Hollywood royalty returns to Coronation Street next week with Dynasty legend Stephanie Beacham back in her role as Ken Barlow's former lover Martha Frazer to ruffle some feathers in Weatherfield. And the screen icon was in glamorous form as she headed for a night out in Manchester on Saturday night to support one of the city's biggest fundraising galas.
Stephanie wowed the red carpet in a glittering black dress as she arrived with her long-term partner Bernie to support the Michael Josephson MBE Ball at the Hilton on Deansgate. But on screen, fans will soon be seeing her rekindle her passion with Corrie 's most famous lothario Ken.
And Stephanie, 75, says she is loving being reunited with her "great friend" Bill Roache on the cobbles after 12 years. She said: "Bill is a great friend I respect so much. I really love his modesty and sweetness."
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Stephanie, who famously played Sable Colby in hit US drama Dynasty in the 1980s, is loving being back in Manchester for filming, next to the burgeoning MediaCity development at Salford Quays. She said: "I'm having a wonderful time and I'm really impressed with Salford by the way.
"I love the fact the river runs through it, I love the way the sun sets and the sun rises there. I'm very admiring with how prosperous it all seems.
"I’m so impressed with how Manchester is so alive. My grandson came up because he wanted to go out in the Northern Quarter, I went with him and I loved it."
Stephanie Beacham partying in the Northern Quarter? I ask her what do people say when they spot her in their midst? She said: "It's really just double takes. People look and go 'is it? It can't be?' It's fine."
Do we know how long she will be staying in Weatherfield this time around as Martha? Well, Stephanie is playing her cards close to her chest but she adds: "She won't be here for very long. Ken is a difficult fellow," she quips.
Martha's return to Weatherfield comes 13 years after a brief fling with Ken almost resulted in him leaving his wife Deirdre. Corrie bosses have confirmed that having recently rekindled his relationship with another of his ex-lovers, Wendy Popadopulous, Ken will be stunned when Martha arrives to help out with the Weatherfield Players Am Dram production.
While she refused to confirm or deny if this will mean a Corrie love triangle with Ken, she has let slip that she has just been filming some brilliant scenes in the drama alongside Patti Clare who plays Mary Taylor - and is full of praise for her co-star. Stephanie said: "I’ve just played scenes with Patti Clare who plays Mary, and she’s one of the most talented actresses I think I've ever worked with.
"She’s a joy, a real asset to Corrie. I feel like true respect where it's due. She's like a young Judi Dench, it’s so exciting to work with younger actresses when you think 'oh gosh you’re so good'."
Stephanie was joined at the charity ball on Saturday night by a host of her showbiz friends, including former King of the Jungle Christopher Biggins. Together they announced a surprise auction lot on the night - raising £12,000 by offering up an afternoon tea with the duo and the promise of "lots of showbiz gossip" at the Ritz.
Her and Biggins' auction lot went towards a staggering £760,000 total raised on the night which will go to three children's charities, Variety, The Rainbow Trust and Mahdlo Youth Zone.
The actress also enjoyed catching up with Olympic Ice dance legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as M People star Heather Small at the glittering ball held on Saturday night.
While Stephanie has already done Strictly Come Dancing, she was asked if she could be persuaded to join Torvill and Dean on Dancing on Ice one year, but she gave the idea short shrift.
She said: "I loathed Strictly Come Dancing, ok I liked the frocks, but otherwise I hated it. Big Brother I loved, I got to sit around being lazy and talking to Ivanka Trump all day.
"But doing the dancing stuff, no. Would I do Dancing on Ice? No, I don’t like falling over anymore. I'm not too old for dancing but I'm too old for falling over."
Stephanie was in dazzling form in a dress that was custom-made for her by one of Strictly's former costumiers.
And when we asked her for the secret to her ever-youthful looks? "I don't drink," she says simply.
Catch Stephanie on Coronation Street as Martha when she makes her explosive return from November 23 on the ITV soap.
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