The faces of Corrie in 1994

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1994, 157 episodes were broadcast.

1. Gail Platt (117 episodes)

2. Raquel Wolstenhulme (113 episodes)

3. Curly Watts (110 episodes)

4. Rita Sullivan (107 episodes)

5. Mavis Wilton (104 episodes)

6. Alma Baldwin (102 episodes)

7. Maureen Naylor/Holdsworth (99 episodes)

8. Liz McDonald (94 episodes)

9. Des Barnes (93 episodes)

10. Bet Gilroy (93 episodes)

11. Ken Barlow (91 episodes)

12. Reg Holdsworth (91 episodes)

Due to lack of space, Tanya Pooley fails to make the top 12, but also appeared in 91 episodes.

Average age: 45

Note: To date, this is the last time Bet appears in the top 12, after 21 years. Also, this is the last time, to date, that Curly, Maureen and Reg appear.

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Top 50 Corrie Couples - No. 11

11. Ken Barlow and Deirdre Langton/Barlow/Rachid/Barlow 1979-1990, 1999- (132 votes)

They’re one of the longest running partnerships on the cobbles, with their on/off relationship beginning in 1979. Having beaten Mike Baldwins for Deirdre’s hand, Ken married her in 1981 and became a loving stepdad to Tracy. But by 1982, Deirdre had become bored of Ken and was yet again swooned by Mike and they had a headline-grabbing affair. When he found out, Ken had a showdown with both Deirdre and Mike and the Barlows decided to give their marriage another go. Ken then went on to establish his own newspaper The Weatherfield Recorder while Deirdre worked at the Corner Shop. In 1986, Ken adopted Tracy. 

By the end of the 1980s, they were a power couple – Ken a newspaper editor and Deirdre a councillor, having challenged Alf’s seat in 1987. But in 1989, Ken had an affair with Wendy Crozier that ended the marriage which was a shock to Ken. During their hiatus, they took an interest in each other’s lives and maintained a close friendship, to many of their partners’ chagrin. Deirdre supported Ken through his problems with Denise Osbourne while Ken was on hand to support Deirdre during her disastrous romances with Phil Jennings and Jon Lindsay. They also united to support Tracy through her rebellious phase in her teens.

They nearly reunited in 1994, but it was in 1999 that they finally did, thanks to Blanche’s meddling. Despite Deirdre having an affair with Dev Alahan in 2001, they remarried in 2005. But their second marriage has also been challenging with Tracy going to prison for murder; Ken reconnecting with his son Daniel and then staying with Denise while separated from Deirdre; Ken having an affair with Martha Fraser; and Deirdre falling for Lewis Archer in 2010. They have also become the mediators and counsels of their dysfunctional family in recent years.

Are you fans of Ken and Deirdre? Should they be at 11? Or do they deserve to be in the top 10?

Check out who was at 12.

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Marcus and Todd's snog causes Corrie complaints

Marcus and Todd snogging on the soft furnishings on Coronation Street has prompted some complaints from homophobes.

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has confirmed that it will not investigate.

From PinkNews: According to Ofcom, many of the 100-plus complaints referred to the fact that the topless kiss took place before the 8pm watershed, and that it was too “sexually suggestive’.

An Ofcom spokesperson has now confirmed to PinkNews: “Ofcom can confirm that it is not investigating the scene in Coronation Street as it was not in breach of generally accepted standards.

“Our rules do not discriminate between scenes involving opposite sex and same sex couples.”

See also: Your views on Coronation Street's gay characters 
See also: Glad to be gay? 
See also: What a gay day!


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Fab Photo Friday - February 28th 2014

It's Friday again so it's time for this week's fab Coronation Street photo. This week we have a picture of Les Charlton, who tried to get friendly with Gail Tilsley while her husband Brian was working in Qatar. He was played by Graham Fellows and had previously appeared as a young man who tried to chat up Gail Potter as she waited outside a cinema for Brian. Graham was better known as the pop star Jilted John and is now known as comic character John Shuttleworth.

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Spot the Corrie prop - February 28th 2014

Well done to blogger Llifon who was the first to guess that last week's teapots can be found in Roy's Rolls.

For this week's prop puzzle all you have to do is tell us whereabouts on Coronation Street you would find this very strange fruit in a bowl. Extra bonus points if you can tell us what kind of fruit it is.

