Thursday, 31 December 2020

Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 30th Dec 7.30 pm


Adam telling the police that Gary is guilty of the attack only leads me to believe that this whodunnit (or notdunnit) is becoming a bit of a merry-go-round and may well take us into the New Year before we know the culprit. Subterfuge I like, suggestive subplots also good, just the drawn-out that sometimes causes my concentration to wain. Just me? Although Daniel seems to be asking a lot of questions. Usually, those who talk first are guilty - so they always say! My crystal ball says, Daniel, Sarah, or Simon. Those would be my predictions! 


Seeing Toyah light-up with love for the little foster Baby was the Christmas day gift I needed although, she did go a bit overboard buying baby toys for an emergency adoption, and emotions were undoubtedly unchecked. On that basis, you can’t blame Imran for turning down another foster placement? As much as I adore Toyah and her desire to start a little family, I think he was correct in his actions. Toyah is a touch delicate under that tough Battersby exterior, just like her sister. 



Todd goading Paul and using Kