Coronation Street issues rare update on beloved character not seen since 2019

Coronation Street has issued an update on much loved character Emily Bishop.

Legendary actress Eileen Derbyshire, who is 94, appeared in the ITV soap as Emily between 1961 and 2016, when it was reported that she was departing to take an ‘extended break’.

Unfortunately for fans, the character never made a permanent return to Weatherfield following her travels in Peru, and later settled in Scotland.

It was from her new home where we last saw Emily – albeit via a video call – when she sent birthday wishes to Ken Barlow (William Roache) in 2019.

Emily’s close friend Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) revealed some new information about her in a recent episode of the ITV soap.

In The Kabin, Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) grew curious when it seemed Rita was frustrated with something on her phone.

Emily Bishop looking shocked while standing in the garden of her home in Coronation Street. — Emily was last seen in Weatherfield in 2016 (Picture: ITV)

Rita revealed that Emily sends her spiritual pictures via text every single day, and she’d really rather not constantly get them. Brian advised replying to Emily with a disappointing affirmation, but Rita wasn’t too keen on possibly hurting her mate if she didn’t understand that she was just joking.

While she decided against sending one to Emily, Rita did prepare to ping one over to Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews), noting that she always has a good sense of humour.

Last year, the son of Eileen Derbyshire shared an update on his mum’s health.

MailOnline’s chief sports journalist Oliver Holt said: ‘She’s doing ok. It’s kind of you to ask. She’s 93 now so she has a few issues but she’s well looked after and is happy.’

Eileen’s son revealed last year that she’s now in a care home (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

In another column for the publication, he spoke about his mum’s huge life change after settling into a home for former stars of stage and screen.

‘My dad died during the pandemic and my mum moved last year to a care home for retired actors and actresses,’ he said.

‘The morning after the (Harrogate Town v Tranmere Rovers) game I went into Harrogate, bought her some cakes from Betty’s and took them with me when I went to see her the next day.

Emily and Norris standing in a doorway in Corrie — Emily is currently living in Scotland (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

‘We went out into the garden and sat in the shade of a cedar tree and talked about old times and her childhood home in Urmston, opposite the Manchester United house where Dennis Viollet lived.

‘And she listened while I told her I had finished what she started (visiting all 92 Football League grounds) when she took me to that game at Old Trafford all those years ago.’