Shobna Gulati to bow out of Coronation Street

She's played Coronation Street's Sunita Alahan, the long-suffering wife of smooth-talking Dev Alahan, on and off for the past eight-years.
But Shobna Gulati is to bid a final farewell to the cobbles of Weatherfield in 2013, with a suitably 'dramatic' departure planned for the much-loved character.
Leaving the Street to explore new career opportunities, the 46-year-old actress explained while she will be sad to say goodbye to Sunita, she is looking forward to focusing on comedy work in the future.
In a statement released on the official ITV website, she said: 'I have loved playing Sunita but, having played the role originally from 2001 to 2005 and then returning to Corrie four years ago, I really feel the time has come for me to focus on other aspects of my career.
'I had always told myself I would see my son through school, and I have done that. Comedy writing has long been a passion of mine and the commitment to a show like Corrie is huge and doesn't really leave enough time to concentrate on other projects. I'd love to be able to combine my writing and acting career in the future.
'Playing Sunita has been a fabulous opportunity. I've thoroughly enjoyed her journey and am looking forward with excitement to her dramatic departure. I shall miss her. That said, I have made a host of friends [in the] cast and crew - friendships that will stay with me.'

'Dramatic': Shobna, pictured here with her smooth-talking on-screen husband Dev Alahan, will depart the ITV1 soap as part of an explosive storyline in 2013

Sunita has been at the forefront of a series of particularly explosive storylines in recent months, with the star setting up home with Rovers Return landlord Karl Munro after the pair cheated on their respective partners, Dev and Stella, with each other.

 

And it looks as if the drama is set to continue for the character, with Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson promising a 'memorable' end to Sunita's time in Weatherfield.
He added in the statement: 'It's been a pleasure to work closely with Shobna these last few years.
'Sunita's mid-life crisis and the disintegration of the Alahans' marriage has kept Coronation Street viewers on the edge of their seats for the past six months.

Steamy: Sunita has been at the forefront of a series of particularly explosive storylines in recent months, with the star setting up home with Rovers Return landlord Karl Munro after a raunchy affair

'It's sad to lose such a well-loved and brilliantly played character, but it provides an exciting storyline opportunity and the writing team are already looking forward to developing a brilliant exit story for her.
'Viewers can expect something very memorable. We of course wish Shobna well in everything she does next.'

Shobna first portrayed Sunita between 2001 and 2005, before returning to Coronation Street four years later.
During her time on the cobbles, the corner shop worker has escaped an arranged marriage, been involved in a hostage plot with Dev's bunny boiler ex-girlfriend Maya, been diagnosed with a brain tumour and survived a tram crash. 
Prior to appearing in Coronation Street, Shobna was best-known for playing Anita in Victoria Wood comedy series Dinnerladies.

Eventful: In addition to her steamy affair with Karl, Sunita has escaped an arranged marriage, been involved in a hostage plot with Dev's bunny boiler ex-girlfriend Maya, been diagnosed with a brain tumour and survived a tram crash.

Get Today’s Top Free Apps

Helen Flanagan very nearly spills out of her basque dress

The event aims to prove that spectacle wearers can be sexy and Helen Flanagan definitely rose to the challenge.
The former Coronation Street star squeezed her curves into a tight emerald green basque gown to attend the Spectacle Wearer of the Year 2012 awards ceremony, held at Battersea Power Station on Tuesday night.
Helen, 22, showed off her ample cleavage in the revealing dress and had clearly put plenty of thought into making a startling appearance at the event. 

No-one will be looking at your glasses: Helen Flanagan showed off her curves in a glittering green dress at the Spectacle Wearer of the Year 2012 awards tonight

There is little doubt that most guests will have been paying much more attention to Helen's outfit, and her curves, than her eye wear.
The glittering green gown, by Manchester-based designer Nadine Merabi, accentuated her curves and Helen teamed the dress with a snakeskin print gold clutch bag.
Helen also took the opportunity to show off another new accessory in the form of a large tattoo on her left forearm.

She's a gem: The former Coronation Street star, 22, dazzled in a glittering gown by Nadine Merabi as she arrived at the bash at Battersea Power Station

New ink? Helen showed off a design of Marilyn Monroe's face on her left lower arm. It is not clear if the tattoo is temporary of permanent

The inking appeared to be of Marilyn Monroe's face but it is not clear whether it is a permanent design or a temporary one.
Helen was by no means the only girl to glam things up for the occasion and a whole host of glasses-wearers stepped out at the event. 
Miss Flanagan's former co-star Tina O'Brien opted for a short black dress with sheer panneling for a revealing look. 

