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By Alison James t really is a fresh start for Corrie this year. The nation’s best-loved Soap is about to start filming at a brand spanking new, £10 million, purpose-built set in Salford... but Sue Nicholls, who’s been playing Audrey Roberts since 1979, admits she wasn’t exactly jumping for joy when the move was announced, and she had some serious reservations.

“I won’t say what I said!” she laughs. “You’d have to edit it. I was very sad to leave the old set in Manchester as it has so many memories for me. I’ll hold up my hand and say it because it’s been part of my life for such a long time. It was very poignant walking through the old buildings once there was no longer anything going on – a bit like when you move house and all the furniture’s been taken out. To be honest, the move hasn’t been very practical for me personally, either. I only live a hop and a skip away from our old set and I’m not the best at getting up in the morning! I now have to pull my socks – or rather my tights – well and truly up so I get on set on time. I’m just hoping most of my scenes will be later in the day. But I’ve given myself a talking to and told myself to stop being an old fuddyduddy! I’m having to face it, get in there and battle on. You’ve got to look forward, not back, and I still have my memories – you can’t take that away from me!”

So what are some of Sue’s most treasured Street memories?

“Probably when Audrey was married to the lovely Alf Roberts in the Eighties and she worked in the corner shop,” she replies.

“I loved being in that shop! Thank God Audrey married Alf, who was played by the equally lovely, much missed Bryan Mosley. Alf was one of the main men and I probably

I ‘Changing sets has been a challenge!’

As the Corrie cast prepare to start filming in their new home the lovely Sue Nicholls reveals why she had serious reservations about the move

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❙ star chat ❙

‘It was very poignant walking through the old buildings once there was no longer anything going on’ turned 70, says: “I trip up and fall over in flats so how all our gorgeous girls manage it wearing stilt-like heels, I don’t know.”

Sue is positively embracing some of the changes, though.

“It is lovely to have a new dressing room,” she goes on. “I’m determined to try to keep some kind of order in this one. My old one looked like a student bedsit.

I’m happy with Audrey’s new salon, too, although we could do with a new appointments’ book.

Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria, and Jack P Shepherd, who plays David, work in the salon with me and, ohhh, if you could see the things they write and draw in that appointments’ book! We’ll be doing a scene where I’m booking in a customer for an appointment but I’ll start laughing as soon as I open the book. It’s beyond ‘X’ rated. Jack is absolutely terrible!”

It’s clear Sue has great affection for the actor who plays her ‘Corrie’ grandson.

“Grandparents and grandchildren often have a very special connection, don’t they,” she says.

“It’s that ‘skip a generation’ thing.

Audrey does try to look out for David, understand him and give him advice. Maybe this is me coming over all method acting but I do have a special connection with Jack. I absolutely adore him.

He’s a brilliant little actor, very sweet and very, very funny.”

Has she ever given him any advice? She laughs at the very suggestion. “I wouldn’t dare! If anything, I learn from him and the other youngsters.”

Corrie celebrated its 53rd birthday last month. In its new home, does Sue think it could go on for another 53 years?

“Absolutely!” she replies. “I’ve always thought that it will go on and on. One of the secrets of its success is that it keeps up with the issues of the day – but with a comic touch. The early episodes fitted in with what was happening in the early Sixties, and it’s gone on like that ever since. The stories are relevant and it has a huge fanbase – people who have watched since it started, who have watched with their children, and now watch with their grandchildren, too. Today’s grandchildren will, one day, watch with their grandchildren! Another thing is that the Street itself has always been the star of the show. Great characters and actors come and go but the Street goes on. That’s the way it should be.”

Sue herself hopes to ‘go on’ for as long as possible. “I’m institutionalised,” she laughs.

“I am a bit of a fixture – and it’s lovely. The funny thing is, and I don’t like to admit this because it makes me sound a bit mental,

Roll out the cobbles: Cast members in front of the new set in Salford

Above: The ‘new’ backto-backs on set – but the Rovers looks the same!

but life in the Street, for all its murders, attacks and disasters, is an escape from real life for me. I feel the real world can be so difficult to cope with at times.

