Is Karl Munro the new Don Brennan?

It's a question the whole nation isn't asking. Apart from me that is. In the next few weeks we are about to witness, Street style, a complete character change as Karl Munro turns nasty. Yes nasty! Which got me thinking. Who was that other well-loved (Ok, possibly not) Weatherfield character who morphed from being a relatively jolly, dependable middle-aged bloke into a raving loon. Step forward Don Brennan.

Don, you may recall, was the Street's everyman for a while. He was a hard-working cabbie, liked a few laughs and had enough resolve to take on God-bothering Ivy Tilsley and her devotion to all things dead. Before long, Don became a drudge, a bore, a shadow of his former ebullient self. What followed was disaster heaped upon tragedy. There was the seedy stalking of Denise Hairdresser, a bitter feud with Mike Baldwin, Ivy's 'get me to a nunnery' exit, his liaison with the staggeringly dull, gruff-voiced Josie, the hounding of lovely Alma, the 'foot' incident, living with Ashley, more Baldwin and a welcome death.

Poor old Karl seems to be yet another member of the cast who seems to be without purpose. Weaving across the cobbles like Liam Gallagher's dad, he was originally an intriguing addition to the Street. The stomach-churning affair with Sunita turned him into a snide, nasty piece of work. Loveless and seemingly friendly, he now makes for uneasy viewing in the same way that Dead Don did back in the 1990s.

If history decides to repeat itself we can look forward to Karl delivering pervy phone calls to Maria, packing St Ella off to a convent (hurrah), attacking Jason with a chair leg whilst over-acting and then plunging Sunita into Weatherfield Quays whilst she yells 'no....." in an echo chamber.

Seriously though, it does feel as though Karl is about to tread that well-worn path of normal blokes who suddenly go bad. It doesn't make for particularly believable drama and can only end with Karl as a bitter, cynical and hollow version of his original self. Here's hoping this prophesy of doom comes to nothing but I have a feeling that we may be witnessing the beginning of the end for Mr Munro. Now - has anyone got the phone number for the nearest convent? Would they show pity on a beige nun?


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Coronation Street: The Price is definitely not right

Sorry everyone, I'm back to that old chestnut - my loathing of Stella Price, Landlady of The Rovers Return. Better known to us on the blog as St Ella of the Back Room. I know she (the character) has received a fair dose of criticism during her short spell on the cobbles, but really, I think it is time for her to go. 

Being honest, I have never liked the character of Stella. She has never fitted in, despite repeated attempts by the powers that be to force her down the viewers' collective throat at every cut and turn. Thankfully these days we see a little less of her interference in the lives of characters she has absolutely nothing to do with, but without a doubt she is the weak link in the chain at the Rovers. Let me tell you why I think this.

First of all, and maybe most importantly, she does not make a convincing Rovers Landlady. No, I don't just mean the accent, or the lack of one. She just does not have that brassy, commanding presence of a Bet Lynch, or the grande dame authority of an Annie Walker. Tough acts to follow I know, but that's the kind of character Corrie should be aiming for. The Rovers boss is a pivotal role in the programme and what we have now is just beige, beige, beige. Also, we love our strong women to have a vulnerable, emotional side. Even when her world is collapsing around her, I don't feel sympathy for Stella. The tears just never seem to come from her, and therefore not from me either.

A Rovers Return Landlady should have the power to match Bet and Annie in their prime. I'm thinking of Bet's relationship with Alec Gilroy, her caring friendship with Raquel and her bitchiness with Tanya Pooley. And could Stella pull off any of Annie Walker's stories? The class of Annie's relationship with Jack, with Nellie Harvey? Her battles with Hilda Ogden or delusions of grandeur - who can forget the Bingo Hall carpet in her living room? No, I'm not saying I want a carbon copy of past greats, just a worthy successor.

I also don't enjoy Stella's relationship with her family. The love triangle with Sunita and Karl was just dreadful from the start. Never believable, Stella and Karl's existence on the cobbles led to a complete about turn for Sunita, previously a delightful, caring, warm character. It seems such characteristics are in short supply today. Reading the spoilers about what's to come between Karl and Stella doesn't give me much hope either. Instead of Karl kidnapping Stella and taking her for a couple of laps of the Red Rec (Don Brennan anyone?) why doesn't he head for the M6 and motor somewhere south of the Watford Gap?

