Frances Barber joins Coronation Street as new character Celeste

The long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street has introduced a new character, Celeste, played by veteran actress Frances Barber. The character’s arrival introduces a significant family storyline involving Bernie Winter.

Celeste reveals to Todd that she is terminally ill with only six weeks to live and begins planning her own funeral. It is subsequently discovered that Celeste is the twin sister of Bernie’s mother, making her Bernie’s aunt. Despite Todd’s attempts to encourage a reconciliation due to her declining health, Bernie remains hostile toward Celeste, stemming from a long-standing rift between the sisters.