Cosy crimes and gritty sagas by Corrie Blog editor Glenda, published by Headline. Click pic below!

Tuesday 31 January 2017

What a belter! Wendi Peters wows on stage in Wonderland

Coronation Street fans know Wendi Peter best, of course, as Cilla Battersby.  And as Cilla, we all knew how well Wendi could act the brash, brazen, shrieking, screaming harpy who was mum to Chesney and Fiz.  What we didn't know about Wendi was how amazing she is to watch acting live on stage - and what a great singing voice she's got too.

Wendi stars as The Queen of Hearts in Frank Wildhorn's musical version of Alice in Wonderland.  Wonderland started its European premiere in Edinburgh before embarking on a UK tour and I saw the show at Sunderland Empire last night.

The musical adapts the traditional Alice in Wonderland story and brings it bang up to date. It starts in a tower block with a divorced, single mum and a stroppy teenager. But it's not long before mother, daughter and a friendly neighbour called Jack slide down into the rabbit hole and into the familar Alice story we know.
Kerry Ellis as Alice
It's a real feel-good musical show and just what was needed on a chilly Monday night.  There are some amazing scenery changes and some very funny laugh-out-loud set pieces.

Look out for the boy band, they're a scream...

Stephen Webb as Jack (centre)

... and the sexy caterpillar is worth noting too!

Kayi Ushe as the caterpillar
Sadly there are no production images of Wendi dressed in her costume as the Queen of Hearts and I would have loved to have blogged some of these because it's a costume and a half, a real show-stealer! 

I had no idea that Wendi Peters could sing, never mind sing so well. She belted out her show tunes all the way to the circle and back again, but her voice had another quality to it that made it distinctive, better, not 'stagey' at all.  I'd love to hear more of her singing, to be honest, and I can even see her in a stage play that's written just to show off her vocal talents, it really was something else.

As The Queen of Hearts, Wendi sang and danced her way through a couple of show-stopper numbers in the musical - all while eating jam tarts. I swear she must have got through about ten of them during the course of the show. She plays the comedy card to perfection and is well worth seeing on stage. 

I always say that you never know what our favourite Corrie actors are capable of until you see them working outside of the confines of the cobbles.  Not that I wouldn't welcome Wendi's Cilla back to Corrie at any time, she's sorely missed in our house.

Wonderland the Musical is a real feel-good treat and I highly recommend it.  I came out of the theatre smiling more broadly than the Cheshire Cat and give it 5 stars.

Dave Willetts plays White Rabbit

WONDERLAND is on at the Sunderland Empire until Saturday 4 February 2017.
Buy your tickets for Sunderland here.

The show then tours the UK and you can see the tour schedule here.

You can watch the preview trailer here:



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Spoilers for next week's Coronation Street, Feb 6-10

Without any piffle, here are the storylines for the week ahead on Coronation Street, all wrapped up nicely in 50 words or less.

Monday 30 January to Friday 3 February 2017

Rosie and Sophie return, Phelan enlists Seb into his schemes, Daniel reads poetry to Sinead, Leanne wants Nick to propose, Luke crushed under a car, Adam charms Rosie.

The full weekly preview, with pictures is right here on Corrie.net

Missed last week's Corrie?

Catch up with the Coronation Street Weekly Updates

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Love is in the air! Katie McGlynn speaks to the Blog about life after Chesney


Stevie Dawson caught up with fellow Rochdalian Katie McGlynn inside Studio 1 at Coronation Street studios in Salford. She revealed some steamy upcoming scenes and the possibility of a new Ken and Deirdre...

We've seen things get rocky between Sinead and Chesney, what’s caused that?
They’ve been together a while now and they’re known to be like an old married couple. It’s getting very mundane and they are annoying each other.

Has she changed?
I think she’s developing as a young woman, and you do change. She’s becoming more independent, especially with the modelling, she’s just growing up and the relationship with Chesney doesn’t seem to be growing with her.

Mysterious, exotic, different, as Daniel described her, doesn’t sound like the Sinead we first met…
No. When she first came into it she was very quiet, she’s quirky which I love. She stands out from the crowd, not your average Coronation Street woman.

What’s it like switching love interests?
At first it was a bit odd, it was like ‘ooh it’s not Sam!’ but I’m enjoying working with Rob (Mallard) I think he’s brilliant. We really get on and it’s good to play a different relationship, it’s a lot more passionate, exciting. I’m still working with Sam (Aston) it’s just not very nice! I am going to miss him.

