Akshay Gulati, aged 20, is the son of ex-Coronation Street actor Shobna Gulati, who played Sunita Alahan.
He's been cast as sweet and simple Eddie Taylor in 'The Family Way', a Bill Naughton play set in 1960s Bolton.
Akshay is the youngest member of the cast, says the Bolton News, and is performing in his first professional role, having recently completed a foundation course in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
He said: "I grew up in green rooms watching my mum so I never had any other career path in mind. Mum has been great at teaching me about the industry and I admit it is nice to have that inside figure guiding you, but I do want to carve my own path.
"Although of course, like most mums she is very proud."
The Family Way is running from September 4 to October 3 at The Octagon Theatre in Bolton. Buy tickets here.
Ah, the perils of a returning character. It either works or it doesn't. For me at the moment, Coronation Street is all about the return of that legendary ginger minx, Jenny Bradley. This is a joy for me as it brings back memories of one of Corrie's best ever sagas from what I still see as a golden era for the show. So far Sally Ann Matthews has been on fine form, performing the difficult task of bringing life to Jenny over twenty years after her last appearance. I think it is working a treat. It is stirring up drama for some of the more established, long standing members of the Corrie cast and that can only be a good thing. The return story is plausible and Sally Ann is clearly relishing being back. I can't wait to see what happens next. Bringing back former characters is a risky business. It's a gamble that can pay off, rewarding long-time viewers with references to the past, although sometimes they can just get it wrong. I think the main principles for bringing an old character back to Corrie are quite simple. Firstly, the character concerned must still be relevant. They must have current, ongoing links and often unfinished business with regular cast members. Secondly, the actor must be returning to play a character that is still recognisable to enough of the regular, loyal Corrie viewers. Finally, the writers must be able to write authentically for the character and understand both them and their motivations. Sometimes I do sympathise with the powers that be. They can't do right for doing wrong. Either they are bringing in too many new faces which fans think do not gel or are not right for Corrie or they are bringing back too many old hat characters that have long since past their sell by dates. Some recent returns have been surprisingly good. Jenny aside, I found myself enjoying CIlla's brief visit to Weatherfield last year. I was never much of a fan of Cilla during her original stint, she was always too extreme and too pantomime for my tastes. However the toned down, vulnerable CIlla we saw more recently worked well and felt a lot more believable. One of my favourite returning characters of recent years has to be Wendy flamin' Crozier. Coming from the same period as Jenny Bradley, the Ken-Deirdre-Wendy triangle of the late 1980s was superb. Roberta Kerr just seemed to pick up where she left off and it was great to see her back to upset the Barlow applecart. Sometimes though, we are left scratching our heads and wondering where it all went wrong. Step forward Julie Goodyear, former queen of the Rovers Return as the iconic Bet Lynch. I loved our Bet - the comedy, the drama, the frocks, she had it all. The ill-advised come back in 2002 left a sour taste in the mouth as both Ms Goodyear and the viewing public quickly realised too much water had flowed down the Irwell since her last appearance in 1995. Some things are best left in the past as glorious, camp memories.