I’m also very pleased to still be working and I love the show with all my heart. I don’t really have any ambition to go off and do such and such a project. The only thing I want to achieve before I drop dead is to hit a high ‘C’ in my singing. In fact, not being morbid but, I wouldn’t mind dropping dead doing just that!”

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PIC: ITV; MCPIX LTD/REX FEATURES

wouldn’t still be in the Street if Audrey hadn’t married him. She was such a flighty piece when she arrived in 1979. She’s changed, but I think there’s still quite a bit of that in me!” Sue laughs.

We viewers may not notice it on screen but the new Coronation Street is wider than the old one.

“It’ll look great on screen but it’s hell to walk on all those extra cobbles – it feels like we’ve got 100,000 more!” Sue, who recently

Style notes

FASHION EDITOR’S CHOICE

✣ Cardigan, £35, xs-xl, Next; dress, £55, 10-20, Marks & Spencer; belt, £8 (pack of two), Next

Michelle says: Finer knits feel cosy, but without the bulk.

A slightly longer length helps elongate your frame, too. Team yours with a belt to help you look even slimmer.

EASY

figure fixers Quick and easy ways to look slimmer in seconds

By Fashion Editor, Michelle Nightingale

✢ Jacket, £35, 6-22; top, £19.50, 8-18; scarf, £15, all Marks & Spencer; flat tummy jeans, £45, 12-32, Magi sculpt at Marisota; shoes, £49.50, 3-8, Marks & Spencer Michelle says: Dark denim is super flattering and you can’t go wrong with a boot-leg style. Team with a slimming blazer to nip you in at the waist, plus it’s an easy way to smarten your look.

STOCKISTS: Accessorize 0844 811 0068; Marisota 0871 984 6000; Marks & S All details correct at time of going to press. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee av

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✢ Bold accessories draw attention away from troublesome areas. Necklace, £29, Accessorize

✢ Great for hiding a crépey neck Scarf, £16, Wallis

FLARED STYLE SUITS ALL

✢ Dress, £45, 6-22, Marks & Spencer Collection; navy tights, £4, xs-xl, F&F & Tesco; navy shoes, £45, 3-9, Marks & Spencer

✢ Blouse, £28, 8-18, Next; skirt (belt attached), £28, 12-32, Marisota; tights, £4, s-xl, F&F at Tesco; shoes, £28, 3-9, Next

Michelle says: Look for dresses that have contrast panels or waist detail that help draw the eye away from problem areas. The sheer sleeves on this dress are a clever way of hiding your upper arms without seeming bulky.

Michelle says: Flared skirts hide all sorts, whether it’s a bigger bum or thighs. Add a belt at the waist to give you more shape and wear with a contrasting colour to stop it looking drab.

✢ Classic courts make legs look longer, help you stand taller, and look slimmer.

Shoes, £20, 3-8, Tu at Sainsbury’s

rks & Spencer 0845 609 0200; Next 0844 844 8939; Tu only at Sainsbury’s 0800 636 262; Wallis 0844 243 4320. tee availability, particularly during sale time.

››

Now visit www.yours.co.uk for more great fashion advice

››

Next issue: Goodbye boring black, hello all things bright and beautiful! YOURS

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PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST JO WINCH; HAIR AND MAKE-UP HANAN TOUHAMI

✢ The bigger the bag, the thinner you’ll look – a worthy excuse to treat yourself!

Faux ostrich bag, £34, Next

HEALTH &

vitality

Many women are reluctant to talk about intimate problems – but it could save your life

The heal t we’re too Meet our expert Adam Rosenthal is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Oncologist at Barts Cancer Institute. He is also a Medical Adviser to The Eve Appeal.

