Friday 28 February 2014

Fab Photo Steve and Lloyd

(This post was originally posted by Sunny Jim on the Coronation Street Blog January 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

It's Friday again so it's time for this week's fab Coronation Street photo. For the 2nd week running we're featuring Steve McDonald, this time going deep undercover playing detective with Lloyd Mullaney.




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Sneak Preview for Canadian Corrie March 3-7


Without further ado here is a brief sneak preview of what you'll see on  next week's Corrie in Canada.



Peter and Tina hit the sheets and it's a full-blown affair. Steve and Lloyd get an eyeful. Fiz is frantic over Roy. Steve and Tracy go Victorian and find Roy in a musuem. Stella and Dennis are dumped by Ritchie. Rita forgives Dennis but is it enough? Todd ups his game against Marcus and scores a result.


For more details and photos, visit the Moosejaw Mercury at Corrie.net



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Thursday 27 February 2014

Corrie cast cheer on Julie Hesmondhalgh on stage

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

 
Julie Hesmondhalgh in Blindsided
Gone are the red anorak and brown wig.  Just a week after we saw Hayley's final scenes on Coronation Street, Julie Hesmondhalgh took to the stage for her new role - cheered on by a host of her former Corrie cast members.

Julie is now starring in the world premiere production of Blindsided at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.  

The Manchester Evening News has a review of the play and a gallery of pictures of Corrie cast members who turned out to see Julie in the play last night.

Rebecca Callard, the daughter of Bev Callard, who plays Corrie's Liz McDonald, is also starring alongside Julie in Blindsided.

Review: Julie Hesmondhalgh in Blinded at the Royal Exchange Theatre


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William Roache to return to Corrie this summer

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog February 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Coronation Street actor William Roache will make his return as Ken Barlow in the summer, the BBC reports.

Speaking after he was cleared of all charges on Thursday, he said: "I need to get back to work."

In a statement after his acquittal, ITV said: "We look forward to talking to Bill soon about his return to work."

The BBC understands that filming for transmission in April is underway with storylines planned until July.

Since May, Ken Barlow has been said to be away visiting grandson Adam in Canada.



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Wednesday 26 February 2014

Kevin Webster's coming back

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog November 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)


The Manchester Evening News says that Corrie producer Stuart Blackburn has confirmed storylines are currently being written to mark the return of actor Michael Le Vell to his role as Kevin Webster.

Kevin was last seen on screen in February 2013, and he's supposed to be in Germany looking after his dad Bill, who's sick.

Stuart says: “At the point when Kevin was forced to leave for Germany, he was actually looking to get back together with Sally. So when he returns, it’s to a very different world in Coronation Street. He comes back to find Sally’s relationship with Tim, while his daughter Sophie’s world will have changed as well, and in Sally’s eyes, not necessarily for the better.

"We’re just delighted to have Michael back with us, and we’re hoping he’ll be back on screen in March/April.”

So, it looks like Kevin's going to have to fight for Sally with Tim and I wonder how much of a fight Tim will put up and how willing Sally will be to get back with Kev.  Could be interesting!

 


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Martin Shaw: Coronation Street "doesn't reflect life anymore"

Martin Shaw as Robert Croft in Coronation Street
(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog February 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Coronation Street "doesn't reflect life anymore" and suffers from the speed with which it has to be made, actor Martin Shaw has said.  

The Inspector George Gently star said "the joy" of the long running soap "at the beginning and in the great days of Coronation Street was that "it did reflect the life of those people who lived there".

Martin Shaw, who appeared in the soap for six weeks as a "hippy" friend of character Lucille Hewitt in the 1960's, said the soap was then more respected by actors and has become a victim of the speed at which it has to be made, "It's not a derogatory opinion of it as a drama or of the actors or anything in it," he said.

"If you have to produce something at that sort of rate then the quality inevitably suffers."

Watch Martin Shaw as Robert Croft the hippy in Coronation Street

Listen to Martin Shaw's BBC Radio 5 interview here.




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Tuesday 25 February 2014

The faces of Corrie in 1964

(This post was originally posted by Llifon on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2014, reposted with permission.)

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next 10 weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.


 In 1964, 103 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Annie Walker (91 episodes)
2.    Len Fairclough (89 episodes)
3.    Jack Walker (89 episodes)
4.    Elsie Tanner (86 episodes)
5.    Ena Sharples (85 episodes)
6.    Valerie Barlow (75 episodes)
7.    Dennis Tanner (75 episodes)
8.    Ken Barlow (74 episodes)
9.    Minnie Caldwell (74 episodes)
10.    Emily Nugent (68 episodes)
11.    Albert Tatlock (68 episodes)
12.    Lucille Hewitt (59 episodes)


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Fiz Stape - Weatherfield's one woman Mafia

(This post was originally posted by Chewy on the Coronation Street Blog in February 2013.)

There has been something really unlikable about Fiz lately, not only does she shout at Roy's friends, she made a point of being nasty to Roy days after he'd lost Hayley.

It seems almost as if she saw herself as the most important person in Hayley's life, even before Hayley died, it seemed like she wanted to make Hayley's situation all about herself.

Poor Anna and Jenna who came into a flooded cafe, decided not to trouble the recently bereaved Roy, after all, as far as they knew he'd been with his mother for the past week, but in Fiz's mind, Roy had been gone far too long. Anna did her best to cope with the flood without calling Roy, but it simply was enough for the Stape family Mafia, who scowled at Anna's attempts to deal with the situation.

What do you make of Fiz's recent behaviour? Is she right to meddle in Roy's life as much as she has been doing? It's fair enough that she's concerned, but she never gave poor Roy any space to grieve in his own way.



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Coronation Street wins Best Soap at Broadcast Awards 2014

 
copyright @realsamia on twitter
(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog February 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.) Coronation Street won the award for Best Soap / Continuing Drama at the Broadcast Awards, held last night in London.

