CORONATION Street favourite Liam Connor is all set to become a dad — but will be murdered before wife Maria can give him the news.

The tragedy devastates long-suffering hairdresser Maria (Samia Smith), who finally believed she was poised for a happy future with the ex-factory owner.

 

She tied the knot with Liam (Rob James-Collier) after she first fell pregnant at the start of their romance early last year.

 

But shortly after the wedding, Maria miscarried while worrying about Liam’s illicit love for sister-in-law Carla (Alison King).

 

United by grief, the pair decide to give their marriage another chance and try for a baby — but Liam is destined never to know they succeed.

 

A top soap source said: “Losing the baby made them realise how much they love each other and they’re ready to play happy families and start again.

 

“So when Maria discovers she’s pregnant, she’s delighted and can’t wait to tell Liam.”

 

But his ill-fated night of passion with Carla comes back to haunt them. Her vengeful fiancé Tony Gordon (Gray O’Brien) learns about the fling and plots the ultimate cold-blooded revenge.

 

Our source revealed: “It’s going to be really hard for Maria. Not only is she denied the chance to tell Liam he’s going to be a dad, but she also discovers the extent of Carla and Liam’s love.”

 

Evil Tony is clearly the one who wants Liam dead.

 

But fans will be left with a “howdunnit” — wondering exactly how he has managed to kill the hunk.

 

 

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A spokeswoman confirmed: “Viewers will be on the edge of their seats.”

 

Actor Rob, 31 — who has twice won sexiest male soap star at the British Soap Awards — is leaving The Street after joining in 2006.

 

 

 

 

Awwww no way poor Maria :cry:

CORONATION Street favourite Liam Connor is all set to become a dad — but will be murdered before wife Maria can give him the news.

The tragedy devastates long-suffering hairdresser Maria (Samia Smith), who finally believed she was poised for a happy future with the ex-factory owner.

 

She tied the knot with Liam (Rob James-Collier) after she first fell pregnant at the start of their romance early last year.

 

But shortly after the wedding, Maria miscarried while worrying about Liam’s illicit love for sister-in-law Carla (Alison King).

 

United by grief, the pair decide to give their marriage another chance and try for a baby — but Liam is destined never to know they succeed.

 

A top soap source said: “Losing the baby made them realise how much they love each other and they’re ready to play happy families and start again.

 

“So when Maria discovers she’s pregnant, she’s delighted and can’t wait to tell Liam.”

 

But his ill-fated night of passion with Carla comes back to haunt them. Her vengeful fiancé Tony Gordon (Gray O’Brien) learns about the fling and plots the ultimate cold-blooded revenge.

 

Our source revealed: “It’s going to be really hard for Maria. Not only is she denied the chance to tell Liam he’s going to be a dad, but she also discovers the extent of Carla and Liam’s love.”

 

Evil Tony is clearly the one who wants Liam dead.

 

But fans will be left with a “howdunnit” — wondering exactly how he has managed to kill the hunk.

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A spokeswoman confirmed: “Viewers will be on the edge of their seats.”

 

Actor Rob, 31 — who has twice won sexiest male soap star at the British Soap Awards — is leaving The Street after joining in 2006.

 

 

 

 

Awwww no way poor Maria :cry:

 

Well I feel sorry for Michelle in all this!

A husband and now two brothers!

 

 

Norma

Edited September 11, 200816 yr by Norma_Snockers

Well I feel sorry for Michelle in all this!

A husband and now two brothers!

 

 

Norma

 

Ohhh yeh :o also now she has a cheating husband she'll soon find out that it was Becky no doubt :lol: poor girl.

I think Theresa's 'hinted at' attack on that slapper was excellent. Much better and more effective than the actual fight between the girls last week.

 

I hope we see this actress in some future up and coming dramas - she is terrific.

 

Norma

Edited September 13, 200816 yr by Norma_Snockers

yeah, teresa is excellent.

 

BIGAMIST Peter Barlow is coming back to Corrie — with his secret five-year-old son.

 

The bookie, played by Chris Gascoyne, was left to look after little Simon by estranged wife Lucy, before she died of cancer.

 

But Peter takes to fatherhood badly — and moves back in with dad Ken and stepmum Deirdre to get help.

 

A soap source told TV Biz: “He is stunned by his son’s arrival. He doesn’t know the first thing about kids.” Peter even tries to give Simon away after sinking double whiskies in the Rovers Return. The insider said he blurts out: “Does anybody want a five-year-old kid? I’ve got one I don’t want.”

