Tonight's Corrie in 140 characters or less: 30/6/11

Big shock- Stella slept with Les. Revealed as Leanne's mum. Gary & Izzy make up. Fiz has an unwelcome visitor. Tension in The Rovers.

Which Corrie home needs a makeover or demolition?

Full marks to the hapless Lloyd as he struggles with the "White with a hint of . . ." matchpots. Number 13 will no doubt look like a little palace by the time has finished. It's refreshing to see anyone in the Street attempting to add lustre to their homes. Let's face it, the dwellings leave a lot to be desired. From the Rovers and its Tardis-like interior (a Tardis decorated by a myopic Mae West . . .) to the chintzy claustrophobia of Rita's flat, none of it is particularly desirable. I've expanded on what I consider to be the worst offenders over at http://clinkerstoriddle.blogspot.com/

If you had the chance, which home would you like to take the wallpaper scraper to? Or maybe even a wrecking ball? Does Sanita's over-stuffed front room drive you to distraction? Is Sally's conservatory a carbuncle? Will anything ever be worse than the Len 'n' Rita seventies hovel at number 9? Over to you!

ITV Job Vacancy: Technical Manager at Coronation Street

ITV have a job vacancy for a Technical Manager on Coronation Street.  

Find out more and apply online here. 

Corrie to be broadcast on Wednesday nights again

ITV have announced that Coronation Street will be moving back to Wednesday nights from Autumn 2012.

The move means that Corrie will no longer be shown on Thursdays, and will go back to its original 7:30pm on a Wednesday slot. It had this slot for many years.

Wednesday evenings were usually dominated by football coverage, however live football will now be shown on Tuesday nights.

Personally, I'm thriled about this because it means there's less time to wait between episodes, but what does everyone else think?

Fat Brenda's Cream Horn

So as you all know, Karl's got a job at Streetcars. He came in, took one look at me inner thigh and one whiff of me Yardley Lace eau de flamin' toilette and that was it, he was smitten! I sent him off to find Lloyd and now he sits with me every night munching on me Tunnocks and supping on me Mellow Birds!

I know Eddie left cos there wasn't enough work so it might have been a shock hearing we needed new drivers but the truth is, I lied! After I saw Karl's rugged good looks and tight denim clad bum I knew we (I) had to have him!

It's not all been plain sailing for that lot though, Stella has had a right nightmare trying to run The Rovers while Becky has been doing her best to ruin it. When will someone actually say to Becky, "Even though Roy and Hayley tell you yer belting yer not. Yer horrible. You've smashed up Ken and Deirdre's house, looted from yer friends, sulked when summat's not gone right for you, been violent to folk and ruined yer chances of adoption by shouting at everyone and being caught smoking - when you've claimed to have given up - by social workers and then to top it all off you create a situation where yer husband's daughter becomes less important than yer nephew who you've only known for a couple of months!" She's a right flamin' witch nowadays!

Poor Ken has been at his wits end listening to that racket coming from The Rovers over the past week. Deirdre hasn't been that bothered though, she's had her head in a kiln.... mind you wouldn't we all if we were married to Ken! He did get a a bit hot under the collar when that stripper pounced on him though but when you've had as many lasses as Ken you get used to women throwing 'emsleves at you... so he tells me anyway... when Deirdre's not there!

It was nice to see Sean and Marcus being absolutley delighted that Dylan's mam, Violet, was more seriously injured and ill than they thought! "Whoopeeee, she's proper ill!" they cried! They took her son out to celebrate! 'There you go Dylan, have an ice-cream, yer mam's at death's door!"

I saw Dennis lost a tenner going on a pilgrimage to his old house. He came out looking very upset but wouldn't we all after being in a confined space with Eileen flamin' Grimshaw! What does bother me though is where Dennis is getting all his clothes from, judging by that tan leather jacket he was wearing on Monday, the seventies! Does Rita keep all her dead husband's clothes - like trophies? He's in a different get-up every week that Dennis!

It's not been a good week for Carla after losing her mum. I was surprised an' all, I always thought Carla was bred in a laboratory using the mane of Black Beauty and the liver of Oliver reed! I can't imagine her ever being a child...

"Carla, shall we go to the sweetshop?"

"The flamin' sweetshop?! No we shall not! I'm not paying you to stand around eating flamin' sweets while there's skipping ropes need jumping"

"But Carla, you don't pay me, I'm only six and so are you!"

"Pass me that cherry Coke, I need a drink!"

"But Carla, don't you think you've had enough cherry Coke for one day?"

"I'll drink as much as I flamin' like...etc etc"

Anyhow, back to Stella. I'll say this now loveys and I'm putting me neck on't line, I flamin' like her. Any lass who can tackle a hardened criminal with nowt but a scowl and a bookies pen is alright by me! She gave Peter a good rollicking for leaving Leanne on her own to cash up. Who does she think she is, her flamin' mother?! I do like stella though, I mean, I'd still get off with her Karl if he offered loveys, don't get me wrong, but I'd feel guilty about it... maybe... eventually!

Before I go, I just had to say, how long has Lloyd been painting that flamin' wall at number 13?! Michelangelo took less time painting the Sistine flamin' chapel! They've decided to make the decor as bland as possible in an attempt to make Cheryl more interesting in comparison but I don't reckon it'll work do you?

Always remember, loveys: life is like a pot noodle, there's never enough sauce!

