Beverley Callard Swaps Coronation Street for Carrigstown in Surprise Soap Move
London/Dublin, 3 January 2026 – Beverley Callard, the beloved Coronation Street legend who portrayed fiery Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald for over three decades, is making a bold career pivot by joining Ireland’s longest-running soap, Fair City, in a regular role set to begin filming in 2026.
The 68-year-old actress departed the ITV flagship in 2019, sparking ongoing speculation about a potential return to the Weatherfield cobbles. However, sources confirm that Callard is instead heading across the Irish Sea to the fictional Dublin suburb of Carrigstown, in what insiders describe as a “rogue move.”
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A source close to the production told The Sun: “Fair City is hugely admired in Ireland, but it’s not known quite as well back in England, so it’s a bit of a rogue move. But Beverley is really excited about the opportunity to be going in as a regular and plans to make her mark on the soap.” The exact character details and on-screen debut date remain under wraps, but filming is slated to commence this year on RTÉ’s enduring drama, which has aired since 1989.
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Callard’s exit from Coronation Street was bittersweet; Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 prevented her from filming proper farewell scenes for Liz McDonald, a character renowned for her leopard-print outfits, turbulent romances (notably with Jim McDonald), and no-nonsense bar banter. Since then, the Leeds-born star has embraced reality television, most memorably appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020. Filmed at Gwrych Castle in Wales due to pandemic travel restrictions, she formed a close friendship with radio presenter Jordan North.
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Reports suggest Callard is balancing her new soap commitment with a return to the jungle format. She has reportedly signed for the 2026 edition of I’m A Celebrity All Stars, a spin-off filmed in South Africa. The lineup is rumoured to include past favourites like Harry Redknapp and her 2020 campmate Sir Mo Farah, with a live grand final broadcast from London allowing viewer votes to crown the winner.
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Away from the spotlight, Callard has faced personal chills closer to home. In a recent episode of Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted (aired November 2025 on Discovery+), she and partner Jon McEwan invited paranormal investigators into their 19th-century converted barn in Norfolk. The couple reported disturbing activity, including a perceived malevolent entity, leaving Callard’s daughter too frightened to visit. Dramatic moments captured Beverley being physically affected during the probe, underscoring the eerie encounters in their rural retreat.
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This multifaceted chapter marks an exciting reinvention for Callard, who continues to captivate audiences with her trademark energy and resilience. As she prepares to bring her screen presence to Irish screens while potentially facing bush tucker trials once more, fans on both sides of the Irish Sea eagerly await her next moves.