Nineties comedy legend lands Coronation Street role – with soap bosses scrambling to keep character secret

• Ellie Henman

• Published: Invalid Date,

A COMEDY legend is joining Coronation Street for a one-off special episode.

Insiders said the Absolutely Fabulous actress was filming her scenes at the soap’s studios in Manchester today.

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Helen Lederer, 69, will play a never-before-seen character in the scenes which will air in April.

A source said: “Helen is a phenomenal comedy actress and this part is perfect for her.

“Corrie bosses are keeping everything under lock and key but it’s a really fun role she’s taking on.

“Helen went into the studios today to start filming.

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“It’s a one-off special appearance as this character but naturally, the door could be open to a return for her if it works.

“Everyone is super excited to have Helen on board and fans will be able to watch in April.”

Helen became a household name on hit BBC sitcom Ab Fab alongside Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley.

She is no stranger to soaps and previously played a midwife called Mariam in a gritty baby-swap scandal storyline in Hollyoaks back in 2013.

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Helen reprised her role two years later as part of the “gloved hand killer” storyline and was killed off.

She also appeared on BBC soap Doctors as well as a host of reality TV shows including Splash! and Celebrity Big Brother.

Helen is also a celebrated author and set up the Comedy Women In Print Prize back in 2018, which is a literary award for comedy novels penned by women.

She created the event in response to the low number of women recognised in the industry.

Helen said: “Given my experiences in comedy, I felt I was the right person to do it, but it has taken over my life.

“I’m desperate to write my next novel, to write my memoirs and do some radio, but I have all these dreams of fun work and I get up every morning and there is stuff to do on CWIP. There is no escape.”

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