At least the character of Bet remained true to herself on her much heralded return. The same cannot be said for others. I loved Sunita when she first appeared in 2001. She was sweet, kind and easy to love. Her come back in 2009 proved otherwise. She returned to Dev, they did a crazy, Nazir-like move into the street and the writers morphed her into a vamp, a seductress with the morals of something you'd find up the ginnel late at night. The same can be said of Dev's errant daughter Amber. She was the funny, sharp kid for a while, then left only to return solely to ruin Sawphie's relationship with Sian. It didn't work at all. Of the current cast, we have returnee Todd, another previously mainly decent character who has now inherited the warped mind of the tricyle riding child from The Omen. I think we are finally due an explanation of what the devil has happened to him. There are always characters I would still love to see make a return to Weatherfield, whether for a special one off appearance or for a longer stint. Everyone has their own wish list of those they'd love to come back, so here is mine: 1. Mavis WIlton. Oh for one final glimpse of our Mave. I want this so badly I was over the moon just to hear her name mentioned recently when Rita went to stay with her. Seeing Barbara Knox and Thelma Barlow reunited for that special documentary at Christmas was an absolute joy. It would be wonderful to see RIta and Emily visit Mavis at her guest house for a special episode. Go on, Corrie, make it happen. 2. Eddie Windass. Why Corrie ever got rid of the fantastic Eddie Windass I'll never know. He was a classic Coronation Street character in the making. He was lazy, work shy and needed a good going over with a damp flannel yet he still managed to turn out beautiful cakes for any occasion. Now that we are seeing the back of Owen, isn't it time Gary went to look for old Eddie, bringing him back to Weatherfield and reuniting him with Anna? 3. Suzie Birchall. One of my all time favourite Corrie women, Suzie epitomised the golden Corrie era of the late 1970s. Indeed, Suzie really brought Corrie into that decade with a bang. I loved the set up of Gail, Suzie and Elsie, it really was cracking stuff. Gail rarely mentions Suzie these days, perhaps not surprising considering she tried to pinch her husband Brian back in 1983. In fact, with hindsight, it might have been better for Gail if she'd succeeded. I understand Cheryl Murray has suffered some ill health in recent years but I think it would be terrific to see Suzie turn up on Gail's doorstep one more time. We've had Gail the overpowering mother from hell and we've had Gail the simpering lovestruck bride to be, so why not have Gail having some fun and turning some heads with her old pal? 4. Janice Battersby. Perhaps a bit of a Marmite choice here, but for me her relationship with Leanne was always much more truthful and believable than anything the writers cooked up with Stella. Janice has all but been wiped from our memories which I think is a shame as Vicky Entwistle brought a lot of verve to the role. She wasn't always nice, but she was fiercely protective of her own. I'd like to see Janice back for a visit. 5. Finally, please powers that be, tempt Suranne Jones back for a stint as the wonderful Karen McDonald. Karen has been the only real match for Steve as far as I'm concerned. I loved their fiery relationship and Suranne is a brilliant actress. There are plenty of reasons for her to make a return with the likes of Steve, Liz and Tracy all still in the show. And I for one would love to see her take on Michelle. So there we have it, my take on the pros and cons of bringing back classic characters to Corrie. The next cab off the rank will be Gail's darling Sarah Lou. We shall have to wait and see how that one goes. Follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82 Download our App | Follow on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog | Like on Facebook All original work on the Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License
If you're wondering what happened to Ashley and Sunita from Coronation Street, the actors who played them both are featuring in a video for Gala Bingo to win a VIP visit to the Coronation Street set
Watch the full video here and find out more here. Note, Gala Bingo is an online gambling website and is not endorsed by us.
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.
32. Dev Alahan and Sunita Parekh/Alahan, 2004-2006, 2010-2013 (46 votes)
Sunita Parekh was an employee at one of Dev’s seven shops, after she fled from her arranged marriage in India. Soon enough, Dev hired her as an assistant at the corner shop and she moved into the flat. Sunita dated Ciaran McCarthy and planned to marry, but they didn’t. Dev, meanwhile, was dating lawyer Maya Sharma. Soon enough, Dev found Sunita behaving oddly and when she collapsed in the shop it was revealed that she had a brain tumour. Dev later proclaimed love to Sunita and dumped Maya who was not pleased. Dev and Sunita got married in 2004.
Maya appeared again, wanting revenge. She framed Sunita for bigamy and Sunita was sent to jail for a while. Dev sorted things out and Maya was arrested but freed. Her next step was burning Dev’s shops, keeping Dev and Sunita hostage in the flat and then setting fire to it. They were saved and Maya then tried to run them over. She crashed into a lorry and was sent to a hospital. The Alahans settled to marital life and twins Aadi and Asha were born in 2006. The marriage ended when Sunita found out that Dev had fathered children from his shop assistants and divorced him.
They reunited in 2010 when Dev found out Sunita was back in the area. But, in 2012, a bored Sunita had an affair with Karl Munro and Dev moved out. But after a few months, Sunita realised that she’d made a mistake and she reunited with Dev. But the reunion didn’t last long as Sunita caught Karl starting a fire in the Rovers and he pushed her down the cellar steps into the flames. Although she’d survived the fire, Karl finished her off in the hospital by dislodging her life support tube.