Does Sinead just dump Chesney then?
It’s not for Daniel, she’s felt like this for a long time. She’s teetered around it but she’s found it very difficult because she doesn’t want to upset him. But Daniel’s come alongside and just pushed her to that decision. She’s intrigued by Daniel, she finds his intellect very interesting. He sees her quirky qualities and how she’s very practical, he’s more bookish.

Were you excited to get more involved with the Barlow family?
Yeah I love being in the Tinker household, but it’s exciting to be able to work with a new family on the street. You don’t always get to do that. We haven’t filmed too many scenes with me and the Barlow apart from Adam Barlow. Sinead and Adam do not get on. Which I quite like. The relationship between Sinead and Daniel moves very fast, they move in together and Adam’s there and she just thinks he’s stupid and quite arrogant. She compares him to Daniel a lot. And Adam tells Chesney about Sinead and Daniel sleeping together, that’s why she doesn’t like him.

Are Sinead and Daniel in it for the long-haul?
I don’t know, I though Chesney and Sinead were in it for the long-haul, but you never know!

What did Sam say to you when he first read the scripts?
He was really sad, I was as well. It means we aren’t going to work together as much. He’s got a good partnership with Dolly who plays Gemma, it’s a good double act.

Is there going to be a complete change in your character or is she still going to be the crazy one and Daniel might be able to put up with it more?
Because it’s so new, it’s having to move really fast, I’m not sure what the hierarchy is going to be like but Sinead is just going to be herself. The way she reacts to Daniel might be a bit different, she might idolise him a bit more.

Explain the scenes where she sleeps with Daniel for the first time…
Basically, he keeps popping up (everyone laughs), he’s always there, he needs somewhere quiet to study and she’s doing overtime at Underworld, so she says you can come and work in the factory. You can feel the tension but nothing happens at first. He’s not very nice to her to begin with, there’s a scene in the cafĂ© where Adam winds him up about being a virgin, so he’s angry. Then after that he says he’s really sorry and it drives them both to just think ‘let’s ‘ave it’.

How passionate does it get?
It’s pretty passionate.

Are there any nerves about big name cast members coming back, in terms of screen time for the other characters?
I’m not fazed by it. Kate Oates knows what she wants, whoever comes in it doesn’t really make a difference to me. It’s a bit of reassurance with Daniel, it’s good to be linked to him.

What if Chesney and Gemma get together?
She’d be happy if he’s happy. Maybe a little upset at first but she’d just be happy if he’s happy.

How do you film those drunk scenes?
I don’t know I just do it. I always dread scenes like that because when you’re drunk you’re always trying to act sober, and that’s how you can tell when you’re acting. With the dancing that’s how I go out on a Saturday night!

Could you see Daniel and Sinead as the new Ken and Deirdre?
Yes it’s very possible that it could go that way. He is like a mini Ken. It just depends if they are still together.

@StevieDawson


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Sisters Reunited: Brooke Vincent reveals her part in Helen Flanagan's return to Corrie

During last week's Weatherfield visit Stevie Dawson sat down with a cup of tea and some sandwiches in the Rovers with Brooke Vincent, who is returning to Coronation Street after a short stint in the theatre. Here's what she had to share:

Can you talk us through how Sophie returns?
It’s quite a funny scene actually, she gets out of the car and says hello to everybody and they see all these cases in the road, and then Rosie appears. So I bring her back with me. It’s a surprise for everybody else.


What’s it like having Helen Flanagan back?
It’s good, we’ve been messing about! Even though I was only away for a short time it’s nice to come back with somebody and me and Helen have obviously known each other for a very long time, she’s great, she’s good to have back. We are a bit like how our characters are written, we are very different.

Did you two stay in touch when she was away and what was your reaction when she said she’s coming back?
Well we stayed in touch but we didn’t get chance to see each other very often. As for coming back, I kind of had a conversation with her before I was leaving and she said I’d love to come back so I kind of told Kate (Oates) and then that was the last I heard of it. Then she rang me and I’d heard something so I asked her if she was coming back and she said yes darling Kate rang me and I was like oh that’s good then!