Contact The Eve Appeal on 0207 605 0100.

f you find talking about your health – down there – embarrassing you’re certainly not alone. Following a recent feature about womb cancer in Yours, gynaecological charity The Eve Appeal was inundated with calls from our readers. Many of you were too embarrassed to see your GP about symptoms that could possibly be life threatening. So on your behalf we’ve asked Adam Rosenthal, a Consultant Gynaecologist, to answer some intimate questions.

I

What level of discharge is normal?

It depends on your age, if you are menopausal or not, and whether you are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The key thing to ask yourself is ‘has my discharge changed recently with no obvious explanation?’ (such as starting, stopping or changing HRT). If the discharge contains blood, has an unusual colour or unpleasant smell, then see your GP. If no obvious cause is found, such as an infection, then it may be worth having a scan to rule out a problem with your ovaries or fallopian tubes.

I’m 65 – should I still be having a smear test?

Smear tests (which check for pre-cancerous changes on the cervix) are rarely necessary if you’re over 65. This is because it’s very unusual to get cervical cancer after 65 if you’ve had regular smears throughout your life that have been normal. If you’ve had certain pre-cancers or cancers of the female organs, or if you’ve had fewer than three smears before the age of 65 you may still need to get checked.

y feminine health y

l th questions oo shy to ask

I feel like something is falling down ‘down there’ – what is it?

It could be ‘prolapse’ of your womb or vaginal walls. This means that your womb and/ or vagina are no longer being held in the correct position in the middle of your pelvis and are now low down, closer to the opening of your vagina.

You should see your GP who can examine you and refer you on to a gynaecologist if necessary.

To make a proper diagnosis your GP will need to examine you. Try not to be embarrassed; you GP has trained to do these examinations and will have done many before. It may sound odd, but being examined internally while you are standing up is often the best way to diagnose prolapse, as gravity tends to make prolapse more obvious.

How can I deal with my vaginal dryness?

There are a number of vaginal moisturising gels available, such as Vagisan Vaginal Moisturiser, £14.95/10g, available from Independent Chemists. These are not just simply to reduce friction during sexual activity. They also provide longer lasting moisture within your vagina. These gels don’t contain hormones, so you don’t need to see a doctor or get a prescription for them. If they don’t seem to work (and try more than one type before giving up), talk to your GP about hormonal creams and pessaries (tablets for the vagina), which can be very helpful. Dryness can make sex painful for some post-menopausal women, but there are rarer causes of painful sex such as pelvic infections, skin diseases affecting your vulva or vagina or abnormalities inside your pelvis. Speak to your GP for advice.

Take comfort A huge 77 per cent of women over 55 find it embarrassing to talk about gynaecological health issues. So we asked Adam Rosenthal why we shouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

Adam says: “While you might be embarrassed about your gynaecological symptoms, it’s your doctor’s job to ask about them. If you don’t mention any problems, no one is going to make a diagnosis and you won’t get the right treatment. I often see women who wish they had gone to their GP sooner because a nagging problem turned out to be nothing serious, or because once they had the right treatment they felt much better. Occasionally I see women who have delayed going to their doctor with tragic consequences.

You may feel especially embarrassed if you have to see a male GP, but all doctors have been trained to ask about symptoms, to perform gynaecological examinations, and to be sensitive to issues which patients may find embarrassing. A female staff member should always be present if a male doctor is doing a gynaecological exam.

Your doctor will look at and feel your tummy, and gently examine your pelvic organs via your vagina using their fingers in a clean plastic glove. If they need to look at your cervix and vagina, a speculum will be used.

This is a curved tube that fits your vaginal walls so it doesn’t cause undue discomfort. It is inserted with lubricating gel and gently widened inside the vagina so its sides move apart.

This examination will allow your doctor to establish what is wrong and see if you need further treatment. In some cases it could even save your life.

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Good to KNOW...

