Daily Star 28th July 2003

BALDWIN'S BITCH BACK ON STREET

by EMILY ROSE

Coronation Street scriptwriters are working on a sensational return for Mike Baldwin's flighty young wife.

But it looks like the unfaithful sexpot - cheated on sugar daddy Mike with his own son
- will have a different face for her comeback.

Street chiefs don't believe actress Jacqueline Chadwick, who played the scheming slapper, will want to return.

But they don't want to miss out on the action bitchy Linda's character could bring back to Weatherfield. Last night, a Street insider said: 'Once we would never think of recasting a part, but it seems to work.

" Look at Trecy Preston. She's turned the former Tracy Barlow into Weatherfield's biggest bitch in years."

The source added: "The Mike and Linda story has a lot more mileage in it yet."

Linda started out as a seamistress in Mike's factory and' ended up as his adulterous Wife.
But she was written out when newlywed actress Jacqueline Chadwick decided to leave the show.

Later Linda turned up in Dublin, shacked up with another rich boyfriend
And our insider continued: "It's all hush-hush, but, take it from me, Linda is on the way back.
" She'll turn up in Weatherfield like a bad penny, wanting her pound of flesh from Mike.
',She'll be back to milk him dry.

Corrie Writer Daran Little was quoted as saying on www.csvu.net:-

"...regarding jackie pirie. she decided to leave the show and has, i think, given up acting. she is adamant she will never return. we did not recast the role because unlike american soaps we don't do that. we will only recast a role which was once played by a child (normally untrained) and we want a trained actor to carry strong stories - tracy barlow, mark redman, nick tilsley, david platt, rosie webster, peter barlow, susan barlow etc. ..."

Daran Little <Email address not supplied>
Manchester, No county/state, UK - 14:55:02 Friday 11 July 2003

Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales); 6/7/2003

Byline: JO ATKINSON

IN the canteen of the Yorkshire Television studios devoted entirely to Emmerdale, endless photographs illustrating the history of the show line the walls.

Callous Kim Tate sits in court, loudmouth Tina Dingle is characteristically caught in the middle of a blazing row, while Woolpack stalwart and sideburn legend Amos Brearly beams with a turkey under each arm.

Zoe Tate has ``that kiss'' with interior designer and lesbian lover Emma Nightingale, and Kathy gets married (not for the first time!).

A TV set in the corner of the room shows the scenes being recorded inside the studios.

If you glance quickly it looks for all the world like a finished episode of the show - until the make-up girl pops up from behind the bar in The Woolpack to powder Diane's nose.

Filming often takes place from 8am to 8pm five days a week.

Out at the Emmerdale village, the famous pub, The Woolpack (complete with plaque above the door stating that Diane Blackstock and Louise Appleton are licensed to sell intoxicating spirits) stands proudly among other familiar sights such as Viv's Post Office, the memorial bench for Butch Dingle, and the vet's surgery where Paddy and Zoe work.

Inside the surgery, a ginger and white cat lies inert on the operating table, complete with stitches in its side.

Not being an animal lover, in a way I'm relieved when it turns out to be a stuffed animal, but a bit spooked by the stuffed rabbits, ferret, and dogs which occupy the cages in the vet's back room - but apparently it's easier than using real animals for shots where they are just glimpsed in the background.

Then there's the surreal graveyard of St Mary's Church, which contains the ``graves'' of Emmerdale characters who have died, from Frank Tate to Sarah Sugden, from Vic Windsor to Rachel Hughes - some complete with flowers for that realistic touch. I must admit to being disappointed by the illusion-shattering walk through the front door of Emmerdale's legendary watering hole - it's just an empty shell!

The real set is back at the YTV studios, so no cosy bar and back room here.

Edna's dog Batley is buried in the front garden of her little cottage - although, confusingly, the set of her front room, with its endless ornaments, is actually located inside what is the exterior of Rodney's imposing house.

Just when I thought I'd never see a ``normal'' house, Dawn and Terry's home, Connelton View, saves the day.

Downstairs there's their lounge and kitchen, with photos of their recent wedding dotted around everywhere, along with one of Terry's old rugby photos from his glorious sporting career, and upstairs, their bedroom is similarly realistic, with Dawn's make up and hair brushes scattered across the dressing table.

Just outside the main village, the Marsdens' neat, new home is in great contrast to that of their neighbours, with the Dingles' pig pens adding to the earthy atmosphere (and smell).

Emmerdale used to be filmed in a real village, Esholt in Bradford. But as the show's popularity grew, it became less practical to continue filming there, especially as the public stopped to watch! So a replica village was built in 1996 on the Harewood estate, 25 minutes outside Leeds city centre, and this has been used for the exterior (and some interior) shots ever since.

But the majority of inside scenes are filmed at YTV's Leeds studios, where the set is a bizarre mix of different characters' living rooms and kitchens, standing back-to-back with the post office, cafe, and, of course, The Woolpack, which is smaller than I imagined, but reassuringly familiar, and serves real beer!

The animal print furnishings in Diane's back room are just as hilarious and suited to her character as they are on TV, and posted on the entrance to the bar there's a list of regular characters' usual drinks, to help the staff avoid mistakes in filming.

Home Farm's gracious interiors and Rodney's modern and well-stocked kitchen sit incongruously next to Seth and Betty's humble living room, with its well-worn flowery settees, and the Dingles' less than well-kept farm.

All familiar, but at the same time slightly bizarre.

In between takes in The Woolpack, I caught up with a few of the cast to get their views on being in one of the nation's favourite soaps.

Charlotte Bellamy, who plays unlucky-in-love Laurel Potts, joined the show last July. ``It's been really fun, a whirlwind, and pretty full-on. My husband and I live in London, so I'm back and fore a lot.

``The train gives me a chance to learn my lines though.

``When I joined I just wanted to fit in. It sounds corny but it is like a family, everyone's so friendly. But in my first scene I was a singing telegram in The Woolpack, dressed as a bumblebee, so I couldn't really blend into the background.''

Karl Davies plays Robert Sugden on the show.

``I love being part of Emmerdale, it's great.

``I've made some really good friends, I share a house with a few of the cast, including Kelvin who plays Andy, my brother, and Vicky (Ollie Reynolds).

``In a general sense I think soap raises a lot of issues, storylines can address subjects that otherwise aren't addressed.''

Mark Charnock plays chef Marlon Dingle.

``I'm really busy at the moment, filming storylines about my evil uncle Shadrach,'' he said.

``I love it because I'm really focused, although my head is just full of lines. Since being in Emmerdale I've got a bit more security, I'm more relaxed. ``I do get recognised, and most people are really friendly, and I always try and be polite to everyone too.

``You are in their living rooms every night of the week so people have a different attitude to you than they would to Tom Cruise, for example.

``And Marlon is a great character, men and women relate to the two different sides to him.

``He's also led to the most embarrassing thing I've ever had to do, which was a strip in a big marquee to prove himself to his girlfriend. The extras were all models, and I was there, this gimp in the middle, naked.

``It was awful. And I tripped as I ran off, a real prat fall, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

``I don't worry about being pigeon-holed as a soap actor - I'm enjoying my work here, and I've known too much unemployment in this business to be worried about that.''

Ray Ashcroft plays Ronnie Marsden, the dad in the newest family to move into Emmerdale.

Having previously worked on The Bill, as DS Geoff Daly, he has noticed a difference in the way the public reacts.

``I can't go past a group of schoolgirls without them pointing and saying `There's that bloke off Emmerdale.' ``I think that there is a snobbery about soaps with some people, but I don't think that's justified,'' he said.

He claimed he found it difficult to film love scenes relating to his affair with barmaid Louise within a few days of meeting the actress (Emily Symons), but said, ``It's all part of the job - but we were both popping plenty of breath-freshening mints beforehand.''

But for Tony Audenshaw, who plays Viv's (long-suffering) other half Bob, being in Emmerdale has had one unwanted effect.

``People have started calling me Bob, instead of Tony, because they reckon I'm turning into him. We seem to be merging, which is terrible really.''

I say it could be worse, you could be playing a nasty character, a murderer or something. ``Yes, I suppose,'' said, ``But he's a bit of an idiot, isn't he?''

Jo Atkinson's Soapbox, page 26

THE PRODUCER'S VIEW

. . .Tim Fee is the line producer on the soap Emmerdale, where he has worked since 1988.

``Basically we have the largest TV studio in the world, a large administration, a real village, two crews, and it all has to be organised - which is what I do. ``I'm translating the producer's ideas on to the screen.''

Tim has seen massive changes since he started work on Emmerdale 15 years ago.

``I joined in 1988 when we took the show Emmerdale Farm, which was going to be taken off screen, and dragged it into what was then the 20th cen u r y.''

He oversaw the famous plane crash episode, which seemingly killed off half the cast.

``It was the start of the successful period which took it from twice a week to three, networked, then to five episodes a week.