Kevin’s going through a bit of a tough patch at the moment with the garage but the Websters have always seemed to stick together. And Tim hasn’t met Rosie yet, so what’s the new dynamic like and how will that continue?
It’s like my mum having this daughter and then she comes in like a whirlwind, and that’s basically what Rosie is. Tim obviously has Sally who’s completely different to Sophie who’s completely different to Rosie so I think – obviously Joe (Duttine) loves Helen but character-wise I don’t think they know yet where they stand. But it is funny to watch.

What does Helen Flanagan bring to the show, as a person?
I don’t know whether I’m going to describe this very well (everyone laughs) but we had a scene the other day, and because she’s funny, she’s flouncing about and she’s a very ditzy character, and you’ve got me and Sally and Kevin who can be quite serious, it gives it different levels. It’s what families are. I’ve missed having her around, we did grow up together. It’s really nice to see Helen really happy and settled.

We know that Rosie brings trouble with her, how does Sophie react when she realises there’s sh*t going on?
Sophie doesn’t suspect anything, and neither does Rosie. You can tell because of how different the characters are and how differently we react, that the same situation wouldn’t have happened if it was Sophie living in the US. Rosie was always going to be trouble, but she’s away with the faries so doesn’t realise how much trouble we are in.

Photo credit: Metro newspaper
What reason do they give for coming back?
I was always coming back and Rosie misses Weatherfield.

Rachel Newton: I think later we realise for Rosie that live isn’t what it’s cracked up to be and things haven’t really worked out that well.

Did you ever think about permanently leaving Corrie?
No. Because of doing it from such a young age, you see this as normal. When it came up for me to do a play, it was nice to be able to do that and come back. This is like my home. Hopefully in a few years I’ll maybe go and do it again.

Do you think doing live theatre has improved you as an actor?
You’d have to ask other people! It’s very different. What I learned is that I actually know quite a lot about TV work, which I never thought I did I thought I just breezed through life. I used to constantly change myself because of a camera being there, or adjust another person or stand in a certain way. So hopefully I am a bit better.

If you did want a change, what would be the first thing you would look at doing?
Ummm, well I really enjoyed radio, because I could be me. I had more input in it. (Brooke guest presented on Key103).

Rosie is probably going to dominate most of the storylines now you are back, do you know what’s coming up for you, in terms of relationships or do you have any inkling of any upcoming storylines?
No I’ve not seen Kate (Oates) yet but I’m quite happy just being with Helen for now. As much as se says I’m her safety blanket she’s kind of mine too. When we were growing up she took a lot of the brunt of fame and I learned from her. I’m not in a rush to say I want my character to be doing ‘this’.

Do you hope they re-explore the Sophie and Kate dynamics?
I didn’t mind that storyline. For me personally, I get very arsey about this, but I think because I’m lesbian in the show, not everything I do should be about being a lesbian. It doesn’t need to be written about every time I do a scene ‘oh she’s a lesbian’ we are moving forward as a generation and you want it to be normal, we’ve said it and that’s that. There’s more to people than their sexuality. Have I said all that correct? (Everyone laughs).

If Sophie leaves the garage, where would you like her to go?
Well we (Rosie and Sophie) start window cleaning. So we’re like the Chuckle Brothers. I stand there doing all the work, obviously. It’s funny so we’re obviously enjoying playing that.

@StevieDawson 


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Rosie's back! Helen Flanagan speaks to the Blog about her big comeback

Last week I sat down in the Rovers with actress Helen Flanagan and a throng of media people to discuss Rosie Webster's big return to Coronation Street. Whilst she and Rachel Newton were tight-lipped on the details of Rosie's storylines, Helen revealed what is was like returning to Weatherfield after five years away, during which time she starred on I'm a Celebrity and had a baby with partner Scott:

Welcome back. It’s been a while, you’re probably a different person now to the one that left, there’s a brand new set, new characters – is it like coming back to the old Rosie or is it a completely new job to you?
It’s completely different – I left when I was 21 and I’m 26 now so obviously I’ve matured loads and obviously now I’ve got a little girl. I see it completely different now I’ve come back and I think when I was younger I enjoyed it but I probably didn’t really appreciate what a good job I had. I think when you go away for a while it can make you appreciate it.

What made you decide to come back?
I’ve wanted to come back for quite a while and it was just nice because they emailed me and asked if I wanted to come back. So I was just really excited!

Brooke Vincent said that she mentioned to Kate Oates about you wanting to come back. Does she get to take the credit for your return?
She did. We were texting and I was sending her pictures of Matilda and I just mentioned it to her. I get on really, really well with Brooke I absolutely love her to bits and it’s nice that I get to come to work and work with one of my best friends.

