Macaully Moffat

Faye Brookes says she would consider returning to Coronation Street as Kate Connor if the storyline were worthwhile, while expressing satisfaction that the character was not killed off. Brookes, who left the soap in 2019 after Kate’s partner Rana Habeeb died in the Underworld factory collapse, has since concentrated on stage work and is leading the UK touring cast of Burlesque The Musical. The piece also highlights Luca Toolan’s post-Corrie career, including the launch of his own production company.

Beefeater will close all 106 of its UK restaurants on 10 September 2026, with its loyalty scheme ending on 31 August. The closures are part of Whitbread's restructuring plan, which also includes closing Brewers Fayre sites, converting some restaurant locations into Premier Inn rooms and selling around £1.5 billion in freehold property. Around 3,800 jobs are at risk, although Whitbread says it will try to redeploy affected employees across its wider business.

Bill Roache, the long-serving actor who has played Ken Barlow on Coronation Street since 1960, will be the focus of a one-off celebratory documentary titled Bill Roache: Life On The Street. Expected to air in late 2026 or early 2027, the programme is backed by Roache and produced by MultiStory, part of ITV Studios. Producers and Coronation Street boss Iain MacLeod highlight Roache’s exceptional longevity and professionalism, noting he will remain on the soap as long as he wishes. The article also outlines other long-standing cast members and their histories on the show.