CHARLIE CONDOU - No.917

GREAT DADS

fatherhoodinst: Thanks to everyone who came to #greatdads event last night: @mjhucknall @Charliecondou @timlovejoy @NickMakoha @PeterBently @PinkstinksUK

Charliecondou: RT @fatherhoodinst: Thanks to everyone who came to #greatdads event last night: @mjhucknall @Charliecondou @timlovejoy @NickMakoha @PeterBently @PinkstinksUK

NickMakoha: @fatherhoodinst @mjhucknall @Charliecondou @timlovejoy @PeterBently @PinkstinksUK Fab night lets bring the conversation to the coffee table

PinkstinksUK: @NickMakoha @fatherhoodinst @mjhucknall @Charliecondou @timlovejoy @PeterBently we'd love to

SeanyOkane: @Charliecondou What a gent. Speaking with you & Cam was a highlight. Looking forward to the 8th fella. Hope you got a good nights sleep!

Charliecondou: @SeanyOkane good to meet you x

PeterBently: @PinkstinksUK @NickMakoha @fatherhoodinst @mjhucknall @Charliecondou @timlovejoy Hear, hear

THE LOVELY LORRAINE

liamwaterloo: @Charliecondou Aw, Lorraine just gave you a little shout out.

Charliecondou: @liamwaterloo Aw. What did she say? I love Lorraine

liamwaterloo: @Charliecondou That she was going to miss you when you leave. She was chatting to one of the regenerated Nicks.

Charliecondou: @liamwaterloo ah. I'm on tomorrow x

WHERE IS SHE NOW?

Charliecondou: @Amanda_Holden what happened to this girl?? She's amazing! 

WHAT PLOT TWISTS ARE AHEAD FOR MARIA AND MARCUS?

WILL MARIA HAVE MARCUS'S BABY OR WILL IT BE TODD?

OMG! LEAKED PICTURES FROM THE SET INDICATE IT MAY BE TODD WHO HAS MARCUS'S BABY IN A NEW 'MALE PREGNANCY' TWIST!

HIV TESTING WEEK

outragemag: KNOWING IS BETTER. #LGBT #knowyourstatus #gettested #HIV Actor Charlie Condou: "Knowing your HIV status is so important"

Pop star reveals how getting tested for HIV saved his life

Many famous gay men have pledged their support to National HIV Testing Week, including Christian Jessen, Charlie Condou and Dan Gillespie.

A gay pop star has revealed how getting an HIV test saved his life. Andy Bell, Erasure's frontman, is speaking out to encourage other LGBTI people to get tested during National HIV Testing Week in the UK. Running up to World AIDS Day on 1 December, the testing week is taking place from now until 29 November. Bell illustrated the importance of getting tested with his own story. '[The] test actually saved my life,' he said. 'The sooner you find out whether you are positive (or negative), the sooner you can start your combination therapy and get the virus under control and live your life normally’. The Erasure singer was diagnosed with HIV in 1998, and went public with his condition in 2004. Many other famous gay men have pledged their support year, alongside the Terrance Higgins Trust, a UK HIV and sexual health charity, and HIV Prevention England. Dr Christian Jessen of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies said: ‘Organizations like Terrence Higgins Trust are already doing great work in driving down undiagnosed infections, but they can’t do it on their own. 'Supporting National HIV Testing Week is something every one of us can do to show we still care about HIV, and we still want to keep ourselves and others safe’.

Actor Charlie Condou, who plays Marcus Dent in Coronation Street, agreed saying: 'Knowing your HIV status is so important. 'We each have a responsibility to keep HIV in check, and testing is just one thing we can do to keep fighting the virus’. Lead vocalist of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie, has encouraged target groups to get tested, saying how quick and easy HIV tests are now: ‘They take a pin-prick of blood from your finger, and you have your results within minutes. You can even fit a test into your lunch break’. ‘Most transmission is from someone who doesn’t know they have it,’ comedian Joe Lycett said. ‘The test is really quick and simple and will help stop the spread of this dreadful virus’. Testing will be encouraged throughout the campaign with the hope people will take their cue from others. 