Have you enjoyed getting glammed up again?
Yes I think I have the longest makeup time! I think it’s because I have extensions in my hair. But I love going into work and feeling glamorous because when I’m at home with Matilda I do not look glamorous at all because you’ve got no time to put your makeup on, so I love that I get to work and actually get to look glamorous.

You're only back for a little while, you sound like you’re really enjoying it, is there any chance you might extend it?
Yeah I would love to stay for a little bit longer because yeah I am really really enjoying it. Se well just see…

How long are you back for?
Quite a while and then we’ll see how it goes.

Has Rosie changed?
I much prefer playing Rosie with a good heart, I didn’t like it when they made my character a little bit too catty. I like playing the comedy I think…

How has it been coming back into full time acting?
Well when I left I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do so I brushed up on my acting with my acting coach just to kind of refresh really, and then I just fell back into it. It’s like a family here.

What can you tell is about this boyfriend of Rosie’s?
There’s not a lot of background on him but she’s really naĂŻve and innocent about it and doesn’t really realise that she’s been set up, which I’ve enjoyed playing.

Rosie was always seen as a man-eater – who would you like to see her get together with in the Street? Adam Barlow?
(Laughs) Yes I think that might be something that happens…but he’s a bit of a lady’s man so I can’t see her having an actual relationship with him…he chats her up and I think he’s Rosie’s type but he’s not very nice is he, so it basically doesn’t work out.

How do the other Street residents react to her coming back?
Well they see police cars so…they probably think oh god! I don’t know what they’ll think of her being a window cleaner because Sally’s always going on about her daughter being a model!

You’re coming back at a time when there are some really serious storylines happening, such as Michelle and Steve’s – if you are here longer term, would you like to try some harder hitting storylines?
I think maybe down the line, but I do enjoy playing the comedy and the fun – it takes a massive toll on you doing the difficult storylines so I’m just enjoying doing the light hearted stuff at the moment.

WHAT WE KNOW: Rosie has been involved in some kind of set up involving her boyfriend and drugs which are eventually stashed at the allotment, she has a short fling with Adam Barlow, her and Sophie become window cleaners!?

See also my blog interview with Brooke Vincent.

@StevieDawson


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Monday 30 January 2017

Coronation Street Episode Review Monday 30th January


Peter states his intentions of not having any more children and he and Toyah discuss "a future with no ties and no responsibilities". Or rather, he discusses it. Toyah is rather more keen on some baby-shaped ties and responsibilities. As coincidence would have it, today's the day that Liverpool's fertility clinic has contacted the ex-Mr Battersby to tell him that the time's up on their frozen embryos. Toyah is conflicted, wanting kids, but wanting them with Peter, but Toby tries to persuade her that they can still get pregnant, can still be together and they seem to seal it with a kiss. Until she tells him she loves Peter, that is, and signs away the embryos and goes off to drink mocktails with Eva and Leanne in a spa. Even more coincidentally, cabbie Peter picks up Toby, who recognises him and breaks the news that Toyah is desperate for a baby. Perhaps Toyah should spend some time with Steve: he can get women pregnant just by gurning at them.

Are we ever going to find out what happened to Toyah and Spider and that juice bar in Streatham?


Kev and Tyrone are still at loggerheads, about everything from not saying "No thanks" to a cup of tea, to the fact that Kevin had an affair with Molly eight years ago. Phelan further rubs sodium chloride into the garage-shaped wound by offering to do the renovations on the burnt out shell of Kev and Tyrone's relationship business and has a jolly little laugh at their expense when Kev bops Tyone on the nose when he insults Sophie. Worse is to come as the insurance fails to cough up as they suspect Kevin started the fire. Anna offers to go back to work, but Kev has a better idea: suing David Platt for causing Anna's injuries.


Ken details his post-hummus possessions that are up for grabs, to Adam, who is a solicitor, lest we forget. He finds out that he's going to receive a paperweight and a third of a quarter of Ken's estate, which as far as I can see is a house (that had to be remortgaged for Tracy's trial) and some falling down furniture. Not really enough to keep Adam in camel-hair coats and hair wax. Later, Adam and Todd discuss what they would do in their fictional legal firm, Black Sheep Solicitors.

