Last year, Keith Duffy, who played Ciaran McCarthy in Coronation Street, told Inside Soap magazine in an interview that he'd love to return to the part of Ciaran in Corrie.
Keith was in Corrie on and off for more than 10 years as Ciaran. He last appeared in 2011 and Keith has very fond memories of being in the show.
Back then, in that interview Keith said: "I was very lucky in the early days. I was working with the likes of Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin) and John Savident (Fred Elliot) - the characters I'd grown up watching on TV. To have scenes with them was brilliant. And I made a lot of friends here was well. Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow) is still one of my best mates."
Keith also revealed that Corrie was "...definitely something I'd do again. I enjoyed my time there, and they're a great bunch of people to work with."
And just this week, he's repeated his desire to return to the show. Keith was interviewed on ITV's Lorraine this week and when asked if he would ever return to Corrie, he said: "Yeah, absolutely. Why not? Maybe in 2019 you might get Ciaran McCarthy back from the Caribbean and walking down the cobbles again."
Keith Duffy, who played Ciaran McCarthy in Coronation Street, is interviewed in this week's Inside Soap magazine. As regular readers will know, I'm a big fan of Inside Soap magazine, it's the only soap magazine worth reading.
Anyway, Keith talks about how a world of opportunities opened up after he appeared in Coronation Street and he says he owes the show a great deal.
After Boyzone broke up, Keith says: "I got the gig at Corrie and that was huge for me. I owe a great deal to that show, they took a chance on me and it paid off. And it's given me the opportunity to move into different areas of the entertainment world now."
Keith was in Corrie on and off for more than 10 years as Ciaran. He last appeared in 2011 and Keith has very fond memories of being in the show.
"I was very lucky in the early days," he says. "I was working with the likes of Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin) and John Savident (Fred Elliot) - the characters I'd grown up watching on TV. To have scenes with them was brilliant. And I made a lot of friends here was well. Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow) is still one of my best mates."
Keith also revealed that Corrie is "...definitely something I'd do again. I enjoyed my time there, and they're a great bunch of people to work with."
I enjoyed Keith on Corrie and wouldn't mind one bit if he ever came back.
If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.
While pin-ups have only been a norm in soaps in the last 25 years or so, Coronation Street has had Romeos and Lotharios treading on the cobbles since the 1960s.
Ken Barlow has charmed many Weatherfield ladies over the years – he’s married four times and had 24 girlfriends. His first on-screen conquest was Susan Cunningham in 1960 and over the years his women have included the likes of Valerie Tatlock, Rita Littlewood, Wendy Nightingale, Deirdre Langton, Wendy Crozier, Alma Sedgewick, Denise Osbourne and Martha Fraser.
Another early Corrie Lothario was rough diamond Len Fairclough whose conquests included Elsie Tanner, Bet Lynch and Rita Littlewood (who managed to marry him). Len had that Scouse charm that was attractive and also he was a successful builder, joiner and plumber as well as being a councillor. His younger business partner Ray Langton also had an eye for the ladies – conquests including Irma Barlow, Sandra Butler and Audrey Fleming. A bad boy and fashionably with sideburns, Ray eventually married Deirdre Hunt. But his womanising ways led him to have an affair with Janice Stubbs which inevitably ended his marriage to Deirdre.
Someone who often clashed with Ray Langton was Annie Walker’s son Billy. Broad-shouldered and also occupying sideburns, Billy broke many a girl’s heart during his many stints on the programme between 1961 and 1984. Along with Ray, Billy Walker was the street’s heart-throb in the early 1970s and in 1974 he set his sights on Deirdre Hunt (17 years his junior). They planned to marry but Billy fled to Jersey weeks before the wedding and Deirdre later married Ray.
Businessmen Dave Smith (a ruthless-but-charming Cockney, a precursor to Mike Baldwin) and Alan Howard were also womanisers during the 1960s and 1970s with both having Elsie Tanner on their conquests list.
In 1976, Cockney Mike Baldwin bought the abandoned warehouse and established a denim factory. A ruthless boss, he soon became known for his way with the ladies. Bet Lynch fell for him immediately when he arrived and over the next thirty years Mike managed to woo the likes of Deirdre Barlow, Maggie Dunlop, Susan Barlow, Alma Sedgewick and Penny King and many more. He wined and dined them in fancy restaurants and they got to ride in his Jaguar.
Upon his arrival in 1986, Alan Bradley reminded many of Len Fairclough and indeed reminded Len’s widow Rita of him and she fell for him. While he was with Rita, he was also involved with Gloria Todd and Carole Burns. During his 20 years on the cobbles, Martin Platt also charmed many Weatherfield womenfolk including Jenny Bradley, Gail Tilsley, Sally Webster and Katy Harris.