The garish Gloria has also failed to liven up the Price family. I just don't believe in them as mother and daughter. It almost reeks of the powers that be drafting in an actress of Sue Johnston's considerable talent and experience to try and salvage something from the wreckage. I loved the arrival of Eric, but the scenes following his sad demise were bordering on distasteful. Stella showed no emotion at Eric's passing and all Gloria is concerned with is the contents of his will. How can we find sympathy for these characters? Yes, I know it's a fictitious soap opera. I know it's meant as entertainment. However, once upon a time Coronation Street had a strong moral compass - it ran through the streets of Weatherfield like Blackpool rock. In days gone by, Gloria would have learned her lesson after the Lewis scam, but no - on she goes like that never happened. 

I also really disliked the way Stella treated her daughter Eva the other night. I have softened in my feelings towards Eva recently as she has shown a more vulnerable, human side. Indeed, she is the only Price I'd save. I watched scene after scene where Stella just didn't listen to a word her daughter said - another awful example of St Ella always being right. I didn't blame Eva at all for considering the option of running away with Eric. I'd have done exactly the same! 

Putting Stella with Jason Grimshaw has also upped the "gag" factor in our house. I have nothing against age gap relationships - look at Ken and Deirdre; Roy and Hayley. Stella and Jason though is just ridiculous. As with most things these days, it all seemed to happen over night and since they got it together, we have seen precious little story development. It's just another example of St Ella being queen bee. I like the character of Jason but for me this really doesn't do him any favours.

Finally, let's discuss probably the greatest travesty of all. Stella revealing she was Leanne's real mother. I've said it before and I'll say it again - utter nonsense! I will always see Janice Battersby as Leanne's mum. Of course sadly these days Leanne never mentions poor old Janice, who has been dumped faster than a batch of Sean Tully's inferior hotpot. The arrival of St Ella and the subsequent revelation has done nothing for Leanne's character at all. One minute Leanne would have nothing to do with Stella, the next it was all hugs, smiles and calling her mum. Far too easy. If this was real life, Janice and Toyah would have been back within days to sort St Ella out once and for all! And if I was in charge, that's exactly what would have happened next.

So, I want to hear your thoughts on the Price family. Do you agree with me or are you shocked at my harsh streak? Love them or loathe them, by the looks of Stuart Blackburn's recent comments, they are here to stay for the foreseeable future. And I for one am not happy.

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Coronation Street goodies to be won right here

We've got three fantastic, exclusive, Coronation Street goodies competitions running right now on the Coronation Street Blog.  If you haven't entered them yet, what are you waiting for?  These are all top class items of official Coronation Street merchandise to be won!

Win Lilliput Lane Corrie buildings and Corrie shopping bags here - overseas fans can enter this one - deadline for entries Friday March 1 at 5pm.  Enter here.

Win bottle of personalised Coronation Street champagne for Mother's Day and a £20 gift voucher.  Deadline for entries Monday March 4 at 5pm. Enter here.

Win Coronation Street game for your iPad.  Overseas fans can enter this one. Deadline for entries Friday March 1 at 6pm. Enter here.


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'Free Tyrone' t-shirts for sale

We've had the pictures, the song and now you can buy the t-shirt for the Free Tyrone campaign.

All t-shirts are up for sale on eBay.


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Coronation Street's Sunita and Kirsty film final scenes

This lovely photo of Shobna Gulati and Natalie Gumede, who play Sunita Alahan and Kirsty Soames in Coronation Street, was posted to twitter today by the official Coronation Street website at @itvcorrie.

Shobna and Natalie, as Sunita and Kirsty ,have now filmed their final scenes and left the cobbles - for good?  Who knows?  Well, if tabloid rumours are true, Sunita will snuff it in the Rovers Return fire which takes place next month.

But as for crazy Kirsty, well, I'd love to see her back.  Just when Tyrone and Fiz and the kids are settling down to watch telly on a cosy, cold winter's night, their Christmas lights flickering above the fireplace, a glass of sherry in their hands, there'll be a sound at the back door, a shadowy figure, and it'll be Kirsty coming back to cause more trouble. Yes, I'd love to see her back. 

Natalie Gumede has been one of the best actresses Corrie's ever had - in this fan's opinion. And Kirsty Soames will be remembered for being one of the nastiest villains ever - and so brilliant to watch.

It's going to be interesting to see where the careers of both actresses will take them next.  As soon as we hear news of either of them, we'll be blogging it, of course.


