Coronation Street Weekly Update, January 30 2012

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 why these weekly updates have been written for t'internet since 1995 - and you can sign up to receive them by email at: http://www.corrieweeklyupdates.btinternet.co.uk/

Freaky Frank Foster’s rape trial starts this week with Carla, Maria and Peter up in the dock.  Carla’s in tears and Frank’s got a sly grin on his face as he stitches up Leanne in the gallery. Just as the lawyer questions Peter and demands to know the answer to the question: “Are you having a relationship with Carla Connor?”, Peter falters and doesn’t want to answer. Not in front of Leanne any road. And as he falters, Frank’s mum Anne passes Leanne photos of Carla kissing Peter, photos that Frank’s private detective has taken.  “Yes,” admits Peter, defeated, while Leanne screams across the court room and runs out in tears.

On a lighter note, it’s the music competition in the Rovers and Norris and Sylvia go head to head, she’s on her uke-banjo and he’s on his keyboard.  But Norris isn’t playing, it’s an automatic keyboard that plays itself so not only was he planning to cheat but then the keyboard packs up and Norris tells Sylvia the competition’s off.  Ah, but there’s a piano in the cupboard at the Rovers and everyone urges Norris on to tinkle the ivories instead. He’s sweating because he can’t play a note but fortunately Mary saves him from embarrassment by banging the piano lid down hard on his hands so that he can’t play. 

You’d think Sylvia would be irked by Norris’ nonsense, but no. Her head’s turned with Milton from her cruise ship, the rich American she met, who swans into the Rovers and sweeps her heart away.  “Milton Fanshaw the third,” he says, introducing himself to Roy who replies: “Roy Cropper, the first.”  The one and only, more like.   Roy’s taken with the affection that Milton shows his mum and tells Hayley, somewhat bemused: “He actually appears to like her!”

Down the Street, Steve tries to get his marriage to Tracy annulled but for legal reasons he can’t. Tracy has to want it, which she clearly doesn’t, so Becky’s revenge of having Steve chained to the cow looks set to ring true.  But how will Steve get rid of Tracy now?  Tracy moves into No. 13 when Ken chucks her out, determined to play happy families with Steve, which is the last thing he wants. “I don’t love you, I’ve never loved you and I never will,” he tells her.  So while he might have no choice but to live with her under the same roof, for Amy’s sake if nowt else, he comes up with a plan to split the house in half and enlists Owen’s help.

Over at the Rovers, Eileen tells everyone that she and Paul are a couple while Paul tries to look as if he’s not there. It doesn’t stop the gossips though, they’ve got their tuppence to say about Paul being married to a wife with dementia.  Jason gives Paul the worst kind of flak, which is rightly deserved, but over a bit of male bonding involving a power tool and a chunk of wood, Jason tries to understand Paul’s despair at what’s going on between Paul and his wife.

And this week’s “Come Into The Back and Tell Me All About It” award goes to Deirdre Barlow who fell for the fatal line from Saint Stella of the Rovers.  Who will it be next week? Barlow’s Bookies are open for you to lay your bets now.

And that's just about that for this week. Remember, you can sign up to get these Corrie weekly updates by email at http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/corrieweeks

This week's writers were Joe Turner, Mark Wadlow, Jan McVerry,  Julie Jones and Jayne Hollinson. 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/

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Gordon Clegg to return for Betty's funeral

Sharon Marshall revealed that Bill Kenwright will be returning to play Betty's on-screen son, Gordon Clegg for the funeral episodes in April. Bill last appeared as Gordon back in 1995, he was recast in 2002 with another actor, Geoffrey Leesley playing the role.

According to Sharon, Bill is the only actor who has been approached for the funeral episodes. It will be great to see Gordon back on-screen again, it would have been very strange if he didn't attend.

Source - Digital Spy

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New Corrie Set: January 2012 Update

Once again, in this post I must give a massive shoutout to Mark Whitfield and his site, without his monthly updates via the MediaCity UK flickr I would not be able to post this feature (and timeline) of pictures.