Tweeter here!

Coronation Street fan pictures wanted from around the world

In response to David's blog post here about Coronation Street fans overseas, Cobblestone left a comment to say that there was a Rovers Return pub in Jordan - and here's the link to it so you can have a look.

Another blog reader, Abbyk went one further and sent us a picture of her car license plate from America - see below.  If you have any fan photos from far flung corners of the world either leave a link on this blog post or email it to me and we'll blog some of the best.

Steve McDonald gurn of the week, June 30 2011

It's Thursday and that means only one thing... time for the Steve McDonald gurn of the week. Thanks go to Coronation Street Blog reader Marie-Desneiges Stockland for this week's fab Stevie McGurn. If you've captured a good Corrie Steve gurn and want to share it via the blog, do email it in.

To see more gurnage from Stevie McGurn, have a look here, there's loads. Some good, some bad and some really very funny.

State of the Street - June 2011

The month started off with a crash and ended with one. There was the crash of a body hitting the hospital carpark, the crash of a sledgehammer on the Barlow table and the crash of a barstool flying through the window of the pub. Poor Fiz is in limbo and facing charges.

Becky and Steve's marraige has imploded, much as most of us expected would happen sooner or later. Graeme and Tina's relationship blew up as well, though Graeme, at least, left with a wife he never expected to fall in love with.

The Rovers has a new name over the door and the first week has been quite a bumpy ride for Stella Price. All this in detail over on the State of the Street for June.

Corrie on abroad

I've just come back from my summer hols. Wandering through the likes of Greece, Turkey & Montenegro, it was perhaps unsurprising that I didn't come across any Corrie-related merchandise. Last year in Seattle, I did find a Street DVD in  a store which surprised me, given that (to my knowledge), Corrie doesn't figure on even the most obscure cable channel.

Has anyone else ever discovered Corrie gold in foreign climes? And no - Canada doesn't count! There are plenty of rich pickings to be had for Street fans over there - always a joy for us Brits who want a little reminder of home.

Spot the Corrie prop result

Sorry for the delay in bringing you the result of last week's Coronation Street spot the prop competition but I was away enjoying myself at the Glastonbury Festival.

As so many of you spotted, the shelf can be found in Rita's flat, freshly refurbished after the tram crash.

I returned with a tan so ignore all those nay-sayers who only see the rain and the mud. Every year I promise myself that I'll go to see Craig Charles on the ones and twos but it never seems to happen. Though I did once sit next to Georgia Taylor in the Cabaret Tent.

Guess who moves in with Tommy and Tyrone?

Tina McIntyre is set to move in with Tommy and Tyrone on Coronation Street, says today's Sun.  And Tommy reckons he'll get Tina into bed with his, er, irresistible Duckworth charm. 

If Tina moves out of the Alahan shop flat, leaving it empty, I wonder who'll be moving in there...?

New Coronation Street computer game released

With thanks to Coronation Street blog reader Callum Taylor for emailing in with this one!

There's a new Corrie computer game coming out on July 22nd. It's the Mystery of the Missing Hotpot Recipe and is suitable for all ages. 

Buy it on Amazon here.

If anyone hears anything about the Corrie Nintendo game which was supposed to come out months ago, and still hasn't, do please email in and let us know what's going on with it, ta.

Another year of Nick Tilsley

You read that correctly! Ben Price has signed a new 12 month contract and he'll be around on our screens for another year. According to the Daily Star, that is. They're reporting that ITV has big plans for Nick not the least of which is a one night fling with Becky and there are rumours that he'll have a relationship with Eva, Stella Price's daughter.

I reckon that's probably true. If you can't have one sister, you can always make do with another.

In Ben's short time on the Street, he's already snogged Tina, Natasha, Leanne, and Tracy Barlow and he's been involved in a couple of major storylines. I have seen comments over the past year and a half by people that don't rate him as an actor, but I think he does a very good job of being Nasty Nick. The character is self centered, vile and thoroughly dislikeable, and the actor is doing a very good job of making me holler at the telly so he must be doing something right!

Where has Deirdre Barlow gone?

I'm getting a bit tired of there being no feminine touch at No. 1 Coronation Street (we can't count Tracy). Deirdre's disappeared off our screens and although Ken did say at one point that she was visiting Bev, I'm also quite sure that he mentioned her last night as if she was at home, but we haven't seen her in weeks.

I've grown up with Deirdre around and I love her, she's one of my favourite characters, even when she does ill-advised things like sleep with Dev Alahan. I really hope she's back soon. Maybe she can send Tracy upstairs to play her tapes again.

Blog Competition! WIN hamper of Fred Elliott's meat, I say, meat

With thanks to the lovely people at Aurora Food Marketing, we have another very special, exclusive competition for Coronation Street Blog readers. 

Note: Entries from moneysavingsexpert, Loquax or any other competitions website will not be entered into any of our competitions

We have a hamper of the new Fred Elliott range of meat products to be won by one lucky Corrie fan, drawn at random after sending in the correct answer to this competition.  The hamper will arrive at your address directly in a chilled polystyrene travel box and will include 12, I say 12, Fred Elliott meat products in the hamper.

The Fred Elliott meat range is now available in Northern England Tesco stores.

To be in with a chance to win this amazing Corrie prize, all you have to do is email me with the correct answers to these two questions and the winner will be drawn at random from all correct entries.