 

Ken — actor William Roache — has to give him a talking to.

 

Dying Lucy, played by Katy Carmichael, tracked Peter down to give him Simon. She had quit the Street after learning he was also married to barmaid Shelley Unwin — actress Sally Lindsay.

 

Peter was last seen in Weatherfield in January last year for step-sister Tracy’s murder trial.

 

He had a fling with crimper Maria Sutherland, played by Samia Smith. Maria is now married to Liam Connor (Rob James-Collier). But Liam is set to be murdered and Peter could provide a shoulder to cry on.

 

 

 

 

Several new faces are set to appear in Coronation Street over the coming months as the Windass clan (yes, you read that right) turn up in Weatherfield.

 

The family comprises husband Eddie (Steve Huison) and wife Donna (Debbie Rush), their son Carl (Mikey North) and Eddie's brother, Len (Conor Ryan - not to be confused with Ryan Connor!). Their names, however, may change before they appear on screen - you wouldn't believe the number of name changes there have been since their inception!

 

Some of you may recognise the name 'Steve Huison'. He played Lomper in The Full Monty and more recently, The Royal Today's porter Norman Dunstan (pictured, above right).

 

Apparently, David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) will finally meet his match in Eddie Windass in a storyline which airs at the back end (no pun intended) of this year. And let's not forget there will be a vacant property on the Street at the end of the year when the last of the Mortons moves out...

 

Meanwhile, David's cellmate Graeme Proctor (Craig Gazey, pictured left) will make a return to our screens in November when he's released from the Young Offenders' Institute.

 

In other casting news, I was pleased to see Liam Connor's (Rob James-Collier) mother and father Barry (Frank Grimes) and Helen (Sorcha Cusack) on location, filming for their screen son's funeral. Obviously, I'm not happy about the occasion that they've returned for - losing Liam will be a big loss to Corrie - but I am pleased the storyline team has acknowledged his family. There have been various occasions in soap where important relatives have failed to turn up at such important ceremonies.

 

However, there's no sign of Archie Shuttleworth (Roy Hudd) again. He wasn't even there for Vera's funeral. Maybe he's gone out of business? Mind you, is it possible for an undertaker to go out of business?

 

And finally, Janice Battersby's (Vicky Entwistle) fancy man Roger Stiles (Andrew Dunn) will disappear from our screens at the beginning of next month when he discovers the truth about Janice's lottery scam. There are no current plans for the character to return, but the door has been left open.

 

I watched the show tonight and i must say i love dthe simple sceen between sally kevin and sophie,,,rosie however has to be one of the worst actresses in soap i find her portrayal so so fake

 

HAYLEY Cropper is on her way back to Corrie — with a new man, we can reveal.

Julie Hesmondhalgh, 38, who plays the transsexual has had a year’s break from the ITV1 soap after an exhausting workload.

 

In the plot, fans saw Hayley leave to do charity work in Africa.

 

But hubby Roy (David Nelson) is in for a shock when she returns and says she has fallen in love with a Swedish teacher called Olaf and is leaving him.

 

A show source said: “Hayley leaves Roy devastated, but soon discovers Olaf is a rogue and begs Roy for forgiveness. Will he take her back?”

 

 

I don't think this storyline will suit Hayley at all :mellow: its nothing like her

 

CORRIE favourites Samia Smith, Anne Kirkbride and Antony Cotton have signed to stay in Weatherfield for another year, The Sun can reveal.

 

The trio, who play Maria Connor, Deirdre Barlow and Sean Tully, were wooed by the promise of gripping storylines.

 

Sexy newcomer Michelle Keegan, 21, (Tina McIntyre) has also extended her agreement by 12 months, along with cutie Sam Aston, 15, (Chesney Battersby-Brown).

 

Our man in the Rovers said: “Maria, Deirdre and Sean are all lynchpins of Coronation Street.

 

“Samia has had a hectic year as Maria and there are plenty more storylines to come.

 

“After Liam’s murder she has to bring his baby into the world alone, and there’s heartbreak and joy lined up for her character.

 

“And Deirdre has a big role to play when husband Ken’s son Peter turns up next month and dumps his five year old son on them. His return causes real friction in the Barlow household.”

 

Bosses were thrilled to land Michelle, who has bagged a clutch of best soap newcomer gongs

 

Since her arrival as Tina — the girlfriend of dodgy David Platt (Jack P Shepherd, 20) — she has won over viewers with her feisty antics and saucy sayings.