``I'm passionate about Emmerdale, I think it's coped admirably with the changes. Everybody who used to watch Emmerdale say they don't watch it anymore, because it's all sex, drugs and rock and roll, but how do they know if they don't watch it?

``So they do still watch it, they just don't like it that they don't see Jack going across the field on his tractor in every episode.

``But villages all move on. ``But we are bringing the farm back in with young Andy and Katy, and 60% of the show is outside, which is different to other soaps.

``And we are picking up younger audiences, we have increased our audience share in the last 12 months, the only soap to do that.

``People like to watch Emmerdale because it's light, attractive, fun to watch, and it makes you think too because there's serious stuff underneath.

``Why are we making soaps? Because 50% of the viewers want it.''

Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England); 11/10/2002

Byline: CAROLINE WHEELER

EX-CORRIE star Jacqueline Pirie has given up reading her lines to write them, the Sunday Mercury can reveal.

The actress, who played Mike Baldwin's scheming wife Linda, has gone from actress to author and is now in the process of refining the second draft of her play.

Jacqueline, 27, who was brought up in Birmingham, also wants to crack the children's market and is believed to have written the first few chapters of a new fantasy novel.

The Stirling-born star, who quit the Street after the birth of her son Jamie earlier this year, hopes to enjoy the same success as J.K. Rowling who penned the Harry Potter series.

A spokesman for agents Lou Coulson said: 'Jacqui did amazingly well as an actress and I've no doubt she could go to the top as a writer.

'She has become very disillusioned with the acting business but she is really enjoying writing so we'll have to see what happens next.

'She started writing a few years ago and has submitted a play which I think is really good. We are now working on the second draft of the play together but it's not ready to go out yet.

'Jacqui has also written the first few sample chapters of a children's fantasy book. It's a genre which has become increasingly popular and her work is very good.

'It's not so much of a career move for Jacqui, just a new venture which she is enjoying very much.'

Last year Jacqueline became the first in a series of Coronation Street stars to quit the hit ITV soap.

Viewers last saw her character Linda vanish following an affair with hubby Mike's son and they watched as her car plunged into Weatherfield Canal.

Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 8/10/2002

Byline: FRANCES TRAYNOR

ANOTHER young star has quit Coronation Street as the soap reels from losing more viewers.

Chris Bisson, who plays taxi firm boss Vikram Desai, will bow out at the end of the year.

He told Corrie bosses that he wants the chance to do other things and won't renew his deal when it ends in December.

Last month, Georgia Taylor, who plays Toyah, announced she was leaving at the end of the year.

And barmaid Geena, played by Jennifer James, has been sacked.

The departure of three of the show's leading younger characters follows the news that some of its stars, including Tracy Shaw, have been asked to take a pay cut.

Yesterday, it was revealed that the UK's longest-running soap has lost almost two million viewers over the last year.

On three nights in July, the soap's audience fell below nine million. On one occasion it only pulled in 8.3 million viewers.

It's a long way from Corrie's heyday, when it pulled in 18 million viewers.

BBC rival EastEnders is pulling in around 14 million viewers on average, although that includes its Sunday omnibus figures.

In July 2001, Corrie averaged viewing figures of around 12 million - at least two million more than it managed last month.

Even the arrival of ex-Boyzone star Keith Duffy on Wednesday as Irish charmer Ciaran only pulled in 10.1 million viewers.

Scriptwriters have now started work on a storyline where Vik gets into debt after running up huge gambling losses.

Chris, 27, joined the soap in 1999 as failed accountant Vikram Desai, pampered son of Ravi Desai, who bought the corner shop from Fred Elliott.

Fancying himself with the ladies, he worked his way through Maxine, Leanne, Karen, Bobbi and even schoolgirl Candice.

Recently, he had a close shave when he bedded Hazel Wilding, only to discover that her husband was a dodgy local businessman.

Chris said: "To leave a family as warm and caring as Coronation Street has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make.

"I had four fantastic years as part of the most talented team in British television."

There have been a string of younger characters leaving the street.

Corrie's biggest loss last year was Scot Jacqueline Pirie.

Jacqueline, who played scheming Linda Baldwin, decided not to return from maternity leave after the birth of her son Jamie.

Viewers last saw Linda vanish following an affair with hubby Mike's son Mark and they watched as her car plunged into Weatherfield Canal.

Dirty doctor Matt Ramsden and his wife Charlie, played by Stephen Beckett and Clare McGlinn, also left after the GP had a fling with Maxine.

The dip in Corrie's audience is part of an ITV-wide decline, with July one of the worst months on record for the network for audience share and advertising.

In fact, this year has been a disastrous one for the channel.

The year began with the fiasco of no ratings over the Christmas and New Year period as the new BARB measuring system failed to get to work.Worse was to follow with the collapse of ITV Digital.

The news that Corrie, the backbone of its evening schedules for four decades, is losing viewers couldn't have come at a worse time.

But an ITV spokeswoman said: "It is inaccurate to single out Coronation Street in terms of ratings.

"Compared to its rivals, Coronation Street continues to perform extremely strongly."

Inside Soap
Fortnight ending 15 February 2002

Goodbye Linda...

...but it's hello to Roy as some new faces hit Coronation Street

It's ben months since scheming Linda Baldwin vanished from Weatherfield, but it looks like we have seen the last of Linda - for good! Jacqueline Chadwick, who played the devious wife of Mike Baldwin, recently announced to Street bosses that she is quitting the soap to spend more time with her family. Jacqui was written out of the show to go on maternity leave and planned to return to Weatherfield after giving birth to second child, jamie, in November. HOwever the announcement that she will not be returning leaves scriptwriters free to devise an exciting storyline to finally solve the mystery of Linda's disappearance.

Meanwhile, the show's bosses have signed up veteran comedian Roy Hudd to play a new character, funeral parlour bos Archie Shuttleworth. Roy, who has hosted shows like The News Huddlines, arrives later this fortnight - and he soon falls head over heals for Deirdre Rachid's mum, Blanch Hunt. Another of Corrie's new characters will be played by Francesca Manning who is the niece of the controversial comedian Bernard Manning. Her uncle will no dougt be beaming with pride when she joins the Street this month as Sandra Milligan, a new friend for the recently heartbroken Les Battersby. "She's a smasher," revealied the stand-up star. "There's plenty of talent in my family."

The Sun Online
11 January 2002

Now Jacqui quits Corrie

Corrie drama ... Jacqueline with Johnny

By CHARLIE YATES

CORRIE firebrand Jacqueline Chadwick has sensationally quit the soap — days after The Sun revealed that 11 other stars are being axed.

Jacqueline, who plays super-bitch Linda Baldwin, made her shock announcement as bosses held a meeting to discuss Coronation Street's future plots.

The actress — currently on maternity leave — wants to spend more time at home after giving birth to her second child Jamie last October.

Jacqueline, 27, has played Linda for three years. She was among the first Street stars to be signed up on big-money two-year contracts.

In the soap, scheming Linda vanished months ago when her car plunged into a canal.

Linda planned to frame hubby Mike — actor Johnny Briggs — for her murder, after escaping the crash and running off with his son Mark.

A Street source said last night: "Jacqueline's decision means the scriptwriters will be able to produce sensational plots

"It could be more blood on the Street, but it's positive stuff for the show."

Last night Jacqueline was at home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with fireman husband Simon, 31, little Jamie and their four-year-old daughter Alex.

A pal said: "Jamie changed Jacqui's outlook. She decided she needed to be with her children."

The Sun reported on Monday that eight characters are being axed by Corrie chiefs.

They include corner shop boss Dev Alahan (actor Jimi Harkishan), barmaid Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay), mechanic Sam Kingston (Scott Wright), and cab controller Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver).

Three days earlier we revealed that GP Matt Ramsden (Stephen Beckett), his screen wife Charlie (Clare McGlinn) and factory girl Bobbi Lewis (Naomi Russell) are also for the chop.

  CORONATION Street star Jacqueline Chadwick - bitchy Linda Baldwin in the soap - has vowed she will never return. Now scriptwriters plan a mysterious ending to explain her sudden disappearance.

Stirling-born Jacqueline - who gave birth to second child Jamie in October - plunged the show into chaos last summer by going on maternity leave early.

She had only just returned after six weeks off sick, but lasted just four days.

Frantic rewriting took place and viewers saw Linda Baldwin mysteriously disappear after a blazing row with hubby Mike.

Since then the storyline has taken different twists with Mike's Jaguar being pulled from a river with the theory that Linda may have drowned.

Mike was grilled by cops on suspicion of her murder before being released. All the time, Street bosses were waiting for Jacqueline's final decision - although the Daily Record can reveal that they never expected the actress to come back to Granada.

Jacqueline, who is married to firefighter Simon Chadwick, 31, had to tell bosses of her plans this month and her decision to quit was relayed by her agent yesterday.