1. In Coronation Street, who was Fred Elliott due to marry on the day that he died?
2. On the Aurora Food Marketing website, which meat from the Fred Elliott range do they recommend using if you're thinking of making an extra tasty shepherds pie or chilli con carne?

Deadline is Tuesday 5th July, 2011 at 5pm. Only UK entrants please.

"Free Fiz Stape" campaign launched

There's a campaign online that's just been launched to get Fiz Stape out of prison and back on Coronation Street.

Follow the Free Fiz Stape campaign website right here.

Vote for Corrie! TV Choice Awards shortlist now open

Voting has reopened in the TV Choice Awards 2011.  You can vote for Coronation Street in the Best Soap Category here.  You can also vote for Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) as Best Soap Actor, Michelle Keegan (Tina) and Katherine Kelly (Becky) as Best Soap Actress, Paula Lane (Kylie) as Best Soap Newcomer and the 50th anniversary tram crash as Best Soap Storyline.

Voting closes at midnight on Friday 8 July and the winners will be announced on stage at The Savoy in London on Tuesday 13 September.

Sneak Preview of next week's Corrie, July 4 - 8

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

Week of Monday 4 July to Friday 8 July

Fiz is arrested for murder, Sophie steals £20k from Kev’s online bank, Marc has dinner with Gail as he gets closer to Audrey, Leanne struggles to cope with Stella, Kylie wants Audrey to evict Maria from salon flat and Dennis enjoys being Julie’s uncle.
The full weekly preview, with loads of pictures is right here on Corrie.net

Missed last week's Corrie?
Catch up with the Coronation Street weekly updates

Coronation Street Weekly Update, June 27 2011

Greetings and welcome to the Coronation Street Weekly Update.  And so without any further ado, here we go with this week's Coronation Street update.

Find out more about the Coronation Street Weekly Updates and why they've been written for th'internet since 1995 at http://www.corrieweeklyupdates.btinternet.co.uk/

Roy’s mum Sylvia starts showing some chinks in her armour when she softens and has a bit of a moment with a photo of Roy when he was nowt but a boy. This was a lovely touch as Corrie used what was very obviously a picture of actor David Neilson, who plays Roy, and Sylvia sighed over the photo at a table for one in the caff.

Over at Underworld, Carla gets a call to say her mum has died. She plays to her strengths and handles the news in the way she knows best and orders a whole bottle of red in the Rovers. Frank takes her home as she’s too drunk to do anything and when he shows her a bit of compassion and tucks her up on the sofa, she leans in for a kiss but he backs off, slightly concerned.  Anyway, she conks out on his settee but she’s also making eyes at Peter Barlow again which doesn’t please Leanne not one little bit.

Anyway, Leanne’s got more problems on her mind than her husband giving the glad eye to the local lush. An armed robber comes into the bookies and threatens Leanne and Stella, who’s in there at the time. Stella tackles the fella to the ground and shoos him out with his own baseball bat, protecting Leanne because she’s Leanne’s real mum, only no one knows it just yet.

Stella Price’s name goes up above the door at the Rovers and no matter how many times you see that happen in Corrie, it’s always an iconic moment and makes this fan wonder how long Stella will last. First impressions are good but ooh, you just never know.  There’s more argy-bargy in the Rovers when Leanne hears Stella’s daughter Eva (and soon to be revealed as Leanne’s half-sister) slagging her off behind her back.  “Take your face back to the charity shop where you got it from,” retorts Leanne in a wonderful line written by Jonathan Harvey. Let’s just hope she gets the £3.99 back that she paid for it.   All the noise and fuss in the pub is too much for Norris and Emily, Deirdre and Ken, who take to the bistro for a bit of P&Q.  Norris picks up the fancy-pants Bistro menu and raises his eyebrows.  “Pan fried steak?  I mean, what else would you fry it in,” which isn’t a line I’ve ever said before, no, not me, not ever. I am not Norris, No.

At the Rovers, Becky has a fag in the back yard before walking in to take control of what she still thinks of as being her pub.  Walking in the back way is never a good sign, not when you want to make a statement. It must always be by the front door, always, and always with your head held high and a smile on your face, no matter how pained. Becky clearly has a lot to learn. She decides to throw a party in the Rovers, to prove to Stella and Karl she’s still in charge, but when the jukebox starts banging and the locals start dancing, in walks Ken and cuts the cord to the jukebox, ending the party and Becky’s reign.  Go on there, Ken.  Undeterred. Becky gets the jukebox fixed and throws a party with a stripper for Jason’s 28th birthday.  And what a party it is, the stripper ruffles Ken’s hair, who comes in again to complain, then a fight breaks out and the place goes wild.  Steve pulls up in a cab outside his pub just in time to see a bar stool thrown through the window, followed by a gang of lads stumbling and falling out of the door. Perfect timing. He sacks Stella and offers Becky five grand to do a runner but she tells him she’s staying put for now.

Eileen and Julie discover they’re distantly related to Dennis Tanner when he reveals that his mum Elsie’s maiden name was Grimshaw.  Julie gets  excited about finding a long lost relative living down the street and well, you know Eileen, she’s not that fussed.  A wonderful moment came when Dennis visited No. 11 for the first time since he lived there as  a lad with his mum Elsie.

And Izzy has a hard time with Gary who’s deleting her texts from her mates so she can’t go out and have a good time without him.  Is it post traumatic syndrome from his time in the army, or is he just a mardy little man?