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Preview of tonight's double Corrie - Friday 28 Feb

Coronation Street FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2014 at 7.30pm

GARY’S ACTIONS HAVE HUGE CONSEQUENCES Phelan’s not moving and Gary’s beside himself as he looks at his body. He desperately phones Owen telling him Phelan’s been hurt in an accident but when Owen finds Gary wandering the street he confesses he hit Phelan with a piece of copper piping because he’d tried it on with Anna. However, when they return to the building site Phelan’s body is nowhere to be seen…
IT’S EYES DOWN, LOOK IN FOR BETH AND SINEAD It’s been a disappointing evening at the bingo for Beth and Sinead. As they head for the bus stop, they chat to Maureen, the winner of the evening. But when a lad suddenly makes a grab for Maureen’s handbag full of cash, will Beth be the one who comes to Maureen’s rescue?
TONY FINDS SOLACE IN UNEXPECTED ARMS Jason riles at Tony for losing him the gym contract. Still smarting from his run in with Jason, he flirts with Liz in the Rovers, clearly enjoying her company.
ELSEWHERE Jake is rushed into hospital with suspected meningitis and Mary, Stella and Kal plan a surprise party for Dev’s 50th birthday.

Coronation Street FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2014 at 8.30pm

OWEN AND GARY CARRY THE DARKEST OF SECRETS As Gary and Owen arrive at the hospital, the doctor assures them that Jake has a virus, not meningitis. Owen and Gary nervously try to phone Phelan but there’s no reply and as they pull up at Phelan’s house it’s in darkness. They ring the bell but no one answer, could Gary really have killed Phelan?
BETH IS LAUDED AS A HAVE-A-GO HERO Maureen reports the attempted mugging to the police and sings Beth’s praises, explaining how she wrestled the bag off the thief. Beth regales Chesney and Kirk with the tale of how she fought off Maureen’s mugger single-handed.
TONY AND LIZ ENJOY EACH OTHER’S COMPANY Eileen’s put out to find Liz and Tony enjoying a drink together. Liz feels guilty, wondering if Eileen still carries a torch for him.
ELSEWHERE Andrea’s impressed when Kal tells Steve and Lloyd he used to buy his wife a present every week.

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Dog Aid charity says thankyou to Coronation Street Blog

Regular readers may remember that back in September last year I sold off some of my own personal Coronation Street memorabilia, for the charity Dog Aid (Assistance in Disability).  It's a charity that my friend Lynn is heavily involved with and she has an assistance dog who has been trained with the help of the charity.

The auction of my signed Corrie scripts and photographs raised a grand total of £53 and the charity have sent me a certificate which I thought I would share on the Blog.  (The certificate says I sold a Coronation Street sign, but it was actually signed scripts and photos that were sold).

My friend Lynn and her dog Bella - view their website here - will be at Crufts this year at the stall for the charity Dog Aid.  So if you're at Crufts, please go and say hello to them both!

Also, Dog Aid would very much appreciate your vote for them in the annual Crufts Friends for Life competition, run by the Kennel Club.  Watch the video here and find out how to vote here.  Read more about Lucy and her dog Molly here.  Lucy suffers from Ehlers- Danlos syndrome, a rare tissue disorder, which also affects Coronation Street actress Cherylee Houston, who plays Izzy Armstrong.

Dog Aid (Assistance In Disability) is a national voluntary organisation, Accredited by ADUK,ADEu,ADI, which provides specialised training for people with physical disabilities and their own pet dog.The main difference between Dog AID and many other assistance groups is that the disabled owner actually learns how to train their own dog. Generally all the training is carried out by the owner with supervision from a specially trained instructor.

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Coronation Street charity doodles up for grabs

More of the Coronation Street cast have been busy doodling in the hope their squiggles can raise much-needed cash for charity.

We've already featured doodles by Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper), Bruno Langley (Todd Grimshaw) and Antony Cotton (Sean Tully) who have put pen to paper for this year’s National Doodle Day on Friday 7 March.

And now we have doodles by Cherylee Houston (Izzy Armstrong):

National Doodle Day, which is supported by Dodo Pad, publishers of the original family ‘doodle’ diary, aims to get as many people doodling as possible. The event raises money to help support the 600,000 people across the UK with epilepsy.


And a doodle by Paula Lane (Kylie Platt):

Information on the National Doodle Day celebrity auction and competition can be found at nationaldoodleday.org.uk. The auction will run from Friday 7 March to Sunday 16 March 2014. The closing date for entries into the National Doodle Day competition is Friday 4 April 2014.

