Rob James-Collier turns anorak for new drama

The gorgeous Rob James-Collier is currently cheering up my Sunday nights in Downton Abbey and he'll soon be starring in a new comedy drama on ITV called Love Life.  Read more on that here.

But before we see him in that, he'll be turning up in a a drama called The Milkman - and yes, that is him in the picture in the anorak - and you can read all about it at Ian Wylie's blog here.

Rob James-Collier to star in new ITV comedy drama

Rob James-Collier, who played Coronation Street's Liam Connor, is to take on the male lead in 'Love Life'.   It's ITV1's upcoming three-part comedy drama, which is said to be a "warm, comic tale of love, romance and family".

Rob will play Joe, who under pressure from girlfriend Lucy took off on a round-the-world adventure, only to return months later to learn is former flame is not only married to someone else, but pregnant.

Rob James-Collier returns to our screens

Fans of Rob James-Collier, ex-Liam Connor of Coronation Street will know that his first post-Corrie tv role was footman Thomas Barrow in the period drama Downtown Abbey. Ian Wylie caught up with Rob for a feature on the new season of Downton which takes place in 1916 in the thick of World War 1.

When we left Downton last year, it was 1914 and the Great War was just beginning. Rob's character had been causing a bit of trouble at the manor and he decided to join the Medical Corps in hopes of avoiding combat. You see Thomas is a bit on the shady side, ducking and diving and that sort of thing. But Thomas' plan doesn't work out quite as he expected and he ends up in the thick of the action.

Rob spoke to a veteran of the Falklands to get some insight and was inspired by the stories he was told. He's determined to give as good a portrayal as possible. It sounds like his character will be affected profoundly.


Downton Abbey returns for a second season on ITV1 on Sunday, September 18. There will be an 8 part series and, later, a Christmas special.

Downton Abbey's Corrie connections

Is anyone else enjoying the new ITV Sunday night drama, Downton Abbey?

Apart from the obvious and very lovely Rob James-Collier who was Liam Connor in Coronation Street and is now in Downton Abbey as Thomas the footman, there's a couple of other Corrie connections we've spotted.

Joanne Froggatt, who played Zoe Tattersall in Corrie, is playing head housemaid Anna in Downton Abbey. She's on the picture below, on the left hand side.

Siobhan Finneran, who starred in the Corrie spin-off DVD Romanian Holiday (and this fan would love to see on Corrie full-time) appears as Sarah O'Brien, the Lady's Maid. She's on the picture below, on the right hand side.

And writer Julian Fellowes is also a huge Coronation Street fan. I know we won't have spotted them all, so have you seen any more Downton Abbey / Corrie connections?

Just announced: Nigel Havers (Lewis Archer) is also joining the show.

Rob James-Collier as you've never seen him before

Hold on to your aprons lady, here's Rob James-Collier, Coronation Street's Liam Connor, as you've never seen him before.

Rob will be playing a gay footman in the new ITV Drama Downton Abbey. Find out more here.

Rob James-Collier back on TV as gay footman

Rob James-Collier, who played Coronation Street's Liam Connor, will be back on TV soon as a gay footman in an historical drama.

Read the full interview with Rob at the Manchester Evening News

Julie Goodyear quits Calendar Girls

Julie Goodyear has had to pull out of the stage play Calendar Girls after contracting a virus. Julie, who played Coronation Street's Bet Lynch, has been ordered by doctors to stay at home and have complete rest.

And despite the play's publicity pictures having Rob-James Collier in them, he's also not in the play.

Rob James-Collier goes missing again

Former Coronation Street “heart-throb” Rob James-Collier (who played Lovely Liam – not the baby, but the murdered father of same) left Corrie to pursue his intention of being a serious actor. We heard nothing about him for many a month. Then we heard that he was taking on a role in the west end production of the play Calendar Girls.

Today I find that he’s been “replaced” in Calendar Girls by someone called Carl Prekopp. I can’t find any explanation why, or what he’s doing now. The Calendar Girls website has removed all mention of him, too. It’s a mystery, but what I’m hoping is that his agent has called him about a job as a maverick surgeon on Holby. I’m sorry, but once the idea of him wearing scrubs got into my head, it just wouldn’t leave.

Reproduced with permission from the fab TV blog PauseLiveAction

Rob James-Collier joins Calendar Girls

News on Rob James-Collier has been a little scarce since he left Coronation Street as Liam Connor. Yours truly spotted him at The Specials gig at Brixton earlier this year but he's otherwise kept a low profile.

Well, now he's back with a bang as he takes to the stage in London's West End in Calendar Girls alongside Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch) who'll be taking off her clothes. Oo-er missus. Find out more here.

Julie Goodyear gets her kit off on stage

I wasn't all that surprised to hear that Julie Goodyear was game for stage nudity. She's always impressed me as a woman that would expose herself, good or bad, for her art. She'd often appear in Corrie without makeup for scenes that would take place in the morning.

Anyway, she's got a part in a new production of Calendar Girls for a 10 week run. This of course, is the story of a group of women belonging to a North Yorkshire chapter of the Women's Institute posed naked for a calendar to raise money for a local hospital. The play in the West End is already ongoing but will have a cast change on November 3.

Another former Coronation Street star, hunky Rob James-Collier, who played Liam Connor, will also be joining the cast. I don't think he gets his kit off. More's the pity!

Rob James-Collier's clothes for sale on eBay

Anyone want a top worn by Rob James-Collier? Well, there's a t-shirt worn by Liam Connor on Coronation Street up for sale on eBay Gum right here.

See also: the raging debate about Rob James-Collier's height.

Rob James-Collier, rude boy

Last night, Rob James-Collier and I danced the night away.

Well, ok, so we didn't dance together and he has no idea I exist, but yours truly spotted Rob James-Collier, who played Coronation Street's Liam Connor, at The Specials gig at Brixton Academy last night, Saturday 16 May. And so, for those who'd like to know, here's a few things I noted about Corrie's Liam Connor.

1. He's shaved his beard off

2. He's not as tall as he looks on TV

3. He's got a lovely, clear complexion

4. And as he's a Specials fan, that makes him a Rude Boy

Has Rob James-Collier shaved off his beard?

When he left Coronation Street's Liam Connor behind him, actor Rob James-Connor started growing a beard. And now it appears to have gone.

Pictures of Rob warming up to take part in CAFOD Liverpool's annual fun run on December 27 show him clean shaven. Rob said he was really looking forward to the fun run, "...especially as I’ve been keeping fit this year so for the first time ever I’m going to time myself. It’s always good fun and I wouldn’t miss it, I just hope it isn’t raining – running on soggy grass won’t help my time!”

His thoughts on beards weren't recorded.

Rob James-Collier grows a beard

Is Rob James-Collier's new beard all part of Coronation Street's Liam Connor wanting to be taken seriously as an AcTorr instead of a piece of soap froth? Who knows?

Perhaps the Beard Liberation Front can help answer this burning beardy question.

Liam Connor quits Corrie

If Liam Connor is your eye-candy of choice on Coronation Street, look away now. It's been confirmed that actor Rob James-Collier is leaving for pastures new and taking his broody eyes and shiny hair with him.

Let's just hope he leaves the gorgeous Ozzy the puppy behind - that dog is surely a contender for best soap newcomer in the Soap Awards this year.

PS: Hello to the Boro fans coming in from FMTTM! ;-)