Goodbye Andrea Beckett - for now

In October 2013, I interviewed Hayley Tamaddon, who playsAndrea Beckett. Now, just a month shy of a 2 year stint, she will leave, newly pregnant, with Lloyd, in the live episode, to be broadcast on Wednesday 23 September.

I had such high hopes for the character Andrea Beckett, especially because the initial storyline entailed Andrea going all out to claim Steve MacDonald. You’ll remember that Amy was involved in a history project at school and her father couldn’t properly answer her questions. It was this inability to help, which steered Steve towards college and taking a course in history. In his class was Andrea and the initial storyline was that Andrea would become totally infatuated with Steve and would stop at nothing to claim him. Not Michelle, not Liz and not his mates would dampen her ardour. Sadly and most disappointingly, that storyline disappeared. After a bit of laughter and banter, accompanied by Michelle’s questioning as to who exactly Andrea was, and whether or not she was attractive, that plot was clearly sidelined.

Instead, what did happen, and this was quite unpalatable at the time, was that Michelle, with sidekick Liz, mocked Steve for trying to better himself. Michelle, in particular, treated him as an exasperating child, rather than the man who was her life partner. Maybe it was jealousy on Michelle’s part and maybe Liz sided with Michelle as she was hoping that Steve and Michelle would stick together. Michelle was particularly put out when she learnt that the green blouse Steve had bought her was purchased on a shopping trip with Andrea. Whatever the reason though, Michelle and Liz did themselves no favours at that time and they lost a few fans through their ignorance and ridiculing of Steve.

Had that original storyline gone ahead it would have caused some real upset and some terrific drama. If drama is conflict, as the great dramatists claim, then there would have been enough for all. Originally, Andrea was to dress like a femme fatale and to make it crystal clear to Steve that she wanted him. She was to flaunt herself in The Rovers and have an - ‘All’s fair in Love and War,’ attitude towards her attempt to ensnare Steve.

It’s such a shame that it did not materialize and instead we were granted dreary, confused, Neil and a steady (ish) relationship with lovely Lloyd; at least until she stole Lloyd’s prize record to flog, to help out the mysterious, never seen, Jess.  It is worth noting that Steve appeared to be a little bit jealous of Lloyd when he started going out with Andrea.

Just a quick note here too about Todd - I interviewed BrunoLangley who plays Todd, the same day as Hayley Tamaddon. Bruno stated that viewers would find out what had turned Todd bad; it was to something in ‘that London’ that had traumatised him, explaining why he had undergone a metamorphosis.

As far as I know, we’re still waiting…

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Spoiler: Pregnancy news at Eileen's house

There's pregnancy news next week on Coronation Street.  When Michael presents Eileen with a pregnancy test kit he's found at No. 11, Eileen is shocked.  Well, as you can imagine. It's not hers, of course.

But whose is it? 

Eileen is stunned when Andrea turns up again on her doorstep in tears, revealing she is pregnant with Lloyd's child! Andrea asks Eileen to say nothing of her pregnancy while she decides what to do. But when Michael finds the positive pregnancy test and assumes it's Eileen's, Andrea is forced to set him straight. Michael and Eileen urge her to tell Lloyd.

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Andrea returns to Corrie to find Lloyd with another woman

 

Andrea Beckett returns to Coronation Street next week finds Lloyd enjoying a drink with another woman.  But although we've seen the pics of Lloyd snogging Liz (have a peek here), it's Erica he takes for a drink as Andrea storms back into his life.

 

Craig Charles, who plays Lloyd, tells this week's Inside Soap magazine that Liz is the one who suggests Lloyd takes Erica for a drink to cheer up after Andrea's depature. But Andrea turns up and spots them both together.  Needless to say, Andrea's not best pleased.

Liz then comes up with the idea of inviting Lloyd round to the Rovers back room to cheer him up with a take-away.  They have something to eat, a few drinks, and a bit of how's-your-father.  Lloyd ends up staying the night with Liz but Craig Charles says: Lloyd regrets it the next tday. He's got himself into a right mss as he's wary of upsetting both Liz and Steve."

Lloyd tells Dev that he's not interested in a relationship with Liz but Steve pressures Lloyd to take his mum to dinner in the Bistro. And just as they're about to set off for their dinner date, Andrea turns up again, asking Lloyd to take her back.

I just wish Lloyd wasn't leaving. I'm going to miss him a lot.

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Hayley Tamaddon reveals Corrie live episode spoilers

Hayley Tamaddon, who plays Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street, was interviewed on Good Morning Britain today.  Hayley has already finished filming on Corrie although she'll be back with Craig Charles (Lloyd Mullaney) for the live episode.

