Starring Role on the Cobbled Street for GB player Laurie Williams
GB Wheelchair Basketball player Laurie Williams yesterday swapped the court for the famous cobbled streets of Weatherfield as she joined Coronation Street actress Cherylee Houston outside the Rovers Return.
The two starring ladies were appearing to promote the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup, which Laurie will compete in, as the famous soap celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year.
Cherylee will become the first ever actress in the soap’s 50 year history to play a permanent character with a disability. ‘Izzy’ will be introduced to viewers on 16th April as a future love interest of Kirk Sutherland.
Cherylee said, “I’m delighted to be supporting the BT Paralympic World Cup and to meet such an inspiring athlete as Laurie and I wish her the best of luck in the event.”
Cherylee, who has a degenerative tissue disorder, continued, “I’m particularly excited about the elite sporting event being in Manchester as I embark on my new role in Coronation Street in its 50th year. These two events really demonstrate the support for disabilities that the city has.”
Manchester-based player Laurie has also appeared on the small screen, in the role of ‘Gabby’ in the BBC programme Desperados in 2007, which also starred Ade Adepitan and she will be competing in her second BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester in May.
Laurie said, “It has been fantastic to visit the famous Coronation Street set today and to meet Cherylee and have her support our event is amazing. I’m delighted that the soap has enabled a permanent role for an actress with a disability and as a huge fan of the programme I look forward to seeing her on screen.”
The BT Paralympic World Cup is the world’s largest annual multi-sport elite disability event and major international stars and a strong British contingent are expected.
The competition will be staged in Manchester from 25-31 May, with over 400 competitors from over 31 countries scheduled to compete.
Athletes will compete in four sports at world class competition venues in Manchester: Wheelchair Basketball, Football 7-a-side and Athletics at the Manchester Regional Arena and Swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
The women’s GB basketball team will take on Canada, Australia and The Netherlands.