Budget beaters Britain’s top household cash-saving tips*... ✢ Keep a bag of salad fresh ✢ To keep white linen for longer by putting a really white, add the paper kitchen towel in the juice of a lemon to bag with any leftovers. your wash cycle. ✢ Keep bananas fresh for ✢ Use vinegar longer by pulling them apart as the magic before displaying in a bowl. household cleaner.

| IT’S A FACT |

of couples over 40 don’t have an arrangement to ensure when one partner dies, their pension will continue to pay an income to the survivor. “Organising income options is a priority,” says Vince Smith-Hughes at Prudential.

53%

THE

WATCHING

PENNIES Best buy New Grout Shield restores grottylooking tiles without the expense of regrouting. It’s available in four colours, is easy to apply and should last ten years.

It costs £24.99 from QVC, Lakeland and Wilkinsons.

EXTRA

FOR YOU

Greenwatch Slow cookers are making a comeback with

sales up 65 per cent each year since 2008. “Not only do you get a hot, tasty meal at the end of the day, but you can use cheaper cuts of meat such as braising steak and pork shoulder which tenderise with a slow cook,” says William Cummings at John Lewis. Plus a slow cooker uses little more electricity than a lightbulb, says uSwitch. Try the Crock-Pot 37401BC Slow Cooker, £22.95, John Lewis 0845 604 9049 or www.johnlewis.com 64

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*Yours readers can get £5 of by going to www.groutshield.co.uk and using code GSYRS or by calling 0208 241 6140 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri) before April 30, 2014. Delivery is free!

Ask Michael from the late 1800s, peaking in popularity during 1920-30s. Makers at this time were centred in Germany, but also existed in the US and France. Moulds are usually 4-7in long depicting everything from bunnies riding dolphins, to rifles. Well-known makers include H Walter of Berlin, Sommet of Paris and Eppelsheimer of New York. Many moulds are unmarked, but style can help identify maker. Prices range from £40-£150 but large designs can fetch more. This teddy bear mould (left), 12cm (4¾in) high, is valued at £100-£150.

HOW TO...

SAVE MONEY IN 2014 The start of a new year is a great time to review your

financial products. Andrew Hagger from MoneyComms has these top tips:** ✢ Switch your credit card balance to a 0 per cent deal for 29 months with Barclaycard (0844 811 9111) or 6.9 per cent for life with MBNA rate for life card (0800 068 8788) ✢ If you’re paying too much on your overdraft look at First Direct (0800 242 424) or Metro Bank (0345 080 8500) for the lowest rates ✢ Savings rates may be low at the moment but if you’re only getting 0.25 per cent or less you can easily earn six times as much with online easy-access accounts from Virgin Money (0845 850 2336) or Post Office (0800 169 7500).

Cash saver Thinking of moving house and want to know which estate agent to use? New website www. whosoldwhere.co.uk allows you to find the top sellers in your area over the last six to 24 months. You can also check what each property sold for, so you know if your sale price is realistic.

| IT’S A FACT |

Meet our expert Michael is a consumer champion and runs the Insurance Complaints Bureau. He can be contacted on mjw@ insurance-complaints.co.uk

Q I have seen advertisements encouraging everyone to fit winter tyres at this time of year. If I go into a skid and have an accident, and I haven’t fitted winter tyres, would this create insurance problems?

Michael says: I am not aware of any likely insurance problems, but it is difficult to generalise. I wouldn’t be too surprised if some insurance companies stipulated the use of winter tyres for drivers living in certain parts of the country, such as in the Scottish Highlands. But unless your insurance company has told you to fit winter tyres, the matter must be left to you.

Surprisingly, some insurers used to charge a higher premium for cars fitted with winter tyres, on the basis they were a ‘modification’. You are not likely to encounter this thinking these days, but it might be a useful precaution to give the company a ring to make sure. Unhelpfully, a few companies do stipulate you must inform them.

There is no doubt that winter tyres are safer than normal tyres for ice and snow. Changing the tyres will improve your breaking distance and general handling.

You will probably find the tyres quite expensive but they should last you several years if you swap back to your usual tyres in spring. Bear in mind you will need somewhere to store the second set.