Hayley revealed that the hour-long live episode will be aired on Wednesday 23rd September.

Hayley also spoke a little about Andrea's upcoming storyline where she sells off one of Lloyd's Northern Soul records to pay off her daughter Jess' debts.

She also told GMB that the door has been left open for a return to the Street for Andrea and Lloyd and she confirmed that the couple leave during the live episode in September. She also admitted she didn't really want to leave - neither does Craig Charles.

Watch the interview here.
 
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Four characters leaving Coronation Street

There has been a lot of casting news around Coronation Street recently with comings and goings and I felt it was time to clarify who was leaving. 

As far as we know, these are the characters who have been confirmed by ITV as leaving the show.

Kal Nazir

Julie Carp

Maddie Heath

Andrea Beckett

Also leaving for a break when actress Samia Smith goes on maternity leave later this year, will be Maria Connor.

And of course, our beloved Deirdre will be written out this summer too in what will be a very emotional Corrie exit. Her funeral has been written, Chris Gascoyne will be returning as Peter Barlow and the funeral will screen this summer.

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Hayley Tamaddon to leave Coronation Street

ITV today is bringing us the news that the next actor to leave Corrie is Hayley Tamaddon who plays Andrea Beckett. Hayley has been in the Street for two years after initially only expecting to be on screen for three months. Her exit storyline is expected to be tied in to the story leading up to the live episode in September. Her exit will be left open in case she ever wants to return.

Hayley says  "I will be so sad to leave, I have had the best two years of my life here. It really is one big family. Everyone looks out for each other and I’ve made some incredible friends."

Stuart Blackburn added "Hayley has brought real magic to the Corrie cobbles - funny, energetic, totally professional and a joy to be around as a friend and colleague alike, she'll be sorely missed and I'd simply like to wish her all the very best for the future.”

While there have been a lot of our readers that haven't enjoyed Andrea on the show, I think she's always been a breath of fresh air. It does seem, though, since her main storyline ended with the exit of Andrea's ex-husband, Neil, and later with Craig Charles' absence from the show last fall, Andrea has been under used and they've not really known what to do with her.

We at Blog Towers wish Hayley Tamaddon all the very best!


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Some Corrie New Year's Resolutions

I'd like to start by saying I hope all our loyal Coronation Street Blog readers had a wonderful Christmas. I don't know about you but I was left seriously underwhelmed by the festive editions of Corrie this year. They just lacked that traditional Christmas magic.

However, I've decided to start the new year afresh. The run up to new year always leads to many of us making resolutions for the year ahead, setting out our hopes, dreams and aspirations. So here are my Corrie new year resolutions for 2015.

First of all, I must try not to launch into a verbal tirade every time either Liz or Michelle appear on screen and criticise, deride or treat the lovely Steve in an altogether harsh and unfair manner. This will be a tough habit to crack, especially if Michelle is pouting with her arms folded like daggers.

I must give the Nazir family a chance. Even if it is downright preposterous that they have moved into that house in Coronation Street. Even if they have no chemistry as a family and do not work as individual characters.

I must work hard to accept that no matter how much I try I will never, ever like Sophie Webster, the most ungrateful, unpleasant, whinging Christian in the history of prime time television.

I must not cringe every time Andrea appears or jumps onto Lloyd's lap in the cab office. Which is practically every time she appears.

I must live in hope that when Owen and Katy's exits finally come about they will be both short and painless for the viewers. In the meantime, one of my resolutions is to hit the mute button every time either appears on my television set.

I must not scream and shout at each and every one of Corrie's totally rubbish romantic pairings. Nick and Erica sounded like fun but made me shudder. As did Tony and Tracy (make me shudder that is, not sound like fun). And Leanne and Kal don't provoke a strong enough reaction to even warrant a shudder. Can Sean's budding romance with his vicar please not be cringeworthy? Sean seriously needs to grow up, act his age and be seen to have some form of character development.

I resolve not to make a face worthy of a Gogglebox close up every time any of the following things happen: Tracy says something horrible; Dev over-acts; Sharif attempts to act; Michael acts like a wimp; Izzy over-reacts; Maria simpers; Simon is treated like he's five years old when in actual fact he's started to shave; Leanne either frowns or stomps; Nick treats his mother like dirt; David calls his mother "Gail"; Rita plays it all "sweet old lady" or Ken's kimono represents the best attempt at Corrie comedy.

