Coleen Nolan: 'Bev Callard is brave'

Coleen Nolan has praised Coronation Street star Beverley Callard for going public with her depression battle.

Callard, best known for her role as Weatherfield's Liz McDonald, recently confessed that she received treatment at The Priory clinic last year after suffering a serious breakdown. She is now well on the road to recovery and back at work.

Writing in The Mirror today, Nolan explained: "The trouble is, there's still a stigma around mental illness, and many sufferers are reluctant to reveal their problem or ask for help because they're worried how people will react.

"So I think it's fantastic that brave Bev has gone public with her condition, and proved it's possible to gain control of it by going back to her job on Corrie."

The Loose Women panellist, who is a friend of the actress, added: "I'm so proud of Bev. Speaking out is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength."

Callard's new autobiography Unbroken sees her reveal the full extent of her personal problems.