A Street insider said: "She wasn't even prepared to return to film her character's demise.

"In a way that has left the door open for all kinds of scenarios.

"The scriptwriters can have a field day - will a body be found? Will Linda turn up somewhere abroad? Will Mike be charged with her murder?

"Now we know Linda won't be seen again it's time to milk it for all it's worth."

An official Street spokeswoman said: "Jacqueline has announced her decision not to return to Coronation Street following the birth of her second child.

"Everyone on the programme wishes her well for the future."

Byline: CHRIS MARRITT

CORONATION Street fans will finally find out what happened to man-eater Linda Baldwin later this year after actress Jacqueline Chadwick yesterday confirmed she would not be returning to the TV soap.

Fans were left guessing when Chadwick went on maternity leave last year as Weatherfield womaniser Mike Baldwin was accused of killing fourth wife Linda just months after their wedding.

Since then, the actress has been keeping writers in suspense as to whether she would ever return to the show following the birth of her second child, Jamie.

The announcement leaves scriptwriters at the Street, which is locked in a ratings war with BBC's EastEnders, deciding on a gripping storyline to finish her off, probably some time in late spring or early summer.

CAPTION(S):

THRILLER: actress Jacqueline Chadwick as Linda Baldwin with screen husband Mike (Johnny Briggs)

COPYRIGHT 2002 Century Newspapers Ltd

CORONATION Street fans will finally find out what happened to maneater Linda Baldwin later this year.

Actress Jacqueline Chadwick today confirmed she will NOT be returning to the TV soap.

Fans were left guessing when she went on maternity leave last year, and Weatherfield womaniser Mike Baldwin was accused of killing fourth wife Linda just months after their wedding.

Since then, the actress has been keeping the scriptwriters in suspense as to whether she would ever return.

COPYRIGHT 2002 MGN Ltd.

Byline: BRIAN ROBERTS

CORONATION Street star Jacqueline Chadwick has told bosses she will never return.

The 25-year-old has even refused to film an exit for her character Linda Baldwin.

Jacqueline went on maternity leave last year after the birth of her second child.

A source said: "She wants time with her son. It hasn't come as a great surprise."

CAPTION(S):

EXIT: Jacqueline

COPYRIGHT 2002 MGN LTD

11 January 2002

Corrie superbitch quits the Street
By Hannah Wright

The actress who plays Coronation Street superbitch Linda Baldwin has quit the soap - paving the way for sensational storylines involving her character.

Jacqueline Chadwick, 27, made her shock announcement as bosses held a meeting to discuss future plots.

She wants to spend more time at home after giving birth to her second child, Jamie, last October. "It means the scriptwriters will be able to produce sensational plots," said a soap insider.

Scheming Linda vanished from Coronation Street months ago when her car plunged into a canal.

Fans were left guessing when Chadwick left the show on maternity leave.

Scriptwriters are now deciding on a gripping storyline to finish her off - which will probably be screened in late spring or early summer and could mean more blood on the Street.

Chadwick has been in the show for three years and was one of the first Street stars to strike a big-money two-year deal.

Her announcement follows reports that eight characters are being axed from the soap. They include corner shop boss Dev, barmaid Shelley, mechanic Sam and cab controller Eileen. GP Matt and factory girl Bobbi also face the chop. 11/01/02

10 January 2002

Corrie writers to solve riddle of Linda as actress quits

Coronation Street fans are to find out what happened to Linda Baldwin later this year. Actress Jacqueline Chadwick has confirmed she will not be returning to the soap. Street bosses say scriptwriters are working on a fitting end to the character's storyline.

Fans were left guessing when Chadwick went on maternity leave last year. Mike Baldwin was accused of killing his fourth wife Linda just months after their wedding. Since then, the actress has been keeping the scriptwriters in suspense as to whether she would ever return to the show following the birth of her second child, Jamie.

Now, Chadwick - who gave birth to 4lb Jamie five weeks early last October - says she will not be returning to the show. The announcement leaves scriptwriters at the Street, which is locked in a ratings war with BBC's EastEnders, deciding on a gripping storyline to finish her off, probably some time in late spring or early summer.

In a statement Street bosses said: "Actress Jacqueline Chadwick has announced that she has decided not to return to Coronation Street following the birth of her second child. "Everyone at the programme wishes her well for the future and the production team are now working on a fitting end to Linda's storyline."

A spokeswoman for Chadwick, who married husband Simon Chadwick following a whirlwind romance last year, said the actress had no comment to make.

Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 11/21/2001

Byline: VICKY SPAVIN

SOAP star Johnny Briggs has revealed he's sick of playing Coronation Street Casanova Mike Baldwin after 25 years in the hit show.

But despite waning enthusiasm for the role he has made his own, the actor is not about to quit - for the sake of his family.

Johnny, 66, had planned to retire when he turned 60. There was only one reason he stayed on as the Street's Romeo.

"It's called 'four children syndrome'," he said. "Four children to bring up and put through university.

"I wanted them to have every opportunity, but if I didn't have four children I would have retired at 60.

"Acting doesn't motivate me as much as it used to. Basically it's because I've done everything. There's nothing I would like to do anymore acting-wise.

"I've had enough now. I've been in the show for 25 years and it's beginning to feel that way."

Not that being a Corrie star hasn't brought its benefits.

After six decades in the business, Johnny has a millionaire lifestyle which allows him to indulge his passion for travel, golf and fishing.

He owns a home in sun-drenched Florida as well as a West Midlands country pile where he lives with his second wife Christine and their four children. Then there's the Manchester flat where he spends his working week.

But it's Johnny's Florida pad where he really feels at home.

Johnny bought the property with a swimming pool 10 years ago as a retreat for his retirement. But he finds himself increasingly drawn to it.

He said: "It's a well-known fact that whatever your life span was in England, by coming to Florida for the tail end of it, you can increase it by 10 years.

"When I arrive at my house in Florida, it's like coming home. I walk in and feel completely at home. All my belongings are there. I don't even need a toothbrush.

"It's very civilised. I get up in the morning, take a couple of grapefruits off the tree and have them for breakfast. Then I do a bit of fishing and play a bit of golf. I find it absolute heaven.

"I'm looking forward to taking it easy and enjoying it a bit more.

"When I do eventually leave Coronation Street, it will be like leaving a family because I've worked with some of them for 25 years. They have been a great bunch of people. It will be a bit emotional, but something ends and it's on to something else."

Playing the character of Cockney factory boss Mike Baldwin has allowed Johnny something few actors can rely on - a weekly wage.

But in return for that security comes hard work, long hours and little time with his and Christine's children, Jennie, 23, Stephanie, 19, Michael, 20, and Anthony, 12. Johnny also has two other children - daughter Karen and son Mark, from his marriage to first wife Caroline.

Daughter Jennie Briggs said: "Dad has a wicked sense of humour. He's really generous and he makes me proud every single day. But he's not around enough."

Johnny is rarely at home because, six days a week, he can be found in his Manchester apartment. For 25 years he has chosen to spend his working week away from his family - and trust his wife to bring up their children alone.

HE said: "It's made my wife be near enough a one-parent family. She's had to hold the fort along with my mother-in-law while I've been in Manchester. You are away six days a week. It's a long time for one person to look after four kids.

"But I don't think I could do it if I lived at home because I would have too many distractions. People think I go out every night, but it's not like that.

"If you go to a party, people want to know what you do, all the ins and outs. After you have said that 20 times you think, 'I could just have stayed home'."

Johnny's soap career got off to a shaky start with an 18-month stint in Crossroads. After that, it wasn't long before another soap made him an offer - that Johnny initially refused.

He recalled: "I told them to forget it. I didn't plan to do any more soaps, not after Crossroads. You slammed the door and all the pictures fell off the wall - it was too embarrassing.

"But they asked if I had ever seen Coronation Street. I came back, turned on the set and I thought: 'There's Pat Phoenix and Doris Speed'. I knew them."

On October 11, 1976, Johnny first walked on to the Coronation Street set and a British soap legend was born.

His character's controversial plotlines have drawn in millions of fans over the years and the actor's talent will go under the spotlight this Friday in a special ITV programme, Mike Baldwin And Me.

While fans love Mike for his ruthless streak as Weatherfield's would-be tycoon, his womanising ways have earned more headlines over the years.

Mike has carved more notches on his bed post than any other Corrie character.

His first on-screen affair was in 1977 with busty barmaid Bet Lynch, played by actress Julie Goodyear. The pair enjoyed a short fling but, being Mike, the relationship didn't last very long.

Who would have thought that more than 20 years later, he'd still be a hit with the ladies? And young ladies at that. Last year he got hitched to Linda Sykes, played by Scots actress Jacqueline Pirie, who is young enough to be his daughter.

During his time in Weatherfield, Mike has been ruthless in his pursuit of a fast buck. But the past 25 years have been more lucrative for Johnny than they have been for Mike.

