Coronation Street star 'Blanche Hunt' fighting for life

**-:Undertaker:-** · 13-10-2009, 06:58 PM

Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones is 'seriously ill' in hospital after undergoing a major operation. The 75-year-old widow, who plays Blanche Hunt in the soap, underwent the emergency operation at the Hope Hospital in Manchester on Saturday.

A spokeswoman for the show said: 'We are all hoping and wishing the best for Maggie, who is much loved by everyone at Coronation Street.' The spokeswoman denied earlier reports the actress had ruptured her spleen or had a fall. Last night, show writers were called in to begin writing her out of scenes for the immediate future, while her fellow actors were given the worrying news.

Her operation comes six months after Jones was written out of the soap for several weeks after she hurt her shoulder and knee after a fall. RADA graduate Jones made her Coronation Street debut in the 1960s as a policewoman and put in another guest appearance a few years later. She first appeared as Deirdre Barlow's (Anne Kirkbride) mother in 1974 and has been a regular cast member for the past ten years.

Known for her acerbic tongue, Blanche is one of the Street's most beloved characters, with pop star George Michael admitting she is his favourite thing about the soap. Jones has frequently won awards for her portrayal of Blanche, picking up Best Comedy Performance at the British Soap Awards last year.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...fall-home.html

I don't watch Coronation Street anymore, but she is a great actor and a very funny character, get well soon!.

~~Titch~~ · 13-10-2009, 07:07 PM

Holy ****! sad times

**dirrty** · 13-10-2009, 07:39 PM

aww hope she recovers soon

Jack.Lfc · 13-10-2009, 07:48 PM

The condition of Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones has improved slightly following major surgery.
The 75-year-old, who plays Blanche Hunt in the soap, was reported to be seriously ill after being rushed to hospital yesterday.
"There has been an improvement this afternoon in Maggie's condition and she seems to have turned a bit of a corner," a Corrie spokesman told BBC News.
It is not currently clear what type of operation Jones underwent, but she has been written out of any upcoming scenes in the show.
A Weatherfield source earlier said: "She's had an operation and obviously she's in her 70s. Our thoughts are with her. She's been written out of storylines for the time being, everyone's wishing her a speedy recovery."
Fellow actor Bill Tarmey, who plays pensioner Jack Duckworth, announced today that his thoughts are with the star.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3...r-surgery.html

Teabags · 13-10-2009, 08:17 PM

Did you get this off the BBC?
Blanche was the only reason I watched Corrie at one point.

**-:Undertaker:-** · 13-10-2009, 08:25 PM

It is on the BBC, but I prefer the Daily Mail. I also watched for people like her, I watched it a few weeks ago and I think its awful now, full of nobodys who come and go every few weeks.