BIG changes are ahead in the cobbles with one soap star bowing out in the summer after 12 years.
Coronation Street bosses have recently announced an exciting addition to the line-up. Here’s what you need to know.
Tyrone Dobbs will have to adapt to Fiz’s departure
But he’s set for a shock reunion
Cassandra Plummer (Claire Sweeney) – joining
Evelyn Plummer (portrayed by Dame Maureen Lipman) claimed her daughter Cassandra, aka Cassie, was dead.
But how will she explain her arrival in the cobbles to her grandson Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall)?
Brookside star Claire Sweeney will join the Corrie line-up this summer as the mechanic’s long-lost mother.
Speaking of her arrival, the actress said: “Even though I’ve been lucky enough to have enjoyed an amazingly varied career for nearly 40 years – being cast in Coronation Street is, to me, better than being cast in a Hollywood movie!”
“I’ve watched it all my life and can’t quite believe that I’ll now be stepping onto those famous cobbles myself.”
“I was really nervous when I got the scripts to audition as this show means so much to me and my family and this is Corrie gold, I was beyond thrilled and very grateful when I got the call that Iain MacLeod is trusting me to play Tyrone’s Mum and work alongside one of my heroes, Dame Maureen Lipman.”
How will the awkward family reunion play out?
Faye Windass will be saying goodbye to the street she grew up in
Faye Windass (Ellie Leach) – leaving
Corrie favourite Faye Windass is set to depart the soap after 12 years on our screens.
The actress, who plays Faye Windass, has been written out and her last scenes will air on the ITV soap in July.
Fortunately for Ellie, who is the cousin of former co-star Brooke Vincent, Corrie scriptwriters have saved her character from the death knell.
An insider said: “Ellie’s been on the soap since she was 10 years old so it’s all she’s known, she sees the cast like an extension of her family.
“She’s sad to be leaving, but grateful that her character won’t be killed off. She’s going to have a go at trying other acting roles for a bit.”
Ellie’s tackled some gritty storyline on the cobbles, including teen pregnancy, early menopause and was even sented to prison for attacking a neighbour.
Speaking about soap earlier this year Ellie said: “ I have been in Coronation Street for twelve years but it literally feels like I started yesterday. That’s over half my life! It’s mental. Faye has been through a lot.”
Jennie McAlpine will be leaving the cobbles
Fiz Dobbs (Jennie McAlpine) – leaving
The year 2022 ended on a high note for Underworld machinist Fiz Stape as she FINALLY tied the knot with on-off flame Tyrone Dobbs.
But soap legend Jennie McAlpine had some great news of her own off-screen.
The actress recently announced she was expecting her third child with her husband Chris Farr.
“Alan [Halsall aka Tyrone Dobbs] was the first person I told”, she told OK! Magazine.
“I was thinking, ‘I might not be feeling brilliant and if you bring any butter near me I might feel sick’. We’ve been busy, so he’s really looked after me – and the bosses.”
“They all know and they’re all really happy. We might have to start hiding Fiz behind a washing basket again!”
As of January, 2023, the Fiz star is six months pregnant, meaning she’d be leaving our screens during the summer or earlier.
Fiz will be leaving Weatherfield for an exciting job offer.
Serial killer Stephen Reid send the beloved machinist away to take the helm in Norwich but she will keep in touch with her family during her absence.
When will she return?
Paul Foreman was diagnosed with MND
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) – leaving
Paul will be killed-off later this year after the character is diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work, often impacting the patient’s senses such as sight, sound and feeling.
The soap is working closely the MND Association on this storyline and will explore the impact of the diagnosis on Paul and his loved ones as his condition progresses.
Actor Peter Ash said: “Paul is completely blindsided by the diagnosis and he decides to keep it from his family and friends as he tries to come to terms with the news.
“I knew very little about MND before embarking on the storyline and I am hugely grateful to the MND Association for all their help and support.
“For any actor playing a role which examines a real life issue or condition there comes a huge sense of responsibility and we are aware that some people watching this storyline are experiencing it in reality, it is their life.
“Awareness and education are really important. I have learned so much even in the short time I have been involved in this storyline. We hope Paul’s journey can make people more aware of the symptoms and what it is like for someone to live with MND.”
Hollyoaks’ Ben Hull is joining Coronation Street
Owen (Ben Hull) – joined
After her failed romance with Leo Thompkins, Jenny Connor will be kicking off Spring 2023 with a new love interest.
Former Hollyoaks star Ben Hull is joining the Corrie line-up in March as a man named Owen and the Rovers landlady will struggle to remain indifferent.
However, with a murderous Stephen Reid roaming around her, it could be hard for Jenny to form a connection with Owen without him ending up on the businessman’s hit list.
“Smooth-talking Owen will set the cat among the pigeons as the rep for an American company interested in Sarah and Michael’s new business”, a teaser read in Inside Soap.
“But it’s not just loungewear that Owen sets his sights on, once Jenny catches his eye.”
“What’s more, Stephen has invested in Michael and Sarah’s business, and won’t take kindly to someone muscling in on his turf. Is Owen set to give Stephen a run for his money?”
Will Stephen resort to murder again to eradicate his competition?
Ruthie is swapping the stage for the tv screen
Estelle (Ruthie Henshall) – joined
West End legend Ruthie Henshall is joining the cast of Coronation Street for a guest role as Estelle this Spring.
Described as an old friend of Glenda Shuttleworth – who is played by fellow theatre star Jodie Prenger – Estelle will first be seen having a row with George about the cost of her mother’s funeral, only to bump into Glenda and spend time reminiscing about their past life working on cruise ships together.
According to a spokesperson for the soap: “It’s not long before Estelle is trying to talk Glenda into buying into her theatre school franchise Little Big Shotz, but how will Eileen react when George offers to help his sister with financial backing?”
Henshall herself added: “Getting to act with Jodie was a joy and every member of the cast was welcoming and kind.
“Estelle is delighted to find her old friend Glenda and share a show tune or two to remember times spent entertaining on board cruises.
“I am so excited and delighted to be on the street where so many brilliant actors strut, and have strutted, their stuff.”
Andrew will be returning as Justin for his character’s trail in court
Justin (Andrew Still) – returning
Former Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road star Andrew Still made his Corrie debut when his character, Justin, bumped into Daisy Midgeley by chance at the hospital.
Unfortunately, Justin took a deep liking to her and this developed into an unhealthy obsession.
Justin then stalked Daisy online and then in real life in a bid to win her affection.
Daisy was left terrified by Justin and reported him to the police numerous times saying he was dangerous, but the legal system couldn’t help her.
Daisy was proven right when Justin went to drastic measures to stop her from marrying Daniel on the morning of her wedding.
Justin threw a glass of acid at Daisy with the intent of ruining her life but Ryan Connor was hit instead as he saved the bride.
The villain was then arrested as Ryan’s fate was left in the hands of paramedics who took him to hospital.
Soap bosses have confirmed Andrew will be coming back to Weatherfield after his arrest as his on-screen alter ego is due to face justice for a dramatic court case.
Will Daisy and Ryan get the justice they deserve?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
