Sir Ian McKellen almost had Emmerdale role but Coronation Street creator banned him

EastEnders star Aaron Thiara was stunned when he won Best Villain at the British Soap Awards – revealing he flunked 109 auditions before he landed the role of Ravi Gulati. Now the popular star is praying Ravi won’t be killed off after a flash-forward scene revealed there will be a dead body on the floor of The Queen Vic this Christmas! “Ravi does have a fair few enemies at the moment and he’s set to make more – it gets bigger and more intricate in the build-up to Christmas,” teased Aaron. “However, I’ve had messages from viewers saying they hope it’s not Ravi on the floor.

Coronation Street fans have been left in disbelief as legendary actor Bill Roache revealed the results of his recent skydive. The star, famed for playing Ken Barlow since the first-ever episode of the ITV soap, took to the skies on Sunday (June 11) as part of a fundraising effort.

Coronation Street viewers were left in disbelief over Ken Barlow star Bill Roache's age on Monday's Lorraine as they refused to believe he is 91 thanks to his youthful looks.The actor, who was born in 1932 and has been on the cobbles since Corrie's first-ever episode in 1960, appeared on the ITV chat show to reveal he had gone skydiving for the first time in his life and he shared his experience with fans at home. In the pre-recorded feature, it showed a delighted Bill skydiving with an instructor before releasing the parachute and landing in a field.

Brian Conley has been speaking about the chance of his character, Rocky, being killed off this Christmas. Back in February, a flash-forward scene aired that confirmed someone will be found dead in the Queen Vic this Christmas – and that Suki, Denise (Diane Parish), Stacey (Lacey Turner), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) and Linda (Kellie Bright) will all be present when the body is discovered.

Anthony Hopkins is speaking out about his role as Odin in the Thor films, calling it “pointless” acting.

Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) was not best pleased when George Knight (Colin Salmon) and his family rocked up on her doorstep in EastEnders with the news that they were moving in. In fact, it’s safe to say that she was furious. She wasn’t the only one, as the Knight sisters, Anna and Gina (Molly Rainford and Francesca Henry), upset locals with their party plans so soon after Lola Pearce’s (Danielle Harold) tragic death.

Emmerdale couple Manpreet Sharma (played by Rebecca Sarker) and Charles Anderson (Kevin Mathurin) are currently having to deal with the arrival of the vicar's mum, Claudette (Flo Wilson). Claudette has certainly made her presence known in the village and is making things very difficult for Charles. However, in official spoilers released by ITV, Charles is set to get a blast from his past.

It’s been a tough few days for This Morning presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary as they continue to hold down the fort at the ITV morning show in the wake of Phillip Schofield’s departure last week. Phil shocked viewers at home late last month when he revealed he was stepping down from the show, effective immediately, after presenting it for over 20 years. The following week, Phil admitted that he had engaged in an affair with a younger colleague who worked as a runner on the show - something he had lied to ITV bosses about.

Daniella Westbrook has said that Robbie Williams is the "best boyfriend" that she's ever had.The former EastEnders actress played Sam Mitchell from 1993 until 2000, and then again from 2009 until 2016. She shared a photo of herself with the Take That singer when he made a cameo appearance on the soap back in 1995. During his brief appearance, he played a man using a payphone in the Queen Vic after having expressed a love for the show.

There's nothing stranger for an EastEnders fan than to sit down for Lola Pearce-Brown's final episode and find that the feisty Albert Square favourite doesn't say a word throughout — and yet, it's the parting words of her family and friends that hit home just how brilliant the character was. Since Lola was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in October last year, viewers have been emotionally preparing to say goodbye to the long-time Walford resident as we've seen her health slowly deteriorate over the last few months in scenes that prove Danielle Harold is more than deserving of a British Soap Award.

Eamonn Holmes has claimed that one sentence about Covid-19 got him sacked from This Morning after 15 years of presenting the show on Fridays alongside his wife, Ruth Langsford. The 63 year old, who now presents the GB News breakfast show, appeared on GB News' Dan Wootton Tonight for a bombshell interview in which he blasted Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby and ITV itself, amidst ongoing talk of a "toxic" culture at the broadcasting channel.

Former Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn has told how her hard-hitting soap storyline is still saving lives to this day. In 2018 Katie's much-loved character Sinead Osbourn was diagnosed with cervical cancer while she was pregnant with her son Bertie.

Phillip Schofield’s colleague has reportedly denied that ITV bosses quizzed him over his relationship with the presenter, despite ITV bosses revealing that the affair was “repeatedly denied”. Phillip confirmed his affair last Friday when he admitted that he had an “on-off consensual relationship” with a "much younger" male runner and said it was "not wise but not illegal".

Former Coronation Street star Jack James Ryan has shared a touching tribute after the sudden passing of an important family member. The actor, who played Jacob Hay on the soap, took to his Instagram stories to share the sad news that his family dog and ‘best mate’, Frank, had unexpectedly passed away.

Phillip Schofield first met the younger ITV colleague whom he later had an affair with when he was aged 15, according to The Mail On Sunday.The veteran TV presenter, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a young male colleague on This Morning. Lawyers representing Phillip have confirmed they met when the boy was 15, but said the affair began after he started working at ITV, and the man’s lawyers have also confirmed that it began after he joined the broadcaster.

Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary stepped in to host Monday's This Morning (May 22) following the departure of Phillip Schofield, to whom they paid a short 35-second tribute. However, the pair are said to have been left "furious" over having to pay tribute to Phillip, following his revelation that he had had an affair with a much younger colleague while working on the show.

This Morning has been the scene of much drama of late. But today's (Friday) programme showed that there is still plenty of fun and goodwill behind the the scenes whenever Alison Hammond is around.

Bond star Colin Salmon says he jumped at the chance of joining EastEnders and gave short shrift to anyone who questioned the move. The star, best known as Charles Robinson, the right-hand man of Judi Dench’s M in three 007 films, is thrilled to play former boxer George Knight. And dad-of-four Colin, who was born in Hackney, East London, said he needs to work in the capital because his wife of 35 years, artist Fiona Hawthorne, has a lung disease.

Molly Rainford is set to burst onto Albert Square as newcomer Anna Knight in upcoming EastEnders episodes, and the actress has reflected on how ‘nuts’ her role is. Anna will arrive in Walford alongside sister Gina (Francesca Henry) and dad George (Colin Salmon) as they prepare to move into the Queen Vic with Linda Carter and Elaine Peacock (Kellie Bright and Harriet Thorpe). Molly explained the surreal experience of filming for a show that she has grown up watching, describing it as ‘incredible’.