Monday 30 April 2012

Corrie Canada weekly awards: April 23 - 27

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Henry VIII Award: Steve.

Philosopher's Award: Ken.

Regaining a spine award: Ken finally stood up to Tracy.

Crap Detective award: Peter's been using his "councilling" several times a week for ages to see Carla but the detective took this long to catch them, all the way out of town?

Cliche award: While Robert Vaughn is a great actor, what's with the cliche writing? A round of boozes? Mosey to the restaurant??? Really??

Gourmet fail award: Kylie, bless her, probably never knew what a vegetable was while she was growing up. No wonder she thinks feeding Max crisps and junk food is acceptable. David should know better.

Agony Aunt award: Stella's councilling patient of the week: Deirdre.

Fraud award: Gold Star: Sylvia was pretending to Milton to be far more upscale than she and her family are. Truth comes out so now there's lofty ambitions to take the place.

Performance Fail: Apparently, though Brian has only been the head of the school for a couple of months, he's on the edge of losing his job. You'd think they'd give him more of a chance than that.


Lines of the week:
Ken "Every solitary lesson just bounces off her like radiation off a cockroach. The Teflon Kid!"
Steve to Tracy "You mean it turned you into a lying deceitful cow? Because that's what people round here think you are anyway!"
Steve to Tracy "I did the right thing. It just turns out i did it for the wrong flippin woman!"
Steve "I'm collecting wives like my brother collected stamps"
Ken "I lost the woman I love. More than once." (HA)
Kylie "I blame Jamie Oliver"
Deirdre "Tracy doesn't do remorse but I do believe she feels it" (Only when she gets caught)
Roy "Americans are very tactile...unfortunately"


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State of the Street: January 2011

It's that time again, time to witter on about some of the storylines that passed across our screens in January.

Is Tyrone going to be put through another "It's not your baby" speech this year? Is Old Trafford going to be turned into the new creche for all the children on Coronation Street?

How long will Sophie and Amber hide in the cupboard where they've retreated after the wedding fiasco? Will Becky remember to wear her sun cream on that beach in Barbados?

How much blood will Tracy leech out of Steve before he manages to get rid of her? Or will his liquid spine melt even further? Whose relationship is causing more eyebrows to raise, Paul and Eileen's or Frank and Sally's?

All this and more on State of the Street for January.

As of the end of this week on our screens in Canada, we are up to February 3, 2012's episodes. We're gaining, folks!

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Sunday 29 April 2012

Sunday Canadian Corrie Comments, April 29


And the fallout of Tracy's lies and manipulations is widespread, loud and ugly. Ken is horrified at Tracy and Deirdre. Steve is fed up and feeling guilty that he didn't believe Becky and he's lost the latest love of his life. Steve has most definitely dumped Tracy. Let's hope he never again succumbs to a moment of weakness. I couldn't stand it! But guess what? He can't get an annullment because she'd have to agree to it and she won't. I guess she figures if she gives it enough time, she can work on him and win him back. I really  loved the scenes with Ken and Steve commiserating over a bottle of whiskey. Absolutely brilliant stuff! You don't often see Ken in comedy type scenes.

He's made his stand and he's chucked Tracy out. Where does she go? Down to the house that also has her name on the deed and here we go with the newly minted McDonald wars. I suppose it's apt that the house number is unlucky 13. St. Ella has brought Deirdre in to the back for a councilling session, yet another person she barely knows but you know, when there's someone in need, there's St. Ella indeed. But at least she didn't take Deirdre's side and she did talk sense.

Steve is stuck with Tracy but why couldn't he go to the Caribbean for a quicky divorce? Would that be recognized in the UK? Tracy is sure she can win him around. I wouldn't bet on it and i fervently hope he doesn't go back to her in the long run. Tracy cries crocodile tears for her mother's sympathy so that her mother will plead her case to Steve. But Steve appears to have a plan, and it involves Owen. What could it be?

Sally's having sleepovers at Frank's and he's facing a trial. Frank's mother truely is ruthless when it comes to business. I'd say Frank takes after her, too,

Paul is having sleepovers at Eileen's and he's facing a disapproving Jason. I don't think what looks like a truce is going to last. It does feel a bit callous. I know the poor man needed a break and that's what the temporary respite home is for but it feels a bit much for him to jump right into bed with Eileen. I really do sympathise with him, it's such an awful thing he's got to deal with. He's carrying so much guilt for wanting some caring and love in his life, something his wife can't give him anymore but it feels wrong because it seems so out of character for Eileen to do. I'm with Julie, I think she's crossed a line. The rest of the storyline is quite good and the actor playing Lesley is fantastic, very believable.

Norris' eyes popped out of his head when he saw Eileen and Paul snogging on the doorstep, shamelessly. Eileen moaned about Jason's dad. What about Todd's?



Peter is trying to find a way to have a sleepover with Carla. More ducking and diving with Carla and Peter but she came across a client and had to run out because she thought Frank would catch her. She got into Peter's car and Frank saw her anyway. Where the heck is that private detective anyway? Pretty rubbish, if you ask me. She's back on the job and finally, when CarPet finally manage to get to a nice hotel in Chester and they are busted! They don't know it yet though. Meanwhile Stella's suspicions are even more on alert finding out that both Peter and Carla are out of town for the night.
Just in time for the trial. There's no way a rape victim would be able to encounter the accused out in public in front of the courthouse and the ITV production team has since admitted that was an error, showing that. It's dramatic license but they don't want real life cases thinking that's what happens. Carla's testimony was riveting, and did I spy a little flicker of remorse on Frank's face, just for a few seconds? But when the subject of finances and the factory came up, that was wiped off and it was back to shooting daggers.