If you would like to follow the lead of such celebrities, real life pledges can be made on the  It Starts With Me  website.

WORLD AIDS DAY AUCTION

OutInTheCityMag: Ku Bar hosts its annual World AIDS Day auction this Sunday (1 Dec): http://www.outmag.co.uk/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=567:ku-bar-s-world-aids-day-auction&catid=19&Itemid=135 @ku_bar @Charliecondou @TheFoodChain

IN CANADA, CORRIE EPISODES DEALING WITH MARCUS AND MARIA'S LOVE AFFAIR ARE CURRENTLY PLAYING. ONE YOUNG FAN IS GOING TO BE DEVASTATED WHEN NEWS REACHES HER OF MARCUS'S DEPARTURE!

As coincidental as it may seem, just this morning one Canadian girl started a Marcus and Maria twitter fan feed...I didn't have the heart to let her know of the latest developments - Tom in Oz..

WhitneyMcDona11: I ship Maria and Marcus #CoronationStreet Oh my God! Maria and Marcus are so cute and good.

WhitneyMcDona11: I get Jason was angry, but there were no need to hit Marcus! Aww, I thought it was cute when Maria hugged him. #Corrie. Aw, Love them.

WhitneyMcDona11: Love them together.

 

WhitneyMcDona11: I get Sean was angry as well but he had a child with some girl - it makes him bisexual. It don't mean he didn't love Sean just coz he loves Maria too.

 

WhitneyMcDona11: Let me just... :-) 

WhitneyMcDona11: Cute, how can anyone not like them?

WhitneyMcDona11: I have shipped many people like this. My major one was Syed and Amria from EastEnders but obviously it wasn't love unfortunately.

WhitneyMcDona11: Maria and Marcus on the other hand is love! Yey! Yey! Don't go breaking them up or I hunt you down #CoronationStreet and I'll hunt down the script.writer

WhitneyMcDona11: Let me have one more. ;)

WhitneyMcDona11: Ha!

Jason: You're sleeping with my girlfriend!

Maria: Jason, I'm not your girlfriend. ... 

 Major Maria/Marcus shipper alert. [Me]

Charlie Condou exits Marcus Dent role in 'Coronation Street'

Charlie Condou has quit his role as Marcus Dent on Coronation Street, it has been revealed. The actor who has starred as Marcus for two seperate stints, from 2007 to 2008 and from 2011 to present will bow out next year. The actor will finish filming in early summer after a dramatic storyline for his character but the door is being left open for him to return in the future. The dramatic storyline will revolve around his relationship with Maria Connor (Samia Ghadie) and recent returnee Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley). Viewers will see Todd’s behaviour deteriorating further in the next few weeks when he sets his sights on Marcus. Bosses have promised a storyline that ”will divide the residents of Coronation Street”. Speaking about his exit, Condou said: ”I‘ve had a fantastic time at Corrie but feel it’s time for me to move on. I was only meant to return for three months and ended up staying for three years!” ”he producers have been really supportive and are leaving the door open for Marcus which is great, and my exit will certainly be explosive.” Steve Blackburn, the show’s producer said: ”I will be incredibly sad to see Charlie go and wish him well for what I know will be an exciting future.” Marcus’ most notable storylines have revolved around his relationship with Sean Tully (Anthony Cotton) which dissolved last year leading him to find love with Maria despite always identifying himself as gay.