The Broadcast Awards are determined by a panel of judges to reward excellence in television each year. It is the third consecutive year that Corrie has won this category.

The awards ceremony was held at The Grosvenor Hotel in London.

Well done, the Corrie!


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Monday 24 February 2014

Corrie Canada weekly awards: Feb 17 - 21

Phrase of Doom award: Maria "With me and Marcus it's all about trust" (cue the doom music) Carla to Michelle "If he was having an affair, you'd be the last to know"

Enemy Mine award: Norris. Between the overdue bills and the gossip mongering, it's no wonder he's not got friends, only a few people that tolerate him.

Airhead award: In the great tradition of airheads like Candice Stowe and Rosie Webster, Ladies and Gentlemen, I offer you...Steph! If she can't chew with her mouth open, how is she supposed to breathe! LOL!

Speechless award:
Norris! Rob certainly wiped that smugness out of him by paying the paper bill with pennies and those vague threats of GBH certainly put the icing on the cake. 

Ring of Truth award: Tracy can hear that little bit of honesty in Norris' gossip about Rob. She tried to believe Rob's lies but the jig was up. She also heard it in Tina's words about not letting Rob go over such a minor incident.

Hard Truth award: Mary pointed out Norris' good points but also his bad ones in brutal honesty.

Continuity fluff up: Maddie sent Sophie a text, and Sophie recognized the number. Later, Maddie borrowed Sophie's phone to call about her brother, not saying her own phone was missing, left behind or out of top-up. Owen said the money was transferred yesterday, just didn't show up online. But he had been on to the bank by phone several times during the day. Why didn't they say the money was there and not online then? 

Pretentious award:
Ritchie the "rock star" wearing sunglasses indoors.

Den of Iniquity award: The Bistro. I don't know about iniquity but there's constant fighting and shouting.

Sophisticate Award: Deirdre loves pork scratchings with her wine. Who needs cheese?

Lines of the week:

Sally "I'm a thinker. So many thoughts running round in me head, it's like a curse"
Rita to Norris "You're making enemies" Norris "Occupational hazard" (no, it's a Norris hazard)
Rob "Why pick a fight?" Tracy "I *like* a fight!"
Tracy to Tina in Peter's earshot "I didn't think you'd sink so low as to chase after somebody else's bloke" (cough)
Mary "You can be the most small minded, despicable busybody. Forever sticking your nose in where it's not wanted and you delight in causing upset and distress whenever you can"  and "It is a very foolish man that will risk the wrath of Tracy Barlow and you, my friend, have stirred up a hornet's nest"
Deirdre after Tracy describes the other woman as someone that hates her guts "That narrows it down"
Owen "I should have followed my instincts" (and you're going to pay for it)
Sophie "Burly? Not girly?" (and you've been outed!)
Michelle "Pleading guilty never got anybody off"
Tracy "I don't let bygones be bygones"
Michelle to Steve: "You have never found me funny!" (Nothing funny about you, that's why)
Michelle "Sex is one thing but he actually likes her!"



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What a drunk Bet and Raquel can teach today's Corrie writers


(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in February 2013.)

I came across one of my most favourite Coronation Street scenes the other night and I felt it was worth a blog post all of its own. I'm sure many of you will have seen it before, however it definitely stands up to repeat viewings. You can view the scene here.

Bet and Raquel are two of Corrie's best loved characters and their onscreen partnership in the Rovers during the 1990s was a joy. There was always humour mixed with touches of vulnerability. Julie Goodyear and Sarah Lancashire sum up what's best about Corrie in this scene. The performances are spot on, the acting is terrific. You can tell both Julie and Sarah are having fun with their characters. It is also written beautifully. Time is taken to set the scene up and it meanders along with nothing much happening. It's not the wham bam of today. It's funny and a little bit sad and is probably something a lot of viewers could and can relate to, and that for me is Corrie at its finest.

Betty Driver once said that while she would always love Coronation Street, she did miss the times in the Rovers where the regulars would chat together in long scenes where nothing much happened. It strengthened the sense of community and made it feel real. We do see a bit of that now and again, but for me the action nowadays is far too plot driven. 

So Corrie writers, let's take a page out of Bet and Raquel's book. Let's have more Streetcars scenes with Steve, Lloyd and Eileen discussing nothing much of anything and having a laugh. Let's see Liz and Deirdre chewing the fat in the Rovers, Rita and Audrey musing over their rich histories. There's so much material to be explored and it doesn't all have to revolve around Tina flamin' McIntyre and pathetic Peter Barlow!




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Sunday 23 February 2014

Normal services are resumed

Heads up, gang! Canada did really well in the Olympics including lots of gold medals and thanks to CBC for not suspending Corrie for the duration! Coronation Street will be back on our screens at it's normal weekday time of 7:30 in most time zones.

But, keep your eye on the dial, because Thursday, February 27 in most time zones it will be on at 6:30 p.m. (5 p.m. in Windsor, Ontario).


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The faces of Corrie in 1963

(This post was originally posted by Llifon on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2014, reposted with permission.)

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next 10 weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.
 
 
 In 1963, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Valerie Barlow (91 episodes)
2.    Harry Hewitt (91 episodes)
3.    Ena Sharples (90 episodes)
4.    Annie Walker (90 episodes)
5.    Martha Longhurst (89 episodes)
6.    Concepta Hewitt (89 episodes)
7.    Elsie Tanner (89 episodes)
8.    Minnie Caldwell (88 episodes)
9.    Len Fairclough (88 episodes)
10.    Albert Tatlock (87 episodes)
11.    Jack Walker (87 episodes)
12.    Florrie Lindley (85 episodes)

Average age: 50

Note: This is the last time Martha, Harry, Florrie and Concepta (to date) appear in the top 12.


