Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Corrie Bev
My battle to walk & get back to Street for one last hurrah..
WHEN surgery went wrong and left Coronation Street star Beverley Callard in agonising pain, she had only two thoughts: “How will I ever walk again?” and “I have to go back to work because Liz Mcdonald deserves a send-off.”
She has been working towards her goals ever since, going through excruciating torment to get back on her feet – and back on the cobbles.
Bev says: “I had been able to stand for maybe 20 seconds but I had no idea how painful and tiring it would be to start walking again – even to take one step. “That first step was so important. “I remember standing up and putting one foot in front of the other and wanting to cry. This was something I had taken for granted all my life and now I was having to learn it all again.”
Yesterday the Sunday Mirror revealed how TV soap favourite Bev had been left in agony for four months following reconstructive surgery to fix a hip problem after a routine procedure took a tragic turn for the worse.
And now she tells how she has channelled her feisty Corrie character, Liz Mcdonald, to overcome her trauma.
She says: “This is the toughest fight of my life but I am determined to win it.
“I am a strong woman but another strong woman in my life is Liz Mcdonald and she has been for 31 years.
“I love playing her and she has inspired me to want to get on my feet again so I can do it one last time.”
Bev, 63, also reveals how daily physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions, as well as support from her husband and co-stars, are helping her meet her goal of walking by the end of the year.
She added: “If there is anything apart from my family that makes me want to get back on my feet, it’s being Liz again.”
Having announced her planned departure from the soap earlier this year, Bev promised show execs she would stay another year in order to give the longrunning character a fitting goodbye.
But she now can’t even get up stairs unaided and needs husband Jon Mcewan to help with simple tasks such as washing her hair.
“Luckily, I have the most amazing physio and day by day I am getting stronger and I am determined not to be a woman in her 60s who can’t be healthy and active,” she says.
Her ITV bosses feel the same.
Bev adds: “Corrie have been amazing. They said they could get me a wheelchair and film my return like that. But, unfortunately, it wouldn’t work for me or for Liz! I’m hoping I won’t have to have a wheelchair now.”
Now the award-winning star is champing at the bit to put on Liz’s famous heels and stockings.
“I don’t think I’ll be back until next year but I will be back – that’s for sure,” she vows. “As soon as I’m well enough I will film Liz’s exit. I just hope it’s a belter.
“I’d love for Liz to find happiness, romance and everything else.
“I doubt that will happen as they never do that for Liz.
“If she finds romance they usually make it go wrong. They did tell me they’re not going to kill her off. They want to leave the door open for me.”
Confined to her home for four months, unable to walk or even sleep due to the pain of her damaged hip, Bev contemplated her future.
Before, the soap favourite had the fitness of someone 20 years her junior and was constantly active.
After reconstructive surgery on her hip four weeks ago, she walks with crutches and fears for her health and career.
She admits: “There have been lots of tears over lots of days.
“Whenever I stood up I had a searing pain which shot through my hip. I couldn’t put any weight on it. It was hard to take in. I’m such a physical person. I do three fitness classes a week. My
hobbies are painting and decorating. Everything I do is physical. To be still is hard for me.
“There were days when I panicked. I couldn’t think about a future where I wasn’t doing a job that I love.”
With another year at Coronation Street planned before a huge exit after three decades on the cobbles, Bev had pantomime and a theatre show scheduled for next year.
The thought of not fulfilling those obligations filled her with dread.
“I knew I had jobs lined up. I’m hard on myself normally and this was no different. But I knew I couldn’t push it as I would be right back at the start.”
It meant she couldn’t do the menial tasks most take for granted.
“Jon has been trying to wash my hair,” she laughs. “I had to sit in the chair, tip it backwards over the bath. I looked like Worzel Gummidge. Jon would have to go upstairs behind me in case I fell and I would hold on to his shoulder.”
She couldn’t even walk her three dogs.
“Being giddy with the dogs is one of my greatest pleasures. They were running around my feet wanting walks. My heart broke.
“Jon would say ‘For God’s sake, don’t fall over them’. The little one would run between my left leg and my crutch.”
Independent Bev said she didn’t like having to rely on her husband but praised him for being by her side throughout. She adds: “He’s been doing everything, the cooking, the cleaning. Jon has been incredible. He’s been so patient.
“If the situations were reversed I don’t think I’d be as patient.”
Recovering at home, Bev says messages from cast and crew have also helped get her through.
“Simon Gregson and Kate Ford have been constantly messaging me. They’ve been amazing.”
Looking ahead, Bev is confident she’ll be back next year but still has obstacles ahead.
“I’m worried I won’t be able to run around the stage or set. I don’t ever want to do anything in a half-assed way. I couldn’t bear that.
“I’m so lucky to do a job that I love doing. I don’t know what my recovery will be yet. I’m seeing my consultant again next week.
I’m told my recovery will take longer than a standard hip operation because of the original operation and the length of time before it was rectified.
“There was definite doubt over whether I would walk again but I hope I’ll be back on my feet without crutches by the end of the year.”
Mum-of-two Bev, who has three grandchildren, says the ordeal has made her want to spend more time with her family, who she has spent months away from due to Covid-19 restrictions. “I’ve not seen my grandchildren since the beginning of March.
“My children couldn’t see me. I’m going mad. Being in hospital with no family and friends visiting was miserable. Everyone was Facetiming me. I hope to see them in the next month.
“Being physically fit and having that taken away from me was a shock. It made me feel lucky. My heart goes out to people suffering with pain every single day. The pain drives you insane.
“It’s made me more determined to live life to the full and seize every moment. It’s made me want to spend more time with the people I love.”
And she adds: “As much as I hate Liz’s outfits, I can’t wait to get those heels on again.”
My heart goes out to people suffering with pain every day BEVERLEY CALLARD ON POST-SURGERY TRAUMA