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What a complex Corrie web they weave

I've just been having a good muse over the latest chaotic happenings in the Platt household. Very interesting, involving stuff, well played out by all concerned. Casting the net a little wider though you can see how this story has the potential to upset a fair few apple carts.

First of all there is David and Kylie. Now obviously, this being the world of the soap opera, David is bound to find out about Kylie's infidelity sooner or later. We could all take bets on who will finally let slip, but now Gail has told Sally it's surely only a matter of time before the truth comes out. I only hope Kylie decides to tell the truth before it comes from an outsider. We all know David is a hot head and will probably explode at the news as well he might. However I hope over time these two patch things up as I love them together. I also really hope the baby is actually David's.

Next we come to Nick and Leanne. Leanne is currently in blissful ignorance about the entire affair but how long will this last? Surely this betrayal is one fling too far for this couple? Nick has now cheated on Leanne and they had an affair while she was with Peter. How much more complex or rotten can one relationship be? 

I know some people disagree with me, but personally I think Nick is too good for Leanne. I just don't like them together. While I think David and Kylie should stick it out, I do think Nick and Leanne are doomed. I'm liking Eva a lot more these days and if she continues to develop and mature I could see Nick and Eva going the distance. 

If Leanne is cut loose from Nick once and for all, that opens up and reheats a can of worms for Peter and Carla. These two have been rather quiet of late which can only mean one thing -- they are about to come back with a bang. If Leanne becomes single again, I reckon Peter would be back in there faster than Blanche insulted his friends at that AA meeting. Leanne obviously still has feelings for Peter as we saw in the lead up to her wedding to Nick. I reckon it's only a matter of time. This bothers me as I rather like Peter with Carla. Unfortunately as both Peter and Carla are such damaged individuals I can't see them going the distance. 

Sadly all this splitting up and getting back together will have a bad effect on the children involved. While Max suffers from the Amy Barlow syndrome and only utters five words a year, old before his time Simon Barlow will obviously see this as another opportunity to demonstrate what a little brat he can be! There is a side of me which gets very tired at the thought of all this as we've seen most of it before, however all these characters are strong so it should be highly watchable.

Am I forgetting someone here? Ah, yes Ivy Tilsley in a Gail mask. How will Gail emerge from all of this? Your guess is as good as mine, however I am sure of one thing. Even the strongest of Weatherfield winds won't change the expression on that face!

So do you agree with me? How do see this mess of relationships working out?

And I'm sorry for that gratuitous photo of Peter with his top off - it was the only one I could find.

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An evening with Tony Warren in Manchester

If you'd like to meet the man who created Coronation Street, you can pop along to hear him talk in Chorlton, Manchester on March 23rd.

Tony Warren will talk about his life and times, including the creation of Coronation Street, and being a gay man in the 1950s and 1960s.

There will be a break during which a range of refreshments will be available, followed by an open Question & Answer session.

The event will take place on Saturday 23rd March 2013 at 7pm at Wilbraham St Ninian's Church, Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0XJ.

The cost per ticket is £12 per person. The event will last approximately 2.5 hours, including refreshment break.

Full details.

If any Corrie fans go to this and would like to write a short blog post for us afterwards about the talk, please do let us know.

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Michael Le Vell's court case referred to Manchester Crown Court

ITV News has released this statement today after Michael Le Vell, who plays Coronation Street's Kevin Webster, appeared in court this morning at Manchester Magistrates Court.

"Michael Le Vell confirmed his real name - Michael Turner - and address. The Coronation Street actor entered no plea but his solicitor indicates he will fully contest the charges. The case has been referred to Manchester Crown Court for March 20."

Crown Court, as you will know, means there will be a jury to decide the case. We won't be putting anything else on the Blog until the outcome and have turned comments off on this blog post too.

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Sneak preview of tonight's Corrie - Wednesday 27 February

Coronation Street, Wednesday 27th February at 7.30pm
 
KATY AND RYAN GROW CLOSER. Ryan’s flirtatious as Katy starts work at the kebab shop, suggesting they have a drink when they finish. Katy’s exhilarated by the hustle and bustle of work. But when Ryan showers her with compliments then moves in for a kiss will she respond?
STELLA REFEREE’S BETWEEN THE GRIEVING WIDOWS. Eva’s sceptical of her gran’s grief when Gloria contacts Eric’s solicitor to ask about his will. Eva insists on accompanying her to the funeral parlour, disgusted that she plans to use his money to splash out on a lavish funeral
KYLIE’S WORRIED AS DAVID OFFERS GAIL AN OLIVE BRANCH. Kylie encourages David to make the first move with Gail. But when he calls at the Websters, apologising and asking her to return home, will Gail explain the real reason why she left?
Elsewhere Fiz is pleased that Tyrone’s changed his mind and wants her to visit him in prison. But when he tells her to forget about him and move on with her life will she agree? Mandy takes Flash’s run to the tip but discovers more than she bargained for there!

