Corrie’s Maureen Lipman voices fears she spread coronavirus among castmates

Maureen Lipman is convinced she spread coronavirus around Coronation Street.

The actress, 74, – who plays Evelyn Plummer on the ITV show – suspects she might have been suffering with ‘a mild form’ of COVID-19 while filming was still underway.

At the end of March ITV halted production on the cobbles due to the ongoing pandemic.

Speaking to The Lady magazine, Maureen said: ‘I believe myself to have had a mild form of coronavirus masquerading as a fortnight’s persistent cough, with attached fatigue and sweats.

‘If I did have it, then I flung my viral breath cheerfully around the Coronation Street corner shop at anyone who popped in for a bag of crisps and a confrontation.’

The soap suspended filming in March because of the global health crisis, but production could get back underway next month.

A spokeswoman recently said: ‘The health and wellbeing of our people and those who work with us has always been our highest priority.

‘We are in the final stages of working with others across the industry on a return-to-production protocol and we’re in active discussions with the government on this.

‘We will share more news in due course.’

Meanwhile, Maureen – who lost husband of 30 years Jack Rosenthal to cancer back in 2004 – also talked about her relationship with Guido Castro, whom she met 13 years ago.

She insisted she doesn’t see the point in getting married again – or even living together as a couple.

Maureen said: ‘I’m not quite sure of the purpose of marriage for me. I don’t need anyone’s money or their house. What would be the point? I’ve worked hard all my life and I wouldn’t want to be a burden on anyone.’ 

The soap star added she would never get ‘my vest off for a younger man’ and can’t understand why people want to get married.