Coronation Street star Thelma Barlow, 95, reveals she’s quit showbiz to retire to Kent

THE former Coronation Street star revealed why she quit showbiz for a life in a quiet Kent market town.

For over 25 years, Thelma Barlow brought to life Mavis Wilton, one of Coronation Street’s most beloved characters.

As part of a memorable duo with Rita Sullivan at The Kabin, Mavis became a household name during the show’s peak, drawing over 20 million weekly viewers.

As Mavis approached 70, she departed Weatherfield, a decision she believed was the right one.

She is also known for her role as Dolly Bellfield in the BBC One sitcom dinnerladies.

But the cherished actress, now 95, enjoys a quieter life after, embracing semi-retirement in Kent, where she relocated eight years ago.

She said: “I absolutely love it here. My heart is still in the Yorkshire Dales – my home county – but I just love Faversham.

“It’s the friendliest, most community-minded town I’ve ever been to.”

Thelma moved to the market town Faversham to be closer to her son, who lives just 10 minutes away.

He is a Master of Wine, working in specialist wine shops in Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells.

Her other son resides on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, where he runs fishing trips during the summer and crafts handmade rods during the winter months.

Thelma said: “If I’ve achieved anything in bringing up my children. It’s to let them choose and not pressurise them into anything. They both are absorbed by their chosen careers.”

Speaking about her time in Corrie, Thelma said: “I’d done 15 years of theatre before Coronation Street and I never thought I’d be in something so long, but it became interesting because you had to try and work out how to respond to each character.

“A new one would be written in and you’d have to think of what my character would have thought of them.

“[Corrie] was very convenient because it gave me some solid work. The contract was only a year at a time so you were never really secure. You had to keep your fingers crossed.

“And of course, you make such good friends – it is very much like family. You have that security and support.”

Thelma shared a home with her co-star Helen Worth (Gail Platt) during their time on the show.

With Helen’s exit already filmed, Thelma confirmed that Helen “would love some radio.”

She revealed: “She said she’s too frightened to do other work [acting work] and you do get afraid to do other work. If she wants to do radio, I am sure there is some there for her.”

Thelma has also maintained friendships with other former castmates, including Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts) and Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan).

Thelma also had roles in Doctor Who, Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie’s Marple, Doc Martin, Doctors and The Royal.

She opened up about how she “never really enjoyed fame, but you have to learn to cope with it.

She continued: “You have to understand it means something to them to meet you. It still happens, but not as much. I’ve never thought of myself as something special.”

However, now she is enjoying her retirement and keeping a “low profile” in the town.

And she has ruled out a Corrie return saying: “I just have a fear of going into big studios – every minute is thousands of pounds for them and I would hate to let them down; get it wrong, or die, or something.”

“That’s the difficulty. I can’t see anyone putting money into something with a 95-year-old. I’m not a good bet.”