to scoop the award as Becky McDonald - what do you think?

Should you wish you will be able to vote online for the recipients of the awards which will be hosted by Dermot O'Leary at a ceremony at London's O2 Arena on January 20th and televised on ITV1, 7.30pm. Click through to see the full list of nominations.

http://www.nationaltvawards.com/default.aspx?page=2&

Tina O'Brien is set to switch to BBC drama Waterloo Road because she doesn't want to work with ex-boyfriend Ryan Thomas, reports stv.

The 26 year old actress who plays Sarah Louise Platt had initially hoped to return to Corrie next year but plans were shelved following her split from Ryan Thomas who plays builder Jason Grimshaw in the soap. A source told stv: "They would have had lots of scenes together and the atmosphere would have been unbearable."

Tina and Ryan have a 13-month-old daughter Scarlett together but the breakdown of their relationship has been particularly acrimonious. Ryan Thomas was recently arrested on suspicion of assaulting Tina O'Brien, but charges were later dropped. He said afterwards: "I have not and would never assault Tina. The police are satisfied this was the case."

Here's a pic of the Corrie cast in this year's panto taken from The Lancashire Telegraph. It's the first time a panto production has graced the soap since 1975 when Deirdre Barlow played Cinderella and of course Betty played the fairy.

Says 89 year old Betty Driver whose character reprised the fairy this time round too. "I think my dress was a lot nicer this time around. It was fabulous with a gold bodice, a tiara and a magic wand. Last time I looked a swine. The dress was all white and very virginal.

"This time I got a throne to sit on too and they threw sparkle all over me - I was finding it in all sorts of peculiar places afterwards.

"We did it in the Rovers, so it was quite a tight squeeze. But the young ones in the show are such a great bunch and we all have such a good time."

The panto will be aired on Christmas Eve episode of Coronation Street.

Great story in yesterday's News of The World about how Coronation Street's stars are earning £3000 a time plus expenses from opening Poundland stores.

Apparently between them the Corrie stars have opened up a whopping 48 stores with Andy Whyment (Kirk) and Antony Cotton (Sean) topping the Poundland Premier league having opened 16 stores each. Sales at Poundland have rocketed because of the recession and the chain has been able to expand thanks to taking over on the high street from Woolworths.

Good to see the cast using their celebrity status to top up their salaries. Hope they use their money to buy their friends and family some nice expensive presents this Christmas, rather than going to Poundland for the bargains!!

It's that time of year when all the soap stars take a few weeks off for panto - or at least juggle it round their hectic filming schedules. Oh no they don't, oh yes they do! Expect Corrie to be a ghost town then in February when the episodes they are filming now go out on air.

Boasting its fair share of Corrie stars, both past and present, is Aladdin at the Opera House in Manchester. Chief draw will be Gray O'Brien who plays bad boy Tony Gordon - I'll be keeping an eye out for him as the evil Abanazar (he can expect quite a few boos after his actions this year). But he's not the only Corrie star making an appearance in Aladdin.

Also in the cast is Sue Devaney who played Kevin Webster's little sister in the 1980s (I don't remember her either). She plays Genie of The Ring. But best of all is Eric Potts who was wonderful as Diggory Compton in Corrie. And I'm sure he'll be great as the panto dame Widow Twankey.

Aladdin can be seen at the Opera House in Quay Street until January 3. Ring 0844 847 2295 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk.

Got an interesting Corrie star, either past or present, appearing in panto near you. Then leave a comment below to let us know.

Some truly scary pictures over at The Daily Mail of Helen Flanagan, who plays 'troubled' Robie Webster (that's a nice way of saying she plays a complete bitch).

Now I normally think Helen is really pretty and I even rocked the goth look she had a few years back - though she hated it apparently. But what in God's name does she look like with those fake eyelashes, crop top, and leather kecks.

I hate to find myself agreeing with the Mail, but she looks like she's been dragged through a hedge backwards. So here's a nice piccie of her looking not so much like Dolly Parton with dark hair.

Following the sad news of Maggie Jones' death, here's a YouTube tribute to the actress who played the late, great Blanche Hunt. Maggie first entered Coronation Street in 1974 and in the first clip (she looks very different from how she looked in much later episodes) you can see her slapping Deirdre's then husband Ray Langton. Starting as she meant to go on then!!

Sad news indeed. Maggie Jones who plays acid-tongued battleaxe Blanche Hunt has died. Jones, 75, who had been in a Manchester hospital for nearly two months with an undisclosed illness, died peacefully in her sleep earlier today.

In a web chat last month, Corrie producer Kim Crowther had said she was making 'slow progress', but Jones never fully recovered. In October it was reported in the tabloids that she had ruptured her spleen but this was later denied by a Coronation Street spokeswoman. The soap will not be the same without Blanche's put-downs. She will be sorely missed.