Nineties comedy legend lands Coronation Street role – with soap bosses scrambling to keep character secret
A COMEDY legend is joining Coronation Street for a one-off special episode.
Insiders said the Absolutely Fabulous actress was filming her scenes at the soap’s studios in Manchester today.
Helen Lederer, 69, will play a never-before-seen character in the scenes which will air in April.
A source said: “Helen is a phenomenal comedy actress and this part is perfect for her.
“Corrie bosses are keeping everything under lock and key but it’s a really fun role she’s taking on.
“Helen went into the studios today to start filming.
“It’s a one-off special appearance as this character but naturally, the door could be open to a return for her if it works.
“Everyone is super excited to have Helen on board and fans will be able to watch in April.”
Helen became a household name on hit BBC sitcom Ab Fab alongside Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley.
She is no stranger to soaps and previously played a midwife called Mariam in a gritty baby-swap scandal storyline in Hollyoaks back in 2013.
Helen reprised her role two years later as part of the “gloved hand killer” storyline and was killed off.
She also appeared on BBC soap Doctors as well as a host of reality TV shows including Splash! and Celebrity Big Brother.
Helen is also a celebrated author and set up the Comedy Women In Print Prize back in 2018, which is a literary award for comedy novels penned by women.
She created the event in response to the low number of women recognised in the industry.
Helen said: “Given my experiences in comedy, I felt I was the right person to do it, but it has taken over my life.
“I’m desperate to write my next novel, to write my memoirs and do some radio, but I have all these dreams of fun work and I get up every morning and there is stuff to do on CWIP. There is no escape.”