Epilepsy affects around one in every 100 people in the UK alone and 87 people are diagnosed with the condition every day. Each year Epilepsy Action directly helps around one million people through a range of services, including its Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050, branch network, specialist nurse scheme and award-winning website, epilepsy.org.uk


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The faces of Corrie in 1993

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1993, 157 episodes were broadcast.

1. Jack Duckworth (102 episodes)

2. Curly Watts (102 episodes)

3. Deirdre Barlow (99 episodes)

4. Raquel Wolstenhulme (99 episodes)

5. Liz McDonald (98 episodes)

6. Mavis Wilton (93 episodes)

7. Gail Platt (92 episodes)

8. Jim McDonald (91 episodes)

9. Alma Baldwin (90 episodes)

10. Alf Roberts (90 episodes)

11. Audrey Roberts (90 episodes)

12. Kevin Webster (89 episodes)

Average age: 43

Note: This is the last time Alf appears in the top 12. This is the second time that a Rovers licensee doesn’t appear in the top 12

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Top 50 Corrie Couples - No. 12

12. Alf Roberts and Audrey Potter/Roberts 1985-1999 (120 votes)

Alf had wooed Audrey for many years and had proposed to her in 1981, but she turned him down. In 1985, when Audrey had broken down after crashing Alf’s car, he comforted her and proposed and she accepted. They were popular due to their clashing personalities: Alf was tight-fisted while Audrey was a gad-about who enjoyed spending Alf’s money on shopping. After they got wed they lived at the Corner Shop before then buying 11 Coronation Street, much to Audrey’s chagrin.

The Roberts’ marriage did have its ups and downs. Alf nearly lost Audrey to Malcolm Reid in 1988 when Malcolm charmed Audrey to leave Alf but she remained loyal and Alf and he threw Malcolm out. Audrey often walked out on Alf when she had enough of his tight-fistedness and also when he associated himself with Vivian Barford who became his campaign manager during the 1991 council election. A misunderstanding nearly led Audrey to file a divorce when she saw Alf in a robe with Vivian. Alf also often told Rita that he’d happily leave Audrey for her only for her to say. Rita would always say she only saw him as a good friend.

Audrey indulged in Alf’s council lunches, and was saddened when Alf lost his seat to Deirdre in 1987. She could no longer dress up and dazzle the councillors. In 1991 he reclaimed the seat and in 1994 he became mayor. Audrey was in her element but when she overused the chauffeur, Alf sacked her as mayoress and she was replaced by Betty Turpin. In 1993, Audrey persuaded Alf to sell the Corner Shop but was petrified about spending her whole life with Alf. She was horrified when he bought the shop back when Brendan Scott died but Alf finally retired in 1994. Audrey was proud when Alf was awarded an OBE by the Queen, but due to a fight with Don Brennan, she missed the inauguration and yet again it was Betty who accompanied Alf to the palace.

Their marriage was also plagued by Alf’s health problems. He suffered two heart attacks (1987 and 1992) and by his final years had become very frail. Alf’s declining health also led to Audrey becoming close to Fred Elliott and Alf had to warn him off. Alf died of a stroke in 1999, leaving Audrey penniless as he hadn’t updated his life insurance!

Were you fans of Alf and Audrey? Should they be in 12th position or in the top 10?

Check out who was at 13.

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Sylvia won't return to Corrie says Stephanie Cole

Stephanie Cole has confirmed that she has no plans to return to her role as Sylvia Goodwin on Coronation Street.

In an interview on ITV's Daybreak (by way of Digital Spy), Stephanie said this on live TV this week:

"I don't like being away from theatre too long, I don't like being away from telly too long. I adored my time on Corrie - great, wonderful actors, great crews and great scripts. And also, of course, Robert Vaughn as my love interest - it can't be bad, can it?"

What a massive shame she won't be back.  I miss her a lot and was hoping she would return one day to help Roy cope without Hayley.

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Peter Armitage beats cancer and wants Corrie return

On Coronation Street, Kevin's dad Bill Webster had a heart attack last year.  In real life, the actor who played Bill, Peter Armitage has battled cancer and now wants to get back to work on the Street.

The Mirror reports that Peter Armitagewas diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.  He says that he's currently in remission and will have check-ups every six months for the next five years.

He says: "It’s 30 years since I first started on the cobbles and I’ve always come in and out. Now Michael le Vell has been cleared, Kevin is due back on the cobbles in the spring and they’ve said Bill is fine.

"I’d like to go back again, too, if there’s a storyline for me."

I'd love to see Bill back on the Street - as long as he doesn't bring the dreadful Aunty Pam with him.

