'No thanks, it's a c**p part': Why Helen Baxendale got Cold Feet about return to much-loved drama

As the old friends were reunited on ITV’s Cold Feet last night after 13 years, one familiar face was conspicuous by her absence.

Producers failed to persuade Helen Baxendale, whose character Rachel died in a car crash, to return to the comedy drama as a ghost.

Scriptwriter Mike Bullen admits: ‘She said: “Thanks, but no thanks. It’s a c**p part.” She made the right decision.’

Cold Feet producers failed to persuade Helen Baxendale (pictured) to return to the show
Pictured, the cast of hit ITV drama Cold Feet

Cold Feet producers failed to persuade Helen Baxendale (left), whose character Rachel died in a car crash, to return to the comedy drama as a ghost (right, the cast of the show)

Reunited: Robert Bathurst, John Thompson, Hermione Norris, James Nesbitt and Fay Ripley in Sunday night's Cold Feet

Reunited: Robert Bathurst, John Thompson, Hermione Norris, James Nesbitt and Fay Ripley in Sunday night's Cold Feet

Yesterday, Helen, 46, was seen walking in the rain near her home in Richmond, South- West London, wearing a patterned blue dress, hoodie and anorak.

The star, who played Ross Geller’s partner in Friends, has spurned lucrative acting offers so she can focus on her family.

New love: With Rachel long gone, Adam (Nesbitt) was seen marrying new love Angela 

New love: With Rachel long gone, Adam (Nesbitt) was seen marrying new love Angela 

Older but wiser? The cast all returned aside from Baxendale 

Older but wiser? The cast all returned aside from Baxendale 

She lives with director David Williams and their children, Nell Marmalade, 17, Eric Mustard, 14, and Vincent Mash, nine. ‘I’ve had my taste of huge fame and it was OK, but I’m an actress, not a celebrity,’

Helen has said. ‘I was working constantly and feeling so guilty that I wasn’t at home. I have absolutely no regrets.’

What HAS happened to Trinny?

Given her boyfriend Charles Saatchi’s reputation with women, Trinny Woodall’s friends might be alarmed by this image the TV presenter has shared online.

Happily, they have no need to fret, as Trinny’s face is not wrapped in bandages, but simply a £19.99 moisture-boosting mask she uses to revitalise her skin.

Former TV host Trinny Woodall posted a photo online of her face covered in a moisture-boosting mask she uses to revitalise her skin

Former TV host Trinny Woodall posted a photo online of her face covered in a moisture-boosting mask she uses to revitalise her skin

Former What Not To Wear host Trinny, 52, has been courted by Saatchi, 73, since the moneybags art collector divorced ‘domestic goddess’ Nigella Lawson in 2013. They split after he was pictured with his hand around her throat.

Nigella later accused him of ‘intimate terrorism’ towards her during their marriage.

HIS campaigning for Labour has been so unsuccessful that some people claim he’s cursed, — but cross-dressing comedian Eddie Izzard is confident he’ll soon be elected to high office.

 ‘I am definitely running for either Mayor of London or even a Member of Parliament in the next five years,’ the 54-year-old tells me. ‘Without a shadow of doubt.’ 

Let’s hope no one pinches his pink beret if he’s elected. When a thief stole Izzard’s bright headwear at a pro-EU march on Saturday, six police officers sprang to his rescue. 

 Poldark's Aidan: BBC banned me from having fun

Being a body beautiful can be awfully tiresome.

Poldark star Aidan Turner, who stripped off within minutes of the second series starting on Sunday, says the BBC has banned him from outdoor pursuits in case he injures himself.

‘I’d like to say I go surfing, but I’m not really allowed to do a lot of things,’ reveals the 33-year-old. ‘They want to keep me fit and relatively healthy.

Poldark star Aidan Turner, says the BBC has banned him from outdoor pursuits in case he injures himself

Poldark star Aidan Turner, says the BBC has banned him from outdoor pursuits in case he injures himself

‘Cream teas and horse riding when I’m not on set is a bit of a faux pas. It’s prohibited.’ Who knew cream teas could be so dangerous?

It is the highest-grossing musical film of all time, but Mamma Mia! looks likely to lose one of its stars, Julie Walters, when a sequel is finally made.

‘I’m not sure it is good to repeat things,’ the Bafta-winner, who played Rosie in the 2008 film, tells me. ‘I have heard there has been talk of a spin-off film for Mamma Mia! but for the younger characters — not an old thing like me!’

The 66-year-old was speaking at the launch of charity Team Domenica — named after Princess Diana’s god-daughter Domenica Lawson — which will help young adults with learning difficulties to get into full-time work.

 

 

 

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