Corrie star "banned" by BBC

BBC bosses have reportedly intervened to prevent a Corrie star appearing in a new comedy series to be broadcast by BBC1.

16:31 10 July 2005

BBC bosses have reportedly intervened to prevent a Corrie star appearing in a new comedy series to be broadcast by BBC1.

Comic-turned-actor Bradley Walsh had been signed up to appear in Jack Dee's new stand-up series, The People reports.

But the paper claims that Walsh, who plays Coronation Street factory boss Danny Baldwin, was dropped after BBC bosses decided the show could boost the profile of the ITV soap star.

It is reported that Jane Lush, responsible for commissioning BBC1 entertainment, stepped in to prevent Walsh getting air time on the channel.

"Why are we giving a platform to an ITV star?" she is reported to have stormed at producers of the new BBC show.

A spokesman for Walsh, 45, confirmed that the booking had been cancelled, but the actor refused to comment further.

Despite the reported decision to block Walshs appearance, other Corrie stars have appeared on the BBC, including Debra Stephenson. The actress who plays Walshs screen wife in the soap appeared in Celebrity Fame Academy.