Helena: 'Noele axed by ageist bosses'

HELENA Bonham Carter believes “chronic ageism” was behind the sacking of Crossroads legend Noele Gordon back in the 1980s. 

- David Stephenson

The Harry Potter and Room With A View star is playing one of Britain’s biggest soap icons in new ITVX drama Nolly, as well as narrating a one-off documentary.

Noele was mysteriously sacked by bosses at ITV franchise ATV in 1981 after playing motel owner Meg Richardson on the Midlands-based show for 17 years.

Producers famously said at the time: “All good things must come to an end”.

But in an interview about the drama which airs on ITVX this week, Helena said she believes that Noele’s age – 61 – contributed to her shocking Crossroads departure.