Were you a fan of Dev and Sunita? Should they be at 32?
31. Ashley Peacock and Maxine Heavey/Peacock, 1997, 1999-2003 (51 votes)
Although they were a mismatched couple, it was a popular one. After dating him and then moving in with him, Maxine married Ashley in 1999, seeking security more than ever. The marriage was troubled from the start with Maxine accusing Ashley of having an affair and Maxine having trouble getting pregnant by Ashley. When he was in surgery sorting the problem, Maxine drunkenly slept with local GP Matt Ramsden and fell pregnant. Joshua was born in 2001. Although he was angered that Matt was the father, Ashley vowed to forget about the subject and continued to live a happy life with his wife and baby.
By 2003, the Peacocks were happy but it was all going to end tragically. Maxine was murdered by Richard Hillman. He hadn’t intended to kill her though. His intended victim was Emily Bishop who was babysitting for the Peacocks. After bludgeoning Emily, Richard was disturbed by Maxine, who’d popped home to check on Emily and Joshua. While Maxine attempted to escape, Richard bludgeoned her as well. Emily survived the attack. At 26, Ashley was a widower and a single father.
Were you a fan of Ashley and Maxine? Should they be at 31?
Ernest Bishop and Emily Nugent/Bishop (1969-1978) – After spending the 1960s finding a man, Miss Nugent met photographer Ernest in 1969 and found they shared the same interests – religion, community involvement, music and literature. They married in 1972 and settled at 3 Coronation Street. Middle-aged, they’d missed the chance of parenthood but had the opportunity of fostering in 1974. Ernie’s financial woes in 1976 strained the marriage somewhat as he accepted to accompany strippers on the piano at the local nightclub, much to Emily’s annoyance. He did find employment at the factory as a wages clerk but was gunned down in a robbery in 1978. Emily was heartbroken.
Dev Alahan and Sunita Pareck/Alahan (2004-2006, 2010-2013) – Sunita was Dev’s assistant at the Corner Shop and she was smitten with him. But it wasn’t until she had a brain tumour that Dev realised he loved her. Dev dumped his girlfriend Maya for Sunita who didn’t take it too well. She framed Sunita for bigamy and blew all of Dev’s shop up and tried to kill the Alahans by gassing them but they escaped. The Alahans then settled into married life and twins Aadi and Asha were born in 2006. But the marriage collapsed when Sunita found out about that Dev had fathered many children with his shop assistants! In 2009, Sunita re-entered Dev’s life and they decided to give it another go. But, in 2012, a bored Sunita had an affair with Karl Munro and Dev moved out. But after a few months, Sunita realised that she’d made a mistake and she reunited with Dev. But the reunion didn’t last long as Sunita caught Karl starting a fire in the Rovers and he pushed her down the cellar steps into the flames. Although she’d survived the fire, Karl finished her off in the hospital by dislodging her life support tube.
Ashley and Claire Casey/Peacock (2003-2010) – Ashley and Claire met when she became a nanny for his son Joshua. They married in 2004 and in 2006 their son Thomas, who was re-named Freddie after Ashley’s dad Fred died later that year. During their six year marriage, the Peacocks had their fair share of drama, from Claire’s post natal depression to Freddie being kidnapped by disturbed Casey Carswell who also tried to kill Claire and manipulate Ashley by having an affair with him. As well as dramas, Ashley and Claire starred in comic storylines that include a house swap with the Websters in 2008 and Claire forcing Ashley to have a vasectomy in 2009. The marriage came to a tragic end when Ashley was crushed by a beam in the aftermath of the tram crash in 2010.
Alf Roberts and Renee Bradshaw/Roberts (1977-1980) – After chasing Maggie Clegg in the early 70s, it was no surprise when Alf started courting shopkeeper Renee and many accused him of being interested in her because of the shop. After two proposals, they married in 1978. When Alf announced his retirement from the GPO, Renee was worried as she didn’t want Alf with her day and night. She felt awful when he was injured in the Rovers lorry crash in 1979 and was happy for him to be with her behind the counter. In 1980, they decided to sell up and move to Grange-over-Sands to run a sub-post office there. But while on the way home from a visit, learner driver Renee stalled the car and a lorry crashed into them. Renee died and Alf decided to stay on at the corner shop.
