The show will include a clip of an interview with Tony Warren who was quizzed by Melvyn Bragg about his work creating Coronation Street.
Although Tony Warren created Corrie and wrote the first 13 episodes, he ran into difficulties with his colleagues because he was openly gay at a time when homosexuality was still illegal.
Speaking candidly about the experience, he revealed: "It got unpleasant, very unpleasant. I was openly gay at a time when it was not seen as sensible to be openly gay, but someone had to stand up and say: 'Yes, I'm gay'.
"They ganged up, and they really did gang up as well, but I don't think even knew they'd done it.
"There was a terrible morning when there was a story conference and I sat there and I listened. I got to my feet and said, 'Gentlemen, I have sat here and listened to two poof jokes, an actor referred to as a poof and a line dismissed because it's poofy – I'd like to remind you that without a poof, none of you would be in work this morning'.
"And nothing was ever quite the same after that."
Asked if Corrie could have only been created by a gay man, he replied: "Yes! Only this gay man could have written it."
The South Bank Show Originals, which revisits past series of the art show while giving a fresh perspective on the interviewees, returns to Sky Arts with a double bill from 10pm tonight (July 27).
You'll be able to see Tony Warren's interview next Wednesday, August 3.
With thanks to Digital Spy for bringing this to our attention.
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3 comments:
Tony wrote the first 12 episodes, not 13. The interviewer is wrong.
David, don't be such a nitpicker.
C in Canada, when Tony himself repeats the mistake, I feel justified in picking this particular nit!
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