Royle Family star Caroline Aherne’s return to TV has been derailed after she quit her new TV show just days before shooting was about to begin. The troubled actress, who has recently battled drink and depression, had been co-writing the upcoming sitcom, called Early Doors, and was also expected to direct some episodes.
The BBC released a statement acknowledging the actress is no longer working with her Royle Family co-star Craig Cash to develop scripts for the BBC2 series. “The first draft has been completed and Caroline Aherne’s involvement has now ended,” said a representative for the broadcaster. But, the statement added: “Craig Cash is continuing to develop the series.”
Though Caroline’s longtime writing partner is forging ahead with the programme, details of which have been kept tightly under wraps, an insider told a British newspaper that the future of the project might now be in question. “At the moment they’re saying it’s suspended,” revealed a production source. “They hope to start up again in the New Year, but whether they’ll get it on track again, who knows?”
The star’s sudden withdrawal from the show has fuelled speculation that she may once again be facing personal problems. The 38-year-old actress, who in 1998 spent weeks in hospital recovering from a suicide attempt, left Britain for Australia two years ago to escape the pressures of the limelight. After starting a relationship with internet millionaire Brett Whitford, she returned "new and vitalised", according to friends, ready to restart her career. Her romance with the businessman, however, came to an end early this summer.
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