Marcus Dent is quitting the cobbles! Charlie Condou to exit Coronation Street in ‘explosive’ storyline involving Todd Grimshaw

Charlie Condou is leaving Weatherfield next year

Coronation Street’s Charlie Condou is waving goodbye to his role as cobbles heartbreaker Marcus Dent. In an explosive storyline that will see Marcus become entwined in a sordid romance with Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley), Marcus’ relationship with Maria Connor (Samia Ghadie) is put into question. The openly gay Street resident last year fell for Maria while he was in a relationship with Sean Tully. The pair now live together with Maria’s son Liam but now Todd has returned to the cobbles, things are set to get messy. And Corrie bosses have promised Marcus – who has been in the soap on and off for six years – will go out with a bang in a plot that will ‘divide the residents of Coronation Street’, reports Radio Times. Maria Connor [Samia Ghadie] is about to have her world turned upside down by Marcus Dent [Charlie Condou) and Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) (Picture: ITV)‘I’ve had a fantastic time at Corrie but feel it’s time for me to move on,’ Marcus told the magazine. ‘I was only meant to return for three months and ended up staying for three years! The producers have been really supportive and are leaving the door open for Marcus, which is great, and my exit will certainly be explosive.’ Producer Stuart Blackburn added: ‘I will be incredibly sad to see Charlie go and wish him well for what I know will be an exciting future.’ It was reported last month that Todd was going to wreak havoc for Marcus and Maria. Speaking at the time, Langley said: ‘Todd has his eye on Marcus and he’s out to get what he wants. ‘He likes a challenge and I guess he’s probably one of those people who likes the drama of splitting couples up. It’s all for his own ego and just to prove that he can.’

Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou quits
Marcus will embark on an affair behind girlfriend Maria's back with returning troublemaker Todd Grimshaw

Coronation Street star Charlie Condou has announced that he is leaving the northern soap. The actor - who plays Marcus Dent in the long-running ITV show - announced his departure on Twitter. "So this is what I'm doing. Or rather, not doing for much longer," the actor wrote along with a link to a story of his leaving. Condou then went on to joke that he is leaving to move into stand-up comedy. "I just want to try my hand at stand up. I'm sure you'd agree I'd be amazing," he quipped. He will leave next summer following a juicy storyline that is set to divide the famous street's residents. It will involve recently returned character Todd Grimshaw - played by actor Bruno Langley - who will embark on a passionate affair with confused Marcus. The Mirror reported that Todd would set his sights on Marcus - who remains openly gay despite being in a relationship with Maria - back in June when it was revealed that Langley was returning. Condou said: "I've had a fantastic time at Corrie but feel it's time for me to move on. I was only meant to return for three months and ended up staying for three years! "The producers have been really supportive and are leaving the door open for Marcus which is great, and my exit will certainly be explosive." Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn added: "I will be incredibly sad to see Charlie go and wish him well for what I know will be an exciting future."

DAY 2:
CHARLIE'S DEPARTURE FROM CORRIE

news24heng: Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou quits soap in 'divisive' storyline - but denies real life rift with Antony Cotton... http://adf.ly/ZwNET

danjsafc: #corrie Charlie Condou aka Marcus is leaving the cobbles. Cue a big soap fashion exit.

realradiowales: #realshowbiz Charlie Condou who plays Marcus Dent in Coronation Street has announced that he is leaving the soap next summer.

MirrorTVNews: Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou will leave soap in 'explosive' gay affair storyline http://mirr.im/1c6LpsN by @carlgreenwood

itvcorrie: MARCUS' DRAMATIC DEPARTURE: Find out more about his explosive exit storyline here > http://itv.co/1cMnrl1 #Corrie

spillthebeansie: Oooooh dramatic storyline coming up in Corrie! Bye Bye Marcus! http://fb.me/6vBzpBQSC

RadioTimes: Coronation Street: actor Charlie Condou quits Marcus Dent role http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-11-26/coronation-street-actor-charlie-condou-quits-marcus-dent-role #corrie

soapscoop: 'Coronation Street' star Charlie Condou quits Marcus Dent role http://dspy.me/18li0wn #soapnews

digitalspybrk: 'Coronation Street' star Charlie Condou quits Marcus Dent role http://dspy.me/18li0wn