Jenny is planning for a fabulous wedding, with our without Aidan as a pageboy, despite Johnny's eye-rolling and Kate's ignorance of the engagement. She's thinking about rose arches, pottery pigs and the moon on a stick for the nuptials, until Johnny rains on Jenny's parade with talk of wedding budgets and pre-nups.

Cathy and Yasmeen continue to bond over their relationship failures after Brian packs up Cathy's belongings from Roy's flat. I know Brian is a tactless oaf, but his teddy bear impression was very funny. Later, he apologises with a touching (funny) story about Julie flushing his home-made toy snake down the toilet and it does seem that TPTB are going to put Cathy and Brian together, just to cause ructions with Roy.


No Monday reviews for three weeks, I'm afraid, as I'm off on me holidays.


Rachel Stevenson - on twitter.


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Plans submitted for Coronation Street set expansion

When it was announced that Coronation Street was going to go to six episodes a week, we also heard the set would be getting an expansion.

A planning application
submitted to Trafford's planning website reveals just how big the expansion of the set could be.

If approved it would give the street a lot of room to expand into. Hopefully we'd get to see a precinct set, possibly even the mythical Tile Street that everyone keeps mentioning!

By Chewy

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Preview of tonight's double Coronation Street - Mon 30 Jan

Monday 30th January
TOYAH’S FACED WITH A BABY DILEMMA Toyah is devastated when Peter tells her he doesn’t want any more children. Her husband Toby calls to see her to tell her the fertility clinic have been in touch regarding the future of their frozen embryos and she finds herself on the horns of a dilemma when he asks her to give their relationship another chance. Who will she choose?
KEVIN AND TYRONE ARE AT LOGGERHEADS Kevin is furious when he discovers that Tyrone has given Phelan the job of repairing the burnt out garage. Tyrone makes it clear he still believes it is Kevin’s fault they are in this mess and when a phone call brings shocking news it looks as though Kevin’s troubles are far from over.
KATE’S IN FOR A SURPRISE Looking like the cat that’s got the cream, Jenny shows the factory girls her engagement ring. Johnny wonders how he’s going to break the news to Kate but the decision is taken out of his hands when Kate arrives back from Bali - how can Johnny recover this?
ELSEWHERE Having made a list, Ken talks Adam through his will but when Ken explains that only a quarter of his estate is to be split between his grandchildren how will Adam react? And Brian rubs Cathy up the wrong way.

Monday 30th January
TOYAH REACHES BREAKING POINT Toyah catches up with Leanne and Eva at the spa. Noticing Toyah’s red eyes, Leanne wonders what’s wrong. Toyah breaks down and explains how much she wants a baby and how she went through years of fruitless IVF with Toby. When Leanne suggests she could still start a family with her new man, Toyah’s forced to admit he doesn’t want any more children. Alone Eva urges Toyah to tell Peter the truth about how much she wants children but Toyah’s worried it could be the end of their relationship. Meanwhile Toby gets into Peter’s cab as he heads for the station. Recognising Peter as the man who stole his wife, Toby bitterly reveals how Toyah’s obsessed with IVF and getting pregnant. Peter’s stunned.
KEVIN’S GOT A SHOCKING PROPOSAL FOR ANNA When Kevin admits he punched Tyrone, Anna resolves to go back to work and do her bit to get them out of their financial mess. In a bid to solve all their financial problems, Kevin tells Anna they should sue David Platt and go after compensation for her injuries. How will Anna feel about his suggestion? Kevin confides in Anna that the insurance company is refusing to pay out as the cause of the fire looks to be arson and he’s the main suspect.
JONNY GIVES JENNY A REALITY CHECK As Jenny swoons over wedding magazines and boasts to the factory girls how she’s going to have the wedding of her dreams, Kate warns Johnny he could end up penniless if he’s not careful. How will Johnny react? Aware Jenny’s getting carried away, Johnny suggests they should have a wedding budget and pre-nup in case things don’t work out.
ELSEWHERE Detecting Adam’s disappointment, Ken explains he has to put his children first. As Ken heads off, Adam throws him a look of contempt. Todd clocks this. In the Rovers, Adam reveals his plans to set up his own legal firm and make some serious money. Todd says he’d be interested in coming in with him. Drunk, Adam confides in Todd how he wants revenge on Ken who’s punishing him for being Mike Baldwin’s son.