Maria's testimony didn't go that well, and it makes me so angry when they bring up how someone is dressed!!! It also made Carla look pretty callous. Perfect timing, eh? Giving those photos to Leanne during Peter's testimony? So much for his lies about he and Carla not being in a relationship. And so the first of the people to stand up and holler out at a trial is Leanne. And it doesn't matter. You can tell the jury  not to pay attention to something they've heard, they can't unhear it and Peter got caught. He had to admit it. The jury is allowed to hear that one and remember it! It looks like this trial is about to go very badly for Carla and it's put Frank just exactly where he wants to be. 

I wonder if they legally could have brought up Peter? Well i suppose if they can accuse a woman of "asking for it" if you wear a short skirt, they can accuse you of having an affair and lying about a rape. There is an affair, but it didn't start until after. And Frank couldn't show the solicitor the photos, he had a better plan. He got his mother to give them to Leanne and outed the affair that way. Of course someone has to stand up and protest/holler. It's a standard soap thing.

Nick has finally moved out! Gail plans on lending the woman's touch to his new flat but I think Eva might have something to say about that. (Dev's posh one around the corner, why didn't he just ask Dev in the first place?). David and Kylie are immersed in parenting, going to the school parents' night and everything. Too bad they've already run aground with a scolding from headmaster Brian about school lunches. If he's the Head, why is he even checking all the kids' lunches? Wouldn't the class teachers be the ones doing that? Kylie does have a point, though what Brian eats on his own time is his own business.

The competition is looming. Norris thought he could cheat but then the piano's auto playback feature broke. Now what? And there's Sylvia's fella, Milton come to surprise her but good heavens couldn't the cliche fairy have given the character a miss. Even Brits don't say "boozes" and Americans most certainly don't and what's with the "Moseying"??? He's not even got a Texan accent. Anyway, apparently the Rovers still has a piano. Where on earth was it stashed? Looked like a closet! 

Anyway, the competition was a bit of a washout and Norris and Mary's scheme to pretend they didn't know the piano was broken didn't get far because apparently the Rovers has a piano hidden away somewhere. Mary had to practially break Norris' fingers to get him out of it. Sylvia is ushering Milton around the neighbourhood and it was quickly clear that she'd bigged up her surroundings and life.

Laughed at Milton thinking Nick's Bistro was Roy's but i suspected he knew all along that Sylvia was hedging things when he met Roy in the pub the first night. He was kind enough to let Sylvia come clean on her own. Milton interacting with Roy was fun, too and now the big business man Milton wants to take over!

Brian is being pushed to raise the test result scores of the kids at school. This despite the fact he's only been there 5 minutes.

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Friday 27 April 2012

What do you think of Frank's trial so far?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Well, it's the start of Coronation Street's trial week.

This week we had Carla, Peter and Maria in the dock with Anne passing on incriminating pictures of Peter and Carla to Leanne in the gallery.  By 'eck it's all going to kick off.

But what do you think?

Will Frank go free as rumoured by tabloid spoilers? And if he does, will that mean he'll have to get his comeuppance later on down the line?

Another tabloid rumour has it that Frank will get killed off. And as we all know, soap rule number 65 says villains never go unpunished.  And of course of these two filmed endings there can only be one result. But what will it be?


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Sneak Preview of next week's Canadian Corrie, April 30 - May 4

Here's a sneak preview of next week's Canadian Coronation Street:


Frank testifies. Will he be convicted or set free? Leanne reels from the shock of discovering Peter and Carla's affair. Will Peter take her offer or will he go forward with Carla? Carla encounters more problems at the factory.

Steve executes a cunning plan. Tracy is not amused. The war at Number 13 escalates.  Milton also has a cunning plan. Will Roy think it's a good idea? Rosie gets good news but her celebration with Jason gets them into hot water. Katy finds motherhood exhausting.


For more details and photos, see the Moosejaw Mercury on Corrie.net

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Thursday 26 April 2012

Corriecature of the week: Sylvia Goodwin

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

These wonderful Corrie caricatures are created by talented artist Pickled Jo. Some of the Corrie cast even use their own caricatures for their profile pics on twitter, and I've long been a fan of her work here on the Coronation Street Blog. 

Pickled Jo has even done the poster for the Fat Brenda stage show, starting in Harrogate, Yorkshire, in April 2012.

Today's Corrie caricature is Roy's wonderful mum Sylvia Goodwin.

Follow Pickled Jo at her blog, on twitter, and join her facebook group.


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Wednesday 25 April 2012

Coronation Street set to receive listed status?

Coronation Street set to receive listed status?

There's an excellent article over at Manchester Confidential who reveal that when the Corrie set moves to Media City in Salford next year, the current Coronation Street might get listed status. Listed status could mean the set avoiding demolition.


English Heritage told Manchester Confidential: "We have received an application to consider the Coronation Street set for listing, and we are in the process of providing an assessment. An English Heritage advisor has visited the set."


Corrie publicity manager for the show, Stuart King, told Confidential: "There are no plans to open the new set to the public".  But what about the current one? Surely fans will be able to visit that once Corrie no longer need it for filming?  Well, the site says that the city centre ITV/Granada site, including the Corrie set, is judged as a 'surplus property asset' to be disposed of as a 'mixed use development'.  As such ITV have said 'no decision has been made on the future of the current set. All options are open'.


ITV made no comment when Confidential pushed them on whether it would consider retention of the set as a tourist attraction in the centre of the city. They repeated ad infinitum that 'no decision has been reached'. Given the prime location of the property there's clearly potential for the world famous Coronation Street set to be demolished should it not fit in with the plans of a future developer.


Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: “We recognise the importance of Coronation Street in terms of attracting visitors to the city. The show has a large fanbase in the UK and further afield, with large audiences in Canada and New Zealand. With this in mind, Visit Manchester is in talks with ITV about how to maximise the Coronation Street brand.” 


This fan says please, please, please keep the current Coronation Street set, turn it into a proper museum / learning and education centre for Corrie and other Northern TV and Granada memorabilia and open it to the public, please.



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Tuesday 24 April 2012

Kylie stepping out of Becky's shadow

(This post was originally posted by Rebecca on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2012.)

I never liked Kylie. I couldn't see the point of her, and I hated all the stuff with Max because it didn't show Steve or Becky or Kylie at their best. When David turned up with Kylie in tow, I inwardly groaned, because I can't stand David and did not relish the idea of them shacking up together.

However, recently I've been changing my mind about her. I love how she's stood up to Gail but in a respectful way, and I am really glad that she fought for Max to return to her and David, but also that she was understandably unsure about it. I really like the way she and David are together, and I like that having a grandchild around again seems to have softened Gail, so all in all I've been happy about the Platt household.

But I didn't like it when Becky and Kylie argued. They were awful to each other, and I think Kylie always came off as a brat. (I'm not saying Becky was perfect either). Since they buried their differences I have liked Kylie a lot more, and never more than in the past month or so.

Last week  there was a lovely moment when Kylie and Becks were dressed really similar, their hair high up on the backs of their heads, matching huge hoop earrings, little jackets that were completely ineffective against the Manchester winter. They'd never been more like sisters and it was reflected in their working together to get Becky's revenge.

To begin with Kylie was only around because of Becky, so it was a great idea to set her up with a new family before Becky left, to avoid her flailing around with no anchor. (I like people to have families - whether blood or friendship - can you tell?) She is a person in her own right now and I see a great future for her on the street, out of the shadow of her big sister. I'm so happy that she and Becky parted on great terms, and that Kylie has her son back.

Paula Lane is an amazing actress, I can't imagine anyone else in the part. I like Kylie - and I never thought I'd say that.

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Monday 23 April 2012

Peter's Girls

(This post was originally posted by David on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2012.)

Now amongst everything that was going on with Becky during Monday’s double-bill, there were several other stories happening during the main action. One of those stories featured was the continuing Carla and Peter ‘saga’ which I’m going to admit right now – I’m getting tired of.

Strangely enough for a long time I had championed Peter and Carla’s relationship and I always wanted to see them getting together. But since their affair started I’ve realised just how right Leanne is for Peter and how much I value their relationship. It’s not often that we are treated to a family such as Peter, Leanne and Simon on the cobbles, who aside from being a great family unit continue to engage the audience with interesting storylines and those fun breakfast scenes in the flat are always episode highlights for me.

For example, although I liked Lloyd, Cheryl and Russ, as a family they were incredibly dull to watch. The same can be said for Ashley, Claire and the boys. They were a nice family to have on the show but as far as being interesting the most excitement we had out of them during their last couple of years on the show was Claire's rooftop panic and then her exit.

That’s something that can’t be said for the Barlows. Peter and Leanne make a great team and Simon adds a bucket load of comic relief. But most importantly they are usually always supported by a decent storyline with Peter’s alcoholism being the standout. And while it’s not a boring storyline by any means, the current Carla and Peter affair is not playing out in the fashion that I’d imagined all those months ago when Carla confessed to loving Peter.

Maybe I just don’t like affair storylines or maybe I just don’t want to see one of my favourite Corrie families being split up. I don’t know, but what I do know is that Peter and Carla do not make a good couple. They’ve both got their own issues and in a way those issues are what have brought them together but I don’t see Carla as the love of Peter’s life. And I’m really not happy seeing the Barlow’s going though another affair storyline. I'd love for this affair to be quitely swept away under the carpet as soon as possible, but somehow I don't think that's going to happen - especially after reading next week's spoilers. And it's a shame that they are going down this route with the Barlow's because I'd much rather see Peter and Leanne trying to have a baby and bringining their fmaily closer togehter and not tearing it appart by another affair.

What does everyone else think? I know a lot of people like Peter and Carla together but the Barlow’s have become one of the most beloved family units on the street so I can imagine that there’s a fair few people who feel the same.

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Corrie Canada weekly awards: April 16 - 20

Reality check award: Katy and Izzy told Owen a few hard truths. He might have been a good parent but he was shocked to discover they were afraid of him when they were small.


Eating Crow award: Kirsty did apologize to Tina who wasn't very gracious about it.

Redecorate this house: Lloyd packed up and left. Where did all his furniture go? (aside from the sofa he burned).

Wrong thing to say award: "Anna... Babe..." Owen, when a woman is spitting nails, "Babe" is *not* the thing to say.

Biting off more than you can chew: Eileen really didn't realize how difficult looking after Lesley could be. Why didn't Eileen just go to Paul's house? Lesley might have been more comfortable.

Poor Pitiful Me award: Dev was sniveling because Steve didn't ask him to be best man. Maybe it has  something to do with you disowning him as a friend after Becky looted your shop?

Pop goes the weasel! I loved Becky popping a balloon with her cig!! Uh oh.... Trouble ahead, and chuckled at David and Gail scooting across not to miss anything.

Wedding Crasher award: She didn't wreck the wedding after all, but after Steve's nasty remarks, he deserved her revenge as much as Tracy did.

Fashion fail award. I really can't see the attraction in these "fascinators" everyone has been wearing. I really can't.