SoapSquawk: Charlie Condou leaving Corrie: http://www.soapsquawk.co.uk/news/charlie-condou-leaving-corrie.php#.UpSPblMbpQE.twitter

unrealitytv: #Corrie star @Charliecondou has quit the show and his role as Marcus Dent! He promises… http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=100578

CoroStreetBlog: Charlie Condou to leave the Street http://bit.ly/1ibv2Aq 

kjsmietana: @Charliecondou @CoroStreetBlog just do it well to the end

JackieCapes: @CoroStreetBlog @Charliecondou more than gutted. not another one...

digitalspy: #Corrie star Charlie Condou (Marcus Dent) has quit the show: http://dspy.me/1c6vWck

TGoDT: Link contains spoilers about story lines on the show.  Will you miss Marcus? http://fb.me/29C1INJhD

ATVTodayUK: Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/48279-corrie/ #itv #corrie

GossipSoap: 'Coronation Street' star Charlie Condou quits Marcus Dent role - http://m.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a533918/coronation-street-star-charlie-condou-quits-marcus-dent-role.html

pinknews: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in 'explosive exit' http://p.ink.cx/1b2o5I8

thisismacdesign: Coronation Street waves goodbye to Charlie Condou as he quits Marcus Dent role: Maria Connor [Samia Ghadie] is... http://bit.ly/1exb2mW

JeffreyLuscombe: Ahhhhhh! Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in ‘explosive exit’ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/11/26/gay-actor-charlie-condou-to-leave-coronation-street-in-explosive-exit/ via @pinknews

glasgayfestival: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in ‘explosive exit’  http://goo.gl/fb/VOXkl http://bit.ly/6keNR

Showbizgeek: Charlie Condou (Marcus) is leaving #Corrie next year. Will you miss the character?

ivorsawbottom: Blimey - Marcus and Todd to have an affair. Sean will NOT be a happy bunny. #Corrie

Dizzyeek: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in ‘explosive exit’ Actor Charlie Condou has announced he i... http://ift.tt/1a0m7YH

ACATHI: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in ‘explosive exit’: Actor Charlie Condou has announced he... http://bit.ly/1exeDS2

mannmuller: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in ‘explosive exit’: Actor Charlie Condou has announced he... http://bit.ly/1exeFt7

KEY103NEWS: SHOWBIZ: Corrie's Charlie Condou has quit the soap.

The actor - who plays Marcus on the Cobbles - will leave with an 'explosive exit'.

mrpinkoutloud: Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou quits the soap and will leave in 'explosive' gay affair storyline http://ift.tt/1a0qenr #LGBTNews

JackieCapes: @Charliecondou  you cannot leave we love you. to much and your  character..be sad to see you go.

Soap_loverxx: 'Coronation Street' star Charlie Condou quits Marcus Dent role: http://dspy.me/18li0wn

Redmiles_Blog: http://ift.tt/1hfZurX

NewsBop: Marcus Dent is quitting the cobbles! Charlie Condou to exit Coronation Street in ‘explosive’ storyline inv... http://ow.ly/2BNo50

AdamMada15: @Charliecondou Good luck after your stint as Marcus. (What will They do with Todd afterwards. Rhetorical question.)

Team_Sunetra: So #Corrie are giving us ANOTHER affair with Marcus and Todd. How original. #snore

shell700: @tigervelvet ahh shame Marcus leaving #Corrie http://t.co/TDSz1ib7SP

ftv3insider: RT @itvcorrie: MARCUS' DRAMATIC DEPARTURE: Find out more about his explosive exit storyline here > http://itv.co/1cMnrl1 #Corrie

TellyMixNews: Charlie Condou exits Marcus Dent role in 'Coronation Street' http://bit.ly/1cqS1k3

wendykennedy403: @Charliecondou That's too bad. I love the Marcus char. Never got the 'I'm not gay anymore'. Hope you're back with a storyline in future.