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Sunday Comments - February 23

It's amazing to me that someone who's living on the streets can afford a mobile phone yet Maddie seems to have one. Or does she? Sally is highly disapproving of Sophie wanting to help Maddie but she does want to help, this was even before Maddie kissed her but now she's even more intrigued. She admitted she didn't mind but Maddie has her off kilter. Did she kiss her for a the heck of it or for more? Maddie isn't saying. Sally scared Maddie off so Sophie and Sally followed her home where her mother freaked out. Looks like her mother's grip on reality is a bit tenuous which is probably why the little boy was taken into care. Maddie must be over 18. It's a different side of Maddie we see now, being protective of her brother.

That's all the ammunition Sally needs but Sophie feels even more sympathetic and there's more there than just wanting to help, you can see that. Tim wasn't happy to see Maddie. Maddy? Take your coat off at the table. Sally, don't ask so many personal questions. Sally and Sophie both scared Maddie off. Tim's admitted that it was Maddy that attacked him and Sophie wants to help Maddie. Looks like Sophie and Tim are getting on a bit better, at least, partners in secrets I guess. Even Tim can see Sophie fancies Maddie and Sophie admitted it.

Continuity stuff up? Maddie sent Sophie a text, and Sophie recognized the number. Later, Maddie borrowed Sophie's phone to call about her brother, not saying her own phone was missing, left behind or out of top-up.

Tina is back, temporarily she says but Peter is smirking already and by the end of the week, she was still hanging around. Meanwhile, Norris has overheard the best gossip so far this year and uses it to his advantage and tells Tracy all about it. Mary's right, he's stirred up a hornet's nest by riling Tracyluv. Once Tracy is over this hump, she's going to turn her daggers to Norris. It's hurt her a lot and Rob lied to Tracy's face about it but she can hear the ring of truth, I think and she tricked Tina into admitting it. One lie breeds more and you can't like to a professional liar. Rob protesting that Tina was the one who started the kiss when I recall it was pretty much mutual doesn't play with Tracy. One Strike and you're out.

Oh I really loved Mary telling Norris the hard truths. I also laughed at Deirdre's less than sympathetic response to Tracy's heartbreak over Rob's betrayal but she actually defended Rob, at least as far thinking Tracy could forgive Rob this indiscretion as it wasn't all that awful. There really is a lot at stake considering the business. Peter reckons grovelling will work. He did a good job of it. He even seemed sincere. She wasn't having it and he had to sleep at Peter and Carla's, in Simon's room.

Peter's all of a sudden concerned that Tracy and Rob should make up and we know why. And Peter's not so happy that Carla intends on playing matchmaker. And we know why. The matchmaking meeting went as expected. Peter smirking at Tina who was pretending to flirt with a bemused Rob in front of a hopeful Carla. Tracy's had a think about how to make him sweat but Deirdre reckons if she isn't careful, Rob will find someone else.

Have another think, Tracy, and she was nearly ready to back down but finding him at the Bistro with Tina, now she's gonna make him pay, no worries. He really wants Tracy back and she wants him back too but she's put a load of his stuff on sale on the shop. Revenge. Is she determined not to have him back or just determined to make him squirm for a bit? If the latter, she could lose him altogether and it's ironic that Tina told her the same things Deirdre did but it made more of an impression. It's a matter of pride, too.

Carla does have Peter's number in that she knows he can't just be friends with a woman, and Michelle is only his friend because he dated her in the past. And another phrase of doom, her pointing out the wronged woman is always the last to know. Peter couldn't have squirmed more.

Dev and Kal seem to be polar opposites when it comes to opinions on running and operation and building a business. Looks like Jason is going to get a crack at the premises renovationsTony's sticking his nose in as well. I'm not sure that's a good idea because I still don't trust him but he was right to keep Jason from giving Dev a general figure. Not the best way to do business. Lots of gossip in the salon. Audrey reckons it's not worth having someone if you can't trust them and Maria uttered the phrase of doom, it's all about trust with her and Marcus. Cue the doom music.

Steve's attitude about giving out Andrea's number could very well come across as jealousy but I think he was right not to do it with out her permission even if it was Lloyd who wanted it. Still not quite sure if he fancies Andrea or she fancies him, or both. And with the misery that is Michelle these days, I wouldn't be surprised. Still, Andrea found out courtesy of Todd and it turns out she wouldn't mind going out with Lloyd in the least, much to Eileen's delight. Steve admitted to Andrea she could go out with whoever she liked. Why did it look like she wasn't really going out with the one she *really* wanted to go out with?

Michelle is getting suspicious but then again, she never stopped being suspicious of Steve's feelings about Andrea. He *is* acting jealous that Andrea's going out with Lloyd. I think Andrea and Lloyd could get on quite well together. Eileen doesn't trust Andrea, either. It's not about Steve and I think Michelle feels the same. She trusts Steve but not Andrea. Andrea didn't waste any time jumping Lloyd's bones, though and Steve wasn't happy about it, partly because he feels kind of left out.

Michelle made him admit he was jealous, pretending she was only angry because he lied but she was more upset he was jealous! It deteriorated into Michelle stalking off to Carla and Peter's for a rant and then making Steve sleep on the sofa. It looked very much that Andrea was quite pleased to find out Steve and Michelle got into a row over her seeing Lloyd. She very nearly did tell him that she would have preferred him but he stopped it cold. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Owen's happily busy gathering sub contractors and equipment.Anna is still afraid it's too good to be true. I really don't trust Pat Phelan. Gary's right. He was a lying cheater and now they're all best buddies? Doesn't wash. But Phelan thought it was a good joke that he decided not to transfer the money to Owen straight away. Not funny. Phelan is just too slick, isn't he? I would assume that Owen has a written and signed contract with Mrs. Phelan since she's the non-bankrupty person so why didn't he go after her for the money? Not that she'd bend, either.