And that's just about that for this week. 

This week's writers were Jonathan Harvey, David Lane, Chris Fewtrell, Joe Turner and Mark Wadlow. Find out more about the Coronation Street writing team at:
http://coronationstreetupdates.blogspot.com/2008/11/exclusive-all-current-corrie-writers.html

Glenda Young
--
Blogging away merrily at http://flamingnora.blogspot.com/

My take on Coronation Street's Stella Price

I thought I’d wade in with all this controversy over Stella Price’s/Michelle Collins’ accent. Personally, I don’t think it’s that bad. Yes it could do with a bit of work but at least she’s made the effort to change her voice. Her character shows a lot of promise and seems to be one of the feisty females Corrie is so good at.

Personally, I think part of the problem is the high expectations on Michelle Collins. She’s such a well known actress that people already have opinions and impressions of her. If they haven’t liked her in other programmes, chances are they won’t like her in Coronation Street. I’m not saying that’s everyone’s opinion but if you already don’t rate her as an actress, chances are her appearing on Corrie won’t change your mind. Michelle is a great actress in my opinion, but she does have a lot of pressure on herself at the moment.

Also, as one of the commentators on Jane’s post pointed out, Stella has been the centre of attention and hasn’t had much time to settle in. Whereas her boyfriend and daughter are away from the limelight they’re having more time to be introduced. If the writers were to ease Stella in slower, I think we’d warm to her more.

A perfect example is Becky (Katherine Kelly) I think I’m right in thinking she wasn’t meant to be in the show permanently. Although she did have some hectic scenes early on, she was eased in gradually after that and we got used to the character. The rest as they say is history.

Furthermore, most of us have would never have heard of Katherine Kelly before she joined the show. Therefore none of us had any expectations or judgements already made of her. We just analysed what she did in front of us and didn’t compare her to anyone. Obviously casting an unknown actress or actor doesn’t always work out, but perhaps Corrie might have been best in doing so for this character. Or as I said, building her character up slowly...

Becky McDonald - Yay Or Nay?

For this week's Yay Or Nay, a controversial topic - Becky McDonald.

Over the past year, she has turned from a likeable character to a moaning, shouting, house wrecking overused character, which is down to "Too much screentime-itus." I'm sure many will agree with me.

Watching the Romanian Holiday DVD, it reminded me why I used to like Becky. She was fun, outgoing, with no Tracy to moan about or no Max for her to steal.

And now she's turned into this, which is a waste of a character. It's a pity, I used to like the character so much, one of my favourites, but I've had enough of her drunken rampages and I usually switch channels when she comes on. Enough is enough.

Thankfully she is leaving soon. There's only so much an audience can take.  So, as you can see, it's a firm NAY from me. What about you?

Stella Price's accent

Dear Doctor Jane,

I’ve had to come and see you again because things haven’t improved since last week. No matter how hard I try (and as you can see; I’m trying very hard), my accent just hasn’t improved. In fact, I feel I might have made it worse, because I’ve had to say a lot more lines this week and am worried that people are really starting to notice.

It doesn’t help that both my bloke and my daughter (who looks older than me), sound just like the locals, which makes me feel even more like a fish out of water than I did last week. I have made one friend though - Leanne. She's very nice, and we seem to have a lot in common.

There’s something else. I was drinking tea, but took the mug away from my mouth before I’d swallowed. Luckily the mug was empty, or the tea would have gone all over my top. Is this related to my not being able to talk like a Northerner?

Cindy – sorry – Stella

Dear Cindy – sorry – Stella,

I’m glad you mentioned the mug. I’d noticed that, and was a little concerned that it might indeed be another symptom. It’s clear from my careful analysis that you’re trying way too hard, which might indeed be making it worse, so my advice is to persevere with the Specialist I recommended last week and come back and see me again in a fortnight. I'm confident we can cure you in time.

On the bright side: your daughter really does look more like your older sister, so that’s something to cheer you up a bit I’d have thought?

Dr Jane

Fruit and veg shop to open on Victoria Street

The Sun has a Coronation Street spoiler today that Julie Carp will open a Fruit and Veg shop on Victoria Street, where Elliot & Son butchers is currently. The butcher shop has remained empty since early December 2010, when Ashley Peacock was killed by the killer tram.

It'll be fun to see Julie and Brian setting up shop, with any luck they will get Eileen working in there, as I think she's wasted in the factory.

Vote for your favourite Coronation Street newcomer

Coronation Street weekly awards: June 20 - 25

It's not you, it's me award: Well, yes, it is you.

Nosy Nelly award: Gold Star: Sylvia pushed and poked to find out why Roy and Hayley are not producing grandchildren, including trying to get the truth out of Norris and Rita.

Pot Stirring award: Iron star: I think it's got to be a tie between Sally mithering Fiz and Tracy spelling the beans to Sylvia.

Loving: Becky facing down Sylvia. Roy's school photo. Ken pulling and cutting the plug on the jukebox.

Retro nod to Episode 1: Dennis said he wasn't ready for the knacker's yard, his mother, who was looking in a mirror in episode 1 said "Eee Elsie, you're just about ready for the knacker's yard."

Knight in Shining Armour award: Gold Star: Roy stoutly defended his Hayley against his mother's tirades. Yay, Roy!
Silver Star: Frank rescuing Carla. Peter's talk didn't do her much good in the end.

