Legendary Crossroads star ready for a comeback

Nov 26 2009 by Roz Laws, Birmingham Mail

SOAP star Susan Hanson is stepping back into the spotlight, more than 20 years after she left Crossroads.

She is ready to revive her acting career, five years after the death of her beloved husband, Brummie musician Carl Wayne.

Sue played the legendary ‘Miss Diane’ in Crossroads for 22 years, but turned her back on acting to become a full-time mum. Her world was shattered when Carl, lead singer of The Move, to whom she was married for 30 years, died of throat cancer.

It’s only now she feels ready to return to her career – which is why she’s stepping back into the limelight to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Birmingham-made soap Crossroads and the release of a mammoth DVD box set, featuring 41 discs and more than 100 hours of episodes.

Sue said: “People told me it would take five years to begin to cope with Carl’s death. It’s only now I’m beginning to climb out of the pit of despair I’ve been in. I will never get over his death but I am learning to cope.

“I miss him so much, we were joined at the hip. He was very charismatic and made me laugh so much. He was a rock musician but he was my rock.

“He was ill for two-and-a-half years before he died and was hugely courageous.

“He never moaned and did concerts with The Hollies right up to his death. He went on stage with a chemotherapy drip hidden round his waist, pumping the drugs in.

“Very few people knew just how ill he was.

“He was determined to carry on and I really thought he could beat it.

“Sadly that wasn’t to be. I was really happy being a housewife and mother, but now it would be good to work again.

“Parts are harder to get as you get older, and I won’t cry if I don’t get offered anything, but I’d like to give it a go.”

Sue played waitress ‘Miss’ Diane Lawton in Crossroads, best friend to Benny, who was devastated when she dropped dead from a brain haemorrhage in the motel foyer.