Coronation Street legend Maureen Lipman has spilled the beans on what it’s really like behind-the-scenes on the soap as she sets to take a break from the drama of Weatherfield.
The veteran actress first strutted onto the cobbles 22 years ago as Lillian Spencer who was hired by Fred Elliott (portrayed by John Savident) at the Rovers Return.
Back in 2018, she made a comeback, taking on the role of Evelyn Plummer, Tyrone Dobbs’ (Alan Halsall) long-lost nan.
Opening up about her stint since her return, Maureen said “it’s a tough job” due to the lack of rehearsal time nowadays.
She revealed: “It didn’t use to be like that. Coronation Street used to have a fully planned-out run by producers but now you’re in and out. I mean, it sorts the weak from the strong, because you’ve got to be able to do that.
“It’s pretty scary when you start but it’s fine, it’s good for you. As a young actor, you’ve got to be on fire and as a writer, you’ve got to be pretty quick off the mark, and sometimes it could be better.”
(Image: REX/ITV)
The 78-year-old went on to say while there isn’t much time to socialise away from the scenes, she is particularly friendly with her fellow cast members; Roy Cropper actor David Neilson, her on-screen grandson Alan, and Fizz actress Jennie McAlpine.
She added to Best Magazine: “They’re a nice group of people but I don’t see them sociably, unless maybe David or Alan.
“There is no social life at Coronation Street. Everyone goes home to their kids and their mortgages, but it’s still a family,” reports the Mirror.
When she’s not on the famous cobbles, Maureen enjoys some down time with her new partner David Turner, who she met through mutual friends, and her beloved children and grandchildren.
“I’m very lucky that I’ve got my kids and grandkids and I’ve got a lovely man in my life, so what’s to complain about,” she gushed to the publication.
It’s likely the soap star will have more time with her loved ones later this year when they see her in her dazzling new pantomime role in Beauty and the Beast.
She’ll be sharing the stage with Pete Firman for a four-week run, which means a brief break from Weatherfield.
A Coronation Street spokeswoman has confirmed: “Dame Maureen is taking a sabbatical from Coronation Street towards the end of the year. We look forward to seeing her back on the cobbles in 2025.
“Maureen herself couldn’t resist sharing her excitement about the panto gig, saying: “They asked me to do Panto and I said ‘Oh no I can’t’. They said ‘OH YES YOU CAN’.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