 

Our source added: “Michelle has undoubtedly been our best signing this year. She’s very sassy and made the character of Tina her own.”

 

Meanwhile, Jonathan Dixon, 20 (Darryl Morton) has signed on for another six months.

 

Bosses had planned to axe him with the rest of his family.

 

But they changed their minds after cooking up a love story with cornershop temptress Amber Kalirai, played by Nikki Patel, 18.

 

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle1748686.ece

 

Coronation Street's Karen Henthorn has revealed that she could return to Weatherfield next year.

 

The 45-year-old, who plays Teresa Bryant in the ITV soap, is due to depart next month following the exit of almost her entire screen family, the Mortons. Her screen son Darryl (Johnny Dixon) was given a reprieve by the soap's producers and will be sticking around for at least the next few months.

 

Speaking to DS at this year's Inside Soap Awards, she said: "The Mortons have gone now, apart from Darryl. They have said that hopefully, once the dust has settled on the poisoning [storyline], they'd like to know if I want to come back.

 

"It's not an offer, but they'd like me to come back next year... maybe as more of an independent character."

 

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/b...bctid1825879312

 

:wub:! I hope to god she does!

as many of you know im not a big corrie fan in general but credit where credit is due kelly was brilliant last night and her acting was superb

I actually think this week has been Corrie's strongest for a very very long time, at last we're seeing more storylines involving different characters!!

 

I do still find Katherine Kelly very annoying as Beccy but to her credit, when she does the tougher stuff she is very very good, I cringe when she's overdoing the comedy stuff but the last couple of episodes have been very good.

 

The Janice/Leanne storyline has been developed well, if not with a few flaws but the acting has improved so much and the writers really are doing a great job with the Rosie storyline, I suspect Tony or John Stape have something to do with her disappearence but its not obvious for once which makes a change for Corrie!!

 

I'm very much looking forward to next week's '24'-style story for the demise of one of the characters......

i should have said becky not kelly in my post

I asked whether Wiki would be getting her own storyline :lol:

 

Last week, I managed to catch up with Coronation Street's leading lady Kim Crowther at the press screening for Liam's death episode(s). So here, in a candid chat, Corrie's number one producer talks about her aims for the show, the demise and potential return of the Mortons, Carla's brother, Corrie's credits, the Windass clan, Eileen Grimshaw and Underworld knicker stitcher Wiki Dankowska.

 

A big thanks to all those who sent in possible questions for the chat. Due to time constraints, I was only able to choose the best handful!

 

You've been at the head of Corrie for a good number of months now – how did you settle into the role?

"Alright I think! [Laughs] I kind of knew how big the job was going to be as I worked on the show before as assistant producer for four years, so I knew what it all entailed."

 

What have been your main goals for the show?

"I wanted more humour and more of our regular cast on screen. I just felt that we were playing too few stories with too few character groups. I wanted to see a lot more stories with a lot more regulars."

 

How proud are you of the Liam murder storyline?

"There's lots of big stuff coming up over the autumn and into the winter, but the story has been building over quite a long period of time. Rob was leaving so we seized the opportunity to make a big story out of it. And actually, this isn't the end – it's the start of the next chapter that goes on for much longer than you'd expect. I think (and hope!) it'll be very surprising for viewers."

 

You've had quite a substantial cast clear out since you arrived. What were the reasons for the changes?

"The decisions were made to make space for a lot of the regular cast that I felt we weren't really seeing on screen. A lot of really good actors have gone and we may them see again – I'm not saying we won't – but I didn't think there was any point in keeping people around if they didn't have a story and they hadn't quite made their mark."

 

A lot of viewers started warming to the characters you ultimately axed – the Masons, the Mortons and Vernon. Was it intended that we felt like that towards them? Do you regret any of your decisions?

"We had a big story for the Mortons (the poisoning) but I think they had been too long on screen without a story and so people were saying 'Who are they?' and 'What's their purpose?' I actually think that since Teresa came in – played by Karen Henthorn – they suddenly started to make sense. But unfortunately, we felt it was too late.

 

"That doesn't mean we won't see any of them again - some of them I'm hoping to bring back - but I think it's really hard to establish such a big family all at once. You need a big story to kick them off and you need to be able to integrate them with the other characters. That was one of their problems. Even when we played the big poisoning story, which I think they all did fantastically with, it was all very isolated from the rest of the cast. We only got to know Darryl [Johnny Dixon] and became comfortable with him because of his involvement with the Platts and David [Jack P. Shepherd]. That was one of the reasons why we decided to keep him around."

