Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard has been forced to step down from a stage show after a shoulder injury.
The actress, who portrayed Rovers Return landlady with iconic status Liz McDonald, was due to appear as the Wicked Stepmother in this year’s Christmas panto at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in Wales.
However, Beverley has had to pull out of the show following a shoulder injury, with the panto replacing her with fellow Coronation Street star John Thomson, who will play the Baron instead.
Breaking the news, Beverley said: ‘I have an unexpected shoulder injury and have to have surgery which means I’m sadly not going to be able to perform in this year’s panto, which I’m devastated about.’
‘It’s a great fun cast, and I was so looking forward to working with them all. It will be a great show.’
Beverley joined Coronation Street as Liz in 1989, after previously appearing the serial drama in a one-off role, June Dewhurst, in 1984.
She took a break from the show in 1998, before returning in 2000. Her final scenes aired in 2020, with Beverley stating at the time that she thought Liz had ‘run her course’.
John, who is best known for his role in ITV’s Cold Feet, starred as Jesse in Coronation Street in 2008.
He reprised his cobbles role earlier this year as part of Gail Platt’s exit storyline. Helen Worth, who has played Gail for 50 years, has decided to leave the show.
Jesse was brought back as a love interest for Gail, but will the cobbles legend get her happy ever after?
Or, like all her previous romances, is she destined for more heartbreak before her final chapter comes to a close?
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