Coronation Street on Friday Night Is Music Night

As Coronation Street celebrates 50 years, BBC2's Friday Night Is Music Night, which itself boasts a mere 58 years of broadcasting, presents a live salute to the world of the soap opera.

Love them or hate them, they are here to stay. Soap operas took their name from the big soap firms who first sponsored such programmes on the commercial networks. Today they make people laugh and cry, tackle social issues and keep viewers on the edge of their seats with their cliffhanger or "duff duff" moments.

This evening, Ken Bruce presents conductor Mike Dixon and the BBC Concert Orchestra performing themes to The Archers (Barwick Green), Emergency Ward 10 (Silks And Satins), The Grove Family, Dick Barton – Special Agent, Peyton Place, Dallas and Dynasty.

Guests include Tony Hatch, who conducts the orchestra in a selection of his soap signature tunes, including Emmerdale, Crossroads and Neighbours. And, for the finale, Friday Night Is Music Night welcomes the cast of Rogues, Angels, Heroes & Fools – Coronation Street The Album.
Read a review of Coronation Street The Album here.  Find out more about the Album and hear some sample tunes at its official website.