Get Today’s Top Free Apps

Helen Flanagan channels Marilyn

It's safe to say that Helen Flanagan is no longer the same person who walked onto the set of Coronation Street in 2000 to play Rosie Webster.
And keen to show off just how much she has grown up, Helen cut several sultry figures in a racy lingerie photo shoot.
The 22-year-old, who starts filming for her new movie The Runaway on Wednesday, also pays homage to the late Marilyn Monroe with a new inked design.

Bang bang! Helen Flanagan smoulders in lingerie shoot as she wears her hair in large curls

With her hair styled in big curls, Helen holds a gun to her head as she gazes into the camera lens.
Standing against a white backdrop, Flanagan proves she very much a vixen as she smoulders in a black lace bra.
Keeping her make-up natural, the blue-eye beauty looks flawless in the lightly washed images.

Coming across all shy: Helen turns her attention away from the photographer as she holds one hand to her chest

Beautiful: The 22-year-old WAG kept her make-up simple for the seductive shoot

Her prerogative: In black and white shot, Flanagan crawls on the fall as she nearly spills over

In another snap, the WAG turns her focus away from the photographer and pulls a shocked expression on her face.

Leaning forward, as she sits on the floor almost spills out of her bra in a black and white still.
In the final shot, Helen tilts her head to the side while she wears a coating of scarlet lipstick and a fitted cobalt dress, as she shows of the full design of her tattoo.

For all eyes... In the final shot, wearing a cobalt blue dress, Helen shows of her tattoo

No pain, no gain: On Wednesday Helen posted a picture to her Twitter account as she sat in a chair as she got the image of Marilyn inked on her forearm

On Wednesday, Helen posted a picture to her Twitter account of herself sitting in a chair as she got the image of Marilyn inked on her forearm.
In the snap, Flanagan, who is an active tweeter, is looking up at the camera with wide-eyes as the tattoo gets to work while a picture of the Some Like It Hot actress is clearly in view.
Helen debuted her new etching on Tuesday evening, as she attended the Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards in London, but she's not the first actress to sport a Monroe tattoo.
Megan Fox also once had a tattoo on Marilyn's face on her arm, before she decided to get it removed via laser treatment in  2011.

Similar ambitions: Helen debuted her tattoo, which is similar to an etching Megan Fox (L) once had, on Tuesday evening at the Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards in London

Get Today’s Top Free Apps

Max George pleading with Michelle Keegan

They split up several months ago but it seems there's still some unfinished business between Max George and Michelle Keegan.
The Wanted star has asked the Coronation Street actress to give back the £5,000 engagement ring he bought her at the height of their relationship.
It's been four months since they called off their engagement and went their separate ways but Max is said to be eager to get his hands back on the expensive jewellery item and has even asked Michelle to hand it over.

Give it back: Max George has asked former fiancee Michelle Keegan to return her £10,000 engagement ring to him following their split earlier this year

Reports on Thursday morning suggested Keegan was refusing to give it back.
A source told the Mirror: 'He is desperate to get it back but is not getting anywhere. It's a bit rich considering all that's subsequently come out to suddenly start demanding it back. Perhaps he needs the money.'
But a source close to Keegan confirmed to the MailOnline that Max had asked for it back but stated that she is 'more than happy' to return the ring and has no intention of hanging on to it, pointing out that she's just not seen the pop star to give it to him.

Exes: Michelle is reportedly 'more than happy' to give the ring back but has not seen him for a long time to be able to do so

The ring in question: Michelle described the ring as 'gorgeous' when Max proposed to her last year and now has it in safe keeping

The source added that Michelle hasn't seen Max 'for a long time' and 'it's not the type of thing you can just post'.
Max hinted at his unhappiness over not having possession of the ring when he was interviewed by Bauer Radio's In:Demand show earlier this week.

Get Today’s Top Free Apps

Helen Flanagan shoots her new short film

After 12 years of playing Rosie Webster on Coronation Street, Helen Flanagan announced that she would be leaving the show to pursue other interests.
And making her debut on the big screen, Helen was seen shooting scenes for her latest film The Runaway on Thursday evening which proved to be quite intense.
Accompanied on the London based set by her co-star Upen Patel, the 22-year-old wasted no time getting into character.

And action! On Thursday evening Helen Flanagan shot scenes in London for her new film The Runaway

Intense: Helen and her co-star Upen Patel were seen having a heated discussion as the cameras rolled

Domestic: Patel forced the 22-year-old into his white vehicle as their disagreement hit boiling point

Wearing a black floor length halterneck gown, Helen was very much an onscreen siren as she waited for her cue.

