Buzzin Soap Stars

Emmerdale

The actor George Costigan is joining the cast of the ITV soap Emmerdale playing the role of Charlie Haynes, an old mate of Rodney Blackstock, the character played by Patrick Mower.

The charater will make his appearance in the Dales in March and is expected to catch the eye of the ladies in the village before falling in love with Diane.

Costigan is best known for his starring role in the 1987 movie Rita, Sue and Bob Too, where he played the part of the ladies man Bob.

Maggie Jones as Blanche Hunt

The Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones, who played the part of Blanche Hunt in  the soap, has been laid to rest today in what has been described as a “beautiful and dignified” funeral.

The 75-year-old, passed away on 2nd December after a short illness, and today she was buried with her family, friends and cast members at the service taking place at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Clerkenwell, London.

For all those members of the ITV soap opera who were unable to attend, a minutes silence was held at the studio in Manchester to allow them to pay their respects.  A memorial service for the actress is expected to take place in February 2010, to celebrate her life and career.

Ryan Thomas - Jason Grimshaw

The Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, who plays the part of Jason Grimshaw, was arrested at his former home on Saturday morning following a heated argument with his estranged partner Tina O’Brien.

Neighbours apparently reported the row coming from the home of the couple in Greater Manchester, said to be concerning their daughter and the police arrested the 25-year-old.

Thomas was said to have been questioned for eight-hours at the station where he was accused of assaulting O’Brien before being released without charge.  Thomas said;

“I would like to make it clear that I have not assaulted and would never assault Tina. The police were satisfied this was the case and I was released without any action being taken.”

Gary Windass

The captain of the 2002 England boxing team at the Commonwealth Games, Stephen Bell, is appearing in Coronation Street.

The 34-year-old, who has previously appeared on ‘Shameless’, is to play the part of a soldier in the new Army storyline, as a friend of bad boy Gary Windass, played by Mikey North.

Unfortunately, Stephen turned-up on his first day on set nursing a cut face and a black-eye following his fight at the weekend, where he lost out to John Simpson.

The actor was hoping that the directors would not be too upset with his battered and bruised face but he said that they were aware that he was fighting before he was due at the studio.

Bell is expected to make his first appearance on our screens in February 2010, where he has been signed-up to do at least four episodes although this could be extended, depending on where the storyline goes.

Les Battersby

The Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones who played the part of Les Battersby in the soap, appeared before Mold Crown Court today to answer charges of drink-driving and assault.

The soap star denied the offences ahead of his upcoming trial where he is accused of dangerous driving on an expressway and of assaulting his wife on the same day.

The trial is expected to begin in February and Jones has again been released on bail with the ongoing condition that he is not to contact his partner.

Jones was suspended from the ITV soap in 2007 following allegations in a Sunday Newspaper of his drunken behaviour and the following May it was reported that he would not be not be returning to the show.

In September this year it was reported that the actor was now living in a caravan at a park in Wales under police bail conditions after a falling-out with his wife and that friends were growing concerned with his welfare.