Energy price rises don’t bode well for British couples. 60 per cent admit to heated arguments over the heating. Men moan about the cost while women complain it’s too cold. Consider a fixed-tariff to protect against price rises – and keep each other happy!

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PICS: ALAMY, ISTOCKPHOTO, SHUTTERSTOCK; MILLERSONLINE. WORDS: SARAH JAGGER. *ACCORDING TO DAPW.CO.UK. **CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS

Cash in the attic Novelty chocolate moulds were used

HOME

& craft

Sincerely, Yours

This lovely letter carrier keeps your correspondence safe Compiled by Alex Frisby

Materials:

✢ Sewing machine ✢ Large, medium and small pockets in striped fabric: 16.5x24cm (6½x9½in), 9x16.5cm (3½x6½in), and 8x9cm (3x3½in) ✢ 24x32cm (9½x12½in) white floral fabric ✢ Two pieces backing fabric: 16.5x32cm (6½x12½in), and 24x32cm (9½x12½in) ✢ 11.5x14cm (4½x5½in) pink fabric ✢ 4x9cm (1½x3½in) fabric (small pocket binding) ✢ Two differently patterned fabric scraps ✢ Strips of light green floral fabric, 92

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DIFFICULTY RATING

★★★

Finished size 31x24cm 1 (12/ 2x 1 9/2in) 2.5cm (2in) wide (main binding) ✢ Three pieces wadding: 10x13cm (4x5in), 16.5x24cm (6½x9½in), and 24x32cm (9½x12½in) ✢ 2 pieces 1.5cm (½in) wide lace trim, 9 and 32cm (3½ and 12½in) long ✢ Embroidery floss in grey, light blue, olive green, sage green, pink, dark pink, ivory and mustard yellow ✢ 10cm (4in) square of paper-backed fusible webbing ✢ Button ✢ 2 grommets ✢ Ribbon or twine

C ut me out Instructions: Embroidery Transfer design onto pink fabric, with 10x13cm (4x5in) batting behind.

Embroider through both layers. See main picture for colours.

1

Grey: backstitch ‘Letters’ outline (3 strands floss), stitch lazy daisy flowers (2 strands); Light blue: satin stitch ‘Letters’ (2 strands), stitch lazy daisies (2 strands); Olive green: stem stitch vine lines (2 strands), backstitch leaves (2 strands); Sage green: backstitch through each leaf (1 strand), stitch French knots (3 strands); Pink, Ivory and Mustard yellow: stitch French knots (3 strands); Dark pink: stitch lazy daisies (2 strands)

2a

4 Make the final pocket Stitch the medium pocket to the right hand side of the large pocket.

Stitch embroidered patch to the centre, with pink running stitch around.

Pin together three layers. At the bottom should be the 16.5x32cm (6½x12½in) backing fabric (RS down), then the same size batting, and the finished pocket on top (RS up).

Make the stamp pocket Sew the short lace trim just below a long edge of the small pocket. Press pocket binding in half lengthways.

Stitch into place, leaving excess both sides. Trim and sew to WS.

2

Iron backing onto WS of the scraps.

Cut two different size rectangles.

Fuse the smaller rectangle onto the larger, then the larger onto the pocket. Zigzag stitch around both rectangles and handsew running stitch around.

2b Stitch 1∕8ʺ from edges.

Make the medium pocket Align bottom edges of small and medium pockets. Stitch along sides and bottom.

3

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Sew running stitch up the seam between the large and medium pockets. Line with trim and binding, as in step 1. Trim all sides and attach button.

Topstitch vertical pocket seam.

Stitch 1∕8ʺ from edges.

Embroidery

Once assembled, press entire strip in half lengthways, WS together. Leaving a small amount free at the start, align raw edges to the base and machine sew all the way around, 0.75cm (¼in) from the edge.

Stop shy of each corner, then backstitch a little. Lift the needle foot and rotate the work. Fold binding at right angles opposite the next edge, then fold it back along to follow. Hold in place and continue sewing.