Don Brennan and Ivy Tilsley/Brennan (1987-1994) – Ivy met cabby Don in 1987 when he drove her home. Don was a widower, and he and Ivy married in 1988. But when her son Brian was stabbed to death in 1989, Ivy turned more to religion than to Don and the couple grew apart. Don soon found out that he’d made a mistake in marrying Ivy as she became obsessed with Brian’s widow Gail’s relationship with Martin Platt and the effect it had on the children. Don had an affair with Julie Dewhurst in 1992 and when she dumped him, he attempted suicide but it only resulted in him having his leg amputated. Ivy, devastated, turned to drink as she and Don slept separately. Ivy later left the street for a convent, where she died of a stroke in 1995.
Have you got favourites in this five? Well vote for two of them and we'll see where they'll be in the countdown! Voting closes at midnight on Monday, 2nd December.
I really was looking forward to the return of Todd Grimshaw. His original stint in Coronation Street was very successful and the coming-out storyline well scripted and well handled by all concerned. However, reading the spoilers for next weeks episodes, it looks as if our Todd has had a personality transplant since leaving to live in that London.
Going on next weeks episodes there appears to be a touch of the Tracy Barlow about Mr Grimshaw these days. The previously intelligent, thoughtful, caring character now apparently boasts the dubious qualities of a lying manipulator.
He's also gone from a promising young student to someone else desparate for a job in the Bistro. I think we all know what Nick will make of that development. It is also such a cliche that Todd would attempt to split up Marcus and Maria, if the rumours are true. I think Corrie can do better than this.
It just seems such a shame to me. Nice characters need not be boring, so I don't know why we have to suffer through so many mean, nasty feuds these days. The current Tracy, Tina spat is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Characters being at each others throats all the time isn't necessarily dramatic and involving for us viewers. Corrie have of course pulled this trick before. The powers that be brought back both Amber and Sunita, did nothing with them of any note, then transformed their previously pleasant characters into very much the complete opposite. The ruining of Sunita's character in particular was embarrassing and uncomfortable to watch. Let's just hope Todd doesn't go the same way.
I know it is far too early to judge, I just get very frustrated with my favourite soap when I see patterns repeating themselves. Let's hope Todd's return to Weatherfield does eventually live up to my expectations. I'm not saying I want a rehash of what he did during his original stint, however it would be great to see evidence of this character having matured and developed for the better during his absence.
I was maybe a little harsh when I blogged yesterday on the aftermath of the Karl Munro saga. Having thought about it, maybe Dev isn't so bad after all... I mean the Devster has been a fixture of Coronation Street for fourteen years now so Jimmi Harkishin must be doing something right. I've never really been a massive fan of the character though I admit. I liked him with Sunita the first time around - she humanised him in the same kind of way that Alma brought out the best in Mike Baldwin. However, Dev and Sunita the second time was just one big boring mistake. I also quite liked his partnership with Vikram back in the day. Mainly because I thought Vik was a good character. And when daughter Amber first appeared, she gave her dad a good run for his money and that was fun to watch.
On the negative side, we had that dreadful long running storyline where Dev got involved with both mother and daughter. Where on earth did the writing team get that one from? I still shudder at the thought of that big naked portrait of the Devster being unveiled. And while I'm shuddering there's always the Dev/Deirdre pairing haunting us all like a very unwanted party guest.
So I guess it's all swings and roundabouts with Dev. The Mad Maya saga was preposterous but good fun, however that was mainly down to the magnificently bonkers Maya. I keep hoping they'll bring her back to finish the job. My main issue with Dev is that he just doesn't really fit into Weatherfield life. Sure he's got the kids and a local business, but I just don't think he suits the Corner Shop anymore. I agree with David that a middle aged woman should be running that place, making it more of a neighbourhood hub once again. He also does not come across as the kind of character to be living in the middle of that terrace either. I thought it was weird when the Alahan's bought that house, and I still can't fathom it. So am I harsh about Dev? Is he a character worth nurturing for the years to come?