Feet under the Table award: Steve gone. Becky back in the Rovers. Sorted.

Family Tree award: Gold Star: Could Dennis be related to Eileen? We've always wondered about the Grimshaw connection.


Fashion award: Becky's t-shirt obviously meant she was up for a day of reckoning.

Wonder Woman award: Stella took on a bat weilding burglar who didn't take much threatening in the end.

Wonder Woman cracked: Carla fell to pieces after her mum died and her family turned on her.

Lines of the week:
Sylvia "I haven't the teeth for hard centres anymore. I have to rely on my bark, these days." Norris "She's no problems on that score."

Steve "The days I live in fear of women are well and truly o... Oh dear..." (In walks Becky)
Stella "She's been steadily necking snakebites all afternoon. Way she's going she'll have enough venom in her to bring down an elephant"
Eva about Steve "I can do better than him. No offence" Steve "Well, some taken"
Sylvia "I don't understand any of it" Becky "She's Hayley Cropper. It's as simple as that"
Becky to Sylvia "Hayley's got more kindness in her little finger than you do in your whole hairdo!"

Three more Coronation Street characters to be axed

There's a Coronation Street spoiler in today's News of the World, so take it with your usual pinch of salt and read on.  The paper says that Chris Gray (Will Thorp) and Cheryl (Holly Quin-Ankrah) are leaving Coronation Street along with their son, Russ. 

The paper says that the three of them are being written out after Chris develops a brain tumour. He begs Cheryl to go with him to a specialist consultant - who confirms Chris has a tumour on his brain and it's too late for surgery.  Chris sobs to Cheryl: "Why me? I'm too young to die." It makes her realise she still has strong feelings for him - and she decides to nurse him to the end.  After Chris discovers the extent of his illness he dumps girlfriend Maria Connor (Samia Smith) and goes back to Cheryl. Soon afterwards Chris, Cheryl and Russ leave the street for good.

Ta-ra then, I say. I never liked Chris, and Cheryl was much underused.

See also: The Silence of the Cheryl

Spot the Corrie prop - June 25th 2011

We can't yet bring you the result of last week's Coronation Street prop as Sunny Jim, our blogger who does the weekly prop slot, is at Glastonbury. So, we'll bring you the results of that prop as soon as he returns but in the meantime, here's another little prop to have you puzzling over.

Where in our favourite show have you seen this teapot this week?  Eagle eyes will know... do you?

FInal chance to see Corrie! the stage play

Corrie! the stage play is absolutely wonderful. I've seen it, some of our  bloggers have seen it and we've all agreed that if you're a fan of Coronation Street you must see this show on stage because it's just wonderful.  I'm not going to harp on about it any more as we've done a lot of blogging about the play over the last few months, but this really is your last chance to see the show in the UK.

The play moves to Malvern Theatres from Monday 27th June for its final week.  Let's just hope they bring it out on DVD.  Book tickets to the Malvern Theatres show here.

See also: Corrie! the play - Jonathan Harvey blog exclusive interview

What Eddie Windass did next

Actor Steve Huison might have left Coronation Street as Eddie Windass but we'll see him back on TV soon on a new CBBC show called The 4 O'Clock Club.  Steve plays the role of Mr Byron the headtacher, so keep your eye out for him appearing on that show very soon.

And don't forget, Steve will also be starring as Fat Brenda live on stage, in a one-man (woman?) show written by our very talented, award winning blogger, Fat Brenda herself. 

Follow Steve Huison on twitter at http://twitter.com/SteveHuison
Follow Fat Brenda on twitter at http://twitter.com/fatbrenda

Rovers Return landlady turns into Wicked Queen

Beverley Callard, who played Liz McDonald on Corrie, will be turning up in panto this year as the Wicked Queen. Boo, hiss, oh yes she will, etc. Bev will be taking to the stage at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre in Sleeping Beauty.  Find out more here.

Meanwhile, Bev's daughter Rebecca is joining the cast of Coronation Street.

Tonight's Corrie in 140 characters or less: 24/6/11 8:30pm

Leanne jumps to conclusions. Stella shows her tough side in the bookies. Frank takes Carla home when she gets drunk. Gary hides Izzy's phone

Tonight's Corrie in 140 characters or less: 24/6/11 7:30pm

Carla shows a sensitive side. calls upon her alcoholic buddy. Becky wreaks havoc in the Rovers. Gary deletes text messages from Will.

Antony Cotton launches Manchester Moon Ride

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity and St Ann’s Hospice are inviting adventurous fundraisers to saddle up and take to the streets for ‘Moon Ride’, Manchester’s first night time 100k cycling event, raising money for these two major charities.
Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully,  launched the event outside Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Moon Ride is set to take place on Saturday 10th September at 11pm, and promises participants spectacular night time views of the city.  A dedicated support team will be on hand for all taking part in the ride throughout the night, ensuring participants have all the assistance needed to take part in and complete the ride, how to make the most from this fabulous fundraising opportunity, and most importantly how to enjoy the experience.
Registration costs £25 and participants will be asked to pledge to raise minimum sponsorship of £150. Sponsorship will be divided equally between Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity, which helps to provide additional resources that support excellence in treatment, care and research improving the lives of patients at the largest children’s hospital in the UK and St Ann’s Hospice, which cares for thousands of patients with life-threatening illnesses every year, while supporting their families and carers in Greater Manchester.

