Thankyou for everything, Tony Warren

I almost met Tony Warren once. It was at Coronation Street's 50th birthday party back in 2010.  He was there, talking to the press, mingling, looking well.  I was there as part of the invited press pack and, notepad in hand, went to speak to some of the Corrie cast. We were allowed to mingle freely with them all, ask them anything we liked, share a cake or a cuppa with them.  Most of them were there.

Now then, I don't have the tenacity of a hack. I'm not a journalist. First, foremost and always, I'm a Coronation Street fan (who can write).  I approached the cast members I really admired and spoke to Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper), Steve Huison (Eddie Windass) and Craig Charles (Lloyd Mullaney). I stood in a scrum waiting to speak to David Neilson (Roy Cropper) but couldn't get a word in as the proper journos elbowed me out. It was done nicely, but I was still elbowed out.

As we were leaving at the end of a wonderful day on the Street, Tony Warren was waiting by the exit as we passed. He was on his own, and I have to admit, looking slightly lost. I was within inches of him. I could easily have smiled at him, said hello. But I was too nervous. Speaking to cast members had been one thing, they were actors used to dealing with the press and the public, but approaching Tony Warren? A different thing altogether.

This was a man I was in awe of, and will remain so for the rest of my life.  This was a man who single-handedly changed British culture - and who also changed my life.  So no, I didn't speak to him, because I didn't dare. I walked past him and turned. I watched him as he looked out onto the Street, the world he created. "Thankyou," I mouthed to the back of his head ... and then I walked away.

Without Tony Warren there would be no Coronation Street.  Without Coronation Street I wouldn't have met my wonderful husband and made some great friends. Without Coronation Street I wouldn't have been proposed to while sitting on Maxine's Bench while on a VIP tour of the old set, many years ago.  Without Tony Warren I wouldn't have written as many words as I have done for over 20 years.

In short, without Tony Warren, I wouldn't be who I am.

Thankyou, Tony Warren, for everything. 

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