Corrie star Maureen Lipman, 77, is flanked by a bodyguard on set after revealing bosses offered her security amid rising anti-Jewish hatred
Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman has been given a bodyguard by soap bosses amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and rising anti-Semitic attacks in Britain.
The outspoken Jewish actress, 77, was spotted with the burly security man, who was able to guarantee her safety, while filming on location in Manchester on Thursday.
Dame Maureen filmed the outdoor scenes as her feisty character Evelyn Plummer in a long green padded coat, sunglasses and hat.
Meanwhile, her sitter put on a black jacket with a reference to the source The sun that he was ‘never more than two meters’ away from the star, who has appeared in the soap since 2018.
Telling the publication, “He didn’t let her out of his sight, and he only actually stepped away from her when the cameras started rolling to film.
Safety first: Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman, 77, has been given a bodyguard by soap bosses amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and rising anti-Semitic attacks in Britain
Scary times: The Jewish actress was spotted with the burly security man who could guarantee her safety while filming on location in Manchester on Thursday
Protest: People attended a campaign against anti-Semitism outside New Scotland Yard in central London last month
“It is not unusual to see security guards on location, but it is extremely rare to see them so close to one person at all times.”
Before adding: ‘And it’s a sign of how seriously Corrie is taking the threat and adhering to its duty of care to Maureen.’
Last month, Maureen joined 210 public figures in condemning the BBC’s refusal to call Hamas “terrorists” amid a wave of anti-Semitism in Britain – as the actress criticized “bleeding heartless liberals” who fail to criticize attacks on Israel.
The huge range of figures, Jewish and non-Jewish and from all walks of life, includes Sir Tom Stoppard, Lord Owen, Professor Richard Dawkins, Rachel Riley, Sir Jacob Rees-MoggSir Richard Dearlove and Simon Sebag Montefiore.
They wrote: ‘We are a group of concerned British citizens and residents from a wide range of backgrounds and professions who stand in solidarity with British Jews and condemn all forms of anti-Semitism, both in Britain and elsewhere.’
In a criticism to the BBC, the signatories said: “We ask the media, members of all political parties and everyone in public life to call Hamas out for what it is: a terrorist organization.”
After a group calling itself Artists for Palestine UK, including actors Steve Coogan and Tilda Swinton, published a letter accusing Israel of war crimes without condemning the Hamas-led attacks, Dame Maureen issued a scathing response to the “bleeding heartless Liberals ‘
She said: ‘These bleeding heart, heartless liberals care so much about the Palestinians… that they embrace their cause at the expense of all the other oppressed people in the world… Shame. Shame. Shame on you all.”
On location: Dame Maureen filmed the outdoor scenes as her feisty character Evelyn Plummer in a long green padded coat, sunglasses and hat
Protection: Meanwhile, her minder wore a black jacket with a source saying he was ‘never more than two meters’ away from the star, who has appeared on the soap since 2018
Bodyguard: They also said: ‘He didn’t let her out of his sight, and he only actually stepped away from her when the cameras started rolling to film
No chances: before adding: ‘And it’s a sign of how seriously Corrie takes the threat and adheres to their duty of care to Maureen’
The October statement, which was also signed by the actress, describes a 651 percent increase in the number of recorded anti-Semitic incidents since Hamas launched its murderous attack on October 7, and the sad spectacle of the forced closure of Jewish schools.
It adds: ‘British Jews should not live in fear because of the actions the State of Israel takes to defend itself.
‘The British state must do everything in its power to protect them.
“While we respect all groups’ right to peaceful protest, we urge police to enforce the law without fear or favor.”
In the section referring to the BBC’s decision to describe Hamas exclusively as “militants,” the stars write: “Hamas, whose actions have directly and indirectly led to the tragic deaths of many Palestinian civilians and Israelis alike, is a banned terrorist organization in Great Britain, but also in many other states.
“The Minister of the Interior and the Prime Minister have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
“The failure to use the right language – describing Hamas as ‘militants’ or ‘fighters’ for example – creates the false impression that Hamas and Israel’s armed forces are morally equivalent and is an insult to the group’s victims – the dead, their families, and those currently held hostage.”
Inviting others to add their names to the website britishfriendsofisrael.org, they say of their statement: ‘No one thought this would be necessary in the 21st century, but unfortunately it is.’
Speaking out: Maureen last month joined 210 public figures in condemning the BBC’s refusal to call Hamas ‘terrorists’ amid a wave of anti-Semitism in Britain – when the actress criticized ‘bleeding heartless liberals” who fail to criticize attacks on Israel
Hitting back: After a group calling itself Artists for Palestine UK, including actors Steve Coogan and Tilda Swinton, published a letter accusing Israel of war crimes without condemning the Hamas-led attacks
Fuming: Dame Maureen gave a scathing response to the ‘bleeding heartless Liberals’
On the front page of today’s Daily Telegraph, Dame Maureen said liberal artists have embraced the Palestinian cause ‘at the expense of all the other oppressed people in the world’.
She added: “The Palestinians are not Hamas, I agree; they just chose them. And seventeen years later, Hamas has done nothing for the Palestinians other than stealing the millions donated in aid while keeping them in poverty.”
Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006 and has not held a public vote for representatives in Gaza since.
Dame Maureen also said: ‘I would like the signatories to answer me this question: if your beloved country was under attack for seventy years… how angry and exhausted and how determined to defend your country against future attacks would you be? ‘
The actress, known for the 1983 comedy-drama Educating Rita and the 2002 drama The Pianist and last seen in Coronation Street, said other artists should feel “ashamed” of their support for Gaza.