Julie Goodyear Pulls Out Of Calendar Girls

Former Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear quits show due to illness.

Having made her West End debut this month, Goodyear, 67, was planning on making the most out of her career change. However, just weeks into the run, Goodyear has had to pull out of the show due to a "debilitating virus".

A spokesperson for the star said: "[Julie] will be fine, she just needs to rest and that would be impossible with eight shows a week."

Best known as Rovers Return landlady Bet Lynch in Coronation Street, Goodyear will be replaced by ex-EastEnders star Hannah Waterman.

The stage version of the cult British film, Calendar Girls is playing at London's Noel Coward Theatre and also stars Helen Lederer, Arabella Weir and Kelly Brook.

Hannah Waterman will take over from Goodyear on 1 December.