I hope and pray that 2015 will see the Platts and the Wind-strongs rested, allowing other characters to have a look in. Let's hope this new year sees Steph and Luke flourish, Jason and Eva get a proper storyline, Julie get her cheery, 1950s self, perched pertly behind Dev's counter (ahem), Roy find some happiness (not in the form of Mary), Audrey take centre stage in a storyline that does not involve a conman or a cross dresser, Rita make reference to the fact she's still married to Dennis and plenty more of Sally and Tim. 

And please, please, please can Deirdre return soon, ready to get stuck into her stuffed marrow once again?

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Andrea and Lloyd - Yay or Nay?

Storylines and characters come and go on Coronation Street. I like some of them, I dislike some of them. I probably like stories and characters that you don't like, yes you, reading this. And some of your favourites will be on my dislike list. 

Some storylines are dull and easily ignored and I thought Andrea and Lloyd might be one of them. But this romance fails on all fronts, for this Corrie fan, and it's bugged me into blogging.

There is zero chemistry between Andrea and Lloyd. They are not believable as a couple. Andrea's husband Neil is clearly mentally ill and going through some sort of breakdown over losing Andrea. It should not be funny, but it is, because anything that anyone does to split up Andrea and Lloyd and show them for the farce that they are, can only be applauded.

Now then, I love Lloyd, always have and always will.  Andrea seems okay but the two of them together just Does Not Work. And while I'm having a moan about Andrea, where's this mysterious child called Jess she keeps mentioning?

Come on, Corrie. Split these two up, Put Lloyd and Eileen together one drunken night in the Streetcars office where they have a heart-to-heart over Fat Brenda's gypsy creams and let Andrea go back to Neil. Please. 

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There's something about Neil

I know fans out there are finding the triangle between Lloyd, Andrea and Neil to be tedious. Andrea has lost her freshness, her spark and we all think Lloyd deserves better and can see more heartbreak coming a mile away.

Neil is seen to be just as Andrea thinks of him, boring and dull but he's also just had his whole world blown apart by something he never saw coming. He sees himself as a dependable bloke, a good provider and a good husband and father. He's probably all of those things but because he's spent most of his life working out of the country and Andrea felt like she married too young, it was never bound to work. He just doesn't accept it.

Neil is starting to creep me out with his single minded obsession to getting Andrea back. Where do I see this going? How much does he remind me of another former Corrie character? Read about it here on State of the Street.

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Is Andrea the one for Corrie's Lloyd?

I don't know what it is, but the whole Lloyd, Andrea, Neil storyline just isn't working for me. I hate to admit it, but I did begin to fast forward through all their scenes last night.

I've always loved Lloyd. Craig Charles is brilliant in Corrie. His double act with Simon Gregson is a joy. It's a shame they didn't spend more time developing the Lloyd and Jenna relationship onscreen, instead preferring to focus on Lloyd and Andrea. 

The whole story is just a big snooze to me and it's such a pity. Lloyd is crying out for a decent story to get his teeth into and I'm afraid this really isn't it. The actor playing Neil is great although I'm really not sure what this character's game is! I'm sure all will become clear in time, hopefully fairly soon though as it feels like this is being drawn out.


I do have a bit of a problem with the way both Lloyd and Andrea have dealt with Neil. Yes he is being painted as a big wet blanket who won't take the hint, but they are treating him cruelly at times. Given that Andrea in particular has cheated on Neil and broken up their marriage I feel like she should have a bit more respect for her husband. 

Lloyd too has been rather harsh and less than understanding. As he acknowledged briefly last night, he knows what it is like to be messed about and dumped by a partner, so even though he was an unwitting accomplice in this mess, he should really be more sympathetic towards Neil. 

I'm not sure what I make of Andrea. At first she was a breath of fresh air, mainly because she highlighted how atrociously Michelle treats Steve. Then things got complicated and her motives became unclear. I don't think she's a baddie in the traditional sense, she's flawed and human like the rest of us. At the end of the day though she basically just irritates me and I can't seem to get past that. 

So what do we all make of this storyline? Are you enjoying it or do you wish we could move on to something new? Do you think Andrea is the one for Lloyd? 



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Andrea's secret double-life finally exposed

Next week on Coronation Street, we'll get to meet Andrea's husband as her secret life is going to be exposed.

We'll find out that Andrea has been married for 20 years and her husband Neil arrives home from Nigeria.  We'll also see Lloyd ask Andrea to move in with him.  And while she intends to tell Neil that their marriage is over and she loves Lloyd, it might not be as simple as that.

Hayley Tamaddon, who plays Andrea, says that if Lloyd finds out about Neil: "I hope he will be able to forgive her, but I’ve just filmed some really heartbreaking scenes between them. Who knows what will happen and whether he can forgive her?"

