ITV have confirmed they are to enter a Corrie float in this year's parade celebrating gay, lesbian and transgender culture in the city - after the success of last year's 50th anniversary of Corrie entry which went on to scoop Best Float. And ITV has lain down the gauntlet to other entries, stating they are aiming to "win again" with another flamboyant and colourful offering into the annual parade through the streets of Manchester on Saturday, August 27.
Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster, siad: "I had an absolute ball last year and think it's a great chance to come together in an awesome city like Manchester and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life. It's fantastic that Coronation Street is supporting Pride yet again and I'm very proud to be portraying a lesbian character on screen. Hopefully it will go some way towards making people realise there is nothing in any way wrong with being gay. You're born who you are!"
Clare Wade, second assistant director at ITV, said: "For the second year running Coronation Street and ITV are supporting Manchester Pride. It is a privilege to be the lead float in the parade again this year and it is a symbol of how we at ITV wholeheartedly and proudly support diversity not only in the workplace but everywhere."
Jackie Crozier, festival director of Manchester Pride, said: "We are thrilled to welcome back the Corrie cast and even more excited that they are a part of ITV's first ever float in the Pride parade. The parade is one of the most 'Loud and Proud' and public parts of our festival so to have Coronation Street and ITV demonstrate such strong support as a part of this means a lot."
Manchester Pride 2010 takes place from Friday 19 - Monday 29 August and tickets for the Big Weekend (August 26 - 29) are now on sale. For more information, visit: http://www.manchesterpride.com/