There looks to be a lot of ground work going on at the site now, I don't think it will be too long before we see something going up as the foundations are now being laid. Don't forget to click the links for more images, and the picture below for a bigger view.

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Coronation Street double episode review, Monday January 30

Poor unsuspecting Leanne!
The scales did not so much fall but were ripped from her eyes over Peter's lies as he was forced to confess to his affair with Carla during the rape trial, shortly after Frank's mother had gleefully passed her the detective's pictures of her errant husband and his mistress kissing in Chester. Jane Danson's expression of slowly growing realisation (as she watched her husband admit to meetings with Carla and beating up Frank) from the public gallery was utterly convincing, as was her anguished public cry as she saw the incriminating pictures.

So it's rape trial week in Coronation Street. This reviewer is married to a law court specialist reporter and every time he watches any court scenes in Corrie, he tells me they are full of factual inconsistencies. For example, a rape trial defendant would apparently never be allowed to verbally confront his alleged victim outside court before proceedings begin, as Frank did Carla, nor would he be allowed to go out of court in lunch break to chat to his mum. But I guess it's all a bit of dramatic licence.

Meanwhile, Sylvia's fibs to Milton about her "handsome" son owning a haute cuisine restaurant in Weatherfield rather than a greasy spoon also further unravelled as she took Milton for a meal at the Bistro,  pretending it was Roy's gaff.  When waitress Eva started gushing about dating the boss (in reality Nick Tilsley), Milton guessed the truth and went off to Roy's Rolls,  gamely ordering a Full English and admiringly declaring the place "quaint" and "retro".

 I know some people have expressed caveats that Robert Vaughn sounds a bit wheezy and as if his false teeth don't fit properly, but I think he's doing just fine, nicely tongue in cheek. Did you know Vaughn, 79, is actually eight months younger than the ever boyish William Roache, who turns an unbelievable 80 in April? Truly Ken Barlow must have a portrait in his attic.

Elsewhere, cuckoos in the nest Tracy and Paul seemed to be getting their feet under their separate tables, as Steve turned up for a cosy family meal with estranged wife Tracy and daughter Amy, and a still suspicious Jason grudgingly helped Paul fix a broken door at lover Eileen's house. The actor who plays Paul (Tony Hirst) is quite a bit smaller than Sue Cleaver as Eileen and when they stand up to embrace I'm sometimes reminded of a looming praying mantis and her quarry.  It's my guess this tricky relationship will end in tears.

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40 years of Rita on Coronation Street - a tribute

Today marks the ruby anniversary of flame-haired Rita's first appearance as a permanent character on Coronation Street. Although her very first appearance was in December 1964, she didn't become a regular until 1972. And apart from a gap between February and April 1972 and from October 2009 to March 2010, Rita has been a constant presence on the cobbles. Over the years, she has gone from a saucy songstress to Duchess of the Street and despite nearing 80, she's still as beautiful, youthful and smart as she was in the 70s and 80s.

I've made a tribute to her above using photos of her over the years and thanks goes to Sam Taylor, moderator of Facebook's Corrie4ever (great page!) for showing me how to do so. In the tribute we see the young Rita in the clubs and then as Queen of the Kabin. Also, the significant men in her life - true love Len Fairclough, evil bully Alan Bradley and sweet Ted Sullivan who died of a brain tumour after three months of marriage. She's been out with about 15 other men as well over the years! Rita's main regret has always been that she never had children but she has mothered many over 40 years - John Spencer, Sharon Gaskell, Jenny Bradley, Sally Webster and Tina McIntyre. And also the many hairstyles she's donned over the years - but one thing's been constant - the redness.

