Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock & Zoe Delaney

Corrie star Stephanie Beacham 'confronted by hammer-wielding burglar' at home

Coronation Street star Stephanie Beacham was confronted by a hammer-wielding burglar during a raid at her London home, a court heard.

The soap star, 75, was reportedly present at her home in Bayswater, West London, when she allegedly came face-to-face with the intruder on September 25 last year.

Stephanie is said to have had several items stolen from her during the home invasion, including a chequebook, jewellery, keys, a purse and a mobile phone, Southwark crown court heard.

56-year-old David Wilson was charged with aggravated burglary and robbery at the actress' home. He is due to face trial later this year.

His charge states he entered the star's home 'as a trespasser' to steal her personal possessions.

It also states "at the time of the commission of the burglary", he had "a weapon of offence, namely a hammer”.

Prosecutor Gregor McKinley called Beacham an "elderly victim" and urged the judge to set a trial date for February.

Judge Nicholas Rimmer remanded Wilson in custody until his trial. A further pre-trial hearing is set for February 1.

The actress became a household name when she played glam Sable Colby opposite Joan Collins in the 1980s US soap, Dynasty.

However, she previously said that appearing in the ITV soap as Ken Barlow’s former love interest has been her best role to date.

Stephanie, who plays Martha Fraser in Corrie, said: "Taking on a part where it doesn’t matter what I look like is a very exciting thing.

"It didn't matter how I was lit or what angle I was shot from.

She was reportedly present at her home at the time (Getty Images)
The intruder is facing trial later this year (Getty Images for Leonardo DiCapr)

"It makes me breathe a sigh of relief and think, ‘At last!’"

Stephanie revealed how playing Martha gave her a chance to use her formal training.

She added: "The important thing was playing the character as I was taught – all those years ago at RADA – from the inside out, rather than all the concentration being on the external.

"Beneath the external packaging, so to speak, I am a perfectly developed and still developing creature with so much life experience to bring to a role."

Along with Corrie, the Golden Globe-nominated actress starred in the Dynasty spin-off show The Colbys.

She also had appearances in Bad Girls and Casualty.

The star also impressed fans with her stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 as well as Celebrity Big Brother in 2010.

* Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.