Steve McDonald has also had his fair share of women over the years including Vicky Arden, Fiona Middleton, Karen Phillips, Tracy Barlow, Michelle Connor and Becky Granger.
Corner shop proprietor Dev Alahan in his early years was a Street Lothario (he still thinks he’s still got it!). Over the years he’s bedded Geena Gregory, Deirdre Rachid (shudder the thought!), Tracy Barlow and Sunita Parekh.
Peter Barlow has followed his father’s footsteps with the ladies and has even committed bigamy. Relationships over the years include Shelley Unwin, Lucy Richards, Maria Sutherland, Leanne Battersby, Michelle Connor and Carla Connor. Peter’s best mate Ciaran McCarthy has also used his Irish charm and good looks to whisk Sunita Pareck, Tracy Barlow and Michelle Connor off their feet.
Can you think of any other Corrie Lotharios? Vote for your favourite below And if you haven't yet, you can vote for your favourite layabout here.
Coronation Street Blog readers have voted Keith Duffy as their favourite famous face who appeared on Corrie. 345 voted and 58 (16.81%) voted for the Boyzone band member who played Ciaran McCarthy between 2002 and 2005 and from 2010 to 2011.
In second place was Nigel Havers, who received 56 votes (16.23%). He played suave escort Lewis Archer between 2009 and 2010 and from 2012 to 2013. In third place was Ian McKellen with 49 votes (14.2%) and he played con artist Mel Hutchwright in 2005.
In fourth place came Bradley Walsh with 44 votes (12.75%) who played Danny Baldwin between 2004 and 2006 and in fifth place was Maureen Lipman who played Rovers manageress Lillian Spencer in 2002, receiving 24 votes (6.96%).
In sixth place was Roy Hudd who played undertaker Archie Shuttleowrth between 2002 and 2003 and in 2006 and 2010, receiving 18 votes (5.22%). Rula Lenska, who played hairdresser Claudia Colby, came in seventh place with 15 votes (4.35%) and Peter Kay (played Eric Gartside in 2004), Status Quo (as themselves in 2004) and Kym Lomas (has played Michelle Connor since 2006) all were in eighth place with 13 votes (3.77%).
Sue Johnston, who plays Gloria Price, came in ninth place with 9 votes (2.61%); Stephanie Beacham, who played Martha Fraser in 2009, came in tenth place with 7 votes (2.03%); both Norman Wisdom (played Ernie Crabbe in 2004) and Robert Vaughn (played Milton Fanshawe in 2012) received 6 votes (1.74%) and were in eleventh place; and both Noddy Holder (who played Stan Potter in 2000) and Stephanie Cole (who plays Sylvia Goodwin) were in twelfth place with 4 votes (1.16%).
Bernard Cribbins (who played Wally Bannister in 2003) received 2 votes (0.58%) and Honor Blackman, Andrew Sachs, June Whitfield and Josephine Tewson all received 1 vote (0.29%). I've omitted the votes for Mollie Sugden, Patricia Routledge, Prunella Scales and Patrick Stewart because they appeared in Corrie before they became famous.
Happy with the results?
I have to say I did think that Mel Hutchwright would come out on top because, for me, he's been the best guest star and had a great storyline.
And if you haven't yet, you can vote for your favourite Corrie gossip here.
Keith Duffy, who played Coronation Street's Ciaran McCarthy, is hosting a Mad Men themed Ball at the Hilton, in aid of Manchester-based charity, the Hearts and Minds Challenge. Keith's co-hosts will be Melanie Sykes and Manchester United's Paul Scholes. The charity supports families touched by autism, and the hosts all have autistic children, so it’s a cause close to their hearts.
The Ball will take place at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel on 25th November. The hosts – who all have autistic children – will be joined by stars from Coronation Street and the London 2012 Paralympic Games, to help raise £1 million to fund a new school in Manchester for autistic children.
Tickets are selling out fast, but there are still a small number of tables available at the ball.The Ball will feature entertainment from Atomic Kitten star, Natasha Hamilton, and well-known crooner Cole Page. There will also be a three course meal and the chance to bag some amazing items in the charity auction.
Keith Duffy, said: “I want to do something different to getting dressed up in a suit and dicky bow. I love the idea of a Mad Men theme and Mel is excited about putting her hair up in a beehive. Adults love a fancy dress theme and this will be a night to remember.”
