Coronation Street stalwart Bill Fellows, known for his role as Stu Carpenter, has bagged a new gig on a rival network after three years on the ITV soap. The actor, who played the once-homeless chef wrongly imprisoned and later found love with Yasmeen Nazir, has reportedly filmed his final scenes and is set to star in a new BBC comedy, Smoggie Queens. The show, which centres around a tight-knit group of LGBTQ+ friends in Middlesborough, will also feature Steph's Packed Lunch presenter Steph McGovern and Drag Race's Michelle Visage.
Peaky Blinders actress Charlotte Riley is also joining the cast. While it remains under wraps who Fellows will portray in the series, it promises to be a cracker. Smoggie Queens narrates the tale of Dickie, Mam, Lucinda, Sal and newcomer Stewart, as they "navigate love, life and their pride for a town that feels neglected in its own little corner of the UK," reports the Liverpool Echo .
Fellows won't be the only Corrie alumnus on the show, as Alexandra Mardell, who left her role as Steve McDonald's daughter Emma Brooker in 2022, will join him. She is set to play Lucinda in the upcoming comedy. After leaving the world of soap operas, Alexandra has been causing a stir in the comedy scene with roles in BBC 's Daddy Issues and ITV's The Family Pile.
Michelle Visage gushed about her role in the new series, stating: "Filming Smoggie Queens was an absolute joy, and I am so excited for everyone to meet Elaine, an uptight office assistant, who I had so much fun playing - wait until you meet her! The script is brilliant, the costumes are amazing, and I loved being amongst Middlesbrough royalty for the day! I'm an official Smoggie now! ". Charlotte Riley expressed her enthusiasm as well: "Being back in Teesside working with Phil and the team on this incredible project has been the most awesome experience. Not sure I've met a more funny and fabulous cast.
We had the best laugh ever making this show and I can't wait to watch it. Just so, so grateful I got to be a part of it." Series creator and actor Phil Dunning also added his thoughts: "I feel so stupidly lucky that such an incredibly talented cast agreed to come and be part of Smoggie Queens.
They were an absolute dream to work with and I'm in awe and adulation of every single one of them.".
