Coronation Street’s 60th year is destined to memorable, that’s a fact, world events have put paid to that. Nobody could have predicted this unprecedented year and in effect, Coronation Street, like a lot of its continuing drama peers, has managed to soldier on. Even with restrictions, face masks, social distancing, and an unplanned break in filming - the drama has not stopped. Sinkholes, child mortality, racial slurs, shootings, gangsters, and the return of Todd, its all been very memorable, very Corrie, and I’m glad that it’s still around to brighten up this appallingly grim 2020.
For some the old idiom 'familiarity breeds contempt' could easily come into play, we’ve all had enough of this year, right? That’s maybe, but for this Corrie fanboy, the discovery of zoom press conferences, 60th-anniversary books, and classic corrie on ITV3, it’s probably been my most Corrie affected year, to date.
Back in June, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Corrie 'return to filming' zoom press conference where Corrie series producer Iain MacLeod told us about scripts and how the studios were adapted to make filming possible again. I remember the 60th anniversary was also briefly discussed, with a promise of a Christmas ‘community’ theme, a return to the social realism, strong northern drama, and characterisations that creator Tony Warren originally based those first 13 episodes on. So often we are used to Corrie stunts, special effects, live episodes, and dramatic deaths for anniversary episodes (2010 being most memorable) but with 2020 being ‘unprecedented’ (insert any other nauseating buzz word, here) I was thinking, even then, that this could be (not unprecedented) but a refreshing change.
Fast forward six months and amid another flamin’ lockdown, (I live in Sheffield, standard for the north) I had the utmost pleasure of joining a special Coronation Street 60th anniversary press day!! I thought, well, this should be good, I do like the techy stuff from ITV head honchos, but then I saw hosting was by ITV media correspondent, Nina Nannar, and a massive cast ensemble. My excitement peaked when I realised we would be in the company of Corrie legend William Roache (Ken Barlow) and my personal favourite Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow). With the Barlow's heavily involved in the 60th proceedings, we also had Rob Mallard (Daniel Osborne) and Sam Robertson (Adam Barlow) on screen.
As the incredible coercive control storyline comes to closure, it was also a treat to see Geoff, Yasmeen, Sally, Tim, and Alya on my laptop screen to tells us all about the upcoming action-packed week.
As Corrie couplings go, this year has also seen Kevin and Abi get together aka Micheal Le Vell and Sally Carmen, who shared some great banter, which was funny for a fan to see. We were also joined by gangsters Ray Crosby and Gary Windass, both being heavily involved in the development scam of course. It was fab to see Mark Frost and Mikey North on my laptop screen too!
A two-hour corrie zoom fest, this was top-level stuff. The cast split into three panels, and each block of interviews was bookended with a classic Corrie montage and even included a screening of a new trailer that airs tonight (30th of November)
For this fanboy, the excitement, surrealism, and sneak peek at what was to come; it was an awesome 2020 highlight, to be honest. A real privilege.
As I’m in furlough until January, I thought I would pace it and treat you to a cacophony of cast interviews throughout this week and into next weeks 60th showdown.
Let us treat this as my Corrie Christmas present to you all!
Keep ‘em peeled, as I’ve got plenty to tell you about!
I am @rybazoxo over on Twitter - your Corrie Connoisseur and budding Weatherfield history buff
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