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Coronation Street Weekly Update - living life in the bus lane

GOT KINDLE? GET CORRIE!
Corrie weekly updates from 1995 - 18 years in 18 e-books
All the wit and warmth of Weatherfield, none of the waffle
Available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com

Greetings and welcome to the Coronation Street Weekly Update.  Find out more about the Coronation Street Weekly Updates and why they've been written for th'internet since 1995 at http://www.corrie.net/updates/weekly

Gail’s got a face like a smacked baby’s bottom this week when she’s told by Nick that he could be Kylie’s baby’s dad. Mind you, so could David but Gail purses her lips, tuts and harangues poor Kylie when she returns from hospital with a ruptured spleen after falling off a table, drunk, in the Rovers Return. I love soap, me, everything happens so quick. David is none the wiser about being the dad or not, he just thinks Gail’s in a bad mood with Kylie and tells Gail he won’t stand for her shouting the odds at his poorly wife.  And when Gail refuses to stop kicking off at Kylie, David kicks Gail out of the house. She mopes and moans on Maxine’s bench until Sally walks by, remembers they once had a friendship in the ‘80s and takes Gail in for white wine, dinner, shared gossip and a lady hug.

Meanwhile in the Rovers, Gloria’s turned into a nasty piece of work. She tuts when Sunita walks in: “She’s showing everything she’s got – and more if she had it!” and comes out with a wonderful line to Stella who complains that Gloria’s taking new fella, the minted millionaire Eric, for a ride. “Some of us live life in the fast lane, whereas you prefer life in the bus lane, don’t you, Stella love?”  While Gloria plans how best and how quick to spend Eric’s cash, he’s offering to take Eva around the world on a cruise. “I love cruising, me,” confides Sylvia to him in the pub. “Word of advice… take baggy slacks”.  But her words fall on deaf ears, and dead ears, as Eric pops his clogs in the bar. Gloria will miss the money, Eva will miss her chance to escape Weatherfield. But will anyone miss Eric? It’s hard to say.

Elsewhere, Lloyd tries and fails to build up the courage to tell Mandy that Flash the tortoise is dead. They pronounce it tor-toyse in the north-west but I always thought that was a posh way of saying it. We pronounce it tor-tuss in the north-east which is the turtelly right way of course.  When Lloyd does break the news, Mandy’s shell-shocked.

And that's just about that for this week. Remember, you can sign up to get these Corrie weekly updates by email at http://www.corrie.net/updates/weekly/subscribe.htm

This week's writers were Julie Jones, Ellen Taylor, John Kerr and Jonathan Harvey.  Find out all 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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The Weatherfield Good Food Guide

We all know where to go for a good booze up in Weatherfield - The Rovers Return of course. However where would you go for a decent feed? I set to wondering what culinary options are available to the residents of our favourite cobbled street. Let's take a look at the evidence:

We may as well start off with the world renowned Rovers Return. The Rovers has been famous for one dish, and one dish only, for as long as we can all remember. The wonderful Lancashire hotpot. The merest whiff of hotpot gets us all misty eyed as we think back to the days when wonderful Betty Turpin graced the Rovers bar with her magnificent presence. I wonder if you are with me when I say I think the Rovers has never been quite the same since Betty departed? And neither, of course, is her famous hotpot. 

Why oh why was the closely guarded recipe gifted to Sean Tully?! They weren't particularly close and I can easily provide a roll call of Street residents who would be better trusted with this little slice of Corrie heritage. Sadly this has put me off ever dining at the Rovers. Apart from hotpot what else does the Rovers actually serve? I remember Annie Walker bravely diversifying into soup until Eddie Yeats found the industrial tins in her backyard. I'm surprised she ever lived down the shame.

Let's move on to the Rovers' main rival - Nick's Bistro. Nick's is famous for two things. Being demolished by an errant tram, and bringing the stuffed olive to Gail's dining room table. Personally I wouldn't trust the food served at the Bistro. Since it opened the staff have included Leanne, Mary, Kylie, Lewis, Ciaran and of course Gail. Remember when she left a fingernail in a food critic's dinner? I'd take a star away for that, if they had any to begin with. 

