THE DIARY
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ON Coronation Street she suffers nothing but heartache and drama, but in real life actress Debbie Rush has some lovely news to share she’s about to become a grandma for the first time.
Debbie’s daughter, fellow actress Poppy Rush, is five months pregnant with her first child with husband Ryan Whittle. The whole Rush family are over the moon - and mum-of-three Debbie is looking forward to welcoming the new arrival, her first grandchild. Just don’t call her grandma! Debbie, who plays Corrie’s Anna Windass, laughs: “I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandma, I’m too young I’m sure! But no, I’m not going to be called grandma. I’ll have another nickname instead.”
Poppy, who is due to give birth in Students perform at the Arndale April, said: “We’re all so pleased, we needed some joy in our lives and this was it.”
Debbie and Poppy were speaking just before they proudly cheered on students from Poppy’s performing arts school at the Manchester Arndale Centre on Sunday.
The students gave a sneak preview of their upcoming Christmas showcase, and were raising money for the Moodswings charity founded by Debbie’s Corrie co-star Jennie McAlpine’s dad.
The performing arts school meet every Saturday at Bamford Academy School in Rochdale, and Poppy has enlisted the help of her mum to help mentor the students.
Poppy, who has appeared in TV dramas including Mount Pleasant and EastEnders, set up the school a year ago and said: “It’s growing each week and there’s now a waiting list. Mum has been great, she was supposed to be helping out, but now she’s there every Saturday teaching the kids.
Debbie laughed: “I’ve been doing it all day every Saturday even in the midst of being so busy in the middle of the big storylines on Corrie, but Poppy has been cracking the whip!”