Coronation Street confirms tragic death twist for Frances Barber’s character
One cobbles resident won't be happy to see her.
Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Actor Frances Barber is joining Coronation Street soon as new character Celeste, the auntie of Jane Hazlegrove’s Bernie Alahan-Winter. But her arrival in Weatherfield will be a sad one, as details of a tragic death twist have been revealed.
In a new piece in The Mirror, it has been revealed that Celeste arrives on the cobbles to visit the Shuttleworth undertakers to plan a Dolly Parton-themed funeral… for herself.
She tells Todd Grimshaw that she has cancer and only has six months to live, but she has no sympathy from Bernie.
Celeste and her twin sister, Bernie’s mum, had a massive falling out previously, and it seems like Bernie isn’t ready to forgive. Could they make amends?
Speaking about her character, Barber said: “She reminds me completely of the women that I adored and grew up with, such as Elsie Tanner. She’s straightforward, witty and clever and says it as it is.
“She’s a Dolly Parton fan, so she’s dressed head to foot in cow print and cowboy outfits. She even sings a bit of Dolly Parton at one point. She’s wonderful. It was the gift of a part for any actress my age and I relished it.”
“The truth is that I’ve wanted to walk the cobbles for 40 years”, she added. “It was on my bucket list. I’m a complete and utter fanatic. I grew up on it.
“I’m from a council estate in Wolverhampton, one of six kids. I know Wolverhampton isn’t Weatherfield, but it’s not that dissimilar.
“I used to be a Saturday girl in Marks & Spencer and the shoppers were like all the women on Corrie – strong, blunt, down-to-earth and very funny. I’ve loved them and respected them all my life, so it was always a dream.
“I thought ‘one day I will walk the cobbles.’ And I did, so I’m over the moon about it. It’s absolutely one of my career highlights.”
