CORONATION STREET star Shobna Gulati said she is not bitter
about being axed from the show.
Shobna and co-star Vicky Entwistle, who play Sunita Alahan and
Janice Battersby, will be written out in the New Year.
Recent newcomer to the cast Nailah Cumberbatch, who plays factory
worker twin Jessie, is also being chopped as part of a cast
clearout.
Following the revelations Shobna said that there was no bitterness
about her departure from the soap. She is set to film her final
scenes in February.
"Coronation Street have behaved brilliantly," she said.
"I've had a really good time and I'm happy that Sunita gets a big
storyline. She won't fizzle away. It will be an emotional, rocky,
rollercoaster ride. It will challenge people."
The in-demand actress has continued to work on stage during breaks
from the Street and been involved in other projects, but has had to
turn down a number of job offers because of the demands of her
Weatherfield role.
But viewers, will be shocked by the decision to end the contracts
of two of the street's most famous faces.
Loudmouth Janice arrived with the rest of the Battersby family in
1997, who caused mayhem when they moved into No 5. Since splitting
up with husband Les, she has shared a flat with daughter Leanne and
continued working in Underworld.
Oldham-born Shobna has been a viewers' favourite since joining the
cast in 2001 as a shop girl on the run from an arranged
marriage.
After marrying corner shop businessman Dev (Jimmi Harkishin), the
couple survived a murder attempt by deranged lawyer Maya and Sunita
is now pregnant with twins.
Both stars were called in to see Coronation Street producer Tony
Wood and told of the decision. Their exit storylines have still to
be finalised.
Nailah arrived on screen last year along with "twin" Joanne
(Zaraah Abrahams), who is staying. They have been involved in
several comedy storylines.
The future of a number of characters was reviewed at a regular
Coronation Street meeting last week attended by scriptwriters and
production staff, amid concerns that the 60-strong cast is now too
big.
The outlook for all Street characters is discussed at such
meetings, as part of the normal process of planning future
storylines and running the soap. It was not linked to the
appointment of new producer Steve Frost, who doesn't start his job
until January.
Entertainment

Axe for Shobna
October 03, 2005
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
Sad to read that Janice & Sunita are being axed. How about getting rid of those who can't act - e.g. Phil Nail, Frankie Baldwin, and the man with pigs in his garden - can't remember his name - but are they three original members of the 'Wooden Tops???'
Carol, Lake District
18/10/2005 at 22:29
18/10/2005 at 22:29
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A passing shower

Got an opinion you want to share?
Ok with Janice really not much left for her role.
28/10/2005 at 00:25