corriespoil: NEWS: #corrie's @Charliecondou aka Marcus Dent has announced his departure from the show & has revealed his exit storyline will be EXPLOSIVE

nickynac1: @Charliecondou you can't leave!!! Poor Maria,or she going with you? Sad to see you go you are a brilliant actor so what you doing next? Xx

KellyWacimaa: Watch Charlie Condou exits Marcus Dent role in 'Coronation Street' http://dlvr.it/4P6xDl

BritishShowCAN: RT @Charliecondou: So this is what Im doing. Or rather, not doing for much longer http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-11-26/coronation-street-actor-charlie-condou-quits-marcus-dent-role

BritishShowCAN: @Charliecondou best of luck in your future endeavors! We'll miss you on the cobbles.

awesomeromper: @Charliecondou good luck in your next adventure #Acting :)

meganjmeacher: Gutted @Charliecondou is leaving corrie

06grouchymama: @corriespoil @JanetDenvor @Charliecondou NOOOoooo don't leave

wordpresshosts: Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou quits soap in 'divisive' storyline - but denies real life rift with Antony Cotton... http://binged.it/1crfD8r

ArianaMixBVSPTW: So Gutted 'Coronation Street' star Charlie Condou quits Marcus Dent role http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a533918/coronation-street-star-charlie-condou-quits-marcus-dent-role.html

SoapSquawk: In case you missed this... Charlie Condou leaving: http://www.soapsquawk.co.uk/news/charlie-condou-leaving-corrie.php#.UpSQGk9sRyE.twitter

tiggerwheeks: @corriespoil @Charliecondou nooooooooooooooooooooo :(

shelleyanorphan: @brianfruity :-((((((((((((( our TwitFriend @Charliecondou  I am looking forward to seeing him back in theatre :-) but I'll miss him so!

BarnesDeena: So sad to hear @Charliecondou is leaving corrie

GURBEDIU1987: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in ‘explosive exit’ http://fb.me/6xdgYvNVL

NewFreshHype: @Charliecondou has quit @itvcorrie.

shannonjkm: @Charliecondou Are you working on Thursday

TheTVSpy: NEWS: #corrie's @Charliecondou aka Marcus Dent has announced his departure from the show & has revealed his exit storyline…

stewartaja: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in ‘explosive exit’ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/11/26/gay-actor-charlie-condou-to-leave-coronation-street-in-explosive-exit/

AjrAlison: @Wammo27  Omg spolier news looloo. Coronation Street: actor Charlie Condou quits Marcus Dent role http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-11-26/coronation-street-actor-charlie-condou-quits-marcus-dent-role#.UpUyd_DQO_g.twitter

memtv: Charlie Condou To Leave Coronation Street Next Year http://www.memorabletv.com/tv-news/charlie-condou-to-leave-coronation-street-next-year/

loveskati: @Charliecondou SORRY TO KNOW YOU ARE LEAVING CHARLIE BUT WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.HOPE YOUR FUTURE WORK IS SHOWN IN CANADA

dmax2001: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in 'explosive ... http://ift.tt/1dzAOdk

tamanthajones: @Charliecondou so sad you're leaving corrie...Best of luck

gayissue: Gay actor Charlie Condou to leave Coronation Street in ‘explosive exit’ November the 26th, 2013. By: Aaron Day... http://fb.me/6CABG4yvd

unforgiven1964: Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou quits soap in 'divisive' storyline - but denies real life rift with Anthony

Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou quits soap in 'divisive' storyline - but denies real life rift with Anthony Cotton

Cotton who is no novice when it comes to Twitter spats allegedly became riled by Condou, after Charlie commented about "some people" posting too many food pictures. 