TODAY the champagne-drinking millionaire can afford to buy his private school-educated children cars for their 18th AND 21st birthdays.

The son of a Battersea carpenter has ensured they won't have the same working-class upbringing he had.

But while Michael Vernon Baldwin has established himself as one of the Street's most controversial characters, Johnny has also had his fair share of ups and downs.

Two years ago, Mike was stopped, breathalised and charged with drink driving. It was a scene Johnny was to act out in real life, too.

In 1999, he was caught almost twice over the drink-drive limit. He was fined pounds 1440 and banned from driving for 14 months.

Mike said: "Luckily, it didn't affect my life too much because a great friend of mine drove me around for 11 months."

Johnny has also had to cope with his eldest daughter Karen's drug addiction. She was given a three-year sentence for her part in an armed robbery.

"Unfortunately Karen got in with a bad crowd," Johnny said. "I would rather not talk about it."

Treacherous factory boss Mike has the potent combination of power and wealth. And it has proved a fatal cocktail for more than 20 women.

While Mike still turns on Corrie's millions of female fans, Johnny doesn't envy his character's rather colourful love life.

"I prefer the company of men to women," he said. "I just get on with guys more. There's more things you can do with them, like golf. Women can tend to complicate life."

ALL THE GIRLS HE'S LOVED BEFORE

BEST BAR NONE: They never wed, but Mike and Bet were an item in the Seventies

FIRST LOVE: Susan Barlow became the first Mrs Baldwin in a Corrie special in 1985

TWICE AS NICE: Mike married Jackie Ingram in 1991 and then got hitched to Alma Sedgewick a year later

LET'S HITCH AGAIN: Mike tied the knot with Linda Sykes (Jacqueline Pirie) last year.

Street star Jaq bags a baby
2 November 2001 by Guy Patrick & Chris Ritches

CORONATION Street star Jacqueline Pirie steps out with her baby boy Jamie - born five weeks early. Jacqueline, 26, who plays Linda Baldwin in the soap, wrapped up the little lad in a special rucksack for tots.

Yesterday, the star's proud husband Simon Chadwick, 31, said: "The baby is fine and everything is OK." Jamie, who weighed just over 4lbs when he was born, was in a special care unit because of his size. Jacqueline, who felt unwell towards the end of her pregnancy, was rushed into hospital and had a Caesarean.

A friend said last night: "There were some serious complications towards the end of the pregnancy and Jacqueline went into hospital. "She underwent a Caesarean and she and the baby are doing great now. "We heard she was feeling a bit unwell towards the end of the pregnancy and the next thing she was in hospital. "Jacqueline is a very private person and only her close family and friends know about the early arrival. "The main thing is that Jacqueline and the little one are absolutely fine - and Simon is delighted."

The actress, who has a four-year-old daughter Alex from a previous relationship, married firefighter Simon after a whirlwind romance. They tied the knot in a secret ceremony next to Loch Lomond, in Scotland, last April - with two hotel workers as their witnesses. The couple met a year ago and The Sun exclusively revealed they were expecting their first child.

Jacqueline went on maternity leave from Corrie over the summer but her character has remained at the centre of a blockbuster plot. Linda has vanished and her family think hubby Mike has killed her. He is trying to find her in a bid to prove his innocence.

Corrie pal Julie Hesmondhalgh, 31, who plays Hayley Cropper, gave birth last month to a girl called Martha Mo.

Byline: STEVE HENDRY EXCLUSIVE

THIS is the moment Coronation Street is plunged into a murder mystery.

Mike Baldwin's Jaguar is raised from the gloomy depths of a river at the dead of night.

Viewers will be on tenterhooks as they wait to see if his scheming wife Linda - Scots actress Jacqueline Chadwick - has met her end in a watery grave.

Street fans last saw Linda weeks ago when she fled from her mum Eve's wedding to butcher Fred Elliott after a furious row with Mike.

She drove off in his distinctive maroon Jaguar after he caught her trying to seduce his son Mark for a second time.

The cliffhanger scenes, which will be broadcast next Sunday and Monday, wouldn't look out of place in an episode of Taggart.

Police pull the Jag, with its personalised number plate MVB - for Michael Vernon Baldwin - from the depths after Linda's boot is found in the water and handed over in a plastic bag to her distraught mother.

Eve, played by Melanie Kilburn, cranks up the tension as she rushes to the river bank and stands in eerie silence as the car is winched on to dry land by a 50-ton crane.

Does it contain her wayward daughter's body - or is Linda up to her usual tricks and pulling off an elaborate scam to get back at Mike for demanding a divorce?

The scenes will usher in a dramatic new storyline as Mike - actor Johnny Briggs - fails to return from holiday in Scotland when expected. His non-appearance sets tongues wagging in the Rovers and raises police suspicions that he has done away with his troublesome wife.

After all, she humiliated him by sleeping with his son and business rival Harvey Reuben as well as vowing to take him to the cleaners when he first threatened to divorce her.

Programme-makers spent thousands of pounds on the thriller during filming in Buxton, Derbyshire.

They steam-cleaned the Jag and stripped it of all pollutants. They removed the engine and sealed the petrol cap to ensure it was environmentally sound when it went into the river.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday

THINGS are about to get saucy in Coronation Street- thanks to Brummie beauty Jacqueline Pirie.

The street's hottest love triangle takes an unexpected twist next week as scheming Linda Baldwin, played by 25-year-old Jacqueline, ends up back in the arms of her stepson.

In a gripping hour-long special, fans will see Linda's cheating ways put an end to her marriage to Mike, played by Johnny Briggs.

The drama happens on thier first anniversary - a year to the day since the factory boss discovered his new bride had been bedding his son Mark.

The action will be screened on Monday, September 3 and is set to spark a new ratings war with BBC1's Eastenders.

CAPTION(S):

JACQUELINE PIRIE

COPYRIGHT 2001 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd

Byline: ADAM MOSS

CORONATION Street star Jacqueline Pirie stormed out of the soap after an incredible on-set bust-up with glamorous colleague Tracy Shaw.

Other flabbergasted cast members gawped in amazement when the two fiery actresses began trading insults in a bitter slanging match across the Weatherfield set.

As the cameras continued to roll, Jacqueline, who plays superbitch Linda Baldwin, accused rival Tracy of BAD-MOUTHING her.

Then she suddenly turned round and strode from the Granada studios in Manchester.

Tracy, who plays flirty hairdresser Maxine Peacock and recently wed TV producer Robert Ashworth, was said to have been left "quite upset".

Now scriptwriters are reworking plots and rescheduling filming to cope with pregnant Jacqueline's absence.

Granada bosses last night tried to play down the row and claimed she was just taking "early maternity leave".

A spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned this did not happen."

And he flatly denied there were any plans to write Jacqueline out of the soap.

"Once Jacqui has had the baby we expect to hear from her. We expect her back in about six months."

But one insider said: "Obviously this is going to be hushed up - the Street is supposed to be one big happy family. However, a lot of the cast know about the row. Everyone was stunned by what happened and Tracy seemed quite upset. Jacqueline is certainly not the most popular member of the Corrie team at the moment.

"There is no love lost between her and Tracy. Things have been pretty frosty on the set for some time."

The two women used to be good friends and Jacqueline was a guest at Tracy's wedding.

But trouble flared after she accused Tracy of making "disparaging remarks" about her at a recent awards evening.

Tracy publicly denied saying anything nasty, but the row festered on the Corrie set.

The Street insider added: "Granada bosses had planned for Jacqui to be involved in a lot of really important storylines and now they are having to rethink everything.

"It could affect other actors and actresses too, and they're not happy. A lot of people have been upset by this."

JACQUELINE PIRIE

BORN: Scotland, 1975.

VITAL STATISTICS: 36 - 27 - 38.

STAR SIGN: Libra.

GREAT LOVE: Playing with daughter Alex.

DREAM: To have fun, act and provide for her family.

TV PERSONALITY: Bolshy, outspoken sex siren.

MOST MEMORABLE TV MOMENT: Hopping into bed with hubby Mike Baldwin's son, and seducing customer Harvey Reubens.

REAL-LIFE PARTNER: Fireman Simon Chadwick, 31.

TRACY SHAW

BORN: Belper, Derbyshire, 1973.

VITAL STATISTICS: 35 - 27 - 37.

STAR SIGN: Leo.

GREAT LOVE: Champagne.

DREAM: To have a baby.

TV PERSONALITY: Fiery, raunchy loudmouth, who is desperate for a baby.

MOST MEMORABLE TV MOMENT: Spurning other men to wed Coronation Street's dopey, squeaky-voiced butcher Ashley Peacock.

REAL-LIFE PARTNER: TV producer Robert Ashworth, 29.

CAPTION(S):

BUBBLE'S BURST: Jacqui and Tracy

COPYRIGHT 2001 MGN LTD

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Friday, 10th August 2001
Riddle of backstage Street bust-ups

FOLLOWING the news that actress Jacqueline Pirie is again absent from the set of Coronation Street, could there be more to her discomfort than simply the trials of pregnancy?