I wouldn't spend a penny until i had all the money. Anna decides to stick her nose in and interfere, and what did it get her? It got her chatted up. Owen said the money was transferred yesterday, just didn't show up online. But he had been on to the bank by phone several times during the day. Why didn't they say the money was there and not online then? And Anna going to see Phelan to apologize? That seemed so contrived, naive at the very least. Why didn't she just ring him? Why didn't she just leave when he started to flirt right at the start? It's going to come back to bite her.

She thinks she's just smoothed things over but I think he thinks she's letting him know she's available, regardless of what she said. Phelan didn't waste any time making excuses to get close to Anna, finding excuses to run his hands over her, even right under his wife's nose. What a creep! She told Izzy and once the secret has been told, there's always a way of it getting out.

Dennis and Gloria are back in the thick of gigging. At least Dennis is trying to include Rita, reluctant though she is. Gloria's enjoying Rita's discomfort, probably keeping her hand in winding her up. If Dennis is having trouble finding an address, ask one of the cabbies! Stella can see that both Dennis and Ritchie have a crush on Gloria and she's lapping it up. Dennis didn't look too happy that Gloria swanned off with Ritchie after the gig.

Everyone thinks Roy has gone to see his mother and auntie but there's been no word from him at all apart from that one note.

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Saturday 22 February 2014

Rob and Tracy - Yay or Nay?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog February 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Is it true love or are they just as bad as each other?  What do you think about Tracy and Rob together as a couple? 

The fab Inside Soap magazine reveal that the gruesome twosome get back together next week.  But what do you think, Corrie fans? 

Is this a relationship that's believable, do you think? Or is Rob stringing along Tracy until something better comes along - again?


Rob and Tracy - yay or nay?



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Conversation Street podcast 81

Gemma and Michael's podcast for the episodes in Canada that aired up to last night can be heard here. Don't worry, they don't do spoilers so you won't hear anything you don't want to!

This week Tracy and Rob are on the outs because Tina's back and the snog secret came out via Norris. Andrea's stuck between Steve and Lloyd and Steve's heading for disaster with Michelle. Phelan is creeping around corners. The character profile is ex-knicker stitcher Kelly Crabtree who has both Steve and Lloyd connections.




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Friday 21 February 2014

Corrie newcomer Amy Kelly reveals Maddie's a big softie

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Amy Kelly, who plays Corrie newcomer Maddie Heath, is interviewed in this week's fab Inside Soap magazine.

It's a good read and Amy reveals a little more about Maddie.  After pushing Sally Webster's face into a trifle at Christmas, we're going to see more of Maddie when she snogs Sophie.  But there's more to her than a hard-nut from a drop-in centre for the homeless, as Amy explains:

"Maddie has been kicked out by her mum, who has a mental illness.  When you see Maddie with her family, whom she still visits occasionally, you see a different side to her.  She can be really soft with her mother ad works hard to keep her calm, but can easily flip from that to being harsh and telling the likes of Sophie to back off. Maddie cares a lot for her little brother, but she's not used to letting others into her circle of trust."

Amy says that Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Webster, has taken her under her wing on the Corrie set. And she says that her "Corrie-obsessed" family are over the moon that she's been given a part on the show.



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Sneak Preview for Canadian Corrie, Feb. 24 - 28


Without further ado here is a brief sneak preview of what you'll see on  next week's Corrie in Canada.


Tina's adamant she's leaving. Can anyone talk her into staying? Rob and Tracy are on the outs. Carla surprises Peter who's busy elsewhere. Fiz and Anna discover Roy isn't where he's supposed to be. Dennis is jealous. Rita feels left out and worried. Todd plays games with Marcus. Jason gets a contract. Phelan continues to flirt with Anna.


For more details and photos, visit the Moosejaw Mercury at Corrie.net




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Thursday 20 February 2014

Coronation Street's atrocious apostrophes, again

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog February 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

With thanks to @ianwylie on twitter for pointing out the missing apostrophe in the Happy Valentine's Day sign that's currently up in The Kabin on Corrie. 

I'm surprised Norris hasn't been at that sign with his pen, colouring in an apostrophe.  Didn't he once mention he belonged to the Apostrophe Protection Society?

It's not the first time that apostrophes have gone AWOL on Corrie.

The Weatherfield Gazette missed them out in these headlines

And Sally's superfluous here.



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Andrea wants Steve


What's On TV has a few quotes from Hayley Tamaddon on her character, Andrea's hopes and desires. She thinks Andrea does fancy Steve even though she's currently dating Lloyd, surmising that perhaps she's only doing that to make Steve jealous.

There have been little looks, nothing really obvious but I've caught one or two wistful glances in Steve's direction and I've had the feeling that Steve is who she would prefer. Hayley says Andrea is "out to bag her Mr. Right".

There's definitely a connection between she and Steve and quite a lot of our blog readers have felt that Michelle has been treating Steve badly and seems to be dragging Steve down. She's also been openly hostile to Andrea but Hayley says “I think Andrea will be able to hold her own and personally I'm hoping for some real stand-offs between Andrea and Michelle." Me, too!

I'm one of those that thinks Steve and Michelle are horribly unsuited. The last time they broke up, Steve found Becky a lot more fun (and hard work in the end). I think Steve will find Andrea a lot more fun, too and Michelle might want to watch her Ps and Qs this time around.

Things are going to heat up when Lloyd and Andrea start dating and Steve finds he's jealous. It looks as if Andrea is playing it smart, keeping Steve at the friendship arms' length, not being too clingy or stalkery so far. I would rather her not get like that, in fact, and rather than do her best to break up Steve and Michelle, just wait for Steve to come to it himself, realizing that Michelle isn't The One but Andrea just might be. That's how I'd like to see it play out if indeed, that's where it's going. How about you?





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Wednesday 19 February 2014

Bubbilicious Steph

I haven't been quite sure what to make of Steph, Katy's friend and now, it seems, Sophie's  as well. But after seeing last night's episodes, in addition to a few similar over the past few appearances, I've realised we have a worthy successor to the bubble-head young woman character.

