Maureen Lipman, 72, the new battleaxe of Coronation Street
FROM Ena Sharples to Blanche Hunt, Coronation Street has had its fair share of battleaxes.
Now veteran actress Maureen Lipman, 72, has signed up to play what could be the soap’s most formidable figure yet.
She will join the cast next month as ‘outspoken’ Evelyn Plummer, the grandmother of Tyrone Dobbs, played by Alan Halsal. Producers said she would ‘ruffle a few feathers’ with her ‘eyewateringly withering’ remarks.
In a newly released photo, the acclaimed actress already looks right at home. Sitting tightlipped with an impressive head of perfectly-coiffed grey hair, Miss Lipman sported an apron as she cast a forbidding glance over the household.
The soap’s producer, Iain MacLeod, said: ‘I am beyond thrilled that we are introducing such a great new character, played by someone of Maureen’s pedigree.’
Evelyn will add ‘a fresh dollop of northern humour’ to the show as she turns Tyrone’s life upside down, he added.
The Hull-born actress and comedienne made a brief appearance in the soap in 2002 as snooty landlady Lillian Spencer. She has starred in a number of films including The Pianist, Educating Rita and Oklahoma! She also made her mark as proud grandmother Beattie in the 1980s BT adverts and has notched up numerous theatre credits.
The signing is welcome news for fans after the death of Maggie Jones, who played Blanche Hunt, in 2009. Blanche, the mother of Deirdre Barlow, was known for her brash comments and wicked sense of humour.
Hairnetted caretaker Ena Sharples, played by Violet Carson, was the Street’s first harridan – spending much of her time criticising the activities and loose morals of other residents.