Coronation Street has confirmed that Helen Lederer will share scenes with long-standing Corrie actor Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow.
The comedian and Absolutely Fabulous star will be appearing as a possible new love interest for Ken!
This episode will air on Wednesday 27th March.
Spoilers ahead!
Helen’s character is called Elspeth – a fiery single lady who’s looking for love later in life. While both attending a singles cocktail night Chariot Square Hotel, Elspeth is immediately drawn to Ken.
The synopsis says: “Having sent drinks over to Ken and his son in law Steve, Elspeth is invited to join them, leaving Steve gutted that his octogenarian father-in-law has managed to hit it off with an attractive lady whilst he hasn’t met anyone.”
Helen Lederer in her Coronation Street debut as Elspeth. Credit: ITV
Helen has described Elspeth as “bold.”
Viewers will see exactly why when they tune into the episode. She told us: “I love that Elspeth is an independent woman of a certain age who is quite happy to take herself off to a hotel bar and enjoy the atmosphere before offering to buy a gentleman a drink!”
“I met my second husband by chance through a school friend when I ‘wasn’t looking.’ Everyone deserves to get a few chances at love and being more mature means there can be more enjoyment and zen about the whole getting to know each other stage.
“Be bold and be kind is my motto!”
We imagine it must have been such a unique experience joining the Coronation Street family, so we asked Helen what it was like working with such long-standing Corrie characters.
“It was lovely. Everyone was so welcoming – the costume department, the director and the actors! So down to earth but also professional,” she said. “They were all such fun and just as interested in me as I was in them. We had fun chatting about anything and everything.”
Helen as Elspeth with her eye on Ken Barlow at a singles night. Credit: ITV
It’s yet to be confirmed if Helen’s appearance will definitely just be a one-off, so there’s every possibility that Helen Lederer could make a return to Weatherfield.
According to script, the pair really do hit it off and Ken asks for Elspeth’s number!
If that initial spark becomes a flame, she could even become a reoccurring face on the show.
