Maureen Lipman offered extra security amid anti-Semitic attacks

Dame Maureen, who plays the role of Evelyn Plummer in the ITV soap, is Jewish.

Since Hamas' initial attack on Israel on October 7 there has been an increase in incidents of anti-Jewish hate according to Jewish security group, Community Security Trust.

The group said it had recorded 320 antisemitic incidents between October 7 and 16, a major increase on the 47 antisemitic incidents recorded over the same period last year.

Dame Maureen Lipman offered extra security amid rise in anti-Semitic attacks

Speaking at the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism event in the London Centre, Dame Maureen, 77, said she had been approached by ITV and Coronation Street bosses and offered extra security due to the rise in anti-Semitic incidents recently, The Sun reported.

Dame Maureen Lipman said she was approached by ITV and Coronation Street bosses and offered security guards. (Image: PA)

She said: "I had a real surprise this week when I was offered security guards by the ­people at Coronation Street — this is where we are now.”

An ITV source, speaking to The Sun, confirmed an approach had been made to the Coronation Street star as part of the channel's duty of care protocols. 

The source said: "The well­being of all our cast and crew is of utmost importance.

“Everyone should feel safe to come to work, and Maureen has the full support of the entire Coronation Street family.”

Another Jewish actress, ex-EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman, has also had to put on extra security for her touring version of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.

Oberman said: “For the last week, the production has had to have security men around keeping an eye on things. It’s like a dystopian nightmare.

“A Jewish actress putting on a play about anti-Semitism which needs to be made secure because of Jew-hating extremists.

“As one reviewer said, ‘Written in 1600, set in 1936, as relevant today in 2023.’ Ain’t that the truth.”