Gemma Quade discovers that Corrie star Beverley Callard has a double celebration in mind because she owns a bar both on and off the screen

BEVERLEY Callard doesn't just play at being a landlady as Liz McDonald in Coronation Street, she also owns two pubs in real life. She recently opened her second bar and restaurant, The Gallery, in Hale Barns, Cheshire, and plans to have a good old knees-up with a group of friends there on New Year's Eve.

One thing's for sure, the champagne will be flowing.

But whether the bubbly will be uncorked for her alter ego Liz over the New Year period remains to be seen, because she is having some major doubts about marrying Vernon.

Speculation that lusty Liz is simply settling for the postman has been rife recently, but as soon as her ex-husband, Jim, returned to the Street from prison it looked like the cold feet were really beginning to set in.

"Jim got his parole early and Liz was shocked - she thought she would be married to Vernon and settled before he was released, so it threw her into absolute chaos,"

says the 50-year-old actress, who has been playing Liz since 1989.

"She's afraid of her feelings for him. Liz knows he's not good for her but she also knows that they have spent 27 years together and she just can't resist him.

"She's never stopped loving Jim.

When he arrived back saying he'd turned over a new leaf and everything is different now, that he's been to anger management, she didn't believe it at all, but then she started to realise that he does seem more mellow. He's the same Jim, but he's a bit more chilled out.

"Liz just can't resist a bad boy - she's got a self destruct button,"

Callard laughs. "She knows Vernon's a bit of a wally, but he does truly love her and he'll always be loyal, but she wants a bit more excitement. She actually says to Deirdre that she knows Vernon will look after her better than anyone else, but she wants a bit of danger and spontaneity.

"Deirdre tries to talk some sense into her and reminds her that she's not 16 anymore, but Liz tells her that she still feels it."

JIM really couldn't have chosen a worse time to waltz back into Weatherfield, just as his former wife is about to walk up the aisle. While Callard insists Liz doesn't really want to get back with her ex, she does think having him around has made the landlady realise Vernon just isn't the right man for her - he's too safe.

"He's the sensible choice, but Jim is such a macho man and that's a real turn on for Liz," she sighs. "Liz isn't going to put a stop to the wedding so she can be with Jim, but she knows Vernon can't give her that excitement. She's hoping that if she cancels the wedding she might be able to meet someone who will."

However, somebody should let Liz know that telling the groom on the day of the wedding that she doesn't want to marry him really isn't good relationship etiquette.

Luckily, Deirdre plays agony aunt to her best friend and convinces her that the sooner she comes clean the better.

"I think she's been too scared to call it off - she's scared of hurting Vernon because she does love him in a way," Callard says. "Deirdre tells her she'll hurt Vernon more in the long run if she goes ahead with the wedding, so she goes to tell Vernon while Deirdre goes to tell the guests.

"As Liz leaves the house she meets Jim - he knows her so well, and had guessed she'd have doubts.

They start talking and Jim asks her not to marry Vernon. Liz tells him whether she goes through with it or not, she doesn't want to be with him again. Then Vernon walks in and attempts to give him a smack but doesn't get very far as Jim beats him to a pulp.

"Vernon is broken and battered and is determined to make it up the aisle, so Liz is in a terrible position - how can she tell him she was actually on her way to cancel it? She always has to have a trauma," Callard giggles.

Whether Liz will become Mrs Vernon Tomlin remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, the wedding attire leaves a lot to be desired.

"She's made an attempt at Posh Spice but she fails miserably - she's wearing a trouser suit with a wonder bra and a fedora hat,"

Callard grins. "She is the worst dressed woman on the Street and, of course, Vernon's outfit is worse - they need some help from Trinny and Susannah!"

* Coronation Street, ITV1, New Year's Eve, 8.30pm