Beverley Callard reveals post-Corrie plans

Coronation Street star Beverley Callard has revealed that she has several "exciting" projects lined up for when she leaves the cobbles.

The actress, who quit the ITV1 soap last month after playing Liz McDonald for 20 years, told OK magazine that she plans to return to the theatre - but won't be doing pantomime like other former soap stars.

She said: "I bet everybody thinks I'll be going into a panto, but I have bigger plans than that - I am definitely not doing that. I have a couple of projects which are very exciting. I do want to go back on stage and I will definitely do that. I want a live audience again."

Speaking of her decision to leave in order to spend more time with her family, she said: "I just feel like I've got to give this special relationship with Jon [McEwan] and my marriage a chance. I'm not saying I'll never go back though, but it will be so lovely just spending time together - going away and not having to learn lines all the time."

On her exit from the show, she added: "There are some really exciting plans in the pipeline and I can't wait to read the scripts to find out what they have in store for me. But it won't be a tram on my head - unless they've decided to do that and they've not told me!"