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Coronation Street spoiler: Andrea's secret finally revealed

We've long thought there wasn't something quite right about Andrea Beckett on Coronation Street.  And today The Star reveals that she's leading a double life - she IS married.

The Star says that viewers will be stunned to discover that Andrea has been married to her husband Neil for 20 years. The truth comes out next month when Neil storms into the Rovers to confront his wife’s lover.

Lloyd is heartbroken to learn that Andrea has been juggling both her lives. And Steve is also shocked when the truth comes out.

Ah, poor Lloyd, eh?

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More news on the Andrea mystery

Our blogger Graeme blogged earlier today asking "Just what is it that Andrea is hiding?"  Graeme thinks Andrea is up to no good, or has something to hide.  And he just might be right.

In today's fab Inside Soap magazine, they tease this storyline a little bit with a spoiler picture from an upcoming episode to be shown on Coronation Street.

Andrea is seen opening the door of her home - where she's being given a bouquet of flowers from another man.  And this is not just a little 'bought it on the way home, from Dev's shop' type of bouquet.  It's huge!

Just what is going on?

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Just what is Andrea hiding?

Last night we saw Corrie focus more on Lloyd, Andrea and Jenna - and about time too. I love Craig Charles and Lloyd is a great character. I also think we need to see more of Lloyd and Jenna's relationship on-screen. Where does Andrea fit in though?

We don't know very much about her, although she obviously has some sort of secret. When Andrea first arrived she seemed to have the hots for Steve and Michelle took against her straight away. Initially I thought she was a breath of fresh air and warmed to her. However, now I'm not so sure.

At the moment Lloyd is oblivious to anything untoward going on behind the scenes. However last night, both Jenna and Eileen were deeply suspicious as Andrea's absence from the fun run was explained through what appeared to me to be a cobbled together tissue of lies. It's always the women who smell a rat!

It's nice to see Jenna being supportive and standing up for her dad - more of this please! We don't see enough of them on screen and this is a shame as I think Craig Charles and Krissi Bohn work well together and are very believable.

So what about Andrea then? What is she hiding? I did wonder if she had a child and didn't want Lloyd to know. However given Jenna's appearance in Lloyd's life, it's quite obvious he wouldn't react badly to this. So what then? Another bloke? Is she after Jenna? I don't know - what do you think, and how would you like to see this storyline progress?


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Corrie's Hayley Tamaddon dating comedian Marcus Brigstocke

Copyright uptone

In an interview with the Sunday Express, it says that Corrie's Hayley Tamaddon, who plays Andrea, is dating comedian and actor Marcus Brigstocke. 

Now then, this may well be old news to most people but it was new news to me and a snippet I felt worthy of a blog post.

You can read Hayley's full interview here.

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Andrea wants Steve

What's On TV has a few quotes from Hayley Tamaddon on her character, Andrea's hopes and desires. She thinks Andrea does fancy Steve even though she's currently dating Lloyd, surmising that perhaps she's only doing that to make Steve jealous.

There have been little looks, nothing really obvious but I've caught one or two wistful glances in Steve's direction and I've had the feeling that Steve is who she would prefer. Hayley says Andrea is "out to bag her Mr. Right".

There's definitely a connection between she and Steve and quite a lot of our blog readers have felt that Michelle has been treating Steve badly and seems to be dragging Steve down. She's also been openly hostile to Andrea but Hayley says “I think Andrea will be able to hold her own and personally I'm hoping for some real stand-offs between Andrea and Michelle." Me, too!

I'm one of those that thinks Steve and Michelle are horribly unsuited. The last time they broke up, Steve found Becky a lot more fun (and hard work in the end). I think Steve will find Andrea a lot more fun, too and Michelle might want to watch her Ps and Qs this time around.

Things are going to heat up when Lloyd and Andrea start dating and Steve finds he's jealous. It looks as if Andrea is playing it smart, keeping Steve at the friendship arms' length, not being too clingy or stalkery so far. I would rather her not get like that, in fact, and rather than do her best to break up Steve and Michelle, just wait for Steve to come to it himself, realizing that Michelle isn't The One but Andrea just might be. That's how I'd like to see it play out if indeed, that's where it's going. How about you?



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Hayley Tamaddon gets six months Corrie contract

Hayley Tamaddon, who plays Coronation Street newcomer Andrea, has been given a six month contract to stay on the show, reports The Sun (via Digital Spy).

Hayley's character has also been given a surname, always a good sign that a character's going to stay.  She's Andrea Beckett.

Any thoughts on Andrea so far, Corrie fans? 

I've found myself shouting at her, going "it's none of your business!" when she's been caught in between Steve and Michelle's bedroom shenanigans.  I do hope she gets together with Lloyd though, not Steve.

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