The Hearts and Minds Challenge aims to raise the quality of life for individuals and their families affected by autism, by ensuring the provision of the highest standards in education, care and support. The charity is currently welcoming anyone interested in supporting the ball or taking a table at the event. For more information, please visit: http://www.heartsandmindschallenge.org/
Keith Duffy, who left Corrie last week as Ciaran McCarthy, hosted his annual Masquerade Ball which this year raised €150,000 for Irish Autism Action and the Saplings School in Rathfarnham, Dublin The ball was held at the weekend in at the Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, County Wicklow in Enniskerry, Ireland. Some of the Coronation Street cast attended the ball including Kym Marsh (Michelle) and Chris Gascoyne (Peter).
Before the ball Keith said: 'Irish Autism Action is a charity very close to my heart. As its patron for the last nine years I have seen first-hand the difference the charity can make to the lives of those affected by autism.'
There's a good interview in The Sun today with Keith Duffy, who plays Coronation Street's Ciaran McCarthy.
Keith talks about leaving Corrie to be with his family, how he hopes he'll return to the Street one day in the future and how he coped with his grief at losing Boyzone member Stephen Gately.
The Daily Star reports today that Keith Duffy, who plays Ciaran McCarthy, won't ever be returning to Coronation Street after he's written out at Christmas.
The paper says that Keith is quitting Coronation Street for good and will be written out in a dramatic Christmas storyline. He wants to spend more time with his family and kids and won't be back on the cobbles after he leaves later this year.
A source close to the actor told the Star: “Something had to give and sadly it was Corrie. He’s had a great time working on the show but these last few months have proved very demanding."
Kym Marsh has confirmed via her column in New magazine that she and Keith Duffy (Ciaran McCarthy) will return to Coronation Street together in September. The on-screen couple Michelle and Ciaran left the street to work on a cruise ship, giving Boyzone singer the chance to tour with the band and allow Kym her early maternity leave.
"I'm due to return to work on Corrie around September and so is Keith Duffy, who plays Ciaran McCarthy," Kym said. "It makes sense for Ciaran and Michelle to return together as viewers like them as a couple."
It's going to be interesting to see how the return of this couple will interact with the new Rovers Return managers.
Corrie fans were in for a treat watching Loose Women today, with both guests coming from our very own cobbles.
Chris Fountain was first up, discussing his new role of Tommy and what it's been like to take on the legendary soap name of Duckworth.
Keith Duffy rounded off the Loose lunch with a chat about Boyzone's latest tour and, of course, playing our favourite Irish chef, Ciaran McCarthy. He announced he's expecting to return to filming on the Street in mid-September with Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor), providing Phil Collinson will have them back! We'll probably expect to see Ciaran and Michelle back onscreen in late October if all goes well.
Check out the interviews if you can, they're worth a watch!
According to Digital Spy, Michelle and Ciaran (played by Kym Marsh and Keith Duffy) are due to have a bit of a fling on Coronation Street, and "steamy scenes" have already been filmed.
Sorry, but "yeuch".
The thought of this pair getting it on, steamily or otherwise, leaves me cold. Don't get me wrong - I love Ciaran. He deserves a decent storyline AND a decent love interest. Michelle's okay but just the wrong person for Ciaran, in my opinion. No. It should be ME, ME, ME!!
I think I'll do a Mary and buy a camper van. I'll get her recipe for hot chocolate with "just a hint of brandy" and set myself up outside Granada studios. When Ciaran/Keith walks past, I'll open the camper door, stick me leg out "accidentally" and whisk him off to Howarth. Job done - thanks for the tips, Mary!
Ciaran's here to stay on Coronation Street and he's going to make his mark in the pub. He's decided that the pub is turning into a boring place and thinks that organising a speed dating night will bring in some extra money for the pub and launch a few of cupid's arrows at the same time. As you might expect, the idea doesn't go down well with some of the punters.
Norris always has an opinion, for one. Ciaran gets Rosie to dress up in her hotpants and deliver posters around Weatherfield to entice all the lonely people. If Ciaran and Nick participate, I'm betting Natasha will be in there like a dirty shirt, and so will Michelle. I hope there's a few strangers to balance off the Street's singles and it should be a good laugh if nothing else!
Contrary to press reports earlier this week, ITV have confirmed Keith Duffy is going nowhere and plans to stay with Coronation Street for the foreseeable. He'll be juggling his Boyzone commitments with playing Ciaran on Corrie, and says he has some great storylines coming up.
Great news as far as I'm concerned! I like the character of Ciaran and was disappointed to hear he was leaving again so soon after returning, so glad he's not going anywhere. What are your thoughts on Keith Duffy remaining with Corrie?
