Eileen Derbyshire is best known for her role in the ITV soap, Coronation Street, where she played Emily Bishop for more than 50 years before retiring from acting in 2016
A Coronation Street legend’s son has given an update on his famous mum, six years after she last graced the cobbles.
Eileen Derbyshire, 93, became a household name as ITV soap stalwart Emily Bishop, first stepping into the role in 1961 and bowing out of the acting game in 2016.
Although she made a fleeting return in 2019 with a cameo via video call, she’s kept a low profile since hanging up her acting hat.
In the world of the soap, Emily has jetted off to Edinburgh, swapping the streets of Weatherfield for Scottish adventures following her charitable stint in Peru. Meanwhile, back in the real world, Eileen has been a bit of a recluse, keeping quiet about her private life.
However, her son Oliver – who’s carved out a career as a sports journalist – has given Corrie fans a rare glimpse into his mum’s life. Chatting to The Times, he said his mum is “private, and one of the last of a dying breed of old-fashioned actresses who do it for the love of acting, not for all the attendant publicity”.
Recently, Oliver’s been digging through the family archives, unearthing relics from his mum’s glory days on the Street, including cast photos and a special framed collage celebrating the soap’s 30th birthday bash, reports the Express.
Taking to social media, he posted: “Back at my mum’s place. Found these packed away. Halcyon days of Coronation Street.”
He gave the lowdown on the collage, saying: “Still in its wrapping – photo marking 30th anniversary of the start of the Street.”
A worried fan popped up to ask, “I’m loving these memories, but is your mum okay?” which prompted Oliver to reply: “She’s doing OK. It’s kind of you to ask. She’s 93 now so she has a few issues but she’s well looked after and is happy.”
Back in 2021, Eileen was hit with some personal sorrow when her husband of 55 years passed away after losing his fight with Alzheimer’s.
Thomas W. Holt had swept Eileen off her feet back in 1964, and soon the lovebirds were nesting in a cozy Cheshire cottage and then came along their son Oliver.
Speaking fondly of his old man, Oliver shared: “My dad never forgot Stockport even when he was deep into his struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
“He wanted to go back there and revisit all the places of his youth. Sometimes, he asked me if I’d give him the bus fare for the journey.
“He was unconscious by the time I arrived but, after I had been sitting at his bedside for a while, I told him I’d been to watch the home game against Sutton United 10 days earlier.
“I told him that when I sat down, I’d made a point of glancing over – just as I always do – to the seats in Section A where we sat that first time he took me to Edgeley Park.
“I told him I could still see the man in the sheepskin jacket. I told him I could still smell the cigar smoke.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