Those daft young women that have always been on Coronation Street from the start, like the Barm Cake Girls, Doreen and Sheila and later, daft young things Gail and Tricia. In the 1990s we had Raquel and Maxine and later, there was Candice and Rosie. Now we have the newest in that long line, Steph.

Last night, she was in the corner shop chatting to Sophie and buying chewing gum, saying that Stella didn't like her chewing it in the Bistro. Sophie pointed out it was a bit tacky and it might be better to chew with your mouth closed. Steph looked baffled and wondered "How would you breath?" HA! That cracked me up! I thought "what a bubble head" (pun intended!)

She went on to explain that you would have more trouble talking. At first I thought she meant that she wouldn't be able to breathe and talk at the same time but what she was getting at was the chewing gum, easily swallowed if you started to laugh or gasp or, you might accidentally spit it out on someone!

The other week, Steph thought hemlock might be on the Bistro menu and wasn't sure what a shilling was. Steph is great! She's happy and joyfully daft, not gobby at all and out for fun. I hope we get to see more sides of her.



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Listen: Interview with Coronation Street Story Associate

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

A little while ago, we had an exclusive interview with Coronation Street Story Associate Furquan Akhtar.  You can read all about him here and find out what he does on our favourite show.

Now, Furquan's been interviewed on BBC Radio Manchester.  He talks about his work as a Story Associate on Corrie, what he does and how he does it.  It's very interesting stuff indeed.  He says there are 18 current writers on Corrie and he has to remind himself it's not real life!

Furquan reveals a little about the new Muslim family that will be joining Coronation Street too.

You can listen to the interview here.  Furquan comes in around the 44 minutes mark.



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Tuesday 18 February 2014

The faces of Corrie in 1962

(This post was originally posted by Llifon on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2014, reposted with permission.)

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next 10 weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.


In 1962, 105 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Len Fairclough (95 episodes)
2.    Ken Barlow (94 episodes)
3.    Albert Tatlock (94 episodes)
4.    Harry Hewitt (93 episodes)
5.    Elsie Tanner (93 episodes)
6.    Jack Walker (93 episodes)
7.    Concepta Hewitt (92 episodes)
8.    Ena Sharples (92 episodes)
9.    Minnie Caldwell (91 episodes)
10.    Martha Longhurst (91 episodes)
11.    Annie Walker (91 episodes)
12.    Frank Barlow (90 episodes)

Average age: 50

Note: This is the last time Frank appears in the top 12.


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Listen: Mark Radcliffe on Corrie's Ena Sharples

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

On BBC Radio 4 Extra Debut, Mark Radcliffe explores the life of Violet Carson, the actress who played Coronation Street's harridan Ena Sharples for 20 years.

Violet was a talented classical pianist and established BBC radio star, branching out into Shakespearian roles when the call from Granada came to play the hatchet-faced harridan in a hairnet.

The genteel Violet Carson became overshadowed by her character and claimed that Ena ultimately destroyed her.

But she left a rich legacy; Ena Sharples was television's prototype battleaxe and epitomised a particular kind of woman who dominated life in northern working-class communities. Mark Radcliffe came across women like Ena in the brick mill terraces of Bolton where his grandparents lived.

By day, Ena would be polishing the woodwork in the Glad Tidings Mission Hall, where she was caretaker; by night, she was installed in the snug of the Rovers Return with her two cronies, Martha Longhurst and Minnie Caldwell, gossiping over a milk stout and never taking their hats and coats off, even when they planned to stay all evening.

Featuring contributions from Tony Warren, creator of Coronation Street and of Ena Sharples. Geoffrey Wheeler, who worked with Violet Carson at the BBC, traces the quickfire delivery of Ena back to the northern music hall tradition. Melvyn Bragg talks about how Ena Sharples reflected life in the black and white world of the north in the 1950s. Scriptwriter Adele Rose discusses the pivotal relationship between Ena Sharples and her bete noir, Elsie Tanner.

The programme also includes archive of Violet Carson, reflecting on the mixed blessing that playing Ena Sharples was to her career and to her life.

Well worth a listen here.



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Monday 17 February 2014

Secrets of Hayley's floral Corrie coffin

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Greenfield Creations were honoured to supply the coffin for the filming of Hayley Cropper's funeral on Coronation Street. 

Greenfield had to submit three designs to and then wait months before knowing which programme it was for and why…and then keep a lid on it, so to speak. Though pleased to be approached, they weren't surprised the Coronation Street design team chose this type of coffin.

It's a reflection of the increasing amounts of customer awareness, involvement and demand for alternative funerals and burials. People really can choose a coffin to reflect exactly what they wish for, be it for themselves or a loved one.

As Greenfield point out, 'People are as different in death as they are in life and a personalised coffin can pay such a fitting tribute to the one who has passed.' Just as Hayley's did!

Greenfield Creations have been manufacturing cardboard coffins since 1990. 

Find out more about them here.




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Corrie Canada weekly awards for Feb. 10 - 14

The Perfect Duet award: Roy and Hayley.

Pants on Fire award: Tim pretending he'd not been beaten up by a girl.

Stew in your own juices award: Nick is sour, surly and morose. A little ray of sunshine these days. (#sarcasm...yes, I used the dreaded hashtag! That's how annoyed he makes me!)

Mother-in-law from hell: Gail of course. Blaming Leanne for upsetting her baby and making sure she knew it. Blaming Leanne for making Nick move back home and away from his mummy too.

Mother from Hell: Tracy of course. Had to bribe her kid to come back home. Has she turned over a new leaf? I hesitate to think so.


Deja Vu award: The stuffed marrow recipe is mentioned again. I love those little touches!

Gourmet award: Tomato soup, tuna and peas all mixed together. Could that start a new trend? It's just awful enough to do it.

