CHARLIE CONDOU - No.519

IN SHOWBIZ 
IT’S ALL ABOUT BILLING

PREGNANCY VS STONEWALL

JASON VS MARCUS

& YAY, MY FRIEND DALE FROM OZ HITS THE UK - TOM IN OZ

Charliecondou: @gaystarnews congratulations on your award guys, you looked very happy last night x

gaystarnews: @Charliecondou thank you! We were so happy, did u have a good night?

Charliecondou: @gaystarnews I did indeed

Charliecondou: @gaystarnews oh and by the way, that Corrie pregnancy storyline is nonsense x

DJstewartwho: @Charliecondou @gaystarnews OK, moving on. Are u gonna have a scrap though with @ryanjamesthomas? Will it be oil wrestling? *hopeful face*

Charliecondou: @DJstewartwho @gaystarnews @ryanjamesthomas yes, to both

DJstewartwho: @Charliecondou @gaystarnews @ryanjamesthomas Hurrah! MUCH better than u getting pregnant or wotevs. Erotic oil ruck should b in Roy's Cafe.

ahj: Sat next to @jameswharton and @thomjamesmcc @Stifyn1 at the awards

Charliecondou: @ahj @jameswharton @thomjamesmcc @Stifyn1 I can't think of better people to sit next to. We were near the front because I forgot my glasses

jameswharton: @Charliecondou @ahj @thomjamesmcc @stifyn1 aww thanks Charlie! Xx

Charliecondou: @jameswharton @thomjamesmcc once again I barely got to speak to you. One day we'll have dinner!! X

OwenJones84: @Charliecondou Thanks so much - gutted I didn't get to meet you though! What a disgrace! x

Charliecondou: @OwenJones84 I know but my train to Manchester was at 10 so I ducked out straight after the presentation. I am heading out to buy your book!

ozdale: @Charliecondou sorry I missed you last night would have been great to say g'day!

Charliecondou: @ozdale I didn't know you were there!

ozdale: @Charliecondou yeah over for a wedding so came along - spent much of it catching up with old colleagues though!

NEXT WEEK ON CORRIE

welshjaci: @Charliecondou really terrific performance by you next week! xxx

Charliecondou: @welshjaci have you seen it?? Which eps? (and thank you obviously x)

welshjaci: @Charliecondou the whole week! Really convincing! you are both fab - and you are amazing with that little boy! xxx

Charliecondou: @welshjaci he's adorable isn't he? X

SLBotham: @Charliecondou need a quick update, sophie in hospital? Not watched over the summer, sorry!

Charliecondou: @SLBotham car accident, Ryan's fault x

LET THERE BE DRUMS

Charliecondou: RT @sally_lindsay: My other half @drummerwhitey is on the telly tonight with @paulwellerHQ on BBC 4 at 9.20pm being magnificent Music fans, tune in! Xxx

PIES AS PRESENTS

Charliecondou: RT @phoebefoliver: Birthday/celebration pies @RitasDining delicious, artisan and excellent gifts http://t.co/Tlv34h1K

JUST HORRIBLE

Charliecondou: RT @serafinowicz: LONDONERS: The brilliant @PixelDandy's #horrorgami show http://t.co/RwnBEFGh is on for the next 2 wks at http://t.co/s5ZGtgmX

TALLY TIME

DiversityRM: Thanks for being part of our fantastic Carnival @Charliecondou @AlisonMoyet1 @sueperkins @BoyGeorge @harryderbidge -with your help we raised £76k!

'I had a girlfriend in my 20s... just like Marcus and Maria':

Charlie Condou says Coronation Street storyline is more true-to-life than you'd think

By Sue Crawford UK Mirror

Charlie, who has known he was gay since his teens, had a five-month relationship with a woman when he was in his 20s.

Even in soapland a gay man falling in love with his female best friend seems pretty far-fetched. But not for Corrie star Charlie Condou – because he’s been in a similar situation himself. His character Marcus Dent becomes besotted with hairdresser Maria Connor and she is destined to get pregnant after they share a night of passion. But Charlie, 39, who has known he was gay since his teens, admits the story is more true-to-life than many would think – after he had a five-month relationship with a woman when he was in his 20s. He recalls: “I had relationships with girls when I was a teenager, probably because I was struggling with my sexuality and not comfortable enough to come out. “But then when I was around 25 I had a longer relationship with a woman. "Looking back, it was possibly me trying to fit in or feeling like I wanted a family. But at the risk of being too graphic, we had a good sex life and I definitely fancied her. “Maybe at the time I had the fantasy that being gay was a phase, but for me the relationship just didn’t feel right and that’s ultimately how I knew that I was very definitely gay. “But it’s not uncommon and I’ve come across it many times. I know guys who are married with kids who are very much in love with their wives, who were gay for years. "The Coronation Street producer has a friend who it happened to as well.” 

