Coronation Street updated fans on Audrey Roberts last night (16 April), as Sue Nicholls hasn’t been seen on screen once this year. In February, it was stated that she was in France visiting her daughter, Gail Chadwick.
And in yesterday’s episode, it was confirmed that she was still enjoying life on the other side of the English Channel, with no mention of when or if she’d be back.
Last year, Audrey only appeared in 28 episodes across the entire year – and that was before the episode count went down from six instalments per week to five.
ITV
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Furthermore, it was also reported that cast members across the board would be receiving a smaller number of guaranteed on-screen appearances each year, meaning they’d be earning less money.
Given that we are a third of the way through the year already, and Audrey hasn’t been seen on screen once, fans are desperate to see her back.
“We’ve hardly seen Ken or Rita either. Either they stay or go, drifting in and out at a whim is almost laughable”, wrote one viewer on Facebook.
“I know it’s her age that she has had to back away from acting and just do few scenes. Just hope she comes into it soon,” said another, while a third commented: “Hope she doesn’t leave.” Someone else posted: “Hope she’s OK and we see her soon.”
ITV
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A fan on Reddit said that Audrey’s absence has had an unfortunate impact on her characterisation, stating: “She was really invested in Shona’s baby, but now this ‘holiday’ makes it look like she doesn’t even want to meet her new great-granddaughter.”
We also got an update on a Corrie character who has definitely left the cobbles in today’s episode (17 April), with one relative planning to go and stay with them in next week’s scenes.
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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