When Karl Munro first arrived in Weatherfield I thought he had a decent future ahead of him. Out of all of the Price family, he was the one I took to the most. However since his arrival in 2011, the powers that be have taken Karl from being a loveable rogue to a love rat to an arsonist and now, by the looks of it, a murderer. To be honest I am not complaining about this. Anything that enlivens the Price family is fine by me, even if it does mean extra screen time. John Michie is brilliant at playing the villain of the piece. He has just the right combination of menace and vulnerability. One minute you think he is going to crack and reveal all and the next he is spurred on by his desperate situation and adds another devilish deed to his growing list of crimes. In many ways he is a rather good combination of past villains John Stape and Richard Hillman.
She first appeared on the Street back in March 2001 so that's 12 years she's been a part of the Street, but will anyone miss her? I don't think I will and I wish she'd take Dev with her. The twins can stay though, I quite like the twins. And the aunties can come back. I quite liked the aunties.
Since she's been on the cobbles, Sunita's worked in the corner shop, and had a relationship with Duggie Feguson. He died. She got engaged to Ciaran McCarthy and jilted him at the altar. She had a one night stand with Danny Baldwin, developed a brain tumour and has been tied up by mad Maya. After marrying Dev and giving birth to the twins her final ruination came with her affair with Karl Munro after working as a barmaid in the Rovers Return.
Not a great life for a woman on the cobbles, then, and one I didn't particularly enjoy watching. Anyway, they are my thoughts. I won't miss Sunita. Will you?
Despite a 42 year gap, their lives ended or will end very similarly. Valerie of course was electrocuted by a faulty hairdryer in January 1971. When electrocuted she hit the electric fire which fell into a packing case and began a fire which in time made the whole masionette the Barlows were living in go ablaze. Despite the doctors' efforts, Valerie couldn't be saved (the electrocution and fire contributed to this) and she died at the age of 28. The fire exposed structural faults in the masionettes and so the council demolished them. Valerie of course was the mother of twins Peter and Susan and left widowed Ken to bring them up on his own - which he didn't for very long! He sent them to Scotland to be raised by Valerie's parents Alfred and Edith Tatlock.
Fast forward to 2013 and we see Sunita, who's in her mid 30s, fall victim to a fire. And yes, she will leave twins Asha and Aadi without a mother and Dev will have to bring them up alone. Unless he'll send them to India to be looked after by Uncle Umed!
And then Asha will come back (with an Indian accent) and marry the latest factory tycoon (who is Dev's arch enemey after he had an affair with Dev's latest wife!) and then tell him she's pregnant and then tell him she aborted the baby but in fact she didn't and her son will appear years later while she'll die in a car crash. While Aadi will return to run the bookies, become a bigamist, alcoholic and adulterer. Something tells me that that's been done before?
Will history repeat itself? It usually does!
Am I the only one that's seen the similarities? Maybe I'm reading too much into things!
So last night we sat and watched while the Rovers Return burned. Goodness me, all this in the name of entertainment! Obviously, I couldn't wait to get my thoughts down on the blog, as this storyline has been much heralded for many weeks now. However rather than write at great length I'm just going to keep it simple and do a list of things I liked and things I definitely did not. So here we go. Let's start off on a positive note: - The special effects and the fire itself were spectacular and very realistic. You could see where the money had gone on screen. - The build up to the fire itself was nicely paced, even if it did feel like the strip show took an age at times! - The fire will thankfully mark the end of the awful wallpaper/curtains/sofa combo in the Rovers back room. - I liked that it was Emily and Norris who raised the alarm, even though the Barlows were almost all absent. - John Michie is proving to be a very effective villain in his role as Karl. - Tracy Barlow finally has a saving grace - she rescued Eccles from No. 1!