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Sunday 29 January 2017

Actress returns to Coronation Street in her 5th role

As we've seen from the preview pictures from ITV,  Peter Barlow will be in cahoots with a new woman in Coronation Street this coming week.

The woman will be called Chloe and is being played by Jo-Anne Knowles. 

Jo-Anne has appeared in Coronation Street in four earlier roles.

She has played... (with thanks to Corriepedia and Corrie net)


1995: An unnamed Nursing Sister at Weatherfield General when Tracy Barlow was admitted.

1996: TV reporter Gilly Saunders who interviewed Lily Dempsey about Mayfield Court.

1999: Housewife Mrs Hardy. A former beauty queen and customer on Gary Mallett's window-cleaning round. Whilst cleaning her windows, he disturbed and tried to apprehend a burglar. For his efforts he was first accused of being a burglar and later thumped by Mr Hardy after Gary had seen him kissing a young woman and his wife found out.

2001: DC Ann Short who was involved in the alleged disappearance of Linda Baldwin.

Five different roles on Coronation Street is good, yes, but it's nowhere near as good as the man who's had 11 different roles! Find out all about him here.

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Where have you seen Shona Ramsey before?

It looks like new character Shona is set to be around for a while on Coronation Steret.  Why else would Corrie put her with Roy and give her a job in the cafe, I wonder, if she's not here for the duration?. And she's been given a surname too - she's Shona Ramsey - another indicator that she's not just a fly-by-night who'll be off in a month.

Shona is played by actor Julia Goulding who attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Julia has appeared in numerous theatre roles including The Crucible, The Canterbury Tales, Othello, Merchant Of Venice and The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith. She also appeared in the film King To Castle.

In addition, Julia is a classical Soprano. A talented lady indeed.

Julia is on twitter: @juliagoulding

See also: Where have you seen?
Nancy the Bistro waitress, Eileen's wedding venue, Aidan Connor's solicitor, Colonel Kebab, Faye's boyfriend Seb, Alex's dad Nigel, Lauren the bully, Sharif's lover Sonia, Corrie policewoman, Alistair the tile con man, Filming location for Tony Stewart's funeral, Billy's parisioner Lee, Liz's new fella, Corrie wedding fayre venue, Richie O'Driscoll, Anna's date Glen, Kevin's date Joanne, Rob Donovan's cell mate, Dab Andy, Cathy's sister Nessa, Caitlin Ryan, Dan's daughter Lucy, Steve and Michelle's wedding venue, Naila the Corrie journalist, Jackson Hodge's dad, Eileen's boyfriend Adrian, David and Callum's mediator, Callum's mum, Gail and Michael's wedding venue, Owen's ex-wife LindaSteve McDonald's counsellor, Beth's mum, Diane the sofa woman from Hale Barnes, Mark the motorcycle medic, Mrs Waddle, Michael Rodwell's Aunt Barbara, Peter Barlow's cellmate Clelland, Carla Connor's solicitor Pauline Mansell, Pat Phelan, The Corrie clairvoyant, Eric's wife Doris, Audrey's date Henry, Lewis' friend Patrick,The Corrie Registrar, Marcus' friend Aiden, Kirsty's parents, Jenny Sumner, Corrie's prison Governor, Sunita's Aunties, Ken and Deirdre's pottery teacherTommy Duckworth,  Mrs Hargreaves who died in Audrey's salon, Sally Webster's fella JeffJoy Fishwick's investigator, Charlotte's Parents, Ken Barlow's grandson JamesKen Barlow's son LawrenceDr Matt CarterSaucy CharlotteIzzy's dad Owen Armstrong,The Corrie coppersColin FishwickTrevor the binmanConnie RathboneUncle Umed,Julie Carp's mumLuke StrongSophie Webster's boyfriendEileen Grimshaw's dadNorris' girlfriendGraeme Proctor,Molly's Aunty PamMaria's mum and dadGail's dadScary BrianTina's dadTony Gordon's henchmanLittle Simon Barlow

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Win a Coronation Street tour with Jet2 holidays

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.com are offering a special competition today. 

Coronation Street fans can enter to win a tour of the Coronation Street set as part of Jet2's  #SpreadtheSunshine promotion they've been running.

It's not the first time that Jet2 have teamed up with Coronation Street.  Late last year Alan Halsall was promoting their new
Leeds Bradford to Berlin route for them - have a look here.

Jet2 are offering one lucky winner the chance to tread the cobbles, courtesy of their friends at TV Allstars FC.

