Filming Coronation Street's much anticipated wedding between Fiz and Phil was halted so cast member and British icon Dame Maureen Lipman could receive a birthday cake.
Dame Maureen, who turned 76, beamed as she received a huge fruit-topped treat while her fellow soap stars, including Maria Connor, Tyrone Dobbs and Anthony Cotton wished her a happy birthday, and documented the touching moment.
The actors were all dressed in their wedding finery, with Dame Maureen, who has played Evelyn Plummer since 2018, donning a green and white spotty dress, a turquoise jacket and a black hat.
Jennie McAlpine, who plays bride Fiz, has revealed that the wedding, set to air this week, will descend into "chaos".
With two mother-in-laws at loggerheads – and a surprise appearance from Phill’s ex, Fiz’s big day is expected to have more than its fair share of drama.
While Jennie didn’t completely give the plot away, she did drop a few hints as to what viewers can expect when she walks down the aisle again.
Speaking to Closer magazine, Jennie said: “Last time we saw Mimi [Phill’s mum] she told Tyrone that Fiz was common and not good enough for her son – so Fiz is dreading her arrival.
“And Mimi causes flipping chaos, that’s all I’ll say – and Evelyn doesn’t like her right from the start.”
Phil was also left stunned when his ex-wife Camilla rocks up on the street unannounced.
She soon made it clear there was history between them, before declaring she had bought a gift for Phill ahead of his wedding.
Dame Maureen plays the grandma of Tyron, who is still pining for Fiz, as well as great grandma to Hope and Ruby.
Last year Dame Maureen credited her work for getting her through after the death of her partner of 13 years, Guido Castro, in January.
In 2004, Mauren was also left grief-stricken when her husband Jack Rosenthal died age 72.
She said: “I have had a wonderful life. I have had my losses, of course. I lost my husband far too young to myeloma.
“I lost my partner in January. And what gets me through is what gets the Queen through. Work. I don’t know what to do if I am not working. I don’t know what to be if I am not working.
“I like being grandmother, I love my children, but basically I am just waiting for the next job. Learning is fascinating, it is a fascinating incredible world.”
Maureen went on: “ Coronation Street is amazing. It was always amazing. I mean Jack, my late husband, wrote episode 13. It is amazing that we have got through this thing [Covid].”
Maureen was married to writer Jack Rosenthal from 1974 until his death in 2004 from cancer at the age of 72. They had two children.
She began dating businessman Guido in 2008 and was by his side when he died. He had a form of Parkinson’s and passed away at his respite home.