 

A lot of people are seeing the new Windass clan as a Morton family replacement – is that the case?

"No – they're coming in for a story with the Platts. We have a story to play out but whether they stay beyond that remains to be seen. We have a story and it involves bringing some new characters in, but it's mainly about the Platts - a group of characters we all know and love. The Windass family will cause mayhem for them. Hopefully we'll start to love the Windass family, too, even if we find that we love to hate them! If that's the case, then hopefully we'll hang on to them."

 

One question I've been burning to ask you – will we ever see Carla's brother? Do you have any plans for him?

"Not at the moment, but we do talk about him from time to time, so don't be surprised if he does pop up. Watch this space. We've got lots of other exciting things planned for Carla, so when Alison [King] returns from maternity leave, she'll be very busy."

 

Eileen Grimshaw – I think I've billed her in the past as one of the most underused characters in soap. What are your thoughts? Do you have any plans for her?

"Yeah, we've got quite a big story that we'll be playing with her over the coming months where we meet her dad. It'll connect her to Rita and Julie… I'm not going to tell you any more than that! Sue is absolutely fantastic though, I agree."

 

You're bringing back Peter Barlow soon - do you have any more plans to bring back any fan favourites?

"Not at the moment, no. But I'm extremely happy Peter Barlow's coming back to the show. Tony Gordon and Peter Barlow are two strong men on the Street and I really do think that they'll fulfil some of the same territory Rob [James-Collier] did."

 

Are there any classic characters you'd like to see return?

"There are lots of characters that I've loved over the years, like Hilda Ogden (Jean Alexander), Karen McDonald (Suranne Jones) and Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay). I loved Tracey Barlow (Kate Ford) – I'd love to bring her back, too. There are too many to choose from. But at the same time, I think we've got some fantastic characters in the show at the moment, so I don't think there's a hole that needs filling. The stories that we've got playing over the autumn and winter will hopefully fulfil – or at least start to fulfil – my aims which I set out when I became producer. We've got so many great characters that we can play stories with at the moment. Becky's going to be massive next year, too."

 

What's the latest on Bradley Walsh's return?

"At the moment, there are no plans to for Bradley to return."

 

Will you be delving into the past of Wiki? She's very popular on the DS forums...

"We may well do when she comes back from maternity leave. I think she's great. I completely respect what fans say on forums such as Digital Spy, but I do try to avoid them due to the time difference between transmission and filming - I'm always thinking three months ahead!"

 

And finally, the opening credits – do you have any plans to update them?

"No. I wouldn't like to. I'm a bit old school and I like us to know where we are with the show that we love and I would be loathe to change the credits or the music."

 

 

 

*Maria Struggles to Cope After the death of her husband. Will her baby survive the stress?

*Liams Death will be felt Well in to 2009!

*Carla Reveals all About Her affair and calls of the wedding.

*Carla and Tony eventually tie the KNOT!

*Maria Will turn Dective To Find OUt What happened to Liam.

*Could TONY really hurt a Pregnant Woman To cover his secret!

*John Leaves Wetherfield, After Being Found to be the person who kidnapped Rosie!

*Will she ever be the same again?

*Does Eileen have a Sister she doesnt know about? (Living next door?)

*Hayley Returns! with a new boyfriend.

 

 

Eileen has a storyline coming up with Rita & Julie both involved? I'm not sure how it's linked whether Julie could be Eileen's sister.

*Hayley Returns! with a new boyfriend.

 

That last bit (before Eileen), the bit about H! :o :o

 

Norma

 

That last bit (before Eileen), the bit about H! :o :o

 

Norma

 

Oh yeh it was the Sun a week ago or so I think :lol: She'll obviously split up with him and get back with Roy though. I so wanted to see Hayley come back to Roy though :cry:

Oh yeh it was the Sun a week ago or so I think :lol: She'll obviously split up with him and get back with Roy though. I so wanted to see Hayley come back to Roy though :cry:

 

I wanted them to write Hayley out of it actually. I really don't know how far they can go with that character. I was hoping they'd kill her off and have Becky offer Roy a shoulder to cry on and then ... I know its ridiculous ... but have Becky have an affair with Roy!!!!!! I mean ... she's been treated badly by all the 'good looking blokes' she's been with so far ... maybe she'll give an 'odd' one a chance!

 

Norma

Poor Carla!

 

Norma