 

The WAG wore her blonde hair down in big curls as she accessorised with a pair of sliver drop earrings and peep toe nude heels.
With a coating of pink lip gloss, the blue-eyed beauty appeared to be in deep thought as she readied the filming process.

On screen siren: Helen wore her hair, which was parted to the side, down in big curls

What's my motivation: As Flanagan spoke to a member of production she put on her best pout

Camera ready: Helen completed her look with a pair of silver drop earrings and nude coloured heels

As the cameras started rolling, Flanagan and Patel were seen getting into a heated discussion.
And as their disagreement reached boiling point, the Bollywood actor, Upen, 31, grabbed Helen arms and tried to force them into his white car.
The former Corrie star was seen struggling with Patel as she attempted to free herself from his grip.

Going through lines: Bollywood actor, Palet read through the script as Helen seemed to be reciting her words

Back on camera: The co-stars spent the evening perfecting their powerful scene

Hands on: Helen was seen trying to free herself from Upen's grip as he pushed her about

The struggle: The actors put together a very convincing display as the cameras rolled

Domestic: Helen looked visibly upset as her co-star re-positioned her legs to force her into the car

As the pair wrapped the short film, which is set for the Venice and Berlin film festival, Patel showed that we was indeed a gentleman and helped his beautiful co-star out of his vehicle.
Having enjoyed her brief time exercising her acting skills, Helen took to her Twitter account to thank members of the cast and crew.
She wrote: 'Just finished on my short film :) had SUCH an amazing time Thankyou @upenpatelworld and crew'.
To which Upen replied: '@helenflanagan1 thank you . Loved u as a co star !! #greatactress'.

A true gentleman: The 31-year-old was seen helping Helen out of the vehicle

Great actress: Both Helen and Upen took to their Twitter pages to gush about how good it was working together.

Get Today’s Top Free Apps

Alison King and Chris Gascoyne prepare for Corrie return

Chris Gascoyne and Alison King haven't filmed scenes for Coronation Street since May this year, so it must have been a shock to return to a far colder, winter set.
And even with knitted cardigans and overcoats to wear, the onscreen lovebirds kept themselves even warmer by holding on tight to a hot water bottle each.
Chris, 44, and 39-year old Alison's respective characters Carla Connor and Peter Barlow have been absent from the soap for six months - whilst the actors enjoyed time with their families - but now they are returning to Weatherfield in what promises to be an explosive storyline.

Cold out: Alison King and Chris Gascoyne hug hot water bottles to keep warm in between scenes on Coronation Street set

Back in July, Peter and Carla left the Street together, after they had both been accused of murder and Carla had been raped by her former fiancé Frank.
Peter's son Simon - played by Alex Bain - remained with his ex-wife Leanne (Jane Danson) as they headed across the Channel to France.
And in scenes for an upcoming episode of the ITV soap, Alison and Chris were seen in car pack masquerading as the French coast - just before Carla and Peter head back to England to restart their life in Weatherfield.

Reunited: Alison and Chris's characters Cara and Peter return to the soap after a six months break from filming

Mum's back: Carla waits outside a school to meet her Peter's son Simon

But one thing the pair surely hadn't missed was trying to stay warm in between takes, with Alison and Chris seen clinging to their hot water bottles for dear life.
Chris was also seen enjoying the French past-time of smoking, with a sneaky cigarette in between scenes.

Now that they're back, the custody battle over Simon and Leanne's kid will no doubt resume.
Already, Carla is seen waiting outside Simon's school to meet her stepson, but from the stressed look on the former factory owner's face the reunion wasn't exactly a happy occasion.

 

Family trouble has been an unwelcome subject in Alison's home life since taking a break from the ITV1 soap.
Although she was meant to enjoy family time, it did not end up that way having recently announced her split from fiancé Adam Huckett.

To make matters worse, Adam is a sound technician on the show so she can hardly put her heartache behind her.
But after winning the Best Actress gong at this year’s British Soap Awards the mum of one can head back to the set with her head held high.
Chris on the other hand may still be feeling a little upset after losing out on the Best Actor title at the British Soap Awards to Danny Miller of Emmerdale.
Hopefully with the promise of some fraught storylines, Alison can work to hold on to her title whilst Chris can look to win second time around.

Yummy Mummy: The break from Corries has clearly done wonders for Alison looked gorgeous on set

Parental duties: Carla looks noticeably stressed after picking Simon (played by Alex Bain) up from school

Get Today’s Top Free Apps