For more information regarding Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity please call 0161 276 4522 or visit http://www.rmchcharity.org.uk/  

Dennis Tanner's dialogue is a nod to Corrie's past

Did anyone else notice Dennis Tanner's line from last night?

"I'm not ready for the knacker yard yet." I just had to smile when I heard it, and I got the picture in my head of Elsie examining herself in the mirror some 50 years ago.

It's lovely the way the writers are putting in these little nods to the show's history. Have you noticed any other nods to the show's history over the years?

We love Roy Cropper's mum

Roy's mother, Syliva, is a crusty old cow, with leanings to spiteful and nasty. She and Roy clearly have a contentious history but last night on Coronation Street, we saw a few cracks in her facade.

After a few days of battling Becky, dealing with the shock of finding out about Hayley and having her son stand toe to toe against her to defend his wife, we found her sitting in a corner gazing at a well worn photo of her son as a child. Clearly, that was a photo of David Neilson himself which added a nice touch to the scene.

Sylvia loves her son, she's even admitted as much but also said he was a disappointment. Let's look at that from her point of view. She had two bad marrages. We've heard Roy speak badly of his father occasionally and also of an abusive step-father. Women of her generation usually stayed with their husbands even when things were very bad. Add to that a son that had difficulties, very likely dealing with Asperger's Syndrome. That's hard to handle if you don't know what you're dealing with and when Roy was a child, nobody really did. He was branded as weird and awkward and she didn't have the proper skills to know how to help him. It must have been very frustrating and she dealt with him entirely the wrong way, no doubt.

Now she's feeling old, left out, with nowhere to go, embarassed at having to accept charity from her son who is providing her a home more out of duty than love. Her daughter-in-law has a past history that bewilders her. But she's built up a wall for so long that she has no idea how to let it down and being cranky and insulting is the way she deals with it all. Little by little we are seeing cracks in the wall and perhaps we'll see she and Roy make peace.

Will she turn into a sweet old lady? I doubt that but she may occasionally show a softer side to offset the vitriol and she'll be the classic Corrie battleaxe that we need and love. We're very lucky to have an actress of the calibre of Stephanie Cole to bring Sylvia to life and the chemistry between she and Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Neilson is a powerhouse trio, in my opinion!

Deleted 1960s Corrie suicide scenes finally to be shown

There's a story in the Mirror today  that says a suicide story in Coronation Street that was axed for being too controversial in 1963 is finally to be shown.

The Corrie Years, which looks back at the most explosive plots in the soap’s 50-year history, will include factory worker Sheila Birtles attempting suicide after she is dumped by her lover. Soap bosses filmed actress Eileen Mayers swallowing a bottle of pills before vomiting in a bin. Neighbours were to have rescued her in what would have been one of the most shocking scenes to be seen on TV in the 60s. But broadcasters got cold feet when the story line was leaked, leading to a mailbag of complaints from viewers – although Mayers was said to be disappointed.

A TV source said: “At the time it was deemed too controversial. But compared to what goes on in soaps these days, I don’t think the scene will be very shocking.”

The Corrie Years will be broadcast later this year.

Tonight's Corrie in 140 characters or less: 23/6/11

Becky takes charge at the Rovers! Eva makes an enemy in Leanne! Frank tries to comfort Carla when her mum dies. Gary's paranoia continues.

Michelle Keegan shows off her engagement ring

Congratulations go to Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre, as she's just become engaged to The Wanted singer Max George.  There's paparazzi pictures online of the two of them doing their shopping and snogging. Ah, young love, you just can't beat it.

Have a look at the pictures here.

Pics: Audrey Roberts with her new fella

There's some paparazzi snaps on the Daily Mail website that show Audrey Roberts out on a date with her new fella, Marc Selby.

Well, I know as a lady of a certai age (ahem), all I can say about Coronation Street actor Andrew Hall is this: you can put a frock on him, you can put him in a blonde wig, you can stick him in my favourite soap but he's always going to be Russell from Butterflies to me, one of my first ever telly crushes, along with this bloke.

Steve McDonald gurn of the week - June 23 2011

It's Thursday and that means only one thing... time for the Steve McDonald gurn of the week. Thanks go Coronation Street fan Martin S. for this week's fab Stevie McGurn. If you've captured a good Corrie Steve gurn and want to share it via the blog, do email it in.

To see more gurnage from Stevie McGurn, have a look here, there's loads. Some good, some bad and some really very funny.

Relentless Intrusion: Mon June 20, 2011 Corrie Episode Review

7:30

Written by Chris Fewtrell, directed by John Anderson

Sylvia thinks that Roy and Hayley need to kick out Becky and that they’re “parenting skills” with her are terrible.  She hopes they do a better job with her real grandchildren as Hayley and Roy give each other strange looks.  Later, Sylvia grills Roy on why they never had children.  He lies and says they never wanted any.  Sylvia doesn’t buy this and assumes there must be some kind of impediment.  Roy says the only impediment is him trying to prepare breakfast in the face of her relentless intrusion.  Sylvia snoops around about Roy and Hayley’s childless situation and goes straight to the source: Norris.  Norris is kept mum by Rita, but he does divulge that the Croppers did try to adopt.  Sylvia figures she’s missing something now since Roy said they didn’t want children.  Sylvia thinks that Roy must be firing blanks.  At the cafe, Sylvia tells the Croppers she’s been rummaging around and has found Hayley’s prescription for hormone pills.  Sylvia assumes that Hayley is using them to help her through menopause, but at first the Croppers think she knows about the sex change and is taking it surprisingly well.  The Croppers later try to figure out how to tell Sylvia the truth.  Hayley decides that they’ll tell Sylvia after tea that evening. Later, Sylvie returns with an Aloe Vera plant for Hayley thinking it’ll help her skin during menopause.  Tracy overhears this as she walks into the cafe, and of course lets the cat out of the bag that Hayley is not going through menopause, rather she is a transsexual. 