With strong rumours circulating that Ms Pirie isn't seeing eye-to-eye with another leading cast member, could Weatherfield be the setting for a behind-the-scenes battle of the babes between her and long-term Coronation Street favourite Tracy Shaw?

The dispute is believed to have stemmed from alleged comments by Ms Shaw - Maxine Peacock - about Ms Pirie - Linda Baldwin - in a press interview.

Since then, insiders claim relations have become rather strained between the pair. One Corrie source said: ''It would be true to say there's no love lost between them.''

A friend of Ms Shaw's added: ''Tracy is a lovely girl. It's been an upsetting time for her - it must have been terrible on set.''

After being off work for over a month following complications with her pregnancy, Ms Pirie returned to the Corrie set last week. But the demanding workload evidently proved too much for the star, due to give birth in November. Granada bosses duly accepted her request for early maternity leave, but dismissed suggestions she is ready to quit the show for good.

A spokesman for Granada denied there was any rift between the two women stars and said Ms Pirie was on maternity leave.

• The Street will tonight go head-to-head with big rival EastEnders, due to the launch of the Cockney soap's fourth weekly episode at 8pm and Corrie's postponement from 7.30.

Byline: GRAHAM YOUNG The Mail's Mr Telly

ITV goes soap mad tonight with the casts of Emmerdale and Coronation Street meeting head to head on this show after they've already appeared in their regular early Friday night drama slots.

Playing for the Street are Vicky Entwistle (Janice Battersby), Naomi Russell (Bobbi Lewis), Julie Hesmondalgh (Hayley Cropper), Suranne Jones (Karen Phillips) and the newly-married Jacqueline Chadwick (Linda Baldwin), once of Emmerdale herself, remember.

Its all-male team features Billy Hartman (Terry Woods), Chris Chittell (Eric 'boo-hiss!' Pollard), Gary Turner (Carlos Diaz), Patrick Mower (Rodney Blackstock) and Ben Freeman (Scott Windsor).

Julie Hesmondalgh tells Les how she found out she was pregnant while on holiday in Santa Barbara, California.

'I love travelling and went on a big American road trip. I did a pregnancy test in a toilet on a pier in Santa Barbara - and it was positive.

'So, it's Santa if it's a boy and Barbara if it's a girl. Roy's very happy - he says it's a miracle.'

Both teams will be aiming to win through on double money to reach the final and to land a pounds 10,000 jackpot for a charity of their choice.

Emmerdale will be supporting Leukaemia Research and the Coronation Street gang will be playing for Macmillan Nurses.

Earlier, in Emmerdale, Diane gives Bernice an ultimatum over her affair with Carlos.

And, in the Street, it's the penultimate episode for wide-eyed Alma (Amanda Barrie).

Having returned from the Lake District, where former husband Mike Baldwin pledged his love for her she is upset when his current wife Linda tears into her.

Alma collapses in shock. . .

GARDENERS' WORLD LIVE (BBC2, 9pm)

Alan Titchmarsh, Rachel De Thame, Chris Beardshaw, Joe Swift, Charlie Dimmock and Diarmuid Gavin report from the NEC where an amateur group of gardeners will be building a garden with help from Chris Beardshaw and Ground Force star Tommy Walsh.

And, in Small Town Gardens (BBC2, 7.30pm), Rachel will put the skills of London florist Stephen Woodhams to the test. What can he do with a small town garden that is overgrown, irregularly shaped and featuring dead and dying plants?

He opts for a simple symmetrical design.

Timber panels sit alongside concrete paving slabs and help to lead the eye down to the main focal points, while a pair of low, free-standing walls break up the length.

BIG BROTHER (Channel 4, 8.30pm)

The highlight of the Big Brother week - the second eviction from a series which already seems to have been running for ever.

Standards have sunk so low I have even been receiving e-mails from the press office recently with news about one of the girls breaking wind. Says it all, really.

ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES (BBC1, 8.05pm)

It was Christmas 1992 last week in Peckham, and it's Christmas again tonight - this time in 1993 when Del Boy is having trouble with his teeth and Raquel.

Next week the series jumps to 1996!

COPYRIGHT 2001 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd

EASTENDERS scoop- ed a host of top awards at the soap industry's star-studded answer to the Oscars.

The BBC1 show was named Best British Soap with former pop star Martin Kemp taking the Best Actor Award.

His Albert Square colleague Natalie Cassidy, who won critical acclaim for her portrayal of teenage mum Sonia, was named Best Actress.

But there was praise too for Coronation Street, with the show taking the Best Single Episode title for its ground-breaking live episode.

And Street veterans Elizabeth Dawn and William Tarmey were honoured with the Best Screen Partnership award for their portrayal of Wetherfield favourites Jack and Vera Duckworth.

Emmerdale, named best soap at the recent BAFTAs, had to content itself with the Spectacular Scene of the Year award for the episode in which Andy Sugden burned the barn.

The award was given to Clive Hornby and Kelvin Fletcher while Best Storyline went to Coronation Street for its love |triangle starring Paul Fox, Jacqueline Chadwick and Johnny Briggs (Mark, Linda and Mike).

The residents of Albert Square won seven key accolades at the third British Soap Awards, leaving the Street with five.

The awards were held at BBC Television Centre and were presented by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan from ITV's This Morning programme. They are being broadcast on Wednesday night on ITV.

EastEnders won the Best British Soap for the second successive year, and Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell) was named Villain of the Year.

The Best Dramatic Performance title went to Coronation Street's Georgia Taylor, who plays Toyah Battersby.

EastEnders won the coveted Sexiest Male and Sexiest Female prizes for Martin Kemp, alias Steve Owen, and Tamzin Outhwaite (Melanie Owen), who took her prize for the third year running.

Sarah White won the Best Comedy Performance for her role as Bev McLoughlin in Brookside.

Special Achievement Award went to Brookside creator Phil Redmond.

Best Newcomer was EastEnders' Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater) while Best Exit went to Coronation Street's Naomi Radcliff (Allison Webster).

The Hero of the Year prize went to Emmerdale's Clive Hornby (Jack Sugden) for sacrificing himself to save his adopted son.

Clive Hornby, who won Hero of the Year and Spectacular Scene of the Year, said: ''I've not been able to make up my mind whether Jack (Sugden) is prat of the year or hero.''

Steve McFadden, who won Villain of the Year, said: ''I'm chuffed to bits. It's the first award for anything I've ever received in my life.''

Liz Dawn received the Best On-Screen Partnership title without her TV husband William Tarmey, said: ''I'm sure he will be thrilled with this just like me. Aren't we great, best of British.''

The awards ceremony was the first for the This Morning husband and wife team since Judy revealed a little more than she planned at last autumn's National Television Awards.

Before the ceremony Judy hadsaid: ''This dress will stay up - I'll stake my life on it. It's not a halter neck and there's no funny little fastenings at the back. This is armour plated.''

And the 2001 winners were

...SEXIEST MALE - Martin Kemp - EastEnders. Presented by Steps.

SEXIEST FEMALE - Tamzin Outhwaite - EastEnders. Presented by Steps.

BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE - Sarah White - Brookside. Presented by Richard Blackwood.

BEST NEWCOMER - Jessie Wallace - EastEnders. Presented by Jane Rossington and Jane Gurnett.

BEST DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE - Georgia Taylor - Coronation Street. Presented by Hugo Speer.

SPECTACULAR SCENE OF THE YEAR - Clive Hornby and Kelvin Fletcher - Emmerdale. For Andy Sugden burning the barn. Presented by Ulrika Jonsson.

BEST STORYLINE - Paul Fox, Jacqueline Chadwick, Johnny Briggs - Coronation Street. For Mark, Linda and Mike love triangle. Presented by Simon Shepherd and Shelagh McLeod.

HERO OF THE YEAR - Clive Hornby - Emmerdale. For Jack Sugden sacrificing himself to save his adopted son. Presented by David Seaman.

VILLAIN OF THE YEAR - Steve McFadden - EastEnders. Presented by Anthony Head.

BEST ON-SCREEN PARTNERSHIP - William Tarmey and Elizabeth Dawn - Coronation Street. Presented by Jane Danson and Robert Beck.

BEST EXIT - Naomi Radcliffe - Coronation Street. Presented by Anne Charleston.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Phil Redmond. Presented by Cherie Booth QC.

BEST SINGLE EPISODE - Friday December 8 2000 - Coronation Street. The live episode. Presented by Tricia Penrose and Derek Fowlds.

BEST ACTRESS - Natalie Cassidy - EastEnders. Presented by John Nettles.

BEST ACTOR - Martin Kemp - EastEnders. Presented by Amanda Holden.

BEST BRITISH SOAP - EastEnders. Presented by Sir John Mills.