Sean 1, Tim 0:  Even Sean knows you don't agree with your girlfriend when she says she thinks she needs to get fit. Leanne knew the spiel down by heart.

Pall bearing: Nice that Sean was included. Beth, though? I guess they wanted all stitchers aside from Carla but I would have preferred to see Chesney as a pallbearer rather than Beth.

Shreiking Harpy award: Michelle and the Catering Fail award: She picked up food from the floor and put it back on the plate!!!

Miss Cellophane award: Sophie was pretty easy to figure out, trying to get info on Maddy under the pretence of an interview for the newsletter.


Funeral stylin: Carla wore red as did Rita and a few others. Tim wore a green football shirt. Mary wore a Flamenco dress. Lots of bright umbrellas, too. Anna and Julie wore pink. Norris' tie was jazzy. And even the coffin had a garden of colours on it.

Contrived award: In no way would I believe that Maddie would suddenly kiss Sophie after that argument.

Lines of the week:
Gail "That Beth is from the bottom of the gene pool!"
Mary "No evil stepmother for Amy" (she doesn't need one, she's got the original!)
Tracy to Deirdre "I thought mothers were meant to supply sympathy" Deirdre "Yes, you're right. And you'd do well to remember that!" (Deirdre 1 Tracy 0 as usual)
Nick to Gail "Go buy a kitten instead!" Gail "I'm allergic to cats" Nick "Well I'm allergic to you!" (oh that's mature)
Stella to Dev's faux pas "I've never been so grateful to be unsexy in my whole life!" (ouch)
Tracy about Amy "She saw me coming" Steve "It's a miracle she sees you at all"
Deirdre "You can make all the excuses you like. But remember, you only get one crack at this"
Michelle to Steve "You are the laziest, most cowardly man I have ever met" Steve "And I'm not disputing that."
Norris "I'm not shuffling off like a piece of flatpack furniture"
Fiz about Hayley "She understood what it was like to be yourself" (and those were the words, I think, that made Roy see the light and let go of some of the anger)



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Sunday 16 February 2014

The faces of Corrie in 1961

(This post was originally posted by Llifon on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2014, reposted with permission.)

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next 10 weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.


In 1961, 102 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Elsie Tanner (85 episodes)
2.    Annie Walker (84 episodes)
3.    Ena Sharples (83 episodes)
4.    Jack Walker (83 episodes)
5.    Concepta Riley/Hewitt (78 episodes)
6.    Harry Hewitt (77 episodes)
7.    Martha Longhurst (76 episodes)
8.    Minnie Caldwell (75 episodes)
9.    Dennis Tanner (70 episodes)
10.    Albert Tatlock (69 episodes)
11.    Frank Barlow (62 episodes)
12.    Ken Barlow (60 episodes)

Average age: 47




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The return of Weatherfield County FC

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Was I the only Coronation Street fan cheering on Friday night when the Weatherfield County football top made its re-appearance?  We haven't seen one for years! 

Tim wore his Weatherfield County footy top to Hayley's funeral as his "splash of colour".  Or was it Kev's shirt he found in the back of Sally's wardrobe?

Weatherfield County FC is Weatherfield's principal football team, referred to as playing in the Nationwide Conference in the English non-league. The team has appeared in Coronation Street scripts since 1961 when David Barlow was a player.

Cockney bookie and Weatherfield bad lad Dave Smith owned the football club in the 70s and he also had a bit of a thing for Blanche Hunt.  Ken Barlow's brother David used to play for the team in the 60s until he was injured and couldn't play any more.

Warren Baldwin was signed for the team in 2004. The picture above shows Sarah-Lou and Candice heading off to watch Warren play a match. Sarah-Lou is sporting the green and white Weatherfield County football hat. Warren's girlfriend Candice Stowe becoming the Street's first WAG before she swapped WAGs for wigs and went off on tour as a hairdresser to Status Quo.

Here's Warren with the Baldwin clan looking on at a Weatherfield County match in Corrie.


 And Warren's dad Danny sporting his Weatherfield County scarf.

In the 90s, Racquel Wolstenhulme went out with Weatherfield County press secretary Gordon Blinkhorn and then through him she met and started dating striker Wayne Farrell.


And in 2005 Martin Platt became the football club mascot, dressing up as a rooster. He got himself into a race against a rival team's mascot, dressed as a fox and they raced against each other. The fox pulled Martin’s tail feathers and he stumbled and fell, leaving the cheating fox to win the race.  However, once Martin found out who was in the fox fancy dress, a woman called Robyn, romance blossomed and he ran off to Liverpool to live with her.

See also: Here's Stan and Hilda Ogden ready for action in a football game against the Flying Horse. 
See also: Carlos Tevez learns English watching Coronation Street




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Sunday Comments - February 16

Grief surrounds Roy, Carla and Fiz and Fiz keeps going over the last time she saw Hayley. More and more she's convinced Hayley was saying goodbye but when she asks Carla and Anna, they can't look her in the eye. She finally confronts Roy and pushes until he admits the truth. Then Fiz can't handle the truth and she's fiercely sure she could have stopped her! Roy's feeling guilty but also very angry and resentful that Hayley left before he was ready. Hayley said goodbye to her loved ones but they didn't know it and didn't get to say their own goodbyes. Fiz might be making it about her but it's another extension of the grief.

Fiz doesn't understand. She's all but lost her mother and thinks she could have prevented it and she thinks Anna allowed it to happen as much as Roy did. Now she's got to keep the secret, too or Roy gets in trouble. Carla's right, what good would it do now it's over? Fiz feels betrayed that Hayley couldn't tell her. So much pain. Nice scene with Carla trying to help her get her head around it. I guess it worked because Fiz apologized to Roy and got more of an explanation and she's seemingly coming around to understanding while Roy is struggling. A lot.