Lines of the week:
Becky "Many a fella's run for the hills after a date with me but this one's gone long haul"
Becky to Roy "You might wave a spatula instead of a wand but you are my guardian angel, Royston"
Hayley "I'm used to feeling my beliefs are out of sync with the world. I *am* out of sync with the world"
Becky to Kylie "You are going to get altitude sickness up there on your high horse"
Becky "You're gonna send me a postcard?" Danny "Every day, until you get on that plane" (OH God woman, go with him!!!!)
(Becky pops balloon with intent) Gail "We should stay away" David "Yeah, we should" *They run across!*
Sylvia "I will never again denigrate 'hoods'"
Becky "Revenge is going to be so much sweeter now he's chained to the cow"
Norris "It was like booking tickets for Psycho and having to sit through some schmaltzy RomCom with Hugh Grant!" (You didn't stay for the fireworks!)
Roy "We love you, too, Becky" (Now you don't hear that from him very often!)





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Sunday 22 April 2012

Sunday Canadian Corrie Comments, April 22

What's the next step now that Becky knows Tracy was lying for sure? Why break into the medical centre to steal Tracy's records of course. Kylie and Roy managed to get her away in time but she's not finished yet, not by a long shot. Kylie, with a heartfelt appeal to Gail who hates Tracy as much as anyone else, managed to help Becky get to Tracy's medical records. She pitched a fainting fit in the clinic office while Becky used the doctor's password which he hasn't changed since Gail worked there, to get the records. I'm surprised nobody heard the printer go, that was the loudest one i've heard in years! Becky now has the proof she needs!!!

Tracy is walking around with her head in the clouds, convinced she's going to be happy forever. Sure sign that it's all going to blow up, right? Right! But what on earth was she measuring in the house from the ceiling to half way down the wall on both sides? No window there for curtains. Anyway, Becky found out the truth. On the wedding day, Steve was again, vile to her. I think he deserved the revenge every bit as much as Tracy did. He really did betray Becky and really should have known Becky would never have done what she was accused of. He doesn't deserve to get her back.


Becky did interrupt the wedding but said nowt. She nearly didn't break the news at the reception and if Tracy hadn't been so nasty in the bog, she might have just slipped away. But there it was. She decided to break the news at the reception where they'd be married and stuck with each other. Revenge is sweet! She left with Danny in the end, a happy ever after ending for Becky! Awwwwww.....

All that aside, Tracy did look pretty on her wedding day. I did like her dress. A far cry from the charity shop one and blue Doc Marten's she wore on her first wedding day! I don't blame Steve for not telling his mother about his wedding. Liz would have skinned him alive for marrying Tracy! Can you believe Dev was sulking about not being asked to be Best Man? He's such a Diva. He also looked terrified at having to try to get Becky to leave the church! Can't blame him there.

You know, there haven't been too many weddings on Corrie that go off without a hitch, have there?

Some Goodbye Becky stuff on the Bluenose blog:
Farewell from me
Was Redemption of Becky a mistake?
What did you think of Becky's exit?
Where would Corrie be without Becky?

And.... looking after Lesley didn't go so well. As you might expect. Eileen's telly took the brunt of Lesley's temper. I don't understand why Eileen didn't go over to Paul's house. Lesley would have been more comfortable in her own home. Now Paul has put Lesley in a respite home for a break, just for a break though and wasted no time scampering to Eileen much to Jason's disgust. It's hard to reconcile having his mother be happy with the situation. It's a very hard spot to be in.


Sylvia has joined the 21st century and has got Sophie to get her on Skype (or "Spike" as she called it) so she could chat and video talk to him. Much better option. Laughed at her refusing to use her mobile because it would cost too much! She knew it was a failing argument too! Looks like there's going to be a new Landlady of the Rovers now that Stella and Karl have got a mortgage! Tina was persuaded by Tommy to change her complaint but Kirsty is still going to be investigated over the crash.

Peter and Carla are ducking and diving and managing very easily to meet up with each other yet the day of the wedding was the first time the PI seemed to have caught up with him and then Frank pulled her away from following him to Carla's to give her a rollocking for being rubbish. Carla's freaked out about the trial being pulled forward and Frank is furious because he can't get any evidence.

As you might expect, Anna did not take it well that Owen lost his temper and struck Faye. She was completely right, Faye did wrong but it was not Owen's place to discipline Faye no matter what she'd done. His overly strict parenthood came back to haunt him, too. Quite a good scene with Owen and his daughters who told him in no uncertain terms that yes, he was too hard on them as kids and they were scared of him. It certainly took him aback.

Faye lashed out at Owen because she thought he was taking her new mum away from her. It doesn't make it right but she probably doesn't know any better. Kids who have been through what she has need to be taught right from wrong with a lot more understanding, firmly so she can still understand there are consequences, but patiently and fairly as well. I still say Owen could have rebuilt the shed as cheaply as it cost him to build the pond using spare wood from other projects.

You know, Sally should know by now that you should never make snap judgements on your neighbours. She castigated Fiz for John's crimes and she's tearing chunks out of Becky without proof as well.

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The Connor sisters

(This post was originally posted by Chewy on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Back in 2006 when the Connor clan were first introduced, they were billed as being Corrie's own "Mitchell brothers" only for Paul to leave within a year and Liam a year after that.

For a while the Connor clan seemed dead and gone, except from Carla, but ever since Michelle and Maria were brought into the factory, there seems to be something of a sisterhood that has bloomed.

This shined through in tonight's episodes with both Maria and Michelle sticking up for Carla, and supporting her at the trial, I hope that following the trial, Corrie will build on their relationship, as I think they all have good potential.

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Corrie remembered from 1979: episode 1947

(This post was originally posted by Clinkers (David) on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2012.)

By crikey, we're off to the dim and distant past as we remember an episode first broadcast on 28 November 1979.