The Kabin has been a constant thread in Rita's troubled life and she ran the newsagents for 36 years before selling to Norris but she's still working there and in June next year, The Kabin and Rita will be celebrating 40 years of business and, God willing, she will still be there dishing out lemon sherberts. But Rita couldn't run the business alone. For 24 years, she had faithful assistant Mavis at her side and they had a very close friendship despite being chalk and cheese. They were a brilliant double act and one can smile thinking about Mavis dithering and Rita rolling her eyes heavenwards! After Mavis left the street, Rita was lost without her and hired Leanne and then Blanche as her assistants but the chemistry wasn't there. Enter Norris. Rita had found someone as eccentric as Mavis. For over a decade, Rita and Norris have become a classic double act and provide the comic relief against the now more sensational Corrie. And although he now owns the Kabin, Rita still reigns supreme. Norris has a soft spot for Rita and did propose to her in 2007.

While Mavis and Norris are her closest friends, Rita is a popular member of the community and can mix with the younger and older residents of the street. Her other main friends over the years have been Emily, Bet, Alf, Audrey and Ken. She was also friends with Elsie but due to Elsie and Len's romantic past, Rita was always jealous over their closeness. I'm sure Len saw a lot of Elsie in Rita - the red hair and fiery personality: a siren!

Rita also has a musical talent - she can sing. In her early years she was regularly seen in the Capricorn Club or the Gatsby singing Shirley Bassey numbers and she also sang at the Ogdens' ruby wedding party. That was the night Len was killed and Rita vowed never to sing publicly again. But she has done - she sang at the Millennium party, she sang at Fred Elliott's wake and recently sang in the Rovers on Christmas Day.

So here's to Rita Littlewood/Bates/Littlewood/Fairclough/Sullivan! Congratulations on 40 years on Corrie! And also thanks to Barbara Mullaney/Knox on her brilliant portrayal of an iconic character!

Are you as big a Rita fan as me? Have you got a favourite Rita moment? Leave a comment!

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Sneak preview of next week's Corrie, Feburary 6-10 2012

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 6th to Friday 10th February 2012

Simon catches Peter and Carla together, there's tension for Steve and Tracy at No. 13, will Rosie dump Jason? and Paul and Lesley move in with Eileen

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  

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Favourite Corrie characters countdown - fifth poll

Hello all! Now, I hope you've voted in the third poll of ten because that is now officially closed. But you have until midnight next Tuesday to vote for two of your favourite characters in the fourth poll.

So, who's in our fifth poll?

Bet Lynch - The busty barmaid famous for her blonde beehive who was behind the Rovers bar for 25 years. Initially a barmaid, she rose to become a landlady in 1985. She had many conquests, but settled in the end for Alec Gilroy. They later divorced and she soldiered on until she decided to leave the street in 1995. She has made brief comebacks since then.

Steve McDonald - Steve has been married five times - and he's not 40 yet! He's delved in crime and has had two spells in prison and was nearly killed by Jez Quigley. By now, he's a businessman having been landlord of the Rovers and runs cab firm 'Streetcars'. Famous on this blog for his gurns!

Spider Nugent - Emily's eco-warrior nephew that Flaming Nora has a soft spot for! A vegan, he could play the didgeridoo and had a relationship with Toyah Battersby. He rubbed Fred Elliott up the wrong way with his veganism; he spent a night up a tree on the Red Rec which he also encouraged his Aunty Em to do; and narrowly lost to Audrey in a bid for a seat on the council.

Norris Cole - The street gossip who owns The Kabin. Initally a friend of Derek Wilton, he became a firm favourite when he was hired as Rita's assistant. He lodges with Emily and manages to annoy both ladies constantly. He is currently being chased by Mary Taylor, although deep down, it's Rita he loves.

Hayley Cropper - The first Corrie transexual. She also has become a favourite through her partnership with hubby Roy who she 'married' in 1999 but legally in 2010. She's a supervisor at the factory and is an agony aunt to many. Both her and Roy have taken in waifs and strays in over the years including Fiz and Becky. Known for her red anorak!