Departing Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou has denied a fall-out with fellow Coronation Street star Antony Cotton on the Weatherfield set. Condou, who plays Marcus Dent in the ITV soap, announced today he will leave the show next summer. In an explosive exit storyline, his character will fall for Todd Grimshaw - played by Bruno Langley. However, it was claimed Condou has been at odds with former on-screen lover Anthony Cotton - who plays gay Sean Tully in Corrie - and that they only spoke to each other now when they really have to. The 40-year-old actor reportedly riled Cotton, 37, after it was alluded that Condou had slagged off the amount of pictures Cotton posts on the social networking site of his food. However, Condou denied that his comments were actually directed at Cotton after the news broke of tensions between the two soap stars. It was claimed the row had split the ‘Street Team’ into Team Condou and Team Cotton. “They are both very different people and simply rub each other up the wrong way,” said a street source. But the programme maker said: “On set they have a great, professional relationship.” Openly gay Marcus caused a stir last year when he fell in love with hairdresser and single mum Maria (Samia Ghadie). The pair moved in together and Marcus became a father figure to her son Liam. But the new storyline will see Marcus begin to question his feelings for Maria after Todd sets his sights on him. Condou said: “I’ve had a fantastic time at Corrie but feel it’s time for me to move on. “I was only meant to return for three months and ended up staying for three years! The producers have been really supportive and are leaving the door open for Marcus, which is great, and my exit will certainly be explosive.” Coronation Street bosses are promising that Marcus’s storyline with Todd will “divide the residents of Coronation Street”. Producer Stuart Blackburn said: “I will be incredibly sad to see Charlie go and wish him well for what I know will be an exciting future.” Last month Condou admitted 2013 had been a quiet year for both Marcus and Maria, explaining that Ghadie’s appearance on Dancing on Ice had had a big effect on their plotlines. He added: “I don’t think anyone has a happy ever after in soap. Everyone wants to see a bit of drama and there’s definitely going to be a lot of that. I welcome it with open arms.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/coronation-street-actor-charlie-condou-2854204

Doing their bit: Dapper looking Mark Ronson and Charlie Condou show their support at Amy Winehouse Foundation fundraiser ball

Stars turned up in droves at London's Dorchester Hotel to show their support for the Amy Winehouse Foundation on Wednesday, but for one guest in particular, the evening was a very poignant one. Long-term friend and the musical collaborator credited with catapulting her career into the spotlight, Mark Ronson was especially close to the late singer. Mark produced her album Back to Black, which went platinum and won high praise from music critics globally. Remembering her in a piece for The Observer, he acknowledged his late friend was 'magical', and led the emotional Twitter tribute to the star in 2011. He said; 'She was my musical soulmate and like a sister to me. This is one of the saddest days of my life.' Pixie Lott, Caprice, Jerry Hall, Barbara Windsor and Ortise Williams all turned out to show their support for the Amy Winehouse Foundation dinner. The event was raising money for the foundation set up in the late singer's memory by her family to fund projects for children and disadvantaged people. Barbara Windsor, a supporter of the Foundation, said: 'Everybody loves Amy so you don't have to ask too much [for people to get involved]. Her legacy lives on.' Former JLS star Oritse Williams revealed how much Amy inspired him: He told The Press Association: 'Amy was one of my biggest musical inspirations. I studied her albums when I was a kid so I had to be here.' And supermodel Caprice identified with the charities work: 'Especially when you've had your own children, you can appreciate it all the more.' Amy's father Mitch Winehouse led the event and explained his daughter had been a very charitable person. He explained that on a holiday to St Lucia when she had been recovering from drug addiction, the Back To Black singer had hired horses meant for tourists to give local children rides for a month at a cost of 15,000 dollars. 

Mitch (pictured above) said: 'She'd created the Amy Winehouse Foundation long before we'd even thought about it. 'In so many ways she was a lovely girl who suffered from major problems. She dealt with all her addictions, except the last one.' He added: 'I know we're helping other people, but it's been an incredibly wonderful thing for us to do in the wake of Amy's passing and it's helped a lot with our grief.'