Soap legend Beverley Callard is making a dramatic return to television, but this time she's trading the famous Weatherfield cobbles for the streets of Carrigstown.
From Corrie Queen to Fair City Newcomer
The actress, best known for her iconic role as the fiery Liz McDonald on ITV's Coronation Street, is joining the cast of RTE One's long-running Irish soap, Fair City. This marks her first major soap role since departing the Manchester-based drama six years ago in 2020.
Callard, 68, first appeared as Liz McDonald back in 1989 and became a staple of the show through numerous storylines and stints until her final exit. Now, she is preparing to introduce herself to Irish audiences in a brand new part.
Meet Lily: A Character Set to Shake Up Carrigstown
In Fair City, Beverley Callard will play Lily, the long-lost mother of established character Gwen. First-look images released by RTE show the actress standing by a 'Welcome to Carrigstown' sign, signalling her character's arrival in the fictional Dublin suburb.
Sporting a denim jumpsuit, large hoop earrings, and a fluffy cream jacket, Lily has been described by show bosses as "unpredictable and sharp". They promise the character carries "just enough edge to keep Carrigstown on its toes".
Her debut episode is scheduled for 19 February, with the broadcaster teasing that viewers "won't want to miss what she brings to the community".
Life After the Cobbles: From Jungle to Weight Loss Rumours
Since leaving Coronation Street, Callard has kept busy with a variety of television appearances. She was a contestant on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2020, taking part in the historic castle series during the pandemic.
She later competed on Channel 4's Don't Look Down for Stand Up to Cancer, facing her fears on a highwire. More recently, she guest-starred in an episode of the BBC Three comedy Mandy in 2024.
The actress also found herself addressing speculation about her physique earlier this year. She firmly denied using weight loss injections like Ozempic, stating in a social media video: "No girls, I am not on a skinny jab. I have worked out my whole life and I have been working my a** off, literally." She added that while she wouldn't criticise others for their choices, her own weight maintenance was due to hard work.
With her Fair City debut just weeks away, fans of both soaps will be eager to see how Beverley Callard's latest character stirs up drama in a brand new setting.
