She’s been a stalwart on Weatherfield’s famous cobbles for 30 years, but now Sally Dynevor has revealed she is contemplating saying “Ta ra” to Coronation Street.
The actress, who plays meddling mum Sally Webster, says she would find it hard to leave a job she loves so much, but she wants to play other roles. Just weeks after saying she worries about her contract not being renewed, Sally (52) has admitted she’s thinking about changing career direction after seeing her former co-star Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Hayley Cropper, appearing on stage.
“After 30 years in Coronation Street, I do get itchy feet, but who knows what would happen if I left? I don’t want to risk leaving something that I’m enjoying. I went to see Julie Hesmondhalgh in a new play recently. It was brilliant and it made me think, ‘Should I do this? Should I leave?’
“But then another part of me thought, ‘What if I left and it didn’t work out?’ And I love it here. At the moment, I think I am enjoying it more than ever. There’s no better job, really.”
Former rebel Sally, who’s now become a snob.
The bubbly blonde made her debut on the TV drama series in January 1986, playing rebellious Sally Seddon. She went on to marry Kevin Webster and have two daughters, and along the way she’s become something of a snob. One of the highlights of her time on the show has been winning the award for best comedy performance at the British Soap Awards last year.
“I was so excited, I nearly fainted,” laughs mum-of-three Sally.
“I’ve never won any other awards, so it was great. I enjoy the comedy. I liked the dramatic storylines in the past, but I think I’m getting a bit too old for it now – all that crying and shouting is too much like hard work.
“And I don’t want any more of the romantic stuff – it’s too embarrassing. Still, the comedy is so much fun to film. I think it rubs off on you when you’ve been laughing at work. You go home in a good mood.”
But Sally admits there are times when some of her character’s dialogue makes her squirm.
“Sally recently went to Izzy in her wheelchair and asked how she felt about being a minority. I felt slightly uncomfortable about it and talked to Cherylee Houston, who plays Izzy. I was thinking about trying to make it more PC but she said, ‘Oh, no, it’s fine, just say it.’”
Sally received acclaim for the scenes, six years ago, in which her character was diagnosed with breast cancer. While she was working on that storyline, she discovered she had a lump in her breast, which turned out to be cancerous. She believes the plot may have saved her life.
“If I’d not been researching this storyline, I may not have discovered the lump in my breast and had it looked at so quickly. As a result of the early diagnosis, my treatment has been successful.”
If Sally does decide the time is right to move on, she’ll be joining an exodus of stars, including Alison King (Carla Barlow), Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw), Paula Lane (Kylie Platt) and Craig Charles (Lloyd Mullaney).
Meanwhile, long-time stars Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) and David Neilson (Roy Cropper) are taking extended breaks. But one familiar face has returned – Simon Gregson, who plays pub landlord Steve McDonald, is back.
Simon, pictured with his wife Emma, is back at the Rovers Return Inn.
Simon (41) took five months’ leave, which coincided with the birth of his third child, but there were reports it was due to personal reasons or illness. An insider says he had found a storyline involving his character particularly challenging.
“He decided to take a bit of time out and has the support of everyone on the show.”
Shortly before his return, Simon was seen enjoying a night out with his wife Emma (31), and looking like he’d lost weight. After a meal in a restaurant, the pair – who have three sons, Alfie (8), Harry (6) and Teddy (2 months) – caught a bus home.
In a radio interview, Simon said he was nervous about going back to work.
“Even when we get two weeks off at Christmas, everyone comes back and it’s like the first day of school. You’re like, ‘I’ve forgotten how to work!’”
Dramatic intervention
Coro actress Georgia May Foote was left bruised and terrified after her ex-boyfriend erupted in a jealous rage, it has been revealed.
Hotel staff had to intervene and threaten to call the police after Georgia (Katy Armstrong), and her ex, Sean Ward (27), were involved in a fracas in their room in December.
Sean is said to have become jealous about Georgia’s bond with dancer Giovanni (below).
Actor Sean, who played Coro’s Callum Logan – a character we’ve yet to see here in New Zealand – allegedly broke a bottle of wine over his own head in the bust-up.
It’s reported Sean was upset about Georgia’s close bond with Giovanni Pernice, her partner on the show Strictly Come Dancing. The pair split up, and Georgia (25) is now dating Giovanni (25).
