Boyzone icon Keith Duffy has addressed whether he will return to Coronation Street, ruling out a comeback as beloved character Ciaran McCarthy. The Irish singer and actor, who played the barman and chef on the ITV soap for two stints, responded to a recent mention of Boyzone on the show that sparked fan speculation.
Fans Spot Boyzone Hint
In recent episodes, viewers noticed a reference to Boyzone when Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) mentioned the band. This led many to wonder if Duffy might be making a return to Weatherfield. However, the 51-year-old star has now poured cold water on those hopes.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Duffy said: ‘Somebody sent [the clip] to me, that’s the only reason I saw it! I did think, “That’s a bit bizarre,” because I was the barman in the Rovers, Pauline was in the Rovers as her character talking about Boyzone. There were so many coincidences at the same time.’
No Plans to Go Back
Duffy dismissed any suggestion of a comeback, adding: ‘I wondered what was going on. Maybe it was the writers having fun? I’ve no plans to go back. So no, there’s no will to go back.’
Ciaran McCarthy first arrived on Coronation Street in 2002 as a friend of Peter Barlow from their navy days. During his initial stint, he dated Sunita Alahan, but the pair split on their wedding day. In 2005, Ciaran left after clashing with abusive Charlie Stubbs. He returned in 2010, this time romancing Michelle Connor, but their relationship also ended before the altar after Michelle discovered he had gambled away their wedding money. In 2011, Ciaran departed to work on a cruise ship, leaving Michelle behind.
Boyzone Reunion
While Duffy won’t be returning to the cobbles, he is preparing for a major reunion with his Boyzone bandmates. The group will perform their ‘One For The Road: Live At Emirates Stadium’ concerts this weekend, which are expected to be the biggest shows of their career. The band will take the stage in London on Friday, June 5 with support from S-Club, and on Saturday, June 6 with B*Witched.
In a statement, the band said: ‘We’ve been truly blown away and humbled by the response to the documentary this year. The love we’ve felt from fans all over the world has inspired us to create the ultimate experience together, headlining our own stadium show. The four of us can’t wait to stand together again and enjoy One For The Road.’
