Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman has been given a bodyguard by soap bosses amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the UK’s soaring anti-semitic attacks.
The outspoken Jewish actress, 77, was spotted with the burly security man, who could ensure her safety, as she filmed on location in Manchester on Thursday.
Dame Maureen shot the outdoor scenes as her feisty character Evelyn Plummer in a long green padded coat, shades and hat.
Meanwhile her minder donned a black jacket with a source telling The Sun that he was ‘never more than two yards’ 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 just as the cameras started rolling for filming.
Safety first:Coronation Street ‘s Maureen Lipman, 77, has been given a bodyguard by soap bosses amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the UK’s soaring anti-semitic attacks
Scary times: The Jewish actress was spotted with the burly security man, who could ensure her safety, as she filmed on location in Manchester on Thursday
Protest: People attend a Campaign Against Antisemitism rally outside New Scotland Yard in central London last month
‘It’s not unusual to see security guards on location, but it is extremely rare to see them so closely with one person at all times’.
Before adding: ‘And it is a sign of how seriously Corrie are taking the threat and sticking to their duty of care towards Maureen.’
Last month Maureen joined 210 public figures in condemning the BBC’s refusal to call Hamas ‘terrorists’ amid a surge of anti-Semitism in the UK – as the actress slammed ‘bleeding heartless liberals’ who fail to criticise attacks on Israel.
The vast range of figures, Jewish and non-Jewish and from all walks of life, also include Sir Tom Stoppard, Lord Owen, Professor Richard Dawkins, Rachel Riley, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Sir 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, whether in Britain or elsewhere.’
In a criticism of the BBC, the signatories say: ‘We ask the media, members of all political parties and everyone in public life to call out Hamas for what it is: a terrorist organisation.’
After a group calling itself Artists for Palestine UK, which included actors Steve Coogan and Tilda Swinton, published a letter accusing Israel of war crimes without condemning the attacks led by Hamas, Dame Maureen gave a scathing response to the ‘bleeding heartless liberals’
She said: ‘These bleeding heartless liberals care so deeply for the Palestinians… that they espouse their cause at the expense of every other oppressed people of the world… Shame. Shame. Shame on every one of you.’
On location: Dame Maureen shot the outdoor scenes as her feisty character Evelyn Plummer in a long green padded coat, shades and hat
Protection: Meanwhile her minder donned a black jacket with a source saying he was ‘never more than two yards’ from the star, who has appeared in 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 just as the cameras started rolling for filming
No chances: Before adding: ‘And it is a sign of how seriously Corrie are taking the threat and sticking to their duty of care towards Maureen’
The October declaration, which was also signed by the actress, details a 651 per cent rise in recorded anti-Semitic incidents since Hamas launched its murderous attack on October 7, and the sad spectacle of Jewish schools being forced to close.
It adds: ‘British Jews should not live in fear because of actions taken by the state of Israel to defend itself.
‘The British state must do everything in its power to protect them.
‘While we respect the right of all groups to engage in peaceful protest, we urge the police to enforce the law without fear or favour.’
In the section referring to the BBC’s decision to describe Hamas only as ‘militants’, the stars write: ‘Hamas, whose actions have led directly and indirectly to the tragic deaths of many Palestinian civilians as well as Israelis, is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK as well as in many other states.
‘The Home Secretary and the Prime Minister have identified Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
‘Failure to use the correct language – describing Hamas as ‘militants’ or ‘fighters’, for instance – creates the false impression that Hamas and Israel’s armed forces are morally equivalent and is an affront to the group’s victims – the dead, their families, and those currently being held hostage.’
Inviting others to add their names on the website britishfriendsofisrael.org, they say of their declaration: ‘No one thought this would be necessary in the 21st Century but, sadly, it is.’
Speaking out: Last month Maureen joined 210 public figures in condemning the BBC ‘s refusal to call Hamas ‘terrorists’ amid a surge of anti-Semitism in the UK – as the actress slammed ‘bleeding heartless liberals’ who fail to criticise attacks on Israel
Hitting back: After a group calling itself Artists for Palestine UK, which included actors Steve Coogan and Tilda Swinton , published a letter accusing Israel of war crimes without condemning the attacks led by Hamas
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 espoused the Palestinian ’cause at the expense of every other oppressed people of the world’.
She added: ‘The Palestinians are not Hamas, I agree; they just elected them. And, 17 years later, Hamas has done nothing for the Palestinians save stealing the millions donated in aid money while keeping them in penury.’
Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006 and has not held a public vote for representatives in Gaza since.
Dame Maureen also said: ‘I would love the signaturists to answer me this question: If your beloved country had been under attack for 70 years… how angry and exhausted and how determined to defend your country against any future attacks would you be?’
The actress, known for 1983 comedy-drama Educating Rita and 2002 drama The Pianist and most recently appearing on Coronation Street, said other artists should feel ‘shame’ for their support of Gaza.
