Beverley Callard’s planned to leave Corrie a criminal – before story was binned

Coronation Street star Beverley Callard ’s original exit as Liz McDonald would have seen her flee as a wanted criminal, it has been revealed.

Fans of the soap were left outraged earlier this year when it was revealed that Liz McDonald had exited the soap with no storyline.

The well-loved character played by Beverley, 63, had been promised to go out with a bang when it was announced she was leaving.

But the anticlimactic scene simply showed another character saying she had gone to Spain, with no final scene or parting shot.

It comes as the older members of the Corrie cast have not been filming recently due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Liz, who was a character on the soap for 31 years, had her dull exit explained by Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) in an underwhelming episode in August.

She told Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson): “I don’t suppose it helps that your mum’s in Spain either.”

Steve replied: “No, but I get why she had to get out of here, but yeah, one less person to talk to I suppose.”

It has now been revealed that Beverley was due an explosive exit as she bowed out from the soap after three decades.

The Sun has revealed her final storyline would have seen her team up with armed robber Scott Emberton to raise money for grandson Oliver’s treatment and legal battle, before fleeing the street as a fugitive.

A source told the publication: “Liz was originally going to team up with Scott and take the money for Oliver. It would have been hugely dramatic and emotional as Liz said farewell to her home of three decades.

“Instead elements of the story were kept with her granddaughter Emma Brooker receiving some of the money instead before confessing to police.

“She was let off with a fine – but the consequences would have been more serious for Liz and she would have had to say goodbye to her friends and family for good.”

But the coronavirus pandemic halted show bosses plans to film the explosive final scenes.

Beverly was also put out of action when filming resumed as she suffered a botched hip operation which left her unable to walk.

In 2019, Corrie boss Iain McLeod teased at a dramatic finale for Liz’s role, making her off-screen exit all the more underwhelming.

He said: “Liz’s departure is a long way off yet, but we want it to be big, heroic and befitting of the character.

“She’s a tough woman, is Liz McDonald, so we want to reflect that.

“The idea – which is still in its embryonic stages – is that Liz attempts to do something heroic for her son as a result of this story I’m hinting at for Steve and Tracy.

“Her efforts probably go slightly wrong in a way that will corrupt her relationship with Steve, and ultimately determine that the best place for her is not in Weatherfield.”

The soap’s bosses are said to be hoping to bring Liz back in the new year for a proper send off and have been clear they won’t kill the character off in the hopes that Beverley will one day want to return to the soap full-time.

Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/beverley-callards-planned-leave-corrie-23026205