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Rovers Return For
Sale
Coronation Street's iconic Rovers Return pub is set to be put
up for sale in the New Year, according to a report
Weatherfield regulars at the pub will be left fearing for its future when
owner Steve McDonald decides to sell in order to ease his crippling debts.
This leaves the show's characters worried the pub could be turned into a
wine bar or even knocked down.
A show insider told the Daily Star newspaper: "The Rovers has been a huge
part of the street for years but times change.
“Steve needs to get his hands on some money, and quick. The pub could end up
in anyone’s hands.”
Steve (Simon Gregson) wants to keep the pub as it is, so gives first refusal
on buying it to locals Stella and Karl Price, but it has yet to be seen if
they can raise the cash.
Steve tells Stella: “Look, if you want it then you’ve got first refusal.
Don’t let the grass grow, though, because I needed to sell it yesterday.”
The Rovers Return has been a fixture of the soap since its first episode and
has seen many dramas, including numerous fires and fights between
characters.
December
07
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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Michael
Barrymore Fined For Drugs
Entertainer Michael Barrymore today admitted cocaine
possession when he appeared in court following an early-morning car
collision.
The 59-year-old was held at 04.30 on November 22 after a Citroen DS3 hit a
kerb in Acton, west London.
The TV personality, born Michael Parker, was held after officers on routine
patrol discovered the scene at the junction of The Vale and Dordrecht Road.
He admitted possessing cocaine during an appearance at Ealing Magistrates’
Court today. A second charge, of being drunk and disorderly, was withdrawn.
He was fined a total of £780 for the offence.
Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and maroon tie, he
appeared shaky as he entered Ealing Magistrates’ Court in west London.
After giving his real name of Michael Parker, he listened intently as
prosecutor Sally Peters told of his behaviour on November 22.
Police officers had approached him when they discovered the scene on The
Vale in Acton, west London, she said.
Asked who had been driving the vehicle, he replied “I am not answering you”,
the court heard.
Then, in an expletive-laden outburst, he went on: “Don’t you think I’ve had
enough f****** s*** from you lot over the years? I know the law.”
Arrested and taken to a police custody suite, he tried to conceal what
looked like a white substance in his mouth, Ms Peters said.
“He refused to spit it out, was strip-searched and a rock of cocaine was
found in his pocket,” she told the court.
A test found him positive for the class A drug.
Barrymore’s lawyer, Richard Gowthorpe, reminded the court that the quantity
of the drug involved had been described as “a very small amount” and that
the entertainer had apologised to the police for his behaviour.
While he now had a criminal conviction, his client had entered the court a
man of good character, he noted.
“In many ways it’s a sad day for Mr Parker to be before the courts and he’s
pleaded guilty to this offence,” he said.
“Certainly he will be punished to a degree by the conviction itself.”
Barrymore had urged his lawyer to point out that the evening in question had
been “exceptional” and that “there was an exceptional set of circumstances”
at the time, Mr Gowthorpe added.
“This behaviour is wholly out of character. This is not part of a general
lifestyle that Mr Parker is living. He’s addressing the problem, he’s
addressing the temptation and there’s no present drug use.”
The court heard that Barrymore had been seeing a drug worker since the night
of the incident and was making “very good progress”.
Drug worker Andrew De Cruze said: “Steps have been put in place to support
Mr Parker in any way we can.
“He’s undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy. It’s something Mr Parker has
found very helpful and is willing to engage further in that process.”
Barrymore was also addressing his alcohol use and had been attending
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Mr De Cruze told the court.
“I would say Mr Parker is doing everything he can to address the issues,” he
added.
Chair of the bench Moira Edmonds told Barrymore he would be fined £680 for
the offence, plus £85 for prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
A second charge, of being drunk and disorderly, was withdrawn.
Earlier, the hearing was briefly adjourned after Barrymore's lawyer objected
to his address being read out in court, citing "intense attention''
surrounding his client.
Magistrates declined permission for the address to be withheld however, and
Mr Gowthorpe gave it as Fleet Street in central London.
December
07
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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