And now we come to my negative thoughts I'm afraid: - Echos of the tram crash Mr Collinson - lots of residents rushing down the cobbles towards a flaming building, only this time we had the refreshing change of it being in the opposite direction. - The strip show was just ludicrous! I actually found it embarrassing to watch, even if Rita was planted right in the front row. - It was yet another story centred on St Ella of the Back Room. I found it disturbing to watch her soaking in the bath with Barry White crooning in the background. Urgh. - This big event will obviously lead to lots of plots by numbers in the coming weeks: we'll have the beside vigils, the blame game, the guilt, the yucky Karl & St Ella reconciliation and the eventual unmasking of Karl by a suspicious St Ella. Yawn!
- I would have preferred a happier ending for the once lovely Sunita.
- The fact that this is Phil Collinson's idea of a big exit for himself. Get over yourself I say: I'd rather have had a better quality of stories and scripts throughout his reign rather than a big bang to say goodbye. - The overall feeling of deja vu. Despite a more modern approach, it just feels like we've been here before. - The promo picture of St Ella, Karl and Sunita surrounded by flames is one of the worst I have ever seen! - I was most disappointed that St Ella didn't pay homage to Bet Lynch by crawling though her own vomit a la 1986. Despite my reservations I will of course be tuning in on Wednesday to find out what happens next. So what are your thoughts so far?
There's a good, long interview with Shobna Gulati, who plays Sunita Alahan on Coronation Street, in today's Sun in which she reveals the real reasons she's leaving the soap.
It's a sad read, really. Shobna says she's been coping with depression, anxiety attacks after racist abuse on twitter and by being that broke she couldn't pay her household bills.
She says that killing off Sunita is the best thing that could happen and is a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.
Having filmed her final scenes, Shobna said: “I now feel free.” and “When I handed in my resignation I knew it was the right thing. I hope now I won’t feel like I’m living in a goldfish bowl and the stress in
my life will be reduced. here are a lot of things about the Street I loved, but there are many
things I won’t miss. The pressure got too much. I’m pleased just to be Shobna again.”
I couldn't resist that headline! Shobna Gulati isn't going to be unemployed for long. There are reports in today's Independent that she's going to be joining the panel of the daily talk show, Loose Women. It's a fun talk show and there are a lot of former Corrie actors that have graced the stage including Sherrie Hewson (Maurieen Holdsworth Webster), Sally Lindsay (Shelley Unwin, Sunita's best mate), and Denise Welch (Natalie Horrocks Barnes).
Shobna is looking forward to it and says "I'm delighted to be joining the Loose Women team. It's a show I have watched and loved for years."
There's no word on when she starts but look for her soon.
This lovely photo of Shobna Gulati and Natalie Gumede, who play Sunita Alahan and Kirsty Soames in Coronation Street, was posted to twitter today by the official Coronation Street website at @itvcorrie.
Shobna and Natalie, as Sunita and Kirsty ,have now filmed their final scenes and left the cobbles - for good? Who knows? Well, if tabloid rumours are true, Sunita will snuff it in the Rovers Return fire which takes place next month.
But as for crazy Kirsty, well, I'd love to see her back. Just when Tyrone and Fiz and the kids are settling down to watch telly on a cosy, cold winter's night, their Christmas lights flickering above the fireplace, a glass of sherry in their hands, there'll be a sound at the back door, a shadowy figure, and it'll be Kirsty coming back to cause more trouble. Yes, I'd love to see her back.
Natalie Gumede has been one of the best actresses Corrie's ever had - in this fan's opinion. And Kirsty Soames will be remembered for being one of the nastiest villains ever - and so brilliant to watch.
It's going to be interesting to see where the careers of both actresses will take them next. As soon as we hear news of either of them, we'll be blogging it, of course.
There's a Coronation Street exclusive spoiler in today's Sun that says the Rovers Return will burst into flames, burn down and kill off Sunita Alahan.
Take with your usual pinch of salt because the story comes from our good friend Mr Curry Sauce.
He says (I'm assuming it's a 'he') that Sunita goes loopy after finding out Karl has gone back to St Ella. And the next thing you know, the pub bursts into flames, kills Sunita and others are trapped.
It's a spring storyline that will “utterly devastate” The Rovers Return, it's claimed.
Curry Sauce tells The Sun: “When the fire is finally put out, The Rovers will stand in ruins.”
