Thelma Barlow has spoken about her new role as she comes out of retirement 27 years after her exit from the ITV soap
Coronation Street legend Thelma Barlow has spoken about her new role as she comes out of retirement 28 years after her exit from the long-running show.
The actress, who is best known for having played the character Mavis Wilton on the ITV soap for 26 years from 1971 to 1997, has come out of her acting retirement to star in short film ‘Sleepless in Settle’.
Thelma, 95, stars as Barbara in the 22-minute film, who tries to find a romantic partner for her middle-aged son Alan, played by Graham Turner, with plenty of comedy moments along the way.
Speaking to Radio Times, Thelma addressed what tempted her to join the project, with the former soap star’s friend, writer and director Judy Flynn, creating the part of Barbara specifically for her.
Thelma said: “I was familiar with her work and knew it would be good. The characters are so well drawn, it was a joy. Good writing is easy to learn, there are some lovely lines that reminded me of when I joined Coronation Street.”
Thelma was contracted for just one episode in 1971 as Mavis, before became a Street regular between 1973 and 1997, before returning to her first love, theatre, and to star in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies
Back in July, during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Ed Balls probed Thelma on a possible Corrie return. He said: “”So many of our viewers loved you on that programme and I grew up with you. When I was a young lad I used to watch you twice a week. You were so warm and funny in a Mavis kind of way.
“I know you’ve said that you aren’t going to go back if they came along now and had a new role for you, but aren’t you just a little bit tempted for a little cameo role?…”
To which Thelma then laughed before responding: “No I would be far too terrified. I think the pressure of work would frighten me to death.”
It comes after Corrie fans were thrilled last year to see Barbara Knox and Thelma Barlow brought back together during an appearance at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.
Barbara was in attendance at the first day of the flower show for an official presentation by officials from Blue Diamond Garden Centres of the new rose Gracious Lady, which has been grown and named in honour of Barbara ahead of her 90th birthday.
But before the official presentation got underway, Barbara, who is famed for playing Rita Tanner, reunited with Thelma. The actresses have remained great friends away from the small screen after over 30 years spent playing on-screen double act Rita and Mavis throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
Barbara was left wiping away tears over the reunion but after the initial emotions, there was nothing but laughter as the pals caught up on old times.
Barbara told the MEN about reuniting with Thelma: “It has been magnificent.” Of their soap partnership, she said: “She was the best partner I could ever have had.”
