Coronation Street fans have been given a rare update on show legend Eileen Derbyshire, who played Emily Bishop. The actor famously played the character across the decades, first debuting in 1961 before leaving the soap in 2016.
Emily’s last on-screen appearance was seven years ago, where she was seen in a video call from Peru, wishing Ken Barlow a happy birthday.
Eileen’s son Oliver has now given an update on the star, confirming that she is living in a home for retired actors, while also sharing that he found some old scripts while clearing out her home.
ITV
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“When I cleared out my mum’s cottage, I found a lot of old Coronation St scripts,” he wrote on X. “They’re nothing fancy but if anyone would like a page or two for a memento, I’d be happy to mail a few out. No charge, obviously. I’ll follow back to the first five replies and you can DM an address.”
He then told one fan: “She’s still going. She’s about to turn 95. She’s in a home for retired actors and actresses now.”
Soaps queen Sharon Marshall also responded, sharing how fond the cast are of Eileen as she wrote: “If you come across any lovely pictures you like, I’d love to show them at future Corrie shows if possible?
“The cast all spoke SO warmly about your Mum on the Audience With – esp Bill Roache and Amanda Barrie x.”
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Oliver then added: “That’s very kind of you, Sharon. She always spoke very highly of all her colleagues, too. She misses them.”
Corrie fans were given an update on Emily earlier this year on the soap, as friend Rita Tanner revealed that Emily had been sending “spiritual pictures” to her each day, with Brian Packham quipping that she could respond with a “disappointing affirmation”.
“I can’t send that to her! She’s my friend,” Rita replied, though considered sharing one with Jenny Connor as she has “a good sense of humour”.
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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