NEWS: 27 November 2000

CROSSROADS STARS REVEALED

CROSSROADS is back and with a blend of old favourites from the original hit show, household names and exciting new young talent, promises to be better than ever.

Among the returning stars is Jane Rossington. As Jill Harvey, Jane spoke the opening line in the very first episode of the original series and she is at the heart of one of the most dramatic storylines of the new series. Jane says: "To have been part of a programme which made television history was wonderful - and to be back at Crossroads as the series is reborn is really exciting." Lining up alongside Jane is Sherrie Hewson who is currently starring in Carlton's hit comedy series Barbara alongside Gwen Taylor. Sherrie plays CROSSROADS' brusque receptionist Virginia Raven.

Other star names about to check-in at the new CROSSROADS include Kathy Staff (Last of the Summer Wine) returning as the much-loved Doris Luke and Tony Adams returning as Adam Chance. Jane Gurnett (Casualty, Real Women, Dangerfield) will play Kate Russell, the owner of Crossroads and former Price Is Right hostess Cindy Marshall-Day will play beauty salon manager Tracey Booth. Colin Wells, Roger Sloman, Neil McCaul and Gilly Gilchrist will also play regular characters.

The younger members of cast include Joanne Farrell who plays Jill Harvey's manipulative daughter Sarah Jane, Rebecca Clarke who plays hard-working sous chef Joanne Gibson and Rebecca Hazlewood who plays sassy waitress Beena Vaz. Luke Walker will play handyman Bradley Clarke and Neil Grainger will play porter Phil Berry. Former Hollyoaks stars James McKenzie Robinson and Toby Sawyer will be helping to keep the Crossroads' guests and staff wined and dined.

The series producer is Kay Patrick, who is looking to develop Crossroads into a "fresh and vibrant must-see show for 2001," has worked on all of Britain's major soaps, directing EastEnders, Brookside, Emmerdale and Coronation Street. The executive producer is Sharon Bloom who is also the executive producer on Carlton Productions' Peak Practice. "We'll be introducing some powerful new characters and storylines whilst retaining many of the aspects that made Crossroads such a well-loved programme for so many years," says Sharon.

Shooting on the state-of-the-art CROSSROADS sets began at the end of November and it will be the centrepiece of ITV's daytime schedule when it begins transmitting, five days a week, in spring.

27 November 2000