Although the Bistro offers a classier environment for our favourite Corrie characters to brawl, bitch and get trollied, The Bistro does seem to be where everyone goes these days. Before that it was Vallandros (until Leanne burnt it down - if I was Nick I'd be keeping her away from the creme brûlée torch). And going back even further there was Delphines, a favourite of Mike and Alma Baldwin, and The Clock. I wonder what has happened to these places now everyone dines within 50 yards of their front doors?

Victoria Street provides two more earthy eateries. The first of which is the delightfully named Prima Doner. Currently owned by Dev (enough to put even Becky McDonald off after a night on the cider), it employs beige Ryan and pointless Katy. The kebab shop is often neglected, originally belonging to Sinbad from Brookside. Ryan obviously finds the scent of kebab grease deeply alluring as it seems to be where he does all his courting - remember that is where he first hooked up with Tracy-luv Barlow. Now be honest, even if you were desperate for a kebab, would you purchase one from any of the above suspects? I think not.

A far better bet in my mind is Roy's Rolls. Originally Dawson's, then Jim's Cafe, Roy's has long been as reliable as Fiz Stape's stupidity, Deirdre's fag breaks and Tina's strange golden hue. It may not be fancy, but I'm sure a visit to Roy's is always a comforting experience. Unless of course Owen the Ogre is menacingly standing by the counter plotting with Anna Windass. Thankfully the craze for Mary's theme nights has now passed and Roy is safely back at the helm. Anyway, I'm sure Roy can knock up a mean steak pudding. And where else would the faktry girls go on their never ending cake runs?

There is one place we sadly never see anymore - Wong's Chippy. I loved it when the truly hideous Cilla and Yana worked in the chippy dishing out limp saveloys to Les Batterby and various other assorted unsavoury specimens! Which reminds me, whatever happened to Jackson's Chippy? Maybe we should campaign for its return!

So where would you choose to dine if you happened to find yourself down Coronation Street? And do you think Corrie makes enough of Lancashire's glorious culinary history? Deirdre's stuffed marrow does not count!


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Bid to win a VIP visit to the Coronation Street set

Coronation Street fans can bid to win a VIP visit to the soap set with Heart Wiltshire radio station.  The auction is part of their Have a Heart Appeal Auction and is available to listeners to Heart Wiltshire.

This Friday 1 March from 7am, listen to Heart Breakfast and bid on the  “Coronation Street Exclusive Tour” raising money for the Have a Heart Appeal granting sick children magical wishes.

Before you head off to Weatherfield, you’ll go shopping for a new £200 outfit . Then you and three of your friends will travel First Class by train to Manchester and stay in a city centre hotel. After breakfast you’ll head off to Coronation Street for a very rare and exclusive tour. You’ll walk on the cobbles and step onto set … who knows who you may bump into!

Listen to Heart Breakfast with Adam and Molly on Friday from 7am, and bid for this auction prize!

Find out more here.

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Coronation Street spoilers from new producer Stuart Blackburn

Coronation Street's new producer Stuart Blackburn has revealed a few spoilers, or at least teasers, about upcoming Street storylines.

In an interview with TV Times, via Digital Spy, Stuart reveals the following about our favourite soap:

On Hayley Cropper leaving -  "We're a long way off that storyline. Obviously Roy and Hayley are now going to be central to the show for the next 10 or 11 months. All I can say is that we're working on the most beautiful, moving story we can find."

On Stella and Karl - "There's a long way to go for Stella, Karl and the pub - we've got some really strong, powerful stuff coming up for them."

On David and Kylie - "I love that young couple and their relationship with the rest of their family."

On Peter and Carla - "There's a big storyline ahead for Peter and Carla, we're going to be moving them on apace."

On Tracy Barlow - "Tracy's been relatively quiet of late - she'll come back to the fore."

On the Rovers Return fire - Blackburn promises that the look of The Rovers Return will not change and that "rumours it's going to get bigger and become a B&B are nonsense". He added: "The story at the moment is that Stella is the landlady, and when the pub's burnt down, we'll see her battle to get it back to where it was."

On new families - Blackburn said there are no immediate plans to introduce new families to Weatherfield, as he will be concentrating on making sure existing characters are working "as best they can".

On his vision for the show, he commented: "It's about going back to basics, to the very first episode of Corrie in 1960. Right from the start, it was witty and warm but it wasn't nostalgic, it wasn't whimsical, it was an act of rebellion.

"It was the first time a popular TV drama had tackled the lives and loves of the working classes. That, for me, is what Coronation Street is, and what I want it to be while I'm here - 21st century stories about real, believable working class people."

Amen to all that, apart from more St Ella, news of which made this fan's heart sink.

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Karl to take a villainous turn

Karl is set to take a villainous turn in the coming weeks, as he begins terrorising Jason and Stella, in his twisted campaign to win back Stella's heart.

ITV.com has a great interview with actor John Michie, who plays the increasingly creepy Karl Munro.

In upcoming scenes, Karl will kidnap Stella, and burn Jason's van, but it seems that there is a method behind the madness.

"Jason’s a builder so without a van he won’t be able to do a great deal. He wants Jason to fail as the boyfriend so it’s vindictive and nasty, there’s a definite plan,"  Michie tells ITV.

This seems to be an interesting direction to take Karl's character in, since he broke up with Sunita, there seems to have been no real direction for his character to take. The real question is, does this mean that Karl will be the Rovers Return arsonist, or is this just a red herring?

"Initially he has a plan and a calculation" Michie explains, "but it all goes horribly wrong, and then he has to catch up with the events. It’s the events themselves that turn him bad; deep down he himself isn’t a bad person he’s just obsessed and in love. The best thing for Karl would be to leave Stella alone and not be with her."

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Spoilers for next week's Coronation Street, Mar 4 - Mar 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 - Friday 8 March

Karl stalks Stella and is jealous of Jason, Kirsty’s mum returns,  Katy wants Ryan, Dev and Sunita get friendly and Paul proposes to 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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Gin and tonic please, luvey!

God bless Dame Audrey Roberts, that's what I say. Amidst all the chaos in the Platt/McIntyre family with David all shouty, Kylie all pale and Gail all, well Gail, Audrey's first reaction was to request a large gin and tonic. Such class.

This made me think, what does a Corrie character's alcoholic drink of choice say about them? 

Now Audrey is a classy lady. Old Aud and Alma used to boost the Rovers takings no end as they put the world to rights over countless gins. The classiest, most glamorous characters in Corrie always drink gin, Elsie Tanner always did after all. It is also normally the preferred drink of any posh outsiders. And being this Blogger's own favourite tipple, of course it is the best.

Rita is normally a vodka and tonic gal. Now I don't mind a VAT but in my eyes it is a low grade equivalent of gin. This befits Rita's status as seller of sherbet lemons, Sugar Girl magazines and wearer of chunky diamante knits. I imagine she got a taste for vodka back in her days as t'Gatsby's resident turn and all round good time girl!  

In complete contrast, Emily will only occasionally sip a sweet sherry, particularly if Norris has driven her to it. I would imagine St Ella of the Back Room only keeps schooners in the Rovers bar for Emily these days. I hope, once Emily departs the cobbles, we don't discover she was a secret hoarder of sherry glasses as apparently the much-missed Betty was with pint pots. (Seriously though, what a stupid idea that was. As if Betty would do that).

Mary demonstrated the other night that she had missed her calling as a cocktail maker. When I first glimpsed her behind the bar at the Bistro I thought Tom Cruise had arrived in Weatherfield and changed sex. I was impressed by Mary's cocktail repertoire and it acted as a good distraction from the budding flirtation between beige Ryan and pointless Katy. 


As for the younger characters, if they are not knocking back pints of Newton and Ridley they will be, woe betide them, necking fizzy lager straight from the bottle. Gone are the days of classy drinkers like Becky "Pint of Snakebite" McDonald. I've gone all misty-eyed at the thought. Fair play to her though, she made a litre of cider the must have wedding day accessory. 

Spare a thought for poor old Gail, Sally and Deirdre though. Their drinking habits don't stretch to anything more exotic than a bottle of Freshco's red. I wonder if they pop it in the fridge like Abigail? Bless her heart. At least Gail's still got plenty of olives.


So what of the other Coronation Street residents? What do you think should be their tipple of choice? Would you like to see Eileen enjoy a Slippery Nipple? Would Norris benefit from Sex on the Beach? Although maybe not at this time of year. And I'm sure many of you out there would love to see Tommy Duckworth's Woo Woo. 

Right, I'm off for a quick Snakebite before bed.

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