Over at the Rover’s, Steve’s dealing with the invasion of Stella and her family.  He looks as though he really hates his life and wishes things were how they “used to be” whatever that is.  Stella gets on Karl about finding a job.  Karl finds Lloyd in the cafe and says he just talked to Fat Brenda and she said they’re looking for more drivers, so he asks Lloyd for a job.  It looks like if his references check out, he’s good to go.  Karl finds Becky behind the counter at the cafe and assumes she works there.  He tells her that he’s got a job with street cars, and Becky immediately pounces on him in her tarty way but Karl makes a getaway.  Becky sees Steve on her way to the shops and she gives him a bitter reception.  Get rid, Steve! 

At the Rover’s later, Tracy comes into the pub and tries to “warn” Stella about how rowdy the Rovers can be and how Steve is a very “hands on” employer.  Puh-lease, as if  that’d turn her off anyway if she even believed it!  Stella quickly brushes her off and Steve is impressed.  Then, Becky walks in.  Becky sizes Stella up, but Stella tells Becky she’s boxed up her things, and she doesn’t want any trouble.  After a momentary stare-down Becky quietly orders a pint.  Steve is really impressed now as Becky bottles it.  But not for long.  Becky is drunk as a skunk and attempts to throw herself at Karl again.  That is, until Stella catches her taking a chunk of his behind in her bejewelled ale-scented hand, among other things.  Becky calls Stella a sour-faced old bag and Stella tells her to leave.  Becky treats Stella like crap until Steve walks in and asks what the hell is going on. 

Little Dylan is still not eating since he misses his mum too much.  Later, Marcus was supposed to go back to work and drop Dylan off with Maria only he thought Dylan was looking a bit under the weather so he took him to the medical clinic instead.  Since he had to take the afternoon off to take him to the clinic, he decided to just cancel his whole shift and take Dylan to the pictures instead.  Maria sees Sean later and tells him that Dylan is with Marcus and how he had taken him to the clinic.  Sean freaks out and says he should have been there to comfort Dylan and Marcus had no right keeping it from him. 

Peter stomps out a fag to throw the football around with son Simon, only until it accidentally hits Carla who happens to be walking by.  You’d have never thought that Peter was disabled and almost killed but 6 months ago.  Carla flirts with Peter before giving him the ball back.  Leanne and Peter come into the pub later, and Stella apologizes for keeping them waiting and gives them drinks on the house.  Leanne asks if she’s sure since she didn’t keep them waiting that long – but Stella responds that it’s been far too long.  Peter tells Leanne about Carla’s run-in with Simon’s football. 

Meanwhile, it seems like Carla has been flirting with Frank who has been busy bringing in good potential clients. 

8:30

Written by Simon Crowther, directed by John Anderson

Becky is being kicked out of the pub, but she claims it’s her since she’s married to Steve.  Becky accuses Karl of being all over her this morning, but Karl disputes it.  Becky  blubbers in the back room to Steve about how he used to be loyal before they were married, but now that they are, he’s not.  Becky’s still very hurt about Becky’s “son” being taken from her.  Eva walks in and Becky assumes that she’s been sharing Steve’s bed until Eva quickly corrects her.  Becky lies to Steve that she slept with someone else last week and Steve shouts at Becky to get out.  Later, Stella tries to convince Steve to work things out with his wife and tells Karl that she’s still cool on him. 

Roy tries to put out the fire burning in his mother’s gut after she found out that Hayley used to be Harold.  He tells her that everyone accepts Hayley as she is, but Sylvia is silent.  When Hayley returns from Freshco’s, Sylvia leaves the room and Hayley wonders what it’s about.  Hayley wants to talk to Sylvia but Roy advises against it.  Hayley has more problems to deal with as Becky returns to her cafe sanctuary.  The Croppers try to tell her to make up with Steve as well.  Becky notices something is wrong, and the Croppers tell her.  Sylvia comes down and Hayley tells her to sit down – they need to talk.  Hayley tries to talk to Sylvia about her situation but Sylvia is not taking it well and cannot wrap her head around it.  Roy figures that this is all about her history of constantly being ashamed of him.  Sylvia says that she was never ashamed of him, just disappointed in him.  Wait, isn’t that sort of the same thing?!  Roy reminds his mother that Hayley and he have welcomed her into their home and she’s got no where else to go, so she best just keep quiet and accept it.  Well, not in so many words but you catch my drift.  Later, up in the flat, Becky tells Sylvia that Hayley is “just Hayley Cropper, simple as that.”  Becky is all done up and goes to find Steve.  Steve comes into the cafe instead completely angry at Becky.  Becky admits she lied about sleeping with other men, but Steve is very upset still.  He tells Becky he’s filing for divorce since he hasn’t got any fight left. 

