Buzzin Soap Stars

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.

Maggie Jones RIP

The Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones who played the part of Blanche Hunt in the popular ITV soap has died this morning in hospital.

The 75-year-old was admitted to hospital in early November after it was revealed that she needed life-saving surgery and was described as in a critical condition shortly afterwards.  The actress was then said to be improving but passed away this morning at the hospital.

Blanche became a regular on the programme in 1996 after several appearances and was awarded the British Soap Award twice for her comedy performances on the streets of Weatherfield.

Adam Croasdell

Adam Croasdell has been playing the part of Doctor Al Jenkins in the BBC Soap opera Eastenders since the 1st May this year but it has now been announced that he is leaving the programme.

The young doctor was a replacement for Doctor Poppy Merritt, played by Amy Darcy, following on from the lovable Doctor Legg and was soon taken to the heart of the Walford community.

Adam’s character returned to Walford where he originally grew-up to visit his mother but on learning their was a vacancy in the Square for a new doctor, he took up the post.

His character has been offered a new post at a medical practice in Cornwall and he decides to take the opportunity but which of his lady friends will he be asking to go with him, Roxy or Chelsea?

Adam is expected to remain on our screens until February 2010.

Tina McIntyre - Coronation Street

Some of the members of the Coronation Street cast are to take part in ‘Celebrity Rockaoke’ to raise money for injured British troops.

Michelle Keegan, who plays the part of Tina McIntyre in the ITV soap will be heading the event alongside Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster) and Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), which is to take place at Manchester’s Moho Live venue.

The money is to go towards the BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Serviceman Association) and Macmillan Cancer Support and the event takes place on Tuesday December 8th at 8pm.

Other cast members expected to take to the stage are;  Shobna Gulati (Sunita Alahan), Sasha Parkinson (Sian Powers), Nikki Patel (Amber Alahan) and Graeme Hawley (John Stape).  Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle in Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks boys Andrew Moss (Rhys Ashworth) and Gerard McCarthy (Kris Fisher) along with Helen Pearson (Frankie Osborne) are also said to be attending.

Billy Jackson

Last month it was announced that the Jackson family would be making a return to Walford as part of the programmes 25th Anniversary special and now it has been confirmed that Devon Anderson, who originally played Billy Jackson will be reprising the role.

Anderson, 22-years-old, played the charater from 1993-1997 and will be making his return along with other family members in the New Year.

Billie was last seen 12-years ago on the show, when the family were put into a witness protection scheme following his kidnapping after he witnessing an armed robbery.