Rob Mallard, who plays Daniel Osbourne in Coronation Street, was interviewed by Fearne Cotton on this morning's Lorraine show on ITV. It was good to see Rob being himself and I'm always interested to see how our favourite Corrie actors come across when interviewed, especially on live TV. Rob came over as a very nice guy, if a little nervous, and I liked him all the more for it.
Rob described bringing his grandmother onto the Coronation Street set where she blushed when she met Bill Roache and he really enthused about working on the show. He said he's firm friends with Kate Ford (Tracy Barlow) and Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow) and he gets on very well with Bill Roache (Ken Barlow) too.
I didn't know this, not being a fan of any other soap, but Rob appeared in Emmerdale last year, just for three episodes.
He also revealed that since Daniel's fight with Chesney, he's been receiving "a few scowls" from members of the public when he's been out and about.
Rob didn't give much away about what's coming up for Daniel, and as ITV already have released the previews for next week's Coroantion Street, we already know that Sinead will lose her baby.
How this will impact on Daniel's decision whether to take up his MA at Oxford or stay on the Street is also a moot point, I feel. Of course, Daniel can't leave and go to Oxford, where would the story be in that? And if he did go it would mean we'd lose Daniel to the dreaming spires instead of the smoky chimney tops of Weatherfield.
So he's staying, which is a great thing as I find him fascinating to watch.
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7 comments:
Rob came across very well but the interview felt rushed. We know Lorraine is a big Corrie fan and is genuinely interested but I didn't think Fearne had any interest at all.
Good grief, this is 2017, not 1720. There is no reason that Daniel, who is studying the humanities, can't use distance learning most of the time, and head to Oxford now and then to meet with people or do original source research. He doesn't need science labs or a theater, just a word processor and books. I don't want to lose an interesting new character but even more, I don't want yet another young adult throw away their chance at an education and future professional opportunities. Sophie, Todd, Craig, even David, all were once students with top marks. David has something of himself only because his gran apprenticed him. This dropping out of the best and brightest is a terrible thing to portray, and now we're seeing Bethany following the same path. Somebody please figure out a way for Daniel to get that Oxford degree!
Well said, abbyk. I'm also sick of this soap message that nobody needs an education. I hope Daniel takes your advice, as I really like the character.
I completely agree abbyk. Daniel would be getting a Master's, between a bit of train travel for important seminars, Skyping with the professor overseeing his thesis and electronic access to most of the world's classics, the show is missing a golden opportunity to have younger viewers see how to hang in there and get a solid education. Universities have really evolved to reach out to people with flexible schedules, etc. and it's a shame that it isn't publicized.
Besides, Oxford isn't the only game in town, Manchester has a huge university. Why not have Daniel and some other characters finally notice that?
Oh dear, wrong message. All above express views I am in accordance with...there is no need for black or white decisions in this age when everything is - literally - at our fingertips. Writers, please note: this storyline with Daniel and Sinead - quick fumble and deflowering in a cupboard, result pregnancy, what else? "Ah, now we can write the dilemma of pregnancy v. MA at Oxford. This is exciting". People value education especially a character like Daniel. There are ways, as bloggers have succinctly pointed out. One way road, who are these writers, storyliners? It is an insult to anyone with an ounce of ambition. As I said - wrong message for the generation the stories appear to be targeting. Game playing, secrets, bad decision making,no protection sex, failed relationships, bed hopping on a whim at the first row/hurt, whatever, revenge. Good grief, when many in society are upping their game, dealing with their issues, making more of who they authentically are, when are we going to see this. Grief counselling for Michelle, Gail speaking sensibly to Nick about his childish and controlling behaviour instead of taking against the woman. There are voices of reason,Liz and Rita to name two, but even Billy turned from the latter into the former at one point. I still watch and some would ask why, I do of myself. It is worth it for the humour, the bits when you cheer because at times the right note is hit and some of the acting is superb. The actor who plays Nathan, Lucy Fallon, Jack Sheppard, Beverley Callard and many more. Hurrah!!
For a long time, the actors have been a lot more compelling than their storylines. I watch Corrie the same way you keep seeing your friends even when they're making ridiculous life decisions: you keep hoping they'll come to their senses at some point.
"Grief counselling for Michelle, Gail speaking sensibly to Nick about his childish and controlling behaviour instead of taking against the woman."
I'm not sure I agree this is the way forward for Corrie or even a way back to its roots.
Long time ago, Ivy Brennan lost her son and, despite being overwhelmed by grief, did not receive counselling. Long time ago, Mike Baldwin acted on his worst impulses to humiliate Hayley and no one spoke sensibly to him. Instead, in my opinion, what the writers did then was let bad behaviour play out, but, at the same time, they framed it in a way that exposed how bad it was. For example, Ivy's reaction to Brian's death deformed natural grief into something more toxic that threatened her relationship, not only with Gail and the grandkids, but also with her new husband, Don. As Don said, at his last gasp trying to reason with her: 'you get stuck in a groove and expect everyone to get stuck with you.” Ultimately, Ivy's diseased form of grieving ruined her marriage and led to the cheating that was Don's downfall.
Would we have liked Coronation Street better then if Ivy had received grief counselling?
I think the problem with current storylines is a failure to plot out the crescendos, the way small dysfunctions in behaviour grow in magnitude, and how petty prejudices among neighbours work in concert to enable those dysfunctions and result in repercussions for the entire community.
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