Beverley Callard has opened up on what it was like to leave Coronation Street after a staggering 32 years.
The actress is best known for playing the soap's barmaid, Liz McDonald, who had many huge storylines. These included being abused, a kidnap victim, a harassed mother and an unfaithful wife.
Beverley left the cobbles for a period in November 1998 to concentrate on her other career as an aerobics instructor and to spend more time with her family. Over the years, she had several short breaks before announcing in 2019 that she was leaving the ITV soap for good. Her final scenes aired in 2020.
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Now, she has appeared on ITV's Lorraine, on her 65th birthday, to speak to the Scottish host about what she has been up to since her departure. Beverley talked about her role in new comedy Newark, Newark.
The soap star explained how nerve wracking it was leaving such an iconic role on Coronation Street. She said: "When you hand in your notice to something like Coronation Street - which I loved and will always love - after 32 years I thought, ‘No this is it, I’m going to go,’ and you’re nervous, and you think, ‘Will I work again? What’s going to happen?’ but my whole world has opened up a little bit. It’s fabulous."
The 65-year-old said that when she first left Corrie she wanted to wait to act in a more 'serious role' - a part where she could "have no make up on and just be real." She added: " But then this script came through - I can’t say no to this! She is grotesque. She’s mean, she’s vicious and I loved every second of it."
Lorraine then presented Beverley with a cake to celebrate her birthday and said: “I love the fact you are 65 today and you’re going to grow old disgracefully.”
Beverley laughed: “I promise I will!”
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV and ITV Hub
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