FORMER Corrie star Kym Marsh is returning to our screens in top BBC drama The Syndicate.
Kym, who played Weatherfield’s feisty Michelle Connor for 13 years until she quit in January to “explore other roles”, will play a key character in the fourth series of the show.
By acclaimed writer Kay Mellor, the drama explores how the lives of a group of people change after they win the lottery.
A TV insider said: “Landing a part in The Syndicate is something of a coup for Kym, as Kay is still viewed as one of telly’s top writers.
“And she has shown to have the pulling power to attract big-name actors to her projects, so Kym is likely to be in good company with this cast.
“This will be viewed as a prestigious first step to carving out a new chapter in her career after leaving Corrie.”
One of Suranne Jones’s first jobs after quitting her role as Karen McDonald in the soap in 2004 was playing a bisexual sex therapist in Kay’s saucy drama Strictly Confidential.
The Syndicate, which first aired eight years ago, has drawn a long line of stars including Lenny Henry, Timothy Spall and Alison Steadman.
The new six-parter, which is due to start filming later this year, is based around a group of lottery winners who work at a dog kennels in Kay’s home city of Leeds.
But in an unusual twist, the action will be split between the UK and Las Vegas.
I don’t think Kym could have got a much better part to launch the next chapter of her acting career.
Ender exile for Beppe?
MICHAEL Greco wants to bring his lothario character Beppe Di Marco back to EastEnders.
The actor, who last appeared on the BBC1 soap 18 years ago, fancies being the next retro star to make a return to Walford following the recent comeback of Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson.
Asked if he would like to reprise the role, he said: “Of course I would. I was always a good role model for their show. I won awards, turned up on time and knew my lines.”
Michael, who became a professional poker player after leaving the soap, played Beppe for four years.
His character was also one of the show’s biggest womanisers, with Tiffany Mitchell and Lynne Slater falling for him.
However, if Michael did return to Albert Square, he would need to smooth over his frosty relationship with Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale.
He told The Morning After Podcast with Paul Danan: “We never really spoke, me and Adam. He wasn’t my cup of tea.”
Steph’s at home in Academy
THE nation is at home and glued to the TV.
So Channel 4 has updated its weekday schedule to include a series of programmes under the banner “Lockdown Academy”.
Steph McGovern’s new series has been brought forward and will be part of it.
The hour-long Steph Show starts on Monday at noon, with the ex-BBC Breakfast presenter broadcasting from her living room.
She said: “So this might not be how we planned it, but I am itching to get on air and get chatting to all the people out there doing amazing stuff.
“Whatever you’re up to, we want to bring some much-needed joy to your day and help you navigate your way through the madness.”
The Academy line-up also includes art with Grayson Perry, crafts with Kirstie Allsopp and cooking with Jamie Oliver.
I’ll have no time for the day job if I’m watching this lot.
Ade to cutting booze
ADRIAN Chiles found a solution to his intake of alcohol – go on a pilgrimage.
The presenter trekked from Serbia to Istanbul as part of a BBC show and says he barely touched a drop during it.
He previously revealed in a documentary he would drink 100 units of alcohol a week. In an exclusive chat, Adrian said: “Most days you end up having a couple but we’re all knackered by the day. There were no big, late nights.”
Adrian was joined by celebrities including former MP Edwina Currie, radio DJ Mim Shaikh and comic Dom Joly for Pilgrimage: The Road To Istanbul, in search of religious enlightenment.
The show, which airs tomorrow on BBC2 at 9pm, challenged Adrian’s beliefs.
He said: “It marked places where unspeakable things had been done by man on to man in the name of religion.”
In glove with Jez
AFTER EastEnders actor Jake Wood revealed in this column he is working on a celebrity boxing show, we might have the first bout.
Bookies William Hill tell me they’ve had a request from a punter asking for a price on Sun Man Jeremy Clarkson beating Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan.
Willy Hill say Jezza is an 8/11 favourite, with Piers at Evens.
My money’s on Jeremy. He famously battered Piers at an awards do in 2004 and he’ll easily do it again.