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Hollywood star Kevin Hart visits Coronation Street set

Hollywood actor and comedian Kevin Hart paid a visit to the Coronation Street set today.   The official Coronation Street website at itv.com/corrie has more pictures of his visit to the cobbles.

If like me, you've never heard of Kevin Hart, then here's his IMDB entry. I think it's fair to say he's famous.

Kevin is here in the UK promoting his new film called Ride Along.

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The faces of Corrie in 1992

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1992, 157 episodes were broadcast.

1. Gail Platt (129 episodes)

2. Raquel Wolstenhulme (125 episodes)

3. Mavis Wilton (121 episodes)

4. Jack Duckworth (120 episodes)

5. Vera Duckworth (112 episodes)

6. Rita Fairclough/Sullivan (109 episodes)

7. Curly Watts (106 episodes)

8. Derek Wilton (106 episodes)

9. Alma Sedgewick/Baldwin (98 episodes)

10. Bet Gilroy (96 episodes)

11. Martin Platt (95 episodes)

12. Liz McDonald (94 episodes)

Average age: 44

Note: This is the only time Derek appears in the top 12

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Top 50 Corrie Couples - No. 13

13. Len Fairclough and Rita Littlewood/Fairclough 1972-1983 (101 votes)

When Rita Littlewood first appeared on the cobbles in 1964, Len had just divorced his wife Nellie and was busy chasing Elsie Tanner. It would be in 1972 that she would reappear. She found herself attracted to Len and they began a romance. She was a nightclub singer and he a builder and their relationship was tempestuous.

In 1973, Len bought a newsagent, called it ‘The Kabin’ and installed Rita as manageress. Their relationship nearly ended in 1974 when Len favoured a council scheme to demolish Coronation Street. He confided in Rita who blabbed. By 1975, they had rebuilt their relationship. In 1977, Rita got a singing offer in Tenerife and accepted. At the airport, she realised she loved Len and married him shortly after.

In 1980, Rita left Len over his stubbornness to make improvements at their home at 9 Coronation Street and she still envied next door neighbour Elsie who Len held a flame for, but they later reconciled. In 1981, Rita became broody and as they were too old to adopt, they fostered John Spencer and later Sharon Gaskell. In 1982, they moved next door to No. 7 that Len had newly built. Rita was devastated when Len was killed in a car crash in 1983. She was later shocked when it was revealed he had been visiting his mistress.

Were you fans of the Faircloughs? Was Len Rita’s true love? Should they be at 13?

Check out who was at 14.

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All Star Family Fortunes - Coronation Street special on Sunday 2 March

There's a Coronation Street special version of All Star Family Fortunes this weekend on ITV. 

In the show to be screened on Sunday 2 March at 7.45pm, Kirk Sutherland played by Andy Whyment and his family compete against Anna Windass played by Debbie Rush and her family.

 

Up to £30,000 is up for grabs, but which team will second guess the British public best, and make it through to Big Money?

 

Hosted by Vernon Kay.

 

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Preview of tonight's Coronation Street - Weds 26 Feb

Coronation Street, WEDNESDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2014

 
GARY TAKES THE LAW INTO HIS OWN HANDS. Anna confesses to Izzy that Phelan tried to force himself on Anna. Gary’s horrified when Izzy tells him but she begs him not to tell Owen. Alone on the building site, Gary confronts Phelan and accuses him of treating Anna like a tart but when Phelan calls Anna a trollop, will Gary see red?
DEV’S NEWS SOURS JASON’S MOOD Sharif tells Dev and Kal he’s hiring a builder friend of his rather than Jason, whose prices are too high. How will Jason react when Dev breaks the news to him?
MARCUS IS LIVING A LIE Todd tells Marcus he’s living a lie and he knows he prefers men.
ELSEWHERE Beth and Sinead persuade Kirk and Chesney they should spend the evening at the Bingo.

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Gary 'The Hulk' Windass

With thanks to Coronation Street fan Emma Cameron-Pryde via facebook who has created and sent us this picture of Gary Windass doing his hulk impersonation on Corrie this week.   

"Don't make me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry."  

That Phelan fella had better watch out.

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New character arrives on Coronation Street next week

There's a new character who arrives on Coronation Street next week.  It's Steph Britton's brother, Luke.

Luke turns up to help his sister Steph move into Tina's flat with her.  In true soap style, Inside Soap magazine reveals today that Luke wastes no time in flirting with Tina.

In Corrie spoilers revealed some time ago, it was suggested that Luke will start working as a mechanic in Kevin Webster's garage. 