CAPTION(S):

STAR TURN: Coronation Street's Tracy Shaw; IN A LATHER: some of the EastEnders' cast celebrate their Best Soap Award at the British Soap Awards 2001 at BBC Television Centre; GRAND ENTRANCE: Brookside's Jennifer Ellison; BEST LAUGH: Sarah White; GLASS ACT: Martin Kemp and wife Shirley Holliman; FAMILY AFFAIR: Corrie stars Paul Fox, left, and Johnny Briggs

COPYRIGHT 2001 Century Newspapers Ltd

Yahoo Headlines: Saturday August 11, 04:30 PM

Fred gets spliced By TV Plus reporters Corrie's unlucky-in-love Fred Elliott was filmed today delivering the line: "I do, I say, I do."

The cantankerous rotund butcher, played by John Savident, is to marry Eve Sykes (Melanie Kilburn) after a whirlwind romance.

But the lavish do at a country house hotel won't, of course, be without incident.

A Corrie spokeswoman said: "Viewers can expect sparks to fly as it kicks off between certain guests."

Much of the drama will focus on old flame Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) and his new bride.

The spokeswoman added: "Audrey has always had a soft spot for Fred and can't let go - despite once agreeing to marry him, then dumping him.

"She's convinced Eve is only marrying for his money. So hackles are up."

The wedding will also be marked by the return of Mike Baldwin's son Mark. Mark (Paul Fox) left after an affair with Mike's wife Linda (Jacqueline Chadwick) who is Eve's daughter.

"It's the return of Mike's prodigal son," the spokeswoman said.

"Passions are rekindled between the pair, so there's all that going on too."

The wedding will air on September 3.

Daily Mirror - UK The Mirror Blind Item

Showbiz Column WICKED WHISPERS

WHICH streetwise soap actresses hate each other with such venom they are now refusing to be on screen together?

The whole thing blew up last week when, after a particularly nasty catfight, one of them walked off set and refused to return.

Sick Star Hits Corrie
Taken from The Mirror

CORONATION Street star Jacqueline Pirie has plunged the show into chaos by going on maternity leave early.

The actress, who plays scheming Linda Baldwin, felt so ill that she pleaded with her bosses to quit a week early.

Jacqueline, 25, had only just returned after six weeks off sick.

Now her storyline, which should see Linda involved in a crash with her car plunging into a canal, is in doubt.

Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 6/9/2001

Byline: RICK FULTON

I'M NO SEX GODDESS

Street star baffled by her sultry image

SULTRY Scots Coronation Street star Jacqueline Chadwick can't understand why her army of male fans find her sexy.

Stirling-born Jacqueline, 25, says she doesn't set out to make screen character Linda Baldwin a sexpot.

In the soap, bed-hopping Linda has fans glued to their screens with her love-cheat antics.

But brunette Jacqueline, who is expecting a baby in November, says her character's sex appeal leaves her baffled.

She said: "I certainly don't play her as sexy. She's determined to get what she wants and when she sets her mind on seducing someone, you can be sure she'll do it.

"But I think words like 'horrible' and 'bitchy' are more appropriate to describe her. 'Sexy' requires a woman to be a lot less obvious than she is.

"In my book, being sexy is about being subtle and restrained and not being single-minded about what you're after."

Jacqueline - maiden name Pirie - married fireman Simon Chadwick, 31, in a hush-hush ceremony in April at Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomondside.

The wedding was so secretive even her parents and grandparents were not invited.

Jacqueline and her fiance wed in front of a handful of hotel staff acting as witnesses.

The only other person present was Jacqueline's daughter Alexandra, who acted as flower girl.

The actress walked down the aisle wearing an ivory-coloured floor-length medieval gown and a small tiara.

The traditional Church of Scotland ceremony was followed by a private meal.

Afterwards the minister who presided over the secret marriage revealed he had never heard of the actress beforehand.

Embarrassed Rev Ian Miller, 56, said he was not a fan of the famous ITV soap and did not recognise the star even as she walked down the ailse.

Jacqueline, who also played Tina Dingle in Emmerdale, is believed to have held the wedding in Scotland because she still holds a deep affection for her home country.

In a magazine interview shortly before Christmas she said: "I'm Scottish through and through. I love going home."

Byline: Tim Randall

STREET star Jacqueline Pirie is changing her stage name on the shows credits. After her marriage to fireman Steve, she will now be billed as Jacqueline Chadwick. Aww, sweet.

SOAP stars go naked in June's Cosmopolitan. Watch out for East- Ender Michael Greco (in hairy gangster pose and Corrie's Scott Wright (cheesy '80s Athena bum shot).

COPYRIGHT 2001 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday

Byline: BOB HAYWOOD

TO Jacqueline Pirie, Larry Shaw must have seemed like just another colourful character in the life of her boyfriend Christopher Stone.

Tall, well-dressed and self-assured, he talked in the rich language of the criminal underworld.

But there was one crucial difference between Shaw and the other figures in Stone's shadowy social circle - he was a serving police officer.

At the time, Jacqueline was a budding actress, yet to become sexy Tina Dingle in Emmerdale and later super-bitch Linda Baldwin in the top soap of them all - Coronation Street.

Then just moving out of her teens, she lived with her parents in Warstock, Birmingham.

Stone - 15 years her senior - boasted of 'owning' Birmingham and of being one of the city's biggest villains.

At the time, Shaw was a detective constable who had previously worked with the elite Serious Crime Squad of West Midlands Police.

The unit was disbanded in 1989 amid allegations that it was riddled with corruption and that suspects had been 'fitted up'.

Shaw, who was stationed at Solihull, became friends with Stone seven years ago after the worlds of a cop and a gangster collided. The cop always liked to swim in the murky waters where the criminals lived, prospered and brought fear.

It was crucial, he believed, to know the enemy and his turf.

But Shaw the thief-taker was to become so mesmerised by the heavy-duty crooks he was paid to cage that he became sucked into gangsterland.

Tomorrow, he faces being jailed for up to 15 years for two post office armed robberies. When he was arrested by armed officers in Solihull town centre in January, he was planning an even bigger heist at a bank.

Shaw talks affectionately of his still-strong friendship with Stone, who once confessed he had carried out three 'axings' in the previous two years, had knee-capped a man and had broken his legs and hands.

And he speaks fondly of Jacqueline Pirie, who later had Stone's love-child - Alexandra, now aged three.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mercury, Shaw said: 'She is a lovely person - not at all like a TV star. Like Chrissie, she was from Warstock and proud of it, and had no airs and graces.

'I met her many times, usually in the pub. She knew I was a police officer because Chrissie told her.

'When Jacqueline had the baby, I had my photo taken with her. Chrissie was well-known in Warstock but I have no idea if Jacqueline was aware of the depth of his criminal involvement.

'I was still in the job when I first met Chrissie. We became good friends and we are friends still.

'I last met him when I came up to the Midlands in January, shortly before I was arrested. He has written to me while I have been in prison to tell me to keep my chin up.

'When I retired from the force in 1998, I invited Chrissie to my leaving do. One or two of my police colleagues recognised him and asked: 'What the **** is he doing here?'

'But I told them he was a friend and I wanted him there.

'I know he's a bad lad but I've always got on well with high-class villains.'

In 1996, Stone, now 37, boasted of being 'a hardened, known criminal' who had been in jail five times for violence.

He said in a newspaper interview: 'I have been on an attempted murder charge, involved in protection rackets, intimidation of witnesses, shootings and gang warfare.'

Last year, he was sought by Warwickshire Police after shots were fired outside a house in Earlswood, near Birmingham, following a row over money.

But the manhunt was called off when the complaint was withdrawn.

Heavily tattooed, Stone has the word 'Triumph' etched on his bottom lip. A notorious womaniser, he has nine children by four women.

Jacqueline, now aged 25, walked out on Stone when she found out about his life of crime. Two weeks ago, she married fireman Simon Chadwick, 31, in a secret ceremony on Loch Lomondside in Scotland.

Amazing transition

Little Alexandra was the flower girl. The wedding was so hush-hush that even Jacqueline's parents - James and Muriel, who still live in Warstock - were not invited.

The only adult guests were two hotel staff.

The final act in Shaw's amazing transition from cop to robber will be played out at Warwick Crown Court tomorrow when he is sentenced for robbery and firearms offences.

He pleaded guilty to the charges five weeks ago and the case was adjourned for reports.

Judge Richard Cole warned Shaw to expect 'a substantial sentence of imprisonment.' At the previous hearing, the court was told that Shaw had carried out an armed robbery at Bentley Heath Post Office in Widney Road, Solihull, in December 1999, and escaped with pounds 18,500.

The raid happened just 18 months after he retired from West Midlands Police.

Last July, Shaw returned to the same sub-post office and stole pounds 29,000 at gunpoint. The court heard he knew from his police days that the premises had no video security cameras.

