Beverley Callard ‘terrified’ by her latest Coronation Street return

Liz McDonald / Beverly CallardShe’s been and gone from the Weatherfield cobbles a couple of times, but after her ‘big send off’ two years ago Beverley Callard has said she was ‘terrified’ when thinking about her latest return to top rating ITV soap Coronation Street.

Callard has appeared on-and-off as tarty Liz McDonald since 1989 however the 55-year-old quit in 2011 due to ill health.

I left because I was poorly, and you can’t dip in and out. If you’re in it, you have to give it your all. Sometimes I give more than my all. Sometimes I care too much and I’ve got to try not to. Not because I’m a goodie-goodie but because I’m a worrier and perfectionist. I know next week’s lines already.

 

Charlie [Lawson], who played Jim, used to say: ‘Ask Callard, she’s learning next f****** December’s!’ The thing is, you pay a price for that, so I have got to try and relax more. I still take medication but I can listen to myself more. – Callard speaking to Reveal magazine

Callard has returned to Coronation Street as Liz who once more reigns supreme as landlady of the Rovers Return Inn after two years of former Albion Market and EastEnders actress Michelle Collins’ in the role as Stella Price.

The character has been reunited with son Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson. However having familiar friends on-set didn’t stop Callard being terrified by the prospect of being back on the nations most popular serial.

I’ve been there nearly 25 years and on my first day back I was driving in on the Tuesday morning and I actually felt sick. I thought, ‘I can’t believe this’. It was like the first day back at school after the holidays. Then I took a big deep breath and walked in. And I kept thinking, ‘How does Liz actually speak? Exactly what accent did I do?’

 
Then as soon as I worked with Simon Gregson [who plays Steve McDonald] again, half an hour later it truly was as if I’d never been away.

Coronation Street, ITV Monday, Wednesday and Friday.