So now Fiz is helping Roy with Hayley's list for the funeral. You'd think he would be glad of something to help keep him organized but under the circumstances, brushing the shine on and off his shoes is as much as he can muster, stopped in his tracks by the discovery of Hayley's Memory book which he couldn't even look at and gave to Fiz. I think it must have been an uphill struggle for the Humanist Susie to deal with Roy who was difficult. Probably a good thing that Fiz was there. But Roy has no intention of attending the funeral. Now what do we do?

The day of the funeral arrives and Roy still plans to swerve it. Fiz did the right thing bringing the memory book back, it seems to have made the impression on Roy it was meant to have. He did get more and more upset looking at all the photos but it worked, along with a dose of badgering from Carla who would brook no other course. But did you notice, he still couldn't be without his trademark satchel!

Everyone of the neighbours turned out to say goodbye to Hayley in their way and honoured her wishes for bright clothing. Mary even turned up in her Spanish dress to reflect Hayley's love of salsa dance. And why not!? Tim wore a bright green football shirt, much to Sally's horror. I confess it did take me aback somewhat. The flowered coffin with rope handles, alone in the hearse without any floral tribute certainly made an impression and I loved Norris' horrified remark about flatpack furniture! I caught a glance at Dev, he was wearing white, which is traditional Hindu mourning. Nice touch. If Hayley's going to be "green" with a cardboard coffin, why a brass plate on it that will last forever?

Elsewhere, Michelle is shrieking at Steve for not calling a caterer but I kind of believe him when he says she told him she'd do it. He didn't have his usual shifty look like he does when he's lying and she finally did admit it later on. Then Steve did forget to get sandwich fillings! It was Nick's Bistro to the rescue there. Laughed at Steve unable to resist trying to juggle the food but why did Michelle pick it up off the floor and put it back on the plate!!!!!

Sally is squabbling about being a pall bearer, not because she was doing it but because she was at the back! Only proper Fiz and Carla lead the way but I was warmed to see that Sean was one of them. It didn't seem like Beth would be one but if you were choosing from the factory girls, the only other one of the stitchers was Eva and you wouldn't see that, would you! I think it would have been better, though, to have Chesney rather than Beth.

Elizabeth Fry's poem, the one Carla read, is always lovely. It was also read at Alma's funeral by Audrey. Kind of nice since it was Alma that introduced Roy to Hayley. I wonder if the writers remembered that point. Susie's service was really nice. You could see Roy's resentment building but I think Susie's words and those that Fiz managed may have made him realize the impact Hayley had on so many people's lives How being herself was what she was about. It seems to have allowed him to let go of some of the anger. He made a beautiful speech, just as he did at their wedding and he wanted them to see what she meant to him.

I like that it was Tyrone that stayed with Roy afterwards and I liked that Mary pulled Roy away from the fray and made an attempt, in her own way, of distracting him. Norris noticed, too. It was nice that Norris realized he was being a bit too offhanded with her. She's upset and shows it in different ways that others and his dancing with her out in the back was a nice gesture.

Funeral music. Don't Stop Me Now by Queen? I guess that's appropriate considering she wouldn't let Roy talk her out of taking her own life. But she touched Roy's heart with a Bach violin concerto because he thought it was the perfect duet. Just like them. "Close to You" as a singsong at the wake was heartbreaking. Nice, but just that little bit too much for Roy I think. He's gone walkabout!

I wonder why it took Beth more than two weeks to ask at the pub for a job when Tina left almost that long ago. Why is it so difficult for Beth to figure out a recipe? Surely it can't be so hard. Loved that Deirdre offered her stuffed marrow recipe! You can tell that Tracy must still be Beth's friend otherwise she'd have let her make it! And isn't Craig getting tall! Beth ended up using everything in the fridge including yogurt and Branston Pickle alotgether. The tomato soup thing would probably have been better! Well she's going to try to get her job back and as per usual, she gets it back with a warning. Cheeky madam, I'm sorry about your loss and can I have my job back? Well, it wasn't exactly like that but Carla knew what Beth was doing expressing her condolences to her. And I wonder if Beth is going to remember proposing to Kirk after the funeral? She passed out before hearing him say Yes!

Looks like we must be in for some sort of Bad Mommy storyline. I don't think Tracy feels guilty that she's not a better mother, she just doesn't like to be shown up by Michelle. But she's the one that wanted Amy out of the way so she could stay over with Rob. I guess now he's moved into Number 1, she could have Amy back and Happy Family appearances could be resumed. Laughed at Deirdre pointing out to Tracy that she's never been a very sympathetic mother when Tracy whined that Deirdre wasn't on her side like a good mother should be! Tracy ended up having to bribe Amy with a new game to come home!

Has Tracy actually turned over a new leaf, making all this effort to get closer to Amy? I can't imagine it could happen that easily overnight practically. Amy wasn't sick enough for it to be a real wakeup call though I do agree with Deirdre, Tracy still would pick her daughter over a man when push comes to shove. She's just got a funny way of showing her love. Gave Rob pause for thought, though, and he ended up joining the girls' night in with princess movies.

It didn't take Sophie long to figure out it was Maddy that smacked Tim. Now let's see what she makes out of it! I'm not so sure Maddy's flirting with Sophie is for real. It feels like she's doing it to get out of a jam. Sally is acting like Tim's the big hero, going on about a bruise that barely shows and Tim knows Sophie knows now, as well. Well it won't be long before Sophie outs Tim but Sophie still wants to protect Maddy too. Mentioning lauding Tim's bravery in the paper has put ideas is Sally's head. This is not going to end well.

So is Maddy telling the truth that it's her mother that needs the money worse than her? Turns out she's got a mother with mental health issues and a little brother. Sophie, working on her newsletter article, didn't fool the woman in the shelter who could see right through her. She was trying to dig for more info on Maddy who showed up, bruised. Sophie's interest was winning Maddy over but her interference is making Maddy hugely defensive. And why on earth, in the middle of a big argument, would Maddy kiss Sophie! That felt so contrived! When is Steph Sophie's new BFF anyway?