The 49-year-old was arrested by armed police in Solihull town centre in January as he planned to hold up Barclays Bank in Knowle, Solihull. Since then, he has been held in Blakenhurst Prison, Redditch, Worcestershire.

Shaw says he turned to crime in revenge for his treatment by West Midlands Police with whom he served for 24 years, three of them with the Serious Crime Squad.

He claims he was sidelined after the disbandment of the elite unit and suffered severe stress which cost him the career he loved.

His wife left him and a pub venture collapsed.

Last night a Coronation Street spokeswoman said: 'Jacqueline Pirie is on honeymoon but in any event would not wish to talk about matters now well in her past.'

Bob_Haywood@mrn.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

ALL SMILES... Jacqueline Perie with her baby Alexandra and (above) Larry Shaw at his police retirement party EX BOYFRIEND... Christopher Stone

COPYRIGHT 2001 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd

Byline: LUCY MILES

CORONATION Street yesterday admitted storylines could be radically changed because actress Jacqueline Pirie is pregnant.

The 25-year-old, who was brought up in Birmingham, is expecting a baby with her new love, 31-year-old Simon Chadwick, whom she met in a nightclub.

The brunette star, who plays former factory girl Linda Baldwin, is already a mum to three-year-old Alex and is understood to have become pregnant by Simon just weeks after they started dating.

Since meeting Simon, a firefighter with Greater Manchester Fire Service, Jacqueline has quit her Manchester city-centre flat and moved into his home in Gatley, Cheshire.

Jacqueline's mum Patricia smiled when asked about the pregnancy but said: 'I really can't say anything.'

A spokeswoman for Coronation Street said: 'Jacqueline only told us of the pregnancy this week and we have yet to decide how to handle the issue in the storylines.

'Producers and scriptwriters will get together with her shortly to decide whether to write the pregnancy in or to shoot around it.

'When other actresses have become pregnant we always listen to what they want to do.

'The pregnancy is still in its very early stages and I know that Jacqueline would have preferred to wait for the news to come out. But it is really lovely news for her and Simon.'

A friend said: 'Jacqueline has met a great bloke and they couldn't be more chuffed about becoming parents.

'They've discussed getting married and they've got a fantastic future together.

'She hasn't had the best luck with men in the past but this time she's on a winner.

'Everyone is a bit shocked at how quickly this has happened but Simon is level-headed and has a good job.'

The actress has had a chequered love life in the past.

Two former lovers, Corrie extra Lee Atherton, 28, and leisure centre worker Steve Darby, 29, both sold kiss-and-tell stories to tabloid newspapers. Alex's father is 37-year-old convicted Birmingham gangster Christopher Stone.

CAPTION(S):

CHUFFED... pregnant actress Jacqueline Pirie STREET STARS... Jacqueline with screen husband Mike Baldwin

COPYRIGHT 2001 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd

CORONATION STREET stunner Jacqueline Pirie has no need for Betty Turpin's famous hotpot.

The Scots actress who plays sultry sex siren Linda Sykes in the soap would rather tuck into her granddad's wholesome broth in Stirling.

Jacqueline, who is married to Mike Baldwin in the nation's favourite soap, often flees to her grandparents council house in Raploch, Stirling, to escape the fame of Manchester.

Last night her granddad James, 74, said: "When Jacqueline comes up, she throws off her shoes and settles down in front of the telly.

"She loves a big plate of my broth which I always make for her and a plate of bread and butter.

"She potters about the kitchen helping herself to whatever she wants. She is just our granddaughter and she treats the place like home."

James and his wife Muriel, 69, waved goodbye to Jacqueline and her new boyfriend on Saturday morning after a flying visit.

Jacqueline was in Stirling to pick up an award from the town's Provost Tommy Brookes at a reception at Stirling Castle.

But the famous star didn't even think about staying in a plush hotel - there is always a room waiting for her at grandma and granddad Pirie's.

And on this visit north, Jacqueline also took the opportunity to introduce them to her new actor boyfriend, Mark Simpkin, whom she met while filming The Street.

Mark played Craig, the friend of Baldwin's son Mark, who persuaded him to leave Weatherfield and go with him to Amsterdam.

Muriel revealed: "He seemed a very nice man and they both seemed well-suited.

"They flew up on Friday night and came in and threw down their bags and rushed around getting showered and ready.

"Jacqueline asked us to tape Coronation Street for her while she was out. Then when they came back, they sat and watched it until 1am.

"She says she likes to watch it just to see how her performance was and if she can improve on it any.

"We had already seen it that night so we ended up watching it twice."

James, who worked as a train guard for 50 years, said it came as no surprise to him when Jacqueline broke into acting.

Jacqueline, 25, lived in Stirling with her mum Patricia, dad James, brother Alexander and sister Alison until she was six years old.

A former pupil of St Ninian's Primary School, she moved into her grandparents' four-bedroomed house for a few months after her dad found a job down south as a BT engineer.

Muriel, who had five sons and a daughter, explained: "Her dad went down to start the job and find somewhere for them to live and Jacqueline and her mum and her brother and sister were all in here for a while.

"Our daughter Janet was also here and Jacqueline was always in at Janet's cupboards, dressing up in her clothes, handbags and high heels. She was a right character.

"She would always put on a performance, clip-clopping up and down the hall in high heels with lipstick on her face and beads round her neck. She loved all that stuff."

Jacqueline has scores of aunts, uncles and cousins scattered around Scotland.

Three of her uncles work on the railway in Stirling - uncle James is a station announcer at Stirling, uncle George is a train driver and uncle Albert is a signalman.

Granddad James adds: "Everyone is really proud of her and everything she has done.

"The neighbours around here know she is our granddaughter, but we don't really broadcast it.

"She sometimes comes up here with her sister and a friend and they go out for a few drinks in Stirling.

"She likes it because she can walk around without too much hassle and just be herself.

"She also enjoys drawing and painting - she's painted the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle.

"The pictures are hanging in her uncle George's house in Stirling - they're very good."

James and Muriel were delighted when Jacqueline gave birth to their first great-grandchild Alexandra three years ago.

Among their collections of treasured family photos is a picture of the four generations posing for a family snap in the garden of Jacqueline's parents' home in Birmingham.

A picture of Alexandra also sits on her great grandparents' living room cabinet and they hope Jacqueline will bring her to Scotland for the first time next year.

Muriel said: "We go down south at least once a year to catch up with everyone.

"A couple of years ago, Jacqueline took us to see Coronation Street. There were proper guided tours going on, but we just went for a look around with her.

"We tried to get into the Rovers Return, but it was chock-a-block with visitors.

"People were coming up to Jacqueline all the time asking for autographs.

"I suggested we go round the shops in Manchester, but Jacqueline said ... 'Are you kidding? I won't be able to move in there'."

Tonight the proud grandparents will settle down in front of their TV at 7.30pm, as they do every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, to watch their granddaughter in The Street.

Muriel admits some of Jacqueline's storylines make her cringe - and insists her granddaughter is nothing like man-eater Linda Sykes.

Jacqueline's character had a passionate affair with Mike Baldwin's son Mark and her Street brother Dean was shot after holding up Fresco's freezer shop.

Muriel laughed: "They are a lot of rogues. I always say I hope they don't think our family's really like that.

"I often feel a little bit embarrassed when I see what she's getting up to. I mean ... Mike Baldwin is older than her father.

"But she works very hard and if she's not filming, she's reading scripts.

"She might be a big Coronation Street star to most people, but to us she is just Jacqueline, our granddaughter.

"She is the same little Jacqueline who ran around the house in her auntie's high heels and lipstick all those years ago."

COPYRIGHT 2000 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday

Byline: RUPERT HAMER

A CAR is plucked from what could turn out to be Linda Baldwin's watery grave.

The Coronation Street man-eater has been missing since a bust-up with husband Mike.

Linda, played by Jacqueline Chadwick, slept with Mike's son, and was last seen driving away at speed after a violent argument. Now police divers have found his burgundy-coloured Jaguar in a nearby river.

Street fans will watch as the car is lifted from its murky resting place next Sunday. But the mystery behind Linda's sudden exit is far from over.

An insider said: "This is not the end of the saga - there is no sign of a body in the car."

CAPTION(S):

`MYSTERY: Mike's car is lifted from the water, but there's no sign of Linda; GRIM: Eve and Fred watch the recovery operation with a policewoman

COPYRIGHT 2001 MGN LTD

Byline: BILLY SLOAN EXCLUSIVE

SHE'S the busty ex-barmaid whose razor-sharp tongue could cut through solid steel.

He's the larger-than-life butcher who knows a prime cut when he sees one.

Together, Evelyn Sykes and Fred Elliot hope to settle down for a life of wedded bliss on the cobbles of Coronation Street.

But life seldom runs smoothly in the world of soaps and you can bet that it won't be long before sparks are flying between Eve and Fred - played by Melanie Kilburn and John Savident.