It's the day of Gail Potter's wedding to Brian Tilsley. Gail is looking pensive, probably trying to fathom out why she is wearing a grim blue towelling robe. Our Brian, meanwhile, is shovelling fried pork products down his throat at number 5, bouffant hairdo casting a shadow over the breakfast table. Ivy clatters around, possibly trying to distract any attention from her chunky brown crockery.

At the Rovers, Annie is preparing the Select for the wedding reception. Bet stands around sporting a long scarf tied to her beehive. As Annie remembers her own reception, Hilda screeches into view and ruins the moment. Annie orders her not to touch a thing.

Back at number 11, Audrey shuffles into view and lights a fag, or breakfast as she probably calls it. She utters a few motherly words of wisdom. No one remarks that she appears to be only a couple of years older than Gail but some things are better left unsaid.

Style-wise, the clothes are definitely of their time and are therefore hideous. The men are a sea of washed-out beige and grey. Maid of honour Suzie wafts by in a chiffon tent and even Gail looks like some medieval nun in her high-necked wedding frock. The guests are non-too glamorous either. Ena's sporting a black tea-cosy and armour-plated great coat, Albert's got his flasher-mac on and Deirdre looks as though she's popped out to the shops.

Sadly, wedding guests are in short supply. There's no Elsie, Len, Rita, Betty, Emily, Alf or Renee. Instead we get our first glimpse of Jack Duckworth, looking shifty on a church pew. Ivy's parents, Jim and Alice Nelson are also present. Again, the producers seem to have cast actors not much older than Lynn Perrie.

Gail sets off for the church, accompanied by Mike Baldwin and waved off by two extras and Fred Gee. The glamour of it all. Needless to say, the church is virtually empty save for the rent-a-crowd actors at the back. A man wearing a bow tie is playing the organ or possibly auditioning for something else as the miserable bride makes her way down the aisle. The guests are obviously bored. Ken and Deirdre have a chat, Stan tries to remember the name of his best man and Ena bellows the kind of 'shush' that could have doused the altar candles.

Gail delivers her responses like a minor member of the Royal Family, accompanied by some bizarre shots, one of which appears to place Brian about twenty feet from her. Anyway, the deed is done and Brian gives his lovely new wife a tiny peck on the cheek. Romance is obviously as dead as a cobblestone in Weatherfield.

Lines of the episode:
"I've got a tongue like a corduroy cap" (Suzie)
"It's hardly going to be a society wedding is it?" (Annie)
"By 'eck Hilda, you've lived life to the dregs" (Bet)
"He'll not make me cry, not Brian . . ." (Gail) . . .  oh dear

Let's end with Gail and Brian as we never got to see them - together in middle age!

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In pictures: The Six Weddings of Steven McDonald

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Steve McDonald is set to get spliced again next week so it's time to dust off the McDonald wedding album and take another look at all of his weddings. Not all of the weddings ended up in marriage and the one to Tracy Barlow next week won't either.   Here we go....


Mrs McDonald No. 1
Vicky Arden. Wealthy, orphan grand-daughter of Rovers landlord Alex Gilroy. Married in St Lucia on 18 August 1995. Divorced.

Mrs McDonald No. 2
Karen Phillips, they married for a bet on 30 August 2001.
Divorced.

Mrs McDonald No. 3Karen McDonald, they married again on 18 February 2004, this time for love not money.
Divorced.


Mrs McDonald No. 4 - Almost!
Friday 13 March 2009
Steve's bride, Becky Granger was too drunk and the wedding didn't go ahead

Mrs McDonald No. 5
Friday August 14th, 2009
Becky Granger - second time lucky?
Divorced.


Mrs McDonald No. 6
Monday January 23, 2012
Steve's wedding to Tracy went ahead but the marraige doesn't look to be going very far consindering the bomb dropped by Mrs McDonald No. 5 at the reception.

Behind the scenes at Steve and Tracy's Wedding:

We've had a few emails today asking for the location used for Steve and Tracy's wedding on Coronation Street.

With thanks to the lovely people who work in the Corrie crew, we can reveal that the wedding was shot at Arley Hall chapel.  It's in Northwich, Cheshire.  You'll notice if you look at their website that the chapel was also used for the wedding of Maria and Liam Connor. Clearly a doomed venue for matrimony!

Also, the scrummy cupcakes on the bar of the Rovers Return for the wedding reception were made by The Frostery.

And we've already blogged about where to buy Tracy Barlow's wedding frock.



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Saturday 21 April 2012

New Rovers' owner announced

(This post was originally posted by me on the Coronation Street Blog in December 2011.)

Here at Coronation Street Blog Towers we have been receiving reports of a tragedy set to hit our beloved cobbles.

Michelle Collins, who plays annoying bar manager Stella Price, appeared on the Lorraine show this morning and revealed that Stella and Karl will be buying the Rovers Return when Steve sells it to pay off his debts. (Well there's a surprise)

They will initially have problems getting the cash together: "They struggle to get the money together to get a mortgage. And they're turned down by a few people because they're 'too old'. But then you'll see what happens."

So what's it to be? Windfall from a dead relative? Lottery win? One of Karl's yankees coming up? At least with an inveterate gambler in the picture we have the grain of hope that Karl will get them into so much debt that it all goes wrong and Stella has to leave the Street forever. But I'll not be holding my breath as the producers seem to be convinced that the character of Stella is successful. Either that or they've invested so much in the character that they can't back down now.

Michelle also had this to say: "I'd love to create another iconic character, I think Stella seems to be a bit like the Mother Teresa of Corrie - suddenly she's everybody's agony aunt. They're injecting a little bit of steeliness into her. I think people have got to like you first, but now she gets involved in some big storylines. The love triangle between Carla, Leanne and Peter, she's very much involved in that."

I'm sorry Michelle but if Stella were going to be an iconic character then there'd be some sign of it by now and there isn't.