Albert Tatlock - The original Street grump who occupied No. 1 for over 60 years and is fondly remembered as 'Uncle Albert'. A WW1 veteran, he's remembered for his flat cap and his usual tipple of rum and for telling war stories to anyone who'd listen. Ken lived with him for many years and even though their scenes were of comedic purpose, they respected each other.

Have you got favourites in this six? Well, vote for two of them and we'll see where they'll be in the countdown!

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State of the Street - January 2012

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.

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The Connor sisters

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's trial week - what do you think so far?

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

Tonight 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 tonight's double Corrie - Monday 30 January 2012

Coronation Street, Monday 30 January at 7.30pm

Watch the video preview here
 

IT’S THE DAY OF RECKONING FOR CARLA AND FRANK. As Frank's trail begins Carla's unnerved by his composure but bolstered by Peter's presence she's determined that justice will be done. In the witness box Carla's emotional as she tells the court how Frank raped her. When she's then questioned by Frank's defence lawyer about her relationship with Peter, Carla's uncomfortable but insists they're just friends. With Anne and Sally waiting for the bombshell of Carla and Peter's affair to be revealed will Frank's barrister use Trish's photographic evidence to expose them?
TRACY GETS THE UPPER HAND ON STEVE. With Steve and Tracy now living together at no. 13 Tracy's determined to prove to Steve that they can work things out but is this what Steve wants?
MILTON FINDS HIS FEET ON THE STREET. When Milton insists on visiting Roy's famous restaurant Sylvia panics and lies that he runs the Bistro. Milton's impressed by the Bistro but when it becomes clear that Roy isn't the owner will Sylvia be forced to confess he owns only a humble cafe?
Elsewhere Jason fumes as Paul appears for breakfast again, but Julie makes it clear to her sister that she'll be there for her when it all goes pear-shaped!

Monday 30 January at 8.30pm

FRANK’S BOMBSHELL SHATTERS LEANNE’S LIFE. Frank's trial continues with Maria in the witness stand. She gives a compelling account of the night Frank pounced on her but when cross-examined she gets a rough ride. Next up in the box it's Peter who's questioned closely about his relationship with Carla. Frank's barrister accuses them of having an affair and suggests it's still going on. Peter hotly denies the allegation but taking her cue Anne gets out the photo of Peter and Carla kissing and passes it to Leanne in the gallery. Will Frank get the reaction he's hoping for?
STEVE HATCHES A PLAN. Tracy's devastated as Steve tells her he never loved her and is still in love with Becky. But when Deirdre advises him that no matter what Tracy's done he should be thinking of Amy he comes to a decision.
ROY TAKES A DISLIKE TO MILTON’S YANKEE-DOODLE-DOO. As Sylvia's forced to show Milton the cafe he enthuses about Roy's retro diner. Ever the businessman Milton can see an opportunity for expansion but is Roy on the same wavelength?
Elsewhere Brian has a difficult meeting with the chair of the school governors. Results have been terrible and if he doesn't do something he's out of a job. Brian reveals he's got a plan but has he? Paul talks to Jason man to man.

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Coronation Street Chit-Chat - news catch-up

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.

Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster) says that after 12 years on Corrie, it's not yet hit her that she's left the show. 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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Corrie weekly awards, January 23 - 27

Henry VIII Award: Steve.

Philosopher's Award: Ken.

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

Poor Pitiful Me award: Dev was snivelling 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?

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.

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

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

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

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 counselling patient of the week: Deirdre.

Six of one, half dozen of the other award: I've already got the distinct feeling that Milton has exaggerated his background as much as Sylvia has done with hers. Perhaps he won a cruise as much as she did?

