Coronation Street star awarded MBE after disappearing from the soap
IZZY Armstrong has made sporadic appearances in the cobbles since 2010, the latest of them being in February, 2022.
But since vanishing from Coronation Street, actress Cherylee Houston was seen receiving a prestigious award in Buckingham Palace.
The 48-year-old soap star was recently given an MBE for her services to drama and to people with disabilities.
Cherylee received the title from Anne, Princess Royal and it was announced the honour will be given to her on new Year’s Eve, just as the New Year’s Honours List was released.
The Corrie star spoke about how important it was to see disabled individuals being represented in mainstream media.
“If you think when you were growing up who your role models were, who influenced you, if you as a disabled child don’t have that, how do you know what you can do?”, she said.
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In Cherylee’s eyes, more representation could lead to more empathy towards disabled people, especially as the looming cost of living crisis could heavily impact them.
“That’s why I firmly believe the more we’re on our screens, the more we’re going to be understood, the more people care and empathise and will ensure that we will have equal rights and equal opportunity, because it’s about equality.”
She added: “It would be nice if the world was a bit more physically accessible.”
Cherylee’s character Izzy Armstrong, the first to use a wheelchair in the Corrie line-up, was last seen earlier in 2022.
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At the time, her on-screen mother Linda (portrayed by Jacqueline Leonard) was getting ready to take Joseph Brown to Portugal with her.
The storyline followed the young boy’s kidnapping ordeal during which Bernie Winter was trying to get her hands on some extra cash.
While she has been a series regular, Cherylee’s appearances became rare as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic began.
This is due to her connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which forced her to isolate at home.
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Her prolonged absence has since left fans wondering if she’ll ever return to Weatherfield.
Speaking to The Mirror in June, Cherylee claimed she would definitely be back in the cobbles.
“It would be wonderful to come back with a bit of a bang”, she said, asserting she’d be glad to come back as a murderer.
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“Although I might actually come back with a small fizzle while I get better!”
Coronation Street continues to air Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.