Yay or Nay: Will you miss Becky McDonald?

Becky has now left Coronation Street after exposing Tracy's lies and ruining her big, fat McBarlow wedding to Steve. 

But what do you think about the way Becky's being written out of Corrie and more importantly, will you miss her? 

Yay or Nay? Have you say!

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Corrie Chit-Chat

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Welcome to another in our occasional series of Coronation Street Chit Chat where we bring you lots of little snippets of Street news all in one place. These are the sort of news snippets that aren't strong or interesting enough to make it into a blog piece of their own.

Current Coronation Street cast members

Corrie trial - interviews with Andrew Lancel (Frank), Chris Gascoyne (Peter), Alison King (Carla) and Jane Danson (Leanne).  Oddly, Andrew Lancel says he's received a CV from someone wanting to be Frank's PA on Corrie. Crikey, even I know it's not real. Story.

Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) says she's 'move in love than ever' with her finance Max George, lead singer of The Wanted. Story.  And she also enjoys a girlie night out. Story.

Chris Fountain (Tommy Duckworth) says kissing Michelle Keegan (Tina) is 'awkward' Story.

Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) tipped for a new, huge, Corrie contract. Story.

Georgie May Foote (Katy Armstrong) on kissing Sam Aston (Chesney Battersby-Brown) on the Corrie set. Story.

Kate Ford (Tracy Barlow) says Tracy will never give up on Steve. Story.

And as Robert Vaughan joins Corrie as Milton, the Radio Times takes a look back via the wonders of YouTube at some of the past famous faces who have joined the cobbles.  Story and videos.

Ex-Corrie cast members

Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald) on leaving Corrie behind as she returns to the stage. Story.

Denise Welch (Natalie Horrocks) wins Celebrity Big Brother 2012. Story

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Farewell to Becky from me too

(This post was originally posted by me on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2012.)

Yes, this is one more tribute to Becky and Katherine Kelly. Most of us at Blog Towers have been on Team Becky most of the time she's been on Coronation Street. Me? I've had a lifetime membership.

I've done a character study and a bit of Becky's history on the show over here. I like to look at a character and how they've evolved over their time on the Street. I'm very glad Becky was able to leave with her head held high instead of dejected, with tail between her legs.

I know she's not been a favourite character for everyone, but nearly always has for me, especially once they put her under Roy and Hayley's wing. Pure gold and there was, for me, strength after strength as Becky overcame one kick back after another.

The party girl is still there, but she's going to be Billy's mum and Danny's girl. Yes, she'll probably mess up sometimes, but I think Becky's going to make something special of her life from here on in.

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Becky Granger - was redemption a mistake?

(This post was originally posted by Seapenguin on the Coronation Street Blog in October 2011.)

Katherine Kelly will be leaving Coronation Street fairly soon, and I never thought I'd say this, but I'll be sorry to see her go.

I really liked her as Kelly Crabtree's skanky mate, but quickly went off the character when she got involved firstly with "Royston and 'Ayles" and then "Stevie-babes". The Corrie team seemed determined to "rehabilitate" Becky, but sadly they went way OTT. It was completely overdone, cloying and nauseating, and in my opinion a total mistake. For quite a spell, Becky seemed to dominate every episode and had me literally reaching for the remote. And the "Kylie and Maxie" storyline was awful, awful, awful.

However, I've warmed to her again since she split up with Steve, left the Rovers and started working in the factory. Her scenes with Kirk have been funny, and her scenes with Tracy Barlow would be good, if (I'm sorry to say it) Kate Ford was a better actress. She's also gelling well with Sylvia, Roy's mum. All in all, I'm finding the character much more interesting and watchable now, just as she's leaving! I'd very much like to see Becky with a juicy exit story, because Katherine Kelly really does deserve it.

Anyone else have a view on this?

Friday 20 April 2012

Becky's exit: What did you think?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

What did we all think about Becky McDonald's final scenes on Coronation Street? It was a slow burner - and real twist - when she didn't destroy their wedding. But oh, that taste of revenge when she let them get married so that Steve would "be chained to the cow".  And then she picked her moment in the Rovers, quietly done and very well so, to reveal that Tracy's twins had been miscarried before she fell down the stairs at Becky's flat. And flying off to Barbados, first class, after crying real tears while hugging Roy and Hayley. A wonderful couple of episodes.  What did you think?

Here's a Youtube you might find fun, as well.




There's a wonderful article about Becky McDonald's exit from Coronation Street online at Ian Wylie's website The Life of Wylie.

Ian was at the early screening of the wedding and Becky's exit epidodes and describes in detail about being a life-long Corrie fan and what these two episodes in particular meant to him.

He interviewed Corrie producer Phil Collinson who revealed that when Becky hugged Roy and Hayley goodbye in her leaving scenes on the Street, the tears were all real. 

Phil said: “They were real tears for all of us. It’s such a close team making Coronation Street.  You have to be when you’re making that much television – working together that closely for that number of hours under that intense scrutiny and pressure. We’re all close. And it’s hard to lose somebody so integral to your team.”

Read the full article here, it's well worth a read.

And here's yet another take on Becky's exit. Also worth a read. 

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Bye Bye Becky, Where would Coronation Street be without you?

(This post was originally posted by Rebecca on the Coronation Street Blog in December 2011.)

Confession time: I kind of sort of know Katherine Kelly. I always thought she was a fabulous actress and I was delighted when she turned up on Corrie. Becky was a Corrie classic, I think, a proper brassy Northern tart-with-a-heart, a character that has a long history in literature and indeed in Corrie. I loved her, and I loved the fact that she argued with everyone, and that she became close - and in many ways a surrogate daughter - to Roy and Hayley.