Lines of the Week:
Sylvia "I will never again denigrate 'hoods'"
Becky "Revenge is going to be so much sweeter now he's chained to the cow"
(Becky pops balloon with intent) Gail "We should stay away" David "Yeah, we should" *They run across!*
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!)
Steve to Tracy "I did the right thing. It just turns out I did it for the wrong flippin woman!"
Roy "We love you, too, Becky" (Now you don't hear that from him very often!)
Steve "I'm collecting wives like my brother collected stamps"
Ken "Every solitary lesson just bounces off her like radiation off a cockroach. The Teflon Kid!"
Deirdre "Tracy doesn't do remorse but I do believe she feels it" (Only when she gets caught)

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Sunday Sport Headline: Corrie Norris and the sex gerbil

There's a rather wonderful, bizarre, totally wacky headline in today's Sunday Sport. Anyone know what the story is about as I never buy this rag and I can't get the story online without paying for it - and I'm sure it's not worth it, despite the giggle this headline gave me this morning.

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Video: Trailer for Frank's trial on Coronation Street

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Coronation Street - double episode review, Friday January 27 2012

So, the Man from U.N.C.L.E (or Hustle, depending on your vintage) has joined Coronation Street. What a coup for  Corrie to land bona fide Hollywood actor Robert "Napoleon Solo" Vaughn to guest star as American smoothie Milton Fanshaw the 3rd. 

He rolled up, dapper in cravat, to surprise cruise squeeze Sylvia at the Rovers and join her in her tuneless banjo rendition of Ain't She Sweet. Milton then ordered "a round of boozes all round" for the impressed regulars - Rita in particular had an interested gleam in her eye.

Old pro Vaughn looks like he is enjoying himself hugely and it seems there will be some fine comic moments with besotted admirer Sylvia, whose battle-axe exterior melted like butter at his unexpected arrival.  Although it looks like she told him a few porkies about her job and son's business in Weatherfield, as suave Milton said he was looking forward to  "moseying along"  to "Roy's place for some haute cuisine". Not sure Roy's fry ups will quite cut it  in the Michel Roux stakes.  But the question is, will Milton turn out to be yet another a charming conman, as most male Corrie guest stars seem to end up being, such as Ian McKellen, and Nigel Havers?  Let's hope not, he seems so nice!

Meanwhile Ken Barlow, invigorated despite his hangover from his male-bonding whisky sleepover with new confidante Steve  (more of this pairing, please) decided it was time to throw lying stepdaughter Tracy out of his home. The "Teflon-coated" (as Ken called her)  madam threw the usual tantrum before discovering a solution -  brazenly breaking into estranged new husband Steve McDonald's house with a chicken madras bubbling on the stove (let's hope it wasn't poisoned) as he arrived home. Steve understandably did not look too impressed as she offered him a poppadum.

Eileen and Paul came out  proudly (on her part at least) as a couple in the Rovers but she seemed a tad surprised  that most of the regulars, including sister Julie,  disapproved of her openly canoodling with a married man with a sick wife.

Cheating matching black-dressed adulterous pair Peter and Carla  (do this couple ever wear any other colour?)  snatched a night away from poor, unsuspecting Leanne in a  posh hotel in Chester,  only to be caught red- handed on camera smooching by Frank's lady detective. I don't really see Frank's  twisted logic that unmasking Carla as a love cheat  will make any difference to his imminent rape trial. Hats off  however to Gwen Taylor as Frank's smothering, interfering mother who is very convincing as  an unpleasant, neurotic character.

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Corrie caricature of the week, Sylvia Goodwin

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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Becky McDonald's top goes up for sale on eBay

With thanks to Coronation Street fan @Ainsley1971 on twitter for letting us know about this, you can bid to win a top worn by Katherine Kelly as Becky McDonald in Corrie.

The top is being sold to raise funds for charity.

Bid to win it here.
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Twitter and Facebook campaign helped Corrie win big at the NTAs

The Manchester Evening News has a great article on how cast and crew used social networking sites to help them win at the NTAs.

Executive Producer, Kerian Roberts explains they made a conscious effort to connect with fans even more over the past year. He explains that this relationship with fans makes it easier to try and get Corrie fans to do the voting.

I have to say, out of all the UK television shows, Corrie has really embraced the online world the best, rather than just sticking to updating to the websites, they've taken to social networking sites, and rather than doing DVD spin-offs, they've started doing free online spin-offs for everyone to watch. It's great to see.