You can enter here on the Jet2 facebook page.

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Corrie Weekly Awards for Jan. 23 - 27

Grace under Pressure award: Wasn't Leanne kind to Liz? Alya helped Aidan and Johnny stitch up Adam. The whole job title argument and subsequent complaining was all part of the plan to suck him in.

Walking on Eggshells award: Everyone is walking on eggshells around Michelle because you don't know what kind of reaction you're going to get. She needs help and she needs it now.

Reality check award: Peter and Nick just couldn't stop ripping each other apart until Simon ended up hurt. Priorities, men. And Grow UP!

Determined award: Michelle had to climb up a tall circular staircase and then up over some sort of embankment, in heels, to get to the edge.

Nose out of Joint award: Nick who bought a Moses basket for Leanne on the same day Liz gave her the one she bought for Ruairi. Thus, it put our petty boy's nose out of joint.

Open mouth, change feet award: Fiz's off hand implication that Michelle was still young enough to have another baby really was a very embarassing faux pas even if it was unintentional.

Hoist by his own Petard award: Adam was forced to sign away his rights (again) to the factory for one pound! Love it! Ken was right, he was motivated by greed, not a true wish for his birthright. Nicks's grand plan to remove Leanne from the father of her baby and from Peter's influence backfired badly. And Peter's far more of a threat to Nick's insecure little life than anyone else could be.

Lines of the week:
Ken "I want to live, or be remembered as a man who lived"
Eileen "So far, being married sucks!" (you just wait! You certainly could have picked a better'un!)
Phelan "Deep down, I think I'm a good man. At least I hope I am" (Lies like a rug or is he really that delusional?)
Robert to Michelle "If you live, he can live" (oh well, why didn't you say so before now?)
Phelan to Luke "Some people are very convincing" (You're looking at one of them)
Adam to Alya "I don't bite, I just sue"
Amy to Tracy "You know, you're officially a cougar now"
Roy "Love doesn't allow for objective rationalization"
Tracy "This (birthday) is worse than my 30th" (Yes, getting convicted for murder would quality as the worst birthday ever, I think)
Nick to Toyah "This is happening whether you like it or not. So you can be part of the problem or part of the solution, it's your choice" (obviously realizing his decision is going to take some convincing)
Daniel to Adam, quite gleefully I might add "Let me get this straight. You got played by a woman!"
Luke to Tracy "I like you!" (and you know, that's a very important thing in a relationship)
Nick "I don't respond well to threats" Peter "Then consider this a promise" (Peter 1, Nick 0)


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First-look pics: Peter meets Toyah's husband in Coronation Street

Here are some preview pictures from the episode of Coronation Street to be shown on Monday 30 January.

Peter gets a shock when Toyah's husband Toby gets in the back of his cab.


Will Toby realise who Peter is?

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Saturday 28 January 2017

What's Up With Adam Barlow?

Reposted from State of the Street with permission

I don't like Adam Barlow. I never did. He was whiny and petulant in his first stint on the street and he's arrogant and sneaky now. I applaud that they've brought him back to flesh out the Barlow clan. It's clear that Adam has some sort of agenda or secret and I look forward to finding out what it is even if Adam will never be a favourite character of mind.

Adam is the son of classic character, Mike Baldwin. Mike was arrogant and a business force to be reckoned with. When he got knocked down, he always managed to come back. He was a womanizer, and he had a cheeky grin, especially when he was winding up a rival, knowing he would have the upper hand. He usually did! Adam is trying to be like his father, I think, but he's a pale imitation. Mike always had the edge of a survivor, having brought himself out of a less than priviledged childhood. Adam is missing that, he's never really wanted for anything and he certainly has an air of entitlement that a lot of spoiled children grow up to have, especially on soaps.

When Mike died, his illegitimate son Danny got his hands on the factory but there was a newer will which divided the factory between Danny, Adam and (I think) Mike's other son, Mark Redman. Not sure about that third heir because he had fallen out with Mark over Mark's affair with Mike's wife, Linda. Leanne was the one that handed Adam the current will in the end and Adam then owned half of Underworld.

However, he and Danny didn't get on and Adam really didn't want to be bothered with the factory. In a fit of pique against Danny, he decided to sell his share but not to Danny. He was approached by Liam Connor who was in the rag trade with his brother Paul who would provide the financial backing. The Connor brothers conspired to undercut Adam's asking price with a bit of deft handling. They managed to get the factory for just over half what Adam wanted but after another row with Danny, Adam (who was legally an adult, not a minor) signed and walked away.

