FORMER Coronation Street star Suranne Jones was on good form when we met last week at a hotel near Oxford Street in London.
She was there to talk about her role as Beth in a second series of Manchester-filmed drama Vincent, back on ITV1 next month.
There’ll be more about that both here and in the MEN soon. But we also spoke about the part she is currently filming. Suranne has already warned her dad to avert his gaze when it is screened.
A story appeared in yesterday’s Diary. If you missed it, or don’t have access to a hard copy of the paper, here’s some of what we discussed:
Author: ianwylie
ABI Finley has no regrets: “I’m the luckiest nearly-Jewish nun in the world.”
I spoke to Abi after writing yesterday’s blog on her dramatic exit from How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
She was astonished that Andrew Lloyd Webber had suddenly mentioned Funny Girl on the live BBC1 show. Abi’s idol Barbara Streisand starred in both the original Broadway stage version and the subsequent film.
Celebrating her 24th birthday yesterday, Abi also revealed what the Lord of the theatre said to her after Saturday night’s programme and how she and best friend Aoife Mullholland will be back in this week’s grand final. All 10 Maria finalists will return to sing a special number.
TEARS flowed as Abi Finley’s dream of playing Maria in The Sound of Music was shattered in dramatic fashion last night.
But the Prestwich student – who celebrates her 24th birthday today – has been tipped for stardom by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Amid claims of stage management and jammed phone lines, it was so long, farewell for Abi when she lost in a sing off with her best friend Aoife Mullholland.
The semi final of BBC1’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? did throw up a surprise, with Helena Blackman making it through to next Saturday’s final, alongside favourites Siobhan Dillon and Connie Fisher.
THE BBC’s long-awaited £8 million version of Robin Hood was previewed for the first time last night at a packed screening in London.
Despite the theft of high definition tapes, the series will begin as planned on BBC1 early next month with Lancashire lad Jonas Armstrong in the title role.
I joined the cast and crew at the preview and later spoke to Jonas and other leading actors, including Lucy Griffiths (below right), who plays a sexy “kick ass” Marian.
The Mayfair cinema screening was followed by interviews and a party for the cast and crew at the historic Banqueting House in Whitehall. Coaches were laid on to take us all between the two venues.
Sadly, the 12th century mood was shattered when our driver saw fit to blast Is This The Way To Amarillo? on the short trip around the back of Buckingham Palace, past the Houses of Parliament and to the drop off point almost opposite Downing Street.
ONE of the joys of this job is being able to talk to young actors and follow them as they become famous faces.
Marple-raised Kaye Wragg first came to notice in 1997 as Lucy in The Lakes and I’ve interviewed her many times since as her career has progressed.
The former Salford University student revealed early on how she had beaten a serious liver illness which, as a teenager, left her skin bright yellow and forced her to take two years off school.
She’s since gone on to compile an impressive TV CV, including In A Land Of Plenty, The Sins and No Angels. Earlier this summer she joined the regular cast of ITV1’s The Bill and appears on screen for the first time next week.
YOU’LL know the face and almost certainly the name.
At 18, Northern Lights and Early Doors star Mark Benton was rejected when he first tried to get into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Not many people round his way went to drama school. Teeside-born Mark grew up in Grangetown. “It was basically a big council estate right between British Steel and ICI,” he explains.
“My dad was from round the corner in a place called Southbank, which also spawned such luminaries as Paul Daniels and Chris Rea, so I’m in good company.
AND talking of Coronation Street…
Reports that Roy Hudd suffered a suspected heart attack while filming on Sunday were wide of the mark, according to Corrie bosses.
As readers of later editions of yesterday’s MEN will know, Street star Roy was taken to hospital after becoming unwell while filming a funeral scene.
The 70-year-old, who plays undertaker Archie Shuttleworth, felt ill while working at Granada’s studios in Quay Street.
THERE’S been a long running debate at the MEN about soap spoilers.
Should we follow the route of the red tops and soap magazines in revealing future storylines in Coronation Street?
It’s easy enough to do and is treated by many as real life news. But some readers don’t like it. They say it spoils their enjoyment of the show.
So we tend not to reveal the outcome of Weatherfield storylines, although there are exceptions.
I was back at Coronation Street recently to talk to actress Julia Haworth (left), who plays troubled new mum Claire Peacock.
HOW Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Well, with just two weeks to go, you change the format to reduce the risk of the public picking the wrong girl.
Five potential Marias remain after two hopefuls – Simona and Leanne – were predictably sent home by Andrew Lloyd Webber in last night’s BBC1 show.
But in a move designed to avoid a possible theatrical disaster, just three girls will compete in the final a week on Saturday – not four as originally planned.
That will deprive the public of the chance to vote for one of their favourites in the final when, crucially, the decision on who wins will be theirs alone.
CHRIS Evans is among the famous faces taking part in the All Star Cup on ITV this Bank Holiday Weekend.
Yet another brainchild of Ant and Dec, golfing celebs from Europe and the USA do battle at the Celtic Manor resort in Wales, which will be the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup. IE The real thing.
You may remember a similar event last year, which was won by a Europe team including Warrington-born Chris, who is back for more, along with the likes of Ronan Keating.
Life of Wylie 