Mysterious Celeste arrives in Coronation Street tonight and actress Frances Barber is a very recognisable face
Frances Barber has appeared in multiple shows on stage and screenCoronation Street introduced Celeste tonight as acclaimed actress Frances Barber has joined the cast of the soap.
The mystery newcomer came knocking on Dev and Bernie’s door. But it was Todd she eventually accosted as she told him she wanted to arrange a funeral over a drink.
For television viewers, Celeste’s face will certainly be recognisable. In her 47 years in the business, Frances Barber has played mulitple roles on stage, the big screen and TV.
So where do you know her from?
Celeste joins Coronation Street
Tonight (Wednesday August 19) Celeste was knocking on Dev and Bernie’s door. But Glenda and Todd spotted her and told her they were away.
Todd was later locking up the funeral parlour when Celeste arrived to organise a funeral. She persuaded him to get the ball rolling over a drink in the Rovers.
On Thursday (August 20) Celeste will return to plan the funeral in full. She then reveals it is in fact her own funeral and she only has six weeks to live. Together she and Todd plan a Dolly-Parton-themed service with all the extras.
Next week, Bernie is back and isn’t pleased to see Celeste. It turns out Celeste is the twin sister of Bernie’s mum, making her Bernie’s aunt.
Todd breaks the news to Bernie that Celeste only has weeks left and encourages her to put whatever went on in the past behind them before it’s too late.
But it’s clear things have cut Bernie deep and she is not willing to reconnect. Todd and Celeste form an unlikely friendship and when she takes a turn for the worst, he begs Bernie to visit her.
Bernie then opens up to Dev about the rift between her mum and Celeste. What did Celeste do? And why can’t Bernie forgive her?
Who plays Celeste in Coronation Street?
Celeste is played by actress Frances Barber who was born in Wolverhampton on May 13 1968. In 2006 she received an honorary fellowship from the University of Wolverhampton.
She has appeared in multiple theatre productions and has been nominated for an Olivier Award for her roles in Camille in 1985 and Uncle Vanya in 1997.
Frances has also appeared on the big screen, most notably in three film outings with Hollywood actor Gary Oldman. Her most recent film in 2025 was called A Hand to Hold and she has another coming out this year entitled Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day.
Frances Barber and her multiple television roles
You name it, Frances Barber has been in it. Her first ever TV job was a television film on Twelfth Night in 1988. She went on to appear in Red Dwarf, Inspector Morse, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Murder Most Horrid, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, and My Family amongst others.
Other notable TV credits include The Royal, Doctor Who, Midsommer Murders, New Tricks, Hustle, Friday Night Dinner, Silk, and ITV comedy favourite Benidorm.
In 2019 she appeared in Casualty and in 2023 popular show Inside No.9.
Most recently, between 2022 and 2025 Frances starred as Olivia Arnold in Acorn TV’s The Chelsea Detective.
How long will Frances Barber appear in Coronation Street as Celeste?
It has not been confirmed how long Frances will stay in Corrie.
However, given Celeste only has six weeks to live and is planning her own funeral, it seems her time on the cobbles will be cut short.
So we best make the most of her while we can!
Read more: Coronation Street cast departures and returns – who’s leaving the cobbles next?