Charlie, who lives with his boyfriend of eight years, writer Cameron Laux, knows the storyline is likely to be controversial. He says: “Some people say the gay community are going to be up in arms about the story, but it happens. "There are some people who fall in love with a person, rather than the person’s gender.” Charlie joined the Street in 2007 as midwife Marcus, boyfriend of barman Sean Tully, played by Antony Cotton, but left after three years to spend more time with his daughter Georgia Mae. The tot, now three, was born after Charlie and an actress friend agreed to have a child using IVF treatment and Georgia Mae has since been joined by baby brother Hal, nine months. Charlie was tempted back to the show last year to feature in a gay dad storyline where they looked after Sean’s son Dylan. It is a topic he feels strongly about, believing gay men should have the same opportunity to be fathers as anyone else. And he was furious at recent remarks by gay actor Rupert Everett who said he couldn't think of anything worse than being brought up by two gay dads. Charlie says: “He’s entitled to his opinion, but I think it’s very sad someone his age seems like he has so much ­internalised homophobia.” Charlie clearly loves being a dad. He explains: “You always think your children are perfect but Georgia is a lovely, happy kid. "I imagine when she goes to school she’ll realise that her family is not quite like others, but most kids in her nursery class come from divorced families already. "She knows kids who have been adopted and kids with disabled siblings – there are all sorts of families. “She calls Cameron ‘Wawa’, which is really sweet and she says, ‘lots of people have mummies and daddies, but only I've got Wawa’. "She doesn't have any issue with it at all.” The children spend half their time with Charlie and Cameron at their home in Islington, North London and the rest with their mother, Catherine Kanter, who lives nearby. Having a family was something Charlie and friend Catherine considered many years ago before finally making the decision to go ahead. He says: “I don’t think it was her ideal situation at all. "I think she was hoping for the handsome knight on the white horse to come and whisk her off her feet and give her 12 babies, but that didn't happen. “Her biological clock was ticking and I’d always wanted to have a family so we started to have more serious ­conversations about it.” The couple finally embarked on IVF to have Georgia. Then last year they decided to try again. “We had a second child for Georgia, if I'm honest,” says Charlie. “While we’re not the only family like this, we’re aware it’s a unique situation and nobody understands your family like your sibling and that felt very important.” 

Charlie grew up in Soho, Central London. His parents separated when he was a few months old and his mum Kathy and step-dad Pierre run two bars in the city. He appeared in a US TV movie aged 12 and at 13 landed his first British role in Robin of Sherwood. After school he planned to go to university, but was offered a part in the comedy series Frank Stubbs Promotes, starring Timothy Spall. He has worked consistently ever since, appearing in comedies such as Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Armstrong and Miller, as well as the 2006 drama The Impressionists, in which he played Renoir. His celebrity friends include Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, singer Lily Allen and actress Sarah Parish. He was also good mates with Robbie Williams for years. He says: “I hardly ever see him since he moved to the States, although I did speak to his mum Jan a couple of weeks ago – she’s still very close with my mum. "I think he’ll make a great dad.” After five years in Corrie, Charlie has no plans to move on and says he will stay as long as they keep coming up with story-lines to keep him – and the viewers – gripped. 

“The reaction I'm getting on Twitter is positive,” he says. “People generally want to see Marcus and Maria together.” Viewers have recently seen Marcus struggle with his feelings for best friend and flatmate Maria, played by Samia Ghadie. The pair have already kissed but agreed to forget it happened. But when Marcus’s boyfriend Aiden suggests they move to London, their attraction rises to the surface again. Maria lies to Aiden that Marcus doesn't want to move south and when Marcus finds out he tackles her about meddling in his relationship. The couple row and before they know it they end up in bed together. Charlie says: “I’m 100% behind the storyline. Some people will find it too strange and can’t deal with it. "But others will think that as long as they are happy it’s nobody else’s business.” 

Whatever the viewers think, the Street’s latest odd couple are sure to be the talk of Weatherfield…

'Coronation Street'

Jason vs Marcus fight

Coronation Street stars Ryan Thomas and Charlie Condou have revealed that there is a "big" fight scene on the way for their characters Jason Grimshaw and Marcus Dent.

Jason is heading for heartbreak later this month as his girlfriend Maria Connor (Samia Ghadie) breaks up with him, but his sadness turns to fury when he discovers that Marcus is the reason for their split.

Marcus has always identified himself as a gay man, but has fallen for Maria and decides to make a go of things with her in upcoming episodes. His ex Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) is first to discover what is going on between the pair, and quickly spreads the word to Jason at the Rovers Return.

Thomas told TV Times of Jason's reaction: "He does more than punch [Marcus], he goes a bit wild! 

"It's funny because in the script it was just supposed to be a punch across the table, but then a fight co-ordinator came over and said, 'I want you to punch him across the table, drag him against the bar, slam him into the bar, he then drops to the floor, then you kick him, pick him up and smash his head on the bar'. So it was a big fight!

