Coronation Street spoilers: Maria Connor will be locked up in prison for a year to allow actress Samia Longchambon time off
The hairdresser has found herself in prison after being framed for the murder of deranged Caz, and it doesn't look like she's getting out soon
THE Coronation Street residents always enjoy a festive drink in the Rovers.
But one of the soap’s most loved characters will miss out on this year’s party.
I can reveal Maria Connor is set to spend Christmas behind bars after being handed a one-year sentence.
However, it’s not for the “murder” of Caz Hammond despite Maria, played by Samia Longchambon, currently being on remand in jail after she was framed by Caz, who faked her own death.
Instead, the law has caught up with Maria over her sham marriage earlier this year. She admits she only got hitched to Argentine Pablo Duarte as a favour to help him get a visa so he could be with his British boyfriend.
The storyline will see Samia be involved in less shooting than regular actors - but she will still appear in prison scenes.
A source said: “Maria will be handed a 12-month stretch but she’ll be back on the cobbles in the new year because of good behaviour. The scene is set to shock fans as they know she didn’t murder Caz but won’t see the sham marriage sentence coming.
“It will be one of the most shocking court storylines in the soap’s history and likened to Deirdre Barlow’s wrongful conviction [for fraud in 1998].
“Usually these plots are arranged to give actors a break but Samia will be seen from time to time in jail and will do some filming.”
Maria, left, has been in prison after Caz soaked her flat in blood and planted stained hairdressing scissors in her bag.
But Caz (Rhea Bailey), who is believed to be dead, is expected to be tricked into revealing herself, proving Maria’s innocence.
It means the actress looks set to leave after making her debut last year. She certainly made an impact.
Midwife swinging your way
CALL the Midwife may be set back in the Fifties – but the BBC period drama will be carrying on well into the future.
Yesterday producers confirmed the popular drama, starring HELEN GEORGE and CHARLOTTE RITCHIE, will be getting three more series, taking the nuns and midwives right into the swinging Sixties.
And the sixth run of the East London-based show will kick off in January next year.
Audiences will also return to Poplar next month for the Christmas special which sees the Nonnatus House residents transported to South Africa, pictured, after receiving an SOS call from a tiny mission hospital.
It had been announced that comedienne MIRANDA HART would resume her role as Chummy for the seasonal special – but her appearance was quietly cancelled earlier this year.
It won’t be the same without her.
Honey's haters
X FACTOR star HONEY G has revealed she has been a target of anti-Semitism.
The rapper, whose real name is Anna Georgette Gilford, admitted people insulted her as she was growing up.
She said: “People used to make fun of me, referring to me as a ‘Jewish princess’ or talking to me about me looking Jewish.”
Honey also hit out at people who have slammed her for “raping black culture.”
She told Jewish News: “They’ve got a problem with a white person rapping.
“The people who have insulted me are not spokespeople for the black community. These people are just haters.”
Do jail time in lock-umentary
IT has to be one of the worst places to go undercover.
But, once commissioned, Channel 4 will be looking for volunteers to go behind bars for one of its shows.
Chiefs have bought the rights to make a UK version of US show 60 Days In Jail currently on the channel on Thursday nights.
It will see people pose as criminals in a bid to uncover internal crimes and corruption within the prison system.
An insider said: “Loads of people liked the US version set in Indiana and there is a real excitement about going into a UK prison.”
Earlier this month Channel 4 exposed shocking scenes of drug taking, prison violence and lags’ cushy lifestyle in The Secret Life Of Prisons.
In the US version, the volunteers – including boxing legend MUHAMMAD ALI’s daughter Maryum – are sent to a tough jail with fake identities
It is not known if Channel 4 is looking for famous people to feature in the UK version.
One person taking part was almost attacked after he was suspected of being a snitch.
I think they’ll struggle to find volunteers.
Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220