Keiran also mentions how producers realised how fans became dissatisfied last summer, and admitted that some storylines didn't work out as well as they looked on paper. He mentions how Corrie plans to build up momentum over the next year and discusses Betty Williams funeral and reveals that old faces will in fact return. It's a great read.

Coronation Street episode review, Thursday January 26 2012

Hello, I'm Kathryn Spencer, a new Coronation Street episode reviewer on this site, pleased to "meet" you!

Following award-winning Katherine Kelly's fairytale but somewhat unbelievable farewell - as the avenged and triumphant Becky flew first class to Barbados, swigging champagne with Mr Nice but Boring -  the Street picked up the pieces following lying Tracy's long awaited and deserved comeuppance at the altar. Unrepentant  the morning after, a furious-looking Tracy was in fine eye-swivelling form,  claiming she had framed Becky "to save my family", demanding "booze, lots of it, to render me unconconscious" from her family and charmingly telling innocent passerby Dev: "What you looking at? Want a fat lip?"

Meanwhile her hopes of making up with Steve looked unlikely following the latter's withering put down: "You are an insane, lying, deceitful manipulative cow ... I was an idiot to think you had a human heart in that ribcage of yours."  We get the message, Steve.Then he announced he was getting an annulment. Time to put that meringue wedding gown on ebBay, Tracy!

Elsewhere, a nice bit of comedy relief as Norris' amazing  keyboard playing skills were unmasked as a sham - he has an automatic machine - by a suspicious Rita. "He's good - too good," and Dennis. And a shellshocked Steve and  Ken Barlow - furious after he had been lied to by both his wife Deirdre and daughter Tracy over the latter's miscarriage  -  took solace in a shared bottle of whisky in a darkly humorous scene as  they bemoaned their mutually chequered love life. "I lost a woman I loved - more than oncesh,"  Ken slurred,  misty-eyed, comparing himself, somewhat dubiously, to King Henry VIII. "Good things enter your life and  shine like a bright star and then you do something wrong and they  fly back and you're right back to where you started." Thinking of a certain actress who lived on a barge and force fed you homemade soup in your kimono, Ken?

Meanwhile Peter and Carla's adulterous web of lies came one step closer to unravelling as sharp-suited rapist Frank clocked her meeting Peter on one of their clandestine dates.

And Jason, never the sharpest tool in the workbox, finally realised the truth about his mother Eileen  who had enjoyed a  illicit  night of passion under the family roof with fireman Paul while his Alzheimer's wife  had conveniently gone into care.  "As soon as his wife is in a home, he's straight in your  bed," he noted. "That's wrong and you know it." Eileen, clutching her bouquet from soppy Paul, looked too lust-sated to care.

A  good episode, this one, with light and dark and the emphasis on  some of the older characters, rather than the tedious teenage Hollyoaks style dramas which are never the Street's finest moments.

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Fab Photo Friday - January 27th 2012

It's Friday again so it's time for this week's fab Coronation Street photo. I know we featured Blanche last week but I think she'd have had a lot to say about the goings on with her granddaughter this week. She may even have resorted to violence again.

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Sneak preview of tonight's double Corrie - Friday 27 January 2012

Friday 27th January at 7.30pm

PETER AND CARLA’S LIES LEAVE THEM WIDE OPEN. As Peter and Carla plan a secret rendez vous at a hotel in Chester he feeds Leanne a pack of lies about how he enjoyed his night at the dogs so much that he's going to Sunderland for the night to look into buying a greyhound. Back on the case Frank's private investigator Trish overhears this and reports back to Frank who instructs her to follow Peter. Will she get the dirt Frank so badly wants?

KEN TURNS HIS BACK ON TRACY . As Tracy tries to explain what's going on to Amy, Ken walks in and absorbs her upset. Revealing he can't forgive Tracy for what she's done he tells her he wants her out of no.1.

