Coronation Street's Beverley Callard reveals depression

Callard's character jetted off to Spain while the actress received treatment

Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard has revealed she has been receiving treatment for depression.

The 52-year-old actress, who plays Rovers landlady Liz McDonald, was absent from the soap for five months last year after a "serious breakdown".

She was treated at the Priory Clinic at the time and remains an outpatient at the facility.

Callard has now teamed up with mental health charity Mind to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The actress, reported to be "well on the road to recovery", said: "I feel it is really important to try and help lift the stigma that makes life so difficult for the one in four people who experience mental health problems."

'Reach for help'

She thanked her friends, family and colleagues for their support and the media for respecting her privacy during her illness.

"Being able to recover out of the media spotlight has hugely helped me and meant that I could return to work last year whilst still receiving treatment as an outpatient.

"Now I feel able to speak about what I went through and thank everyone for their support," she said.

Paul Farmer, chief executive officer of Mind, said: "The support Bev received from her friends, family and ITV had a huge part to play in the steps she took back to good health.

"We encourage anyone who may be suffering in silence to reach out for help and urge those that they turn to, to be there for them without judgment."

A spokeswoman for Coronation Street said: "Everyone at ITV has been behind Beverley through this very difficult time.

"We are extremely proud of the huge progress she has made and delighted that she is back on screen at the centre of the show and we continue to support her."