Coronation Street spoilers for next week have confirmed a significant Audrey Roberts update following months away from screens, but it is not the news fans were hoping for.
Audrey's Absence Continues
The character, portrayed by Sue Nicholls, is a television icon, having made her first appearance back in 1979. Audrey arrived on the cobbles as the mother of Gail (Helen Worth) and quickly became a firm favourite. Throughout the years, audiences have experienced heartbreak and happiness with Audrey, including her marriage to Alf Roberts (Bryan Mosley) in 1985 and his devastating death in 1999.
They have also witnessed Audrey become a great-grandmother to characters including Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) and seen her working alongside grandson David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) at Audrey's hairdressing salon. Much like her daughter, Audrey has experienced a turbulent love life on the famous street. Following Alf's death, she began a romance with butcher Fred Elliott (John Savident). She also became engaged to former male escort and con man Lewis Archer (Nigel Havers), who ultimately reformed himself to marry Audrey before his sudden death in 2019.
Recent Months Away
In recent months, however, Audrey has not featured on the soap, prompting considerable concern from viewers. The character is presently overseas in France with her daughter Gail. Nevertheless, spoilers for next week have provided an update on Audrey. In Monday's episode (July 13), the Platt family record a birthday message for Audrey, before police arrive and arrest Sarah on suspicion of killing Theo Silverton (James Cartwright).
The news will undoubtedly disappoint Coronation Street fans, as it seems Audrey remains in France with Gail, with a return to Weatherfield appearing unlikely in the near future.
Sue Nicholls' Career Highlights
Before her Coronation Street role, Sue enjoyed a little-known singing career and secured her first soap appearance in the legendary Crossroads. In 1968, she released a track called Where Will You Be?, which climbed to number 17 in the UK Music Charts. It is reported that she also performed at a cabaret club in Vienna during her younger years. She also became a familiar face on British television, appearing in The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin alongside Leonard Rossiter from 1976-1979, and as Nadia Popov in Rentaghost from 1981-1984.
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