EILEEN AND PAUL FIND THEMSELVES THE FOCUS OF GOSSIP. When Eileen announces that she and Paul are now an item it's obvious her friends don't approve. Feeling uncomfortable how will Paul react?

Elsewhere Kylie sends Max to school with a healthy packed lunch but when he returns with it untouched will she keep up with his nutritious eating plan? Gail's tearful as Nick moves into his Victoria Court flat. Sylvia's upset as she hasn't heard from Milton for a few days but as her music contest with Norris begins she's overjoyed as Milton appears beside her!

Coronation Street, Friday 27th January at 8.30pm

FRANK’S NET CLOSES AROUND PETER AND CARLA. When Stella finds out that both Peter and Carla are away for the night she's immediately suspicious. But when she gently probes Leanne she's insists she trusts him. Trish meets with an equally suspicious Frank, Anne and Sally, has she got the proof they desire? Meanwhile in their hotel room an oblivious Peter and Carla plan their life together after the trial.

TRACY LANDS HERSELF ON STEVE. Deirdre's caught in the middle as Ken and Tracy continue to row. In danger of losing Ken will she continue to side with her daughter or is it time to make a stand?

SYLVIA’S ALL KEYED-UP WHEN ROY MEETS MILTON . Sylvia proudly introduces Milton to the assembled crowd as Norris tries to duck out of the contest. Sylvia's having none of it, will Mary come to his aid?  

Elsewhere Eileen's upset with Paul for doing a runner when Julie was having a go about their relationship. Apologising, he promises they'll stick together in future.

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Spot the Corrie prop - January 27th 2012

Everyone seemed to think that the shell ornament featured last week ended up in the back of Eileen's telly after Lesley threw it across the room. It would have to have travelled quite along way as the shell bowl can normally found sitting on Sally Webster's sideboard.

For this week's prop poser we want to know where on Coronation Street you would find this lamp.

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Watch Katherine Kelly live on stage - at a cinema near you

Katherine Kelly fans can watch the ex-Coronation Street actress as she stars on stage in the National Theatre, London, in She Stoops to Conquer.  "But how?" I hear you cry.  "Well, read on!" say I.

The play will be beamed live from the National Theatre in London to cinemas in the UK on March 29th and on varying dates to cinemas worldwide. 

For a full list of all the cinemas showing the play live from London, have a look here.

She Stoops to Conquer is about Hardcastle, a man of substance, who looks forward to acquainting his daughter with his old pal’s son with a view to marriage. But thanks to playboy Lumpkin, he’s mistaken by his prospective son-in-law Marlow for an innkeeper, his daughter for the local barmaid. The good news is, while Marlow can barely speak to a woman of quality he’s a charmer with those of a different stamp. And so, as Hardcastle’s indignation intensifies, Miss
Hardcastle’s appreciation for her misguided suitor soars. Misdemeanours multiply, love blossoms, mayhem ensues.

One of the great, generous-hearted and ingenious comedies of the English language, Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer offers a celebration of chaos, courtship and the dysfunctional family.

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

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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Pics from Corrie's win at National Television Awards

Here's all the news from Coronation Street's double win at last night's National Television Awards. 

And here's some lovely pictures. Click on each picture to enlarge them.

Here's pictures from the red carpet as the Corrie cast made their way into the awards ceremony.

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Sneak preview of tonight's Corrie - Thursday 26 January at 8.30pm

Coronation Street, Thursday 26th January at 8.30pm

PASSIONS THREATEN TO OVERWHELM PETER AND CARLA. Peter lies to Leanne that he's meeting some mates at the dog track and heads off to a restaurant to meet Carla. But when she bumps into an old factory client, who says he's meeting Frank there, she makes her excuses and rushes off. Outside she finds Peter parking his car and quickly jumps in, explaining their near miss. But have they got away with it?

