Julie Hesmondhalgh

Plus, Ashley tells his kids about Laurel and Marlon, and Julie Hesmondhalgh expresses her gratitude to the show’s bosses

We’ll start today’s soapy news round up with EastEnders, where in tonight’s episode, Kat Moon’s mystery man is going to tell her that he’s fallen in love with her.

The revelation comes when Kat helps the mystery bloke to bandage the wounds he received in a brawl that started in the bar of the Vic…

The row starts when Alfie reveals to the pub’s football team that Ray Dixon has been playing for another team in addition to the Vic’s, and the news sparks off a row, which is quickly followed by a free for all punch up!

Several people in the bar get hurt, so when Kat takes one of the injured men upstairs to clean him up and attend to his cuts, Alfie thinks nothing of it.

However, as Kat applies a bandage, the mystery man writes, “I love you” on it, leaving Kat reeling.

Meanwhile, Shirley is still on a massive bender, and causing embarrassment to Phil, who of course actually owns the Queen Vic… Continue reading »

Plus, Charlotte Bellamy says Marlon & Laurel will move in together on Emmerdale, and sneak peek clip from tomorrow’s EastEnders

We’ll begin today’s soapy news round up over on Coronation Street, where it’s been revealed that Julie Hesmondhalgh is to take a break from the show and her role as Hayley Cropper.

Confirming the news on Twitter, Julie – who’s starring in a new play entitled Black Roses, which is playing at Manchester’s Royal Exchange – wrote, “Right that’s me done. Bye bye weatherfield til October!

“#bitoftheatre #sicksinmouth.”

It’s expected that Julie will be off for two months, but it hasn’t as yet been revealed how her character will be temporarily written out.

Over to Emmerdale now, where Charlotte Bellamy has been telling Inside Soap magazine that her character Laurel Thomas will soon be setting up home with Marlon Dingle, however, it seems things won’t be easy for the couple, especially where her step-daughter Gabby is concerned… Continue reading »

As fans of Coronation Street will know, Fiz Stape has handed over her baby girl Hope to the Croppers while she’s in prison, but Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Hayley Cropper, has revealed that she’s “not a natural with babies” ordinarily.

Here’s the story from What’s On TV…

Julie Hesmondhalgh has revealed working with babies on Coronation Street brings back memories of her own early parenting days – but it isn’t making her too broody.

Her character Hayley Cropper and husband Roy have taken in Fiz’s tot Hope (a role shared by two babies) while her mum is behind bars falsely accused of John Stape’s crimes.

Julie, 41, told TV Times: “I’m not a natural with babies, but these ones are just joyous. People keep asking if it’s making me broody. If I thought I could push one out like that, I’d have another go, but we don’t produce laid-back children!”

She added: “It’s been nice to have lots of cuddles. My daughters are nine and six now and it takes me back.”

Meanwhile, co-star David Neilson, who plays Roy, admitted he was also enjoying spending time with the young co-stars. “They’re either smiling or being sick on you,” he said. “I love them and it’s so adorable when they grab your finger.

“My son is a grown man now, but as soon as I hold a baby, it all comes back to me.”

Julie said her character is happy to look after Hope, but would be pleased if the baby was reunited with her mum.

“It’s Hayley’s dream because she’s very maternal. But she always thinks about others and believes it would be best if Hope was with Fiz in the prison’s mother and baby unit.”