Nick is now really getting on my last nerve, sloping around the house all surly and cantankerous and snapping everyone's head off. Looks like the eggshell carpet is back out of the attic at Platt Towers. Buddy, you made your bed, you lie it it. At this rate, Gail's going to find it very difficult to keep on supporting him. He's actually acting like a cranky teenage David. Leanne knows how to sort him out. Piling on the work to force him to do some work at home? So when does he do it? when it's quiet at night? Of course not, he does the paperwork in the morning when everyone's getting ready to go to work/school and it's utter chaos.

And while we're at it, as everyone else is pointing out, if Nick's too volatile to live with Simon, why is it ok for him to be around Max and a baby? Nick can't even stay in the same room or pub as Leanne these days. ButLeanne realized how much all that chaos gets on top of him and insisted he move back to the flat and she and Simon will move into Number 13 with ...let's count... Stella, Gloria and Eva so that's five in another two bedroom house that doesn't have a front bedroom done up downstairs like they do in Number 11 and 1. And Gail? She's getting creepier with her hovering over Nick. Blaming Leanne for making Nick abandon his mother by moving back to the flat???

Dev and Kal are apparently going in together and opening a gym. It wasn't that long ago that Dev was barely able to keep from bankruptcy court. I guess business in that little corner shop, and the rent from the posh flat are doing wonders and he must be selling kebabs to all of Weatherfield! Not quite sure Dev is the image they want but he loves to be center of attention except he does realize he would be spreading himself too thin. Maybe being just an investor might be wise. I did laugh at Tim saying the wrong thing when Sally suggested she could get fitter. Leanne spewed off the correct missive at Sean's suggestion like a pro. Leanne 1, Tim 0.

I like Kal so far. I think Stella does too but I can see the way Kal looks at Leanne and I think that's where his interest lies. I guess it's that thing where the woman is in turmoil and vulnerable and the man wants to protect her and make it better? At this point, I think they might even make a nice couple.

Meanwhile, Dev might fancy Stella but he's not very good at flattering her is he? Where's that old Devster charm?

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Saturday 15 February 2014

Roy's funeral speech to Hayley

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Last night's Coronation Street was outstanding.  In fact, the last couple of months on Corrie has, for this fan, been the best its ever been. The drama, the writing, the acting, everything has been top class.

I can't let Roy's heartbreaking speech at Hayley's funeral go without a blog post of its own.

‘People deserve to know the truth,’ he said, standing up to address the gathered crowd. ‘I’m sorry, but they do.

‘The truth … the truth is, she was not perfect. She was flawed. She was real.

She was my light, my beautiful coruscating light. My life was a dark corner and she came into it. I could see. I could see the world with her. I understood life. I understood love. She was my constant, my comfort, my compass. 

Hayley was my truth, without her, I … ‘

And then he faltered and could speak no more.

And just when I thought I couldn't be further moved, they had to go and show Norris and Mary dancing in the back yard at the Rovers and I cracked up just a little more.





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Conversation Street Podcast 80

Gemma and Michael's podcast for the episodes in Canada that aired up to last night can be heard here. Don't worry, they don't do spoilers so you won't hear anything you don't want to!

This week the discussion surrounds Hayley's funeral and Roy's struggle, wonder if there's more to Maddie than meets the eye,  and talk about Tracy's apparent Good Mummy turnabout. The character profile is all about Dev Alahan.



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Coronation Street kisses for St Valentine's Day

Here's some Coronation Street kisses for St. Valentine's Day.

You might also like to see our Fab Photo Friday for today.

What are some of your favourite Coronation Street romantic moments?  I think mine might include Spider and Toyah in a tent on the Red Rec, and Vera and Jack on their allotment when Jack sang 'My Old Dutch' to his missus. 




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State of the Street - January 2014


It was a sad month on The Street. We said goodbye to Hayley and watched Roy struggle with his anger, pain and resentment. There were people missing from the funeral, some surprising but that's nothing new. Kylie and David are back on an even keel but Nick and Leanne have fallen apart and Gail is creeping me out.

See the State of the Street here for this and more.



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Friday 14 February 2014

Corrie Canada sneak previews for Feb. 17 - 21


Without further ado here is a brief sneak preview of what you'll see on  next week's Corrie in Canada.


Tina returns temporarily. Tracy finds out about Rob's indiscretion. Carla plays matchmaker. Peter backs Rob and Tracy. Owen makes the moves on Anna. Sophie sees a different side of Maddie. Lloyd fancies Andrea and it might be mutual but Steve isn't happy about it. Gloria's leading Dennis on. Dennis is jealous.



For more details and photos, visit the Moosejaw Mercury at Corrie.net



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Ken Barlow waxwork returned to Madame Tussaud's

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog February 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

In May of last year, the waxwork of Coronation Street's Ken Barlow was removed from Madame Tussauds in Blackpool.  Now that William Roache has been cleared in court of all charges against him, the waxwork of Ken has been put back on display.

Matthew Titherington, the attraction's general manager, said: "We made the decision to temporarily remove the Ken Barlow figure from display in the middle of last year, after we received a number of comments relating to its continued inclusion - but, even more importantly, witnessed some unacceptable behaviour from a very small number of visitors. Behaviour we did not condone in any way.

"We said at the time that it was always our intention to review this decision in the light of future events and therefore we are reinstating the figure in time for half term. Madame Tussauds never comments or moralises on the character or specific activities of the figures we include. Our figures are chosen because we, and our visitors, believe that they have made a significant contribution to the world around them or in their chosen field - good or bad - or they earn their place through visitor demand, as in the case of Ken.

"The Coronation Street set in Madame Tussauds Blackpool is a very popular part of the attraction and has been since it opened in 2011. It is our overall objective must always be to ensure that all our visitors have an enjoyable visit with us."



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