Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard confirms return date to set after being signed off battling ‘demons of depression’

Beverley Callard, who plays barmaid Liz McDonald on the ITV soap, has confirmed to fans when she is set to return to the soap after being signed off with depression

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by Francesca Battson |
Published on

While fans offered their love and support in full force in response to the beloved actress' departure from Corrie, they'll be pleased to know the fiesty barmaid will not be away from thier screens for too long.

After appearing on This Morning yesterday to give a candid account of suffering from depression, the 59-year-old also revealed it won't be long before she she's pulling pints once more.

She said:

"I'm back [filming] on the 1st of May - in a PVC skirt I'm sure!"

Which is great news, and we can't wait to see her character, Liz McDonald, back at her best.

She also revealed how former co-star Denise Welch (who played Natalie Barnes) helped her on her way to recovery after her breakdown on set. Denise recommened an expert she'd visited during her own depression battle.

"I came to see a Professor John Studd and he's saved my life...

Denise Welch recommended him.

"He just got the [medication] balance right and he told me how I was feeling and he was bang on," Beverley explained.

And the actress has taken to Twitter to update concerned fans with her progress, assuring them she's "getting there."

And reminding other sufferers to seek the help they need:

Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard opens up about mental health battle: ‘Fear took over and I started to cry’

“At first no one knew I was struggling. I wanted to keep it a secret,” she revealed to The Mirror.

Beverley, who has played barmaid Liz on the ITV soap for 27 years, told the newspaper that she lost all her confidence when she sunk into a deep depression.

She added: “I was getting worse and worse each day. I was getting ready in my dressing room and I couldn’t take it any more. Liz had to be dressed up for a certain scene – she had to wear a PVC outfit.

“Fear took over and I started to cry. I thought, ‘I’m not confident enough to put this on. I can’t do it’.”

The 59 year old who has fought depression in the past, (and has sadly even attempted suicide), gave the interview to help other sufferers of clinical depression.

She revealed that her latest bout was brought on by her change in HRT medication, and she was in such a bad place that she couldn’t get out of bed for four days and feared suicidal thoughts would come back.

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The Corrie star’s honest discloser of her illness confirmed why it was announced last week that she would be temporarily leaving the soap.

A source told The Sun last week: “We began filming Tony Stewart’s funeral last week and are continuing this week. As Bev has been off for two weeks, she hasn’t been able to be a part of it, which is a shame as she was going to be heavily involved.

“There are obviously no hard feelings towards Bev, who is loved on set. Everyone just wants to see her back healthy as soon as possible.”

Beverley took to Twitter to tell her fans why she had been signed off sick, tweeting: “Been battling the demons of depression! One of the meds I'm on, has been stopped by pharmaceutical company, apparently it doesn't make money”.

In her interview with the Mirror, Beverley said that the support from her husband Jon McEwan and the cast of Coronation Street helped her get through her latest battle with the illness, which is the first episode she has suffered in five years.

However, the blonde actress joked: “Fortunately – or unfortunately for some – I will be in those PVC miniskirts very soon.

“From what I’m told, Liz will be back with a bang. I can’t wait.”

We wish Beverley all the best, and can’t wait to see her back on ITV’s Coronation Street soon.

If you were affected by this story, please contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or Mind on 0300 123 3393.

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