TRACY’S HURT WHEN STEVE WANTS OUT. As Tracy wallows in self pity Deirdre regrets getting dragged into her web of deceit which has disgusted Ken. Tracy begs Steve to give her another chance, claiming she loves him she insists they can work through this. Will Steve relent?

KYLIE CLASHES WITH BRIAN OVER MAX. At parents evening Brian lectures Kylie and David about the importance of a healthy diet for Max. Leaving in a huff will they take his words on board?

Elsewhere Rita and Dennis discover Norris' sham piano playing. Jason's softening to Paul but how will he react when he discovers he stayed the night with Eileen? As Anne snipes at Sally, Frank tells his mum it's time she moved out.

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Steve McDonald gurn of the week - January 26 2012

It's Thursday and that means only one thing... time for the Steve McDonald gurn of the week. Thanks go Coronation Street fan David McGowan 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.

National Television Awards: Coronation Street wins Serial Drama Award

Woohoo!

Coronation Street has beaten its soap rivals to win the Serial Drama Award at the National Television Awards 2012.

The awards were held on Wednesday 25 January 2012 and beamed live to ITV1 from the 02 arena in London.

Last year, Corrie lost out on the National Television Award for Best Serial Drama to BBC1 soap EastEnders.  This year
was clearly Corrie's turn to win.

Producer Phil Collinson collected the award and handed it to Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster) who looked fantastic in a blue frock. She thanked everyone in the cast, the writers, crew who work behind the scenes. Holding the award aloft, Sally said: "And this one is for Betty Driver!"

Phil Collinson dedicated the award to Corrie creator Tony Warren.  A nice touch.

Katherine Kelly also won the award for Best Serial Drama Performance for her role as Becky McDonald. Read more on that here.

View red carpet pics of the cast arriving here.

Well done, Corrie!

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National Television Awards: Katherine Kelly wins Serial Drama Performance award

Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly has won the National Television Award for Best Drama Performance. 

The awards were held on Wednesday 25 January and shown live on ITV1, direct from the 02 arena in London.  Katherine's award was in recognition for her role as Becky McDonald in Corrie, a role she's had for six years.

Katherine has now left Coronation Street and will be starring on stage in She Stoops to Conquer at the National Theatre in London.

Katherine wasn't able to collect the award in person and so it was left to Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) and Paula Lane (Kylie Platt) to collect the award for her. Paula read out a few words from Katherine.  "Becky gets Barbados and I get an NTA, woohoo!"

Coronation Street also won the award for Best Serial Drama.  Read more on that here and see pics from the red carpet arrivals here.

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Pics: Corrie cast arriving at National Television Awards

Coronation Street cast members turned out in their best bib and tucker for tonight's National Television Awards. Here are some of them, snapped by the paparazzi as they made their way into the 02 arena for tonight's awards.

Coronation Street wins Best Serial Drama award.

Katherine Kelly wins Best Serial Drama Performance award.

All images copyright getty images.

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Wanted: Blogger to write Corrie episode reviews

If you know how to use Blogger and are as passionate about Coronation Street as you are about writing, would you like to join our team here at the Coronation Street Blog?

We're looking for a Corrie fan to write short and sweet Corrie episode reviews. All we're after are just a couple of paragaphs rounding up what's gone on each episode in Corrie, nothing too lengthy or wordy while keeping it fun and funky too. 

Interested? Please email me at glenda.young@btinternet.com with a link or two to work you've already done online, if possible.

While we can't pay you, your work will be read, enjoyed and shared by over 300,000 Corrie fans worldwide each month.


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National Television Awards - voting closes at 12 noon today

Voting closes in the National Television Awards today, Wednesday 25 January at 12 noon.

Vote here.

The awards are on ITV1 live from the 02 arena in London, tonight, presented by Ant and Dec.

The categories where you can vote for Corrie are:

1) Serial Drama;

2) Serial Drama Performance - Alison King as Carla Connor and Katherine Kelly as Becky McDonald;

3) Newcomer Award - Chris Fountain as Tommy Duckworth.

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