Marcus finally returns home with Dylan.  Sean lays into him about not being able to get get a hold of them and that he’d nearly called the police.  Marcus realized that he hadn’t turned his phone back on after the pictures, but Sean is still upset.  Marcus blames Sean for feeding Dylan a dodgy burger the other day and Sean figures that maybe two dads is too much and he should be doing this on his own.  Marcus tells him to decide.  Later in the pub, Sean apologizes to Marcus. He says Marcus makes parenting so easy, but Marcus just tells him not to panic.  Marcus suggest they go out, since Eileen is babysitting. 

The aunties are finally leaving Coronation Street.  The ladies argue between each other – to the last minute I suppose.

DC Redfern pays a visit to Carla in the pub and doesn’t like his interrogation.  Peter sees the man bothering Carla and goes over to try to settle it as Leanne tells him to stay out of it.  DC Redfern is sent away when he realizes Carla is drunk anyway.  Peter obviously still has feelings for Carla and Leanne gets jealous about it. 

HIGHLIGHTS

- So far, the only member of the new family that I like is Karl, the boyfriend.  Stella and her daughter seem rather forced and fluffy.

- Roy: “I’m not particularly good with children.”  Sylvia: “Well, you’re not good with adults either, but you manage.”

- Sylvia, about Roy and Hayley: “I must be missing something here.” Norris: “She’s not the only one.”

- Steve: “My days of fearing women are well and truly over.”  PFFFFFTTTT.

- How cute are little Liam and little Dylan?

- Is that the biggest Aloe Vera plant you’ve EVER seen?!

LOWLIGHTS

- All Sylvia ever does is complain, complain, complain!  Girl needs a mute button!

- The whole Sylvia thinking that Roy and Hayley would have children was an obvious ploy to reveal Hayley’s sexuality.  Seriously, Roy is about SIXTY and Hayley isn’t exactly a “spring chicken” herself.  Did she seriously think these two would have a baby at this point?! Just ridiculous! 

- Does anyone else find Eva useless and annoying?  We already have ONE Rosie Webster.

- I really enjoyed the aunties last time they were on our screens, but this return I found them just quite annoying and irrelevant.

Corrie producer wants Julie Walters on Coronation Street

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson revealed in this TV interview that he wants actress Julie Walters to join Coronation Street - as Audrey Roberts' sister.  Not only does Phil want Julie on the cobbles, he's even rang her agent trying to get her.  Let's hope one day she'll say yes.

Fans here on the Coronation Street blog voted for Julie Walters to join the show, so I know there'll be a lot of happy fans reading this if Julie does join the cast.

And the actress has been quoted in the tabloids more than once over the last few months saying how much she'd like to be in the show too.

John Stape to return to Coronation Street

With the spoilers revealing what's going to happen to Fiz in prison, I started thinking about the whole Stape storyline.The police are going to bang her up for being an accessory in three deaths in addition to the fraud charges. I'm not quite sure how they are going to manage it but we'll see how that rolls out.

What I particularly got thinking about was how Fiz will be found innocent, because she will be, we all know that. It's Soap Law. She is only guilty of the fraud charges, not murder or an accessory in any way. Thus the Law dictates she'll be freed. How? Here's my theory. And I'm going on record now predicting we haven't seen the last of John Stape.

Edited to add... Well, well, well. This has been brought to my attention. I truly had no idea, my guess was pure speculation based on years of soap watching!

Beverley Callard's daughter joins cast

Not long after Liz McDonald’s departure from the cobbles, it has been announced that Beverley Callard’s daughter Rebecca is joining the Corrie cast for a guest stint.

Following the story earlier today regarding Fiz’s prison storyline, in which she is said to help bust a drugs ring in her jail, ITV have released some details about one of Fiz’s inmates, Ruth – played by Rebecca Callard. Ruth is said to be one of the characters at the centre of the drug smuggling in the prison.

Rebecca, who will initially feature in six episodes, said: "I've been going to the set for over 20 years now (with Beverley) so to turn up as an actress was a bit different. Daunting, as the show is amazing, but also really lovely, as I know some of the people in it, and exciting. It feels like the right role at the right time."
ITV

The Truth Is Out

Amidst the nonsense with Becky wreaking more havoc and Antony Cotton's "acting" like a concerned father during last night's visit to the street was Roy and Haley and their attempts to conceal the truth about Hayley from Sylvia.

The truth about Hayley's past coming out to Sylvia was something I was both looking forward to and apprehensive about because Roy and Haley are one of my favourite couples on the cobbles.

When Sylvia eventually started to attack poor Hayley, Roy stepped up in one of those rare moments where Roy well and truly stands up not only for himself but his wife as well. I don't think we've seen this side of Roy since all that business with Tony Gordon last year. But as a man who rarely divulges his feelings with others it is always a treat when we see a more vulnerable side to Roy, reminding us that he does actually have feelings and his often unspoken love for Hayley is something that he will not allow to come under attack by anyone, not even his mother.

That said Sylvia's insults were horrific but as we know she's not the nicest of old ladies, something which I hope will be explored in the future. I don't see Sylvia coming around any time soon but a reconciliation is bound to happen although when it does I hope that it is done so in a way where we come to know more about Sylvia and perhaps get an insight into why she is the way she is.

They may be one of the more unconventional couples in soapland but Roy and Hayley are also one of the strongest and I applaud the writers for going where they did because the Croppers really stole the show last night.