Where they went wrong with Becky for me was pairing her with Steve. I thought they had absolutely no chemistry and it seemed like he just arbitrarily swapped from a relationship with Michelle to one with Becky. Then Becky turned into a control freak and Steve could never seem to stop her madcap schemes. I was so glad when they split up - now Becky's back to skulking on street corners having a fag. (I do love a bit of this: see also Peter). The age gap between them was never mentioned but should have been - there must be about 10 years between them at least, and this could have been exploited more I think.

I'm sad that she's leaving, but I hope Katherine will be seen on TV in the future. I do think that Becky's time has come to an end; there isn't much else for her to do, I don't think. She would need more of a family and she hasn't got one on the Street. (Mind you, neither does Steve, especially if HOPEFULLY he and Tracy break up, but no one seems in a rush to get rid of him - more's the pity). She's also never really been that friendly with the other women on the street, although I did love her recent scenes with Lloyd. I do think that Becky is a Corrie classic, if not yet an icon, and who knows we may see her in the future - but for now I bid a fond farewell to her.

Sneak Preview of next week's Canadian Corrie, April 23 - 27

Here's a sneak preview of next week's Coronation Street in Canada:


Frank's detective spies Peter and Carla and the evidence of the affair is revealed just as Frank's trial reaches a crucial point. The secret is out. Will it  hurt or help Frank's trial?

Tracy is determined to get Steve back and Steve is wallowing in self pity with Ken for company. Kylie and Brian clash over school lunches. Eileen and Paul are together but their friends find it uncomfortable. Sylvia and Norris compete and Sylvia gets a big surprise when Milton arrives. How will her family like him?


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Ex-Corrie actor Davy Jones

On February 29 of this year, actor Davy Jones died.


Davy Jones, Manchester-born lead singer with 60s band The Monkees, has died aged 65, his publicist has confirmed. He died in his sleep at his home in Florida. His publicist, Deborah Robicheau, said he had a massive heart attack.


The band, who included musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, were famous for hits including Daydream Believer and I'm a Believer.


Early on in his showbusiness career Davy Jones appeared as Ena Sharples' grandson Colin Lomax in Coronation Street in 1961.



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Fab Photo Friday

(This post was originally posted by me on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2012.)

It's Friday again so it's time for this week's fab Coronation Street photo. Here are Blanche and Norris sharing a smile and a mint imperial at Weatherfield Crown Court. It looks like somebody must be about to go down given how happy they look but why is Curly looking so glum? Who's on trial?


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Thursday 19 April 2012

Sunita's cleavage

(This post was originally posted by me on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2012.)

There's been a lot of comment on the unlikelihood of Sunita baring her "girls" behind the bar for all and sundry to see.  Sunita has always dressed nicely in the past, even sexily but she's never been so revealing. Did she do it specifically to wind up Dev? If so, it worked. I had a few more thoughts on it and her future behind the bar over here.

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Falling Back in Love with Coronation Street

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Last night I fell back in love with Coronation Street.

It's not that I've fallen out of love with it totally, we've still had a bit of a thing going on but since last summer's silly season of Stape where Corrie was foisted on us every night for a week to wrap around another ITV media product, I switched off my favourite soap for the first time in my life.  And I'll never forgive Phil Collinson for that. 

Once the summer silliness calmed down I switched back on and got back into Corrie only to be truly disappointed by my favourite soap using rape to boost ratings. And I'll never forgive Phil Collinson for that.

And so it's been like that, Corrie and I over the last few months. The programme's been on, I've been watching and blogging. But I've also been watching and despairing, wondering where the humour's gone, the warmth, and most important to this fan - hating what Phil Collinson has done to kill the emotional strength of the women.

But last night something changed. I can't remember loving two episodes of Coronation Street as much as I enjoyed last night's double bill on Friday 20th January. I'm naming that date on my calendar my Corrie watershed. The programmes blew me away with the drama and humour, both written by Corrie writer Chris Fewtrell.

It's mainly to do with knowing that Tracy Barlow will get that twisted smile knocked off her psycho-face for an episode at least, on Monday next week when Becky ruins her big fat McBarlow wedding to Steve by turning up with that piece of paper she printed off in Doctor Carter's surgery, showing Tracy to be telling lies about losing the twins. The tension - and humour - last night when Becky was frantically logging in and printing off Tracy's medical records while Kylie feined a faint on the waiting room floor was just magic. 

And behind all the shenanigans with Gail joining in to help bring Tracy down, was a desperate Eileen laying herself out as a doormat to get closer to Paul, by trying to be a carer for Paul's wife Lesley, who's struck down with early-onset dementia.  Paul's wife should be getting professional care and I love this storyline for showing how important professional adult social care is in situations like this and how not just anyone can, or should, do it.

I'm also loving Kylie and Becky working together as a team and it's such a shame that just as they're working well and getting on, joining forces to become a formidable sisterhood that Becky will be leaving next week. But her spirit and style will live in on Kylie for sure.

Also last night we had some wonderful, powerful scenes between Anna and Owen where she laid down the law over him hitting little Faye. And just as powerful, for this fan, was Owen sitting down in the cafe with his daughters Izzy (a wonderful character played by a fantastic actress) and Katy and being told some home truths about his parenting skills.

There's a lot to look forward to in the coming months on the Street. We've got more of the wonderful Sylvia with the fab Roy and Hayley and of course Sylvia's man Milton arriving from America. We've got charmer Lewis returning and I can't wait to see Audrey's face when he does. There'll be the fall-out from Tracy's lies being exposed although it doesn't seem to matter what that twisted-bitch does, there's a murmur of discontent from Deirdre, a tut-tut from Ken and a couple of episodes move on and everyone's forgotten all about her latest bit of nastiness, even manslaughter.

So there you have it. I'm falling back in love with Coronation Street. 


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Becky vs Kylie

 I've read a few remarks on a couple of the Corrie forums that mention how unfeeling Kylie has always been whereas Becky, though volatile, has a heart and cares for people. Kylie is now starting to soften up a bit and not before time, they say.

But if you think back to when Becky first came into the show, she was very like Kylie in many respects. She was only out for what she could get and she was a troublemaker. She even let her (ex cell-) mate Kelly take the blame for the robbery she committed. When she came back, she encountered Hayley who took her in. Roy and Hayley had faith in Becky and Becky eventually blossomed under their care and love. She gained some self confidence and with Steve's love, gained some more (though she still clearly had some pretty bad days where that's concerned).

Both Kylie and Becky had a lousy childhood. Becky tried to look out for her baby sister as best she could but if what Kylie says is true, their father or step-father (I just forget now, which Kylie said) was abusing Becky and she finally left. I don't know whether that story was Kylie's way of gaining sympathy but it seemed genuine at the time. Their mother was an alcoholic/addict who emotionally abused them as well. Both girls became tough and hard in order to survive. Kylie had a baby when she was probably about 15 or 16 and had him taken from her when she couldn't cope. No wonder. She had no way of learning how to be a good parent.

Kylie is, in my view, about 5 or 6 years younger than Becky. She too has serious self esteem issues and lashing out or looking out for number 1 (herself) is a result of that. Now that she's fallen for David, and got Max back, she is slowly starting to find her feet but she's got a long way to go yet. I think Kylie will get to where Becky has got to, and will allow herself to care for the people that have faith in her but it will be a bumpy road.

She knows being a mother isn't easy but she's finding out that motherhood is a lot harder than that. She's got support but she's still finding out that things like a proper diet for Max do matter. She'll probably never be a kind and generous soul. She may never lose that selfish side completely. But I think she'll get there.


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Wednesday 18 April 2012

Coronation Street spoiler: Betty's funeral to reveal Corrie secret

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

It's no spoiler to say that Betty Driver died last December and ITV is going to write Betty Williams' death into the show. This post talks about a spoiler but it isn't, really, because it doesn't say what the secret is.

There's a Coronation Street spoiler in today's Daily Star as Corrie producer Phil Collinson says that there'll be a huge secret revealed at Betty Williams' funeral. 

Phil tells the Daily Star: “Betty Turpin’s funeral will be shown in April and the scenes will be a treat for fans as they will be a celebration of what the Street does best. We will be paying tribute to Betty but behind the scenes will be the revelation of a secret she has kept hidden. I cannot tell you what it is but is a secret that Betty has taken to the grave with her and I can promise you that fans will be surprised. There is no love child or anything like that. The secret has something to do with the show’s history but I am saying no more.”
I wonder what it can be? Any guesses?

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Tuesday 17 April 2012

Corrie Chit-Chat

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Welcome to another in our occasional series of Coronation Street Chit Chat where we bring you lots of little snippets of Street news all in one place.

Current Coronation Street cast members

Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow, likes playing a bad girl and says she also wants to do comedy

Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky McDonald, has been interviewed a lot about leaving Corrie and says she went straight to the hairdresser to wash blonde Becky away after she left Corrie.  Corrie have left the door open for Becky to return and tabloids are already talking about her coming back.

As Becky leaves with Danny, the little boy who plays Danny's son, Billy talks about being picked to play the Corrie role.

Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald, says Steve's "an idiot".

Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, talks to his dogs using a psychic.

Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Webster, would like Sally and Kevin to get back together.

Helen Flanagan, who plays Rosie Webster, likes living in Wales.

Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor, launches The People's hospice appeal.

Andy Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland, says his wife isn't too keen on his dirty dancing on Ice.  Andy has also pledged his future to Coronation Street.

Ian Puleston-Davies, who plays Owen, talks about the Corrie smacking storyline.

Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully, says "it's heaven" to be back on Coronation Street.

Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz Stape, opens new Barnado's project.

Ex-Coronation Street cast members

Vicky Binns, who played Molly Dobbs, is starring in Alfie at the Bolton Octagon Theatre
Tupele Dorgu, who played Kelly Crabtree, is starring as Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago, now on national tour.

Celeb band-wagon time

And, yawn, Kerry Katona has been making her mouth go about wanting a role in Corrie. Again.

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What areas would you like to see on the new Corrie set?

(This post was originally posted by Chewy on the Coronation Street Blog in January 2012.)


This photo shows the precinct/tram stop set at Granada Studios.

After yesterday's news that the new Coronation Street set would be adding new areas onto the set, which areas would you like to see?

On the current set, there is the police station exterior, the Street set, and a precinct set, which you may not have noticed was a set. Small bit of trivia: the viaduct in the picture was the one used for the 1970s set and also for Davenport's garage in 2004.  And the final set, Weatherfield General Hospital's entrance.

On the new set, I think it would be great to finally introduce Tile Street, after the sheer amount of times it has been mentioned by Coronation Street residents. Also, if I'm not mistaken, Tile Street is also home to its own police station, so that could be introduced. Tile Street is meant to behind Victoria Street, according to old maps, and there is a back street for Victoria Street on the new set.

I would also like for the old Roy's Rolls / Rita's Kabin houses to return, there is apparently room to add things behind the bridge on Rosamund Street, so I'd put the back there. Anyway, enough of my ideas, tell us some of your own!

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Monday 16 April 2012

Stephanie Beacham releases autobiography

Stephanie Beacham, who played Ken Barlow's floozy Martha Fraser on Coronation Street has released her autobiography.

It's called Many Lives and the book contains a foreword by William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow. 

You can purchase the book from Amazon.
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