4

Putting together Pin together the 24x32cm (9½x12½in) backing fabric (RS down), then the same size batting, then the same size white floral fabric (RS up).

5

Align bottom edges of pocket and base. Stitch along sides, bottom, and vertical pocket seam. Trim edges. The remaining fabric strips will bind the edges. Join by placing ends at right angles, RS together. Stitch across the diagonal, cut away any corner excess, and fold into a continuous strip.

Now visit www.yours.co.uk for more craft ideas, whatever your skill level

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To finish, fold under the starting piece and place the end on top. Stitch beyond your first few stitches. Fold excess end away. Fold all binding to the back, and hand stitch to secure.

Attach grommets, and hang with ribbon ties.

Project by Amy Sinibaldi of nanaCompany. Featured in Stitch Zakka, published by Stash Books, rrp £16.99 from Search Press. Buy for £14.99 with free UK p&p by calling 01892 510850 and quoting ‘Yours magazine’.

Next issue: Snooze in comfort EVERY FORTNIGHT EVERY FORTNIGHT with a padded cushion YOURS YOURS

❙ star chat ❙

My lessons from life…

Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood – set to embark on the show’s live tour – talks dance, criticism and losing his best friend I am criticised daily for my Strictly critiques but it’s only done to support what the contestants are doing. I do laugh out loud at some of the headlines. I’m playing a character – a judge.

✢ Passion is essential

It drives people. Love for a person, love for work. Dance is my passion and without it I think I would have been a desperately unhappy person.

Without passion people are lost and wandering aimlessly through life.

✢ Don’t be afraid of fame

I had a problem with fame when I started on Strictly. No one teaches you how to be a celebrity. I regarded myself as shy and would break out in a sweat when there was too much attention on me.

I didn’t like it, but I had to learn to overcome it.

✢ Cherish your friends

My best friend Amber died of cancer just a few years ago, aged just 41.

She had three children under five and was heavily pregnant with her fourth. We had always had an amazing friendship and I am godfather to her eldest son Monty Revel. We met 20 years ago and were as close as two friends could be. She is a terrible loss to everyone.

I try to visit her children as much as I can.

✢ You’re never too old to learn

I only passed my driving test two years ago. I wanted to drive Amber’s Triumph Stag car after she died so had a seven-week window to pass my test before Strictly started again. I did two hours a day and weekends off – and I passed first time.

✢ Talk to your loved ones

Communication is key. I’m such a positive, upbeat person so when my last partner Grant (MacPherson) had depression, I didn’t understand what was wrong between us. Grant didn’t

tell me – he was masking his illness and pretending to be happy – but it made living with him very difficult.

Once Grant admitted his feelings, he was already on the road to recovery.

But he needed to find himself and we needed to be apart for that to happen.

We are still close. He’s lovely.

✢ Look after your body

I recently had a titanium hip replacement at 48. I’ve slipped three discs and my hip is a by-product of overuse. When you’re young you think you are going to live and dance forever – and you can’t. I also malnourished myself when I was a young dancer, which hasn’t helped.

Nutrition was never taught at school and I didn’t build bone strength for the future and now have osteoporosis.

Take control and learn as much as you possibly can about your body! ✢ Craig was talking to Jane Oddy. ✢ His new book, Craig Revel Horwood’s Tales From The Dance Floor, is published by Michael O’ Mara, out now priced £20. ✢ The Strictly 2014 tour starts on January 17 and ends in February at venues across the UK. For more details visit strictlycomedancinglive.com/tour-dates/

WHAT MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE TODAY? Craig put in an L of a performance to pass his driving test. Fab-u-lous!

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John Travolta (right) made dancing cool for me. He was the original stem cell of my dancing career and the famous choreographer, Susan Stroman, is my absolute inspiration. I often think of her when I’m working on a new production, wondering what she would do – she made me feel I could go it alone as a choreographer.

PICS: REX FEATURES; TONY WARD/SCOPE FEATURES; MICHAEL BALL/PP/CAPITAL PICTURES

✢ Don’t take criticism to heart