The pair are back in Weatherfield this week, after a romantic honeymoon on a Mediterranean cruise.

But on their return, Eve is immediately plunged into a puzzling family crisis.

Her daughter Linda Baldwin, played by Scots actress Jacqueline Chadwick, has gone missing after a bitter bust-up with her husband Mike, actor Johnny Briggs.

Eve is soon at her wits end trying to find out what's happened to her... and the finger of suspicion soon points towards Mike.

Melanie told me: "Eve was told that Linda couldn't be her maid-of-honour because she'd been feeling poorly.

"She knows nothing about the furious rows between her and Mike.

"The happy frame of mind Eve is in after her romantic honeymoon soon disappears when she finds out that nobody has seen her daughter for weeks.

"Eventually, she goes to the police and puts her on the missing person's list.

"Eve and Linda have had their share of run-ins in the past. But at the end of the day the Sykes clan are very close. She's worried about her daughter - she thinks something terrible has happened to her.

"Gradually, Eve becomes suspicious of Mike and thinks that he's maybe had something to do with her vanishing act."

Bradford-born Melanie - who only joined the Corrie cast 12 months ago - loves playing mouthy Eve, even if she does face a gargantuan task to keep the master butcher in check.

"It was terrific fun getting hitched to Fred. He's a true gentleman and he gives you free butcher meat. What more could a girl ask for?" joked Melanie.

"Eve is a real gutsy lady. She's got big hair, loads of make-up and fabulous costumes. That's right up my street."

When we last saw the volatile Eve she almost didn't make it to the altar. Fred's old flame Audrey Roberts - played by Sue Nicholls - turned up at the country house hotel where the wedding was held, convinced Eve was only after Fred's money

Bride-to-be Eve thought her intended was still carrying a torch for the flirty hairdresser and, after a blazing row involving Eve's no-good sons Ryan and Jimmy, the ceremony was called off.

Luckily, with a bit of persuasion from Fred's son Ashley, the happy couple were able to kiss, make up and finally take their vows.

"Thankfully, I've never been to a wedding quite as chaotic as Eve and Fred's. All the marital knees-ups I've been to were very peaceable affairs," admitted Melanie.

Her big break in Corrie has propelled Melanie into the limelight - but she's no overnight success. She trained as an actress for three years at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and spent nine years in the theatre before moving into television.

"I went the long way round - paying my dues in jobs such as wardrobe mistress, assistant stage manager and understudy," she said. "I'm pleased about that because it felt like I'd served a real apprenticeship." Her TV credits include Casualty, Soldier Soldier, Heartbeat and Making Out and she has also appeared in movies such as The Little Drummer Girl and Vroom.

But it's her role as blousy Eve Sykes which has made her famous.

On October 20, Melanie celebrates the first anniversary of when she became a member of the Corrie team. She made her debut at the funeral of her son Dean, shot by PC Emma Taylor during the Freshco's supermarket siege. Melanie said: "Eve is a woman with a past. She ran off to Leeds with another man and hadn't seen the rest of the Sykes family for years. Basically she is a good person - she has a real conscience. But she's had it rough and has to look out for herself. She's a survivor."

Although Melanie had 23 years of experience as an actress to call on before she joined the Corrie cast, her first day on set was still very nerve-wracking.

"I walked into the green room at Granada Studios in Manchester and it was the most bizarre and terrifying thing that ever happened to me," she confessed.

"I've grown up watching Coronation Street. It's legendary. Suddenly, you come face to face with all these people you think you know. Of course, you don't really know them at all - it's their characters you relate to. They've been in your living room, week in, week out for years.

"I must admit though that the first time I went into the Rovers I was nearly sick with sheer excitement. The ghosts of proprietor Annie Walker and battleaxe Ena Sharples still loom large."

Right from the off, Melanie was determined to make her character earthy and believable.

"I think many women have a touch of Eve about them," she said. "But there's one thing she does - which I'd never do personally. She always has to have a bit of underwear showing - there's always bra strap or a bit of lace peeking out. She just can't quite get it right. It belies where she's come from and I love those little touches.

"I don't think Eve is the maneater she's made out to be. She's a flirt. She likes men - and as a barmaid that's as important as being able to pull a pint. There's also a touch of the old 'mutton dressed as lamb' about her. She's not what I'd call a sophisticated lady."

Melanie is in no doubt about what is the best thing about portraying Eve Sykes - she gets to play opposite John Savident.

"He's an excellent actor and a joy to work with. I'm very lucky to be able to appear alongside him," she said.

Away from the Street, Melanie's big passion is keep fit. She works out religiously in her local gym to stay in shape.

"I've got a load of nylon and lycra to fit into and it's put the fear of God into me," joked Melanie. "I run on the treadmill. I do weights and yoga. I think it's important to be fit to do this job properly."

Melanie's current Coronation Street contract will keep her in Weatherfield until next June. The actress is delighted to keep playing Eve... if only so that she can keep Fred on a tight rein.

He seems to prefer the 'bull in a china shop' approach to life. But Melanie reckons her character can match big Fred blow for blow.

She said: "Fred is a very kind, considerate person and he's always the gentleman. They came together out of a need for companionship.

"Have no doubts, Eve can handle him. I think they've got the potential to be one of the most entertaining married couples in Corrie's long and distinguished history."

No doubt, big Fred would second that, I say, second that!

COPYRIGHT 2001 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday

Coventry Evening Telegraph (England); 9/9/2000

1. CORONATION STREET'S favourite bad girl (below with Mike Baldwin) puts on a wedding dress next week to walk down the aisle with Mike Baldwin.

2 . JACQUELINE has become famous for playing two-timing Linda Sykes, who bedded Mike's son Mark.

3. HER previous claim to soap fame was playing wayward Tina Dingle in Emmerdale.

4. IT proved good training for Corrie - Tina was expelled from school for assaulting a teacher then set her sights on Luke McAllister.

5.. JACQUELINE made her TV debut at the tender age of 11 in Midlands soap Crossroads.

6. SHE went on to become a regular in Palace Hill and then became a presenter on Sky Television's The DJ Kat Show.

7. THE 25-year-old actress was born in Stirling, but moved to Birmingham with her family when she was six.

8. SHE lists her hobbies as oil painting and swimming.

9. JACQUELINE has a three-year-old daughter called Alexandra.

10. SHE was initially cared for by her parents in Birmingham, but now stays with her in Manchester when she is filming Coronation Street.

The Mirror (London, England); 9/2/2000; Smith, Christine

CORONATION Street star Jacqueline Pirie is curled up on a sun lounger gazing wistfully out at the Mediterranean.

Her thoughts are with her three-year-old daughter Alexandra, who is joining her in 24 hours time for a holiday.

Since landing the role as super bitch Linda Sykes last year, 25-year-old Jacqui has desperately being trying to reconcile her guilty conscience with her meteoric rise in the soap.

"We are inseparable and very clingy with each other," Jacqui tells me in her strong Scottish accent - making it all the more incredible she is able to put on a Northern voice in Corrie.

"She was not out of my arms, literally, for the first year and she has got her own bed but she sleeps with me to this day. We can't sleep apart."

Up until six months ago, her parents, Patricia and James, looked after Alexandra in the week with Jacqui returning to their home in Birmingham at the weekends.

Now Jacqui has bought a house in Manchester and her mum has agreed to live there to look after Alexandra.

Yet despite the cosy set-up, Jacqui admits she hates leaving Alexandra to go to work and is looking forward to spending time with her on holiday.

Staring out at the sea, Jacqui lights up a cigarette and admits: "The other day she turned round to me and said: 'Mummy, who is Linda?'

"I told her that Linda is who I pretend to be when I am at work. She replied: 'Who is this Mike Baldwin?'

"That is mummy's pretend boyfriend," I told her.

"She sat up and said: 'OK mummy, when you go to work, stop pretending.'"

Jacqui, whose eyes glow at the mere mention of Alexandra, adds: "Motherhood and guilt go hand in hand.

"Whether you are with them 24 hours a day or not. You always think you are not as good a mum as you should be.

"It is terrible, you feel so guilty all the time, you love the child so much, you just can't live up to your own expectations.

"I know I am a good mum. I keep reminding myself that I am working for her, that everything I do is for her. I feel I am being selfish going to work. But then I think I am being a positive female role model."

Listening to Jacqui, it's obvious just how much her guilty conscience is niggling her. As we relax in the hotel garden in Palma, Majorca, Jacqui constantly refers to her daughter.

SADLY she hasn't got any pictures on her to show me - but I can't fault her love for the "baby" as she affectionately calls her.

"She is like me in a lot of ways, even my bad points," she gushes.

"How? Her bossiness, she can be a bit cheeky. She knows her boundaries and I like it that she tries to cross them.

"She is great with her language. I told my mum I could not wait until she talked and now she does. We have deep conversations."

Like what?

"Well about death, love, it is amazing watching her little mind tick,"