Would Corrie ever stage a 'surprise' death?

"What's he banging on about now?" you are probably asking. Death, as we know, is hardly ever a surprise visitor to the cobbles. If a character is axed or an actor decides to move on, then the news of the departure  might as well be emblazoned across the sky in giant, illuminated letters. Sometimes, telly bosses wheel out that tired old "who will die?" so-called teaser, providing a picture of several characters even when we all know who is about leave. Therefore we are prepared and suitably cushioned from the full impact of a character's final appearance. Even now, although we don't know for definite that Hayley is going to meet her maker (quivering lips and a box of man size tissues at the ready . . .), we are steadying ourselves for the fateful day.

However, could Corrie ever sneak in a totally unexpected death?

Last week, BBC Radio 4's The Archers managed to do exactly that. During a scene in the local pub, a regular announced that they just discovered that another character had died unexpectedly. As a listener, the shock was palpable. The demise came out of nowhere and yet had obviously been planned and executed by the producers without anyone finding out. Full marks to them for keeping it quiet.

Maybe this isn't something you can get away with on a ratings-hungry TV drama where every nuance has to be raised up the flag pole well in advance. I don't recall many secret storylines on Corrie or any other UK soaps. on the Street there was the famous Curly and Raquel reunion back in 2000 which was filmed in splendid isolation both away from other cast members and the ITV studios.

Personally, I think it would be a master stroke for a Corrie writer to pull off something like this but would it be popular?

Or are we happier with our soap 'early warning system' and the endless 'will she/won't she?' empty speculation?

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