Sue Johnston to leave Corrie – Daily TV round-up

Sue Johnston is quitting 'Coronation Street'.

The 69-year-old actress has been playing the battleaxe Gloria Price in the show since last year, but has told bosses that she will leave when her current contract ends at Christmas.

Her last scenes will then be broadcast in the Spring, though it's said producers hope she may return to the show in the future.

[Callard talks about Corrie comeback]

An insider told The Sun: “Bosses hoped to keep her for longer but understand she wants to do other things. But they have no intention of killing Gloria off.”

Veteran actress Johnston has been popular with fans of the show, as the meddling mother of Rovers Return landlady Stella Price, played by Michelle Collins.

However, she's probably best known for playing Barbara Royle in Caroline Ahern and Craig Cash's long-running 'The Royle Family', and for her breakthrough role as Sheila Grant in 'Brookside'.

Said a spokesperson for Corrie: “Sue will be on screen until early spring 2014 when Gloria will leave Weatherfield for the time being.” [The Sun]

Also in today's press

'Sesame Street' is to introduce a character who has a parent in jail. Alex, a muppet with blue hair and a green nose, has his father in prison and will be shown as part of a series of online videos created by the show to help children and families deal with the situation. [Metro]

BBC car show 'Top Gear' is to return to screens on June 30 at 8pm. The first show will see James May and Jeremy Clarkson kick off the new series in New Zealand racing a car against a boat to the tip of the North Island. Meanwhile, Charles Dance and Warwick Davies will be among the stars racing 'reasonably priced cars' in the coming weeks. [Digital Spy]

Meanwhile, the final series of 'Skins' will begin on July 1 on E4 at 10pm. The teen drama will show three final stories, each split into two one-hour episodes, before ending for good. [Digital Spy]