"I actually kicked Charlie in the head - I didn't mean to, I love him very much, but in the moment it was just one of those things that happened." 

Meanwhile, Condou added: "I was slightly concussed! I had to go off set for 20 minutes. Ryan was mortified - he kept phoning me the next day to check I was alright. 

"It's always difficult when you do those things but because Ryan and I are close friends, it makes it even harder. Although I think maybe he enjoyed it!"

Coronation Street airs the bust-up on Monday, November 12.

PREGNANCY

YOU CAN DENY IT ALL YOU LIKE!!!

Charliecondou: The annoying thing about this pregnancy storyline rumour is that I'll spend the next 3 months having to deny to EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO ASKS

carl_sutton: @Charliecondou Could be 9 months:-D #lovemarcus

photogirluk: @Charliecondou is she preggers?

JOJEHARVEY: @Charliecondou shall I not write you pregnant then? x

Confidential_CC: @JOJEHARVEY @Charliecondou *disturbing CORRIE news* just read that Jason punches Marcus even though Marcus is pregnant!!

photogirluk: @Charliecondou I kid, I kid.

plonkymiff: @Charliecondou are you preggers?? ;)

Charliecondou: @JOJEHARVEY only if I can lose it by falling down the stairs 

JOJEHARVEY: @Charliecondou and then lose your memory???? For eight eps?

Charliecondou: @JOJEHARVEY make it 10 eps, I'm trying to make my guarantee

JOJEHARVEY: @Charliecondou I'm pitching twelve, I'm on it

JackPShepherd88: RT @Charliecondou: @JOJEHARVEY only if I can lose it by falling down the stairs <<< I can help in that department. 

JOJEHARVEY: @JackPShepherd88 @charliecondou oh... Jack.... Good idea! 

streetworker01: @JackPShepherd88 @charliecondou @jojeharvey I feel a pitch coming on at conference, Jonathan... 

Charliecondou: @streetworker01 @JackPShepherd88 @jojeharvey I've refused to do anymore scenes with you, since David blatantly came onto Marcus in the cafe

IT MUST BE TRUE IT’S IN THE NEWS 

- PART 1 

Condou 'thrilled' for baby bombshell

Coronation Street star Charlie Condou is said to be "thrilled" after finding out that his alter-ego Marcus Dent could be a father.

The 39-year-old, who plays gay midwife Marcus in the ITV1 soap, could be set for a New Year treat on screen after Maria Connor (Samia Ghadie) gets pregnant, reported the Daily Mirror.

Marcus, who has battled with his sexuality, has been growing closer to Maria because he is desperate to have a family of his own.

"Both Marcus and Maria have struggled with their emotions for months. But deep down, there are fires burning inside the two of them - and finally they end up in bed together," a source told the paper.

"The shock of the year will be when Maria finds out she's pregnant," the source added.

Meanwhile, Marcus' screen parents will join the soap at Christmas, The Sun reported.

Stephen Greif, who played space villain Travis in Blake's 7, will play dad Ron Dent while Linda Clark will be his wife Janet. The couple will spend time with their son over the festive period, only to be confused by his changing sexuality.

"Janet and Ron will be very confused about Marcus' new life. It will certainly be an interesting Christmas for the whole family," an insider told The Sun.

Click HERE for original article

IT MUST BE TRUE IT’S IN THE NEWS 

- PART 2

SPOILER ALERT! 

CORRIE'S MARIA AND MARCUS ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY! 
DOES NOBODY USE CONDOMS IN SOAPLAND?!

BY UKTVOBSESSED 1 NOV 2012

It’s been revealed today that after Corrie BFFs Marcus Dent and Maria Connor end up sharing a night of passion together, Maria finds out she’s pregnant! Which of course, is going to come as one hell of a shock for all concerned, not least Marcus, who is of course gay… 

Or at least, he was… 

In this week’s edition of Soaplife, Charlie Condou, who plays Marcus, has revealed that Marcus and Maria’s baby making night actually begins with a row. He said that harsh words between them begin when Marcus accuses Maria of interfering in his love life after she gives some advice to his boyfriend Aiden. He explained, “Marcus finds out Maria talked Aiden out of taking a job in London and gets really angry because he feels like she’s interfering. “But I think his anger is also based on the fact that Marcus knows deep down that his relationship with Aiden is not right for him” 

Of Maria finding out she’s pregnant, which is set to happen early in the New Year, a Corrie insider told The Sun, “Both Marcus and Maria have struggled with their emotions for months. “But deep down there are fires burning inside the two of them – and finally they end up in bed together. 

“The shock of the year will be when Maria finds out she’s pregnant.” 

It’s also been rumoured that when they learn they’re having a baby together, Marcus and Maria decide to end their respective relationships and make a go of being a couple, but of course, given their unconventional romance, their neighbours – and especially Jason’s mum Eileen – are likely to be unimpressed with the events! 

We will of course keep you posted on any further spoilers.