Here he is back on the street. He lived in Canada where he apparently became a lawyer. He was quite ill a few years back and Grandad Ken went to take care of him for nearly a year. Now he's back, recalled to the family compound after Ken's stroke. But there's something off about him. He seems to be broke. Strange state of affairs for someone that was a lawyer, you no doubt think. I know I did. He started off straight away scamming a rental car company when he arranged for his car to be stolen and sold. He conveniently avoids buying Christmas and birthday gifts. And in the past few weeks, he's been intent on claiming his birthright to the factory.

You may be as surprised as I was to hear that. Adam never showed any interest at all in all these years. Ah, but there's the rub. He's after a settlement, not after his share of the factory, claiming he was young and foolish and deliberately ripped off. All of that is true but he was an adult and he made his own mistakes. Did the Connors take advantage of him? Yes but he was stupid, too. He was too anxious to get one over on Danny. Now he blames the current Connors but they had nothing to do with it.

There have been several owners and partners of Underworld in the past 10 years of so, including the ferocious Carla. I can pretty much guarantee that Adam wouldn't be left standing had he been trying to get a settlement out of her! She'd have had him for breakfast. Johnny and Aidan are just as savvy, and with Alya's help, set up Adam for a confrontation and a convenient blackmail scheme. His attempt to steal documents from the company's computer blew up in his face and his bid for cash was shut down triumphantly.

Just as an aside, however, regarding Adam's assumption that he could get his hands on pertinent documents, either via the computer or even the filing system.  Remember, Adam signed off on the factory 10 years ago or more. Would the exact same computer still be running? I think not. Very likely they're on the 3rd or 4th computer since then, what with software upgrades etc. Don't forget, the factory has also had numerous fires which would cause possible meltdowns or at the very least smoke and water damage.  If the paper contracts were stored on site, it's likely they would be ashes if not in a fireproof safe with the digital backups if that was something they had a chance to do before any damage was done.

Whoever the original solicitor was probably has a copy, that's where Adam should have gone. And having said that, why wouldn't they have given Adam a copy of the document he signed back then? Legally there would have been two documents, one for each party to sign.

Ken was right. It was all about money, not his birthright. He sternly disapproved and Uncle Daniel was amused that Adam, the cocky and irritating relative, has got his comeuppance. Adam really hasn't got any smarter has he? Now Adam seems to be honing in on Ken and his will as the next possible avenue to money.

I don't know where this is going and I do wonder why he's so skint.

Tvor, twitter: @tvordlj

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Katy Cavanagh to star on stage in Ashes

Katy Cavanagh, who played Julie Carp in Coronation Street, has returned to the stage since leaving Corrie. She starred in last year's touring production of IRIS which our blogger Jordan reviewed her.

This year Katy is starring in the production of Ashes which runs at the Bolton Octagon Theatre. Ashes is a powerful and poetic play that follows the struggle of a couple as they try to have a child. It is being billed as a show filled with dark humour and stark realism.

Ashes plays at the Octagon Theatre Bolton from Thu 23 February to Sat 11 March 2017.  Find out more and buy your tickets here.

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Top five current Coronation Street gems

You know how there are certain Coronation Street characters that you take a shine to?  Well, here are my top five current ones that I can't seem to get enough of right now. Every time they come on screen they lit up the telly box and I want to see them more.

First off is Freddie, above.  I would love to see more of him and Audrey together. Perhaps he could be the one to move into this empty property on Corrie?

I've already sung the praises of Daniel and the actor who plays him.  I feel there's more to him, still, than meets the eye. Is he going to go head to head with Adam over Ken's will, I wonder? Will we see more of Daniel's steely side?

We're coming up to almost two years of having Billy the vicar on Coronation Street. What's not to like? He's luvverly.
Amy Barlow is a little gem and we need to see her more. Give her a proper storyline, Corrie, instead of just wheeling her in to deliver a Blanche-like one-liner and then leave the room.

And finally, I'm warming to Luke. It's taken a very long time for me to like Luke but I finally do.  And as much as I hate to say it, his relationship with Tracy could be one to watch too. Might he be the making of Ms Barlow, I wonder?

Who are your top 5 current Corrie gems, the ones you'd like to see more of?

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