Luke was billed by the Daily Star Sunday as "a replacement for Tommy Duckworth", after actor Chris Fountain was axed for posting inappropriate videos online.  Steph is reported to be very protective of her brother. 

Luke will be played by actor Dean Fagan.  Dean Fagan's IMBD profile is here.

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UK's biggest Coronation Street fan wanted for new TV show

Victory Television are looking for the UK’s biggest Coronation Street fan for a new ITV competitive entertainment show.

If you or anyone you know have the passion for and knowledge of all things Corrie – get in touch ASAP with ben_justice@victorytelevision.com with your name, phone number, location and why you are the UK’s biggest fan of Coronation Street.’

If you apply and are picked for this, do please let us know!
 
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Coronation Street fans vote to work in The Rovers Return

A few days ago we ran a poll to ask Coronation Street fans where they would like to work on Coronation Street.

Over 420 fans voted and the results are in.  Here are the five most popular places that Coronation Street fans would want to work in:

The Rovers Return behind the bar  25.7%
Streetcars Cab Office  11.21%   
The Kabin selling sweeties  10.98% 
Medical Centre  6.54%
Roy's Rolls selling bacon barms  6.07% 

Interestingly, this came in at 2nd place:
I'd open up my own business in Fred Elliott's butcher shop, I say, work for myself  15.89%  

And the two least favourite places to work were in the chippy and at Kev's garage.

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Dennis Tanner will return to Coronation Street

Dennis Tanner will return to Coronation Street.  It's official, ITV says so.

Soaps Queen Sharon Marshall said on ITV's This Morning in her soap slot that Dennis would return to Corrie.  However, that's all the information we have. So I don't know when he'll come back, or for how long although it's fair to say that Gloria Price won't be with him.

I just hope he's back long enough for Rita to bundle up all his clothes and chuck them out of an upstairs window onto the cobbles below. As he bends to pick up his belongings, I would then like Rita to shout down to him on the Street and tell him to sling his hook.

See also: Would Rita and Norris be good together after all?
See also: Dennis reverts to type


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The faces of Corrie in 1991

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1991, 157 episodes were broadcast.

1. Jack Duckworth (108 episodes)

2. Liz McDonald (103 episodes)

3. Audrey Roberts (103 episodes)

4. Bet Gilroy (101 episodes)

5. Vera Duckworth (100 episodes)

6. Gail Tilsley/Platt (100 episodes)

7. Alma Sedgewick (97 episodes)

8. Mavis Wilton (96 episodes)

9. Don Brennan (94 episodes)

10. Ivy Brennan (94 episodes)

11. Des Barnes (93 episodes)

12. Jim McDonald (93 episodes)

Average age: 46

Note: This is the last time Ivy appears in the top 12

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Would Rita and Norris be good together after all?

We saw some lovely scenes last night involving heartbroken Rita and Norris as her good friend and ally. They reminded me of the "old Corrie" - we could all relate to what we were watching and I'm sure we all cared about poor Rita and were heartened to see Norris show his softer side once again.

This has led me to ponder whether perhaps Rita would have been better settling down with Norris rather than that rascal Dennis. Several people have commented that Rita and Dennis were never suited, never a good match on screen and that they couldn't see them as a "romantic" couple.

I don't necessarily think this was down to the age difference in the characters either. What started out as one old friend helping out another in a time of need quickly turned into a romance when in actual fact I don't think there had been any of that for Rita and Dennis in the past.

I'm not saying Rita needs a man, I'm just sad for her being on her own again. I know she said she'd had plenty of happiness in her life and that she had been loved but she has been left by all her partners one way or another. Len died on his way back from his fancy piece; Alan Bradley tried to kill her and was subsequently hit by That Tram; Ted died of a brain tumour not long into their marriage; it didn't work out with Alec Gilroy and Colin Grimshaw was a non-starter. Even Mavis left her in the end to run a B&B in Cartmel.

However Norris was right last night - Rita is strong, tough and resilient and this is great to see in an older woman on television.

I love Rita and Norris together, both when they bicker and when Norris shows how much he cares for her. In many ways he values and respects Rita more than Dennis ever did or probably could. I guess in many ways their on screen partnership has lasted longer than most Weatherfield marriages! Perhaps it's best that they never get together, not even in a platonic sense as Corrie can excel in that "what might have been" way. I just can't help wondering what might have happened if Rita had accepted that marriage proposal from Norris...

So what do you think of Rita and Norris? Did you enjoy the scenes last night? Do you think Norris would be better for Rita than Dennis ever could have been?

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