Beverley Callard is returning to Coronation Street just two years after leaving the soap, bosses have confirmed. The actress will reprise her role as popular barmaid Liz Mcdonald later this year and will appear on our screens in October.
"I am coming home and I can't wait. I am so excited to be back, I have missed Liz so it will be great to play her again," the actress told itv.com. Liz Mcdonald will reportedly return when her son Steve, played by Simon Gregson, reaches out to his mother for help when facing a crisis in his relationship with girlfriend Michelle Connor, played by Kym Lomas.
Beverley revealed that her co-stars are already excitedly awaiting her arrival on set. "I have been getting texts from Simon saying we are going to rock the place and can't wait to work with Kym again and see if we can control the giggles," she said.
The television soap star, 56, joined the show in 1989 as the sassy barmaid playing the role until 1998 before rejoining the show in 2003. Beverley then decided to leave the show again in 2010 after dealing with depression. "She left last time because she was poorly, but she’s fully recovered now,” a source added.
The actress also made a brief return to the soap in April 2011 when her character Liz hoped to buy the Rovers Return with on-off partner Jim, played by Charles Lawson. However, after Jim was sent to prison for armed robbery, the barmaid was left brokenhearted.
"I'm truly thrilled to welcome Bev back to the street," said Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn. "She's a fantastic actor and Liz McDonald is a truly wonderful character. It won't come as any surprise to learn that her return is sure to ruffle more than a few feathers - welcome home Liz!"
Beverley is expected to begin filming her comeback in September, ahead of her October return. "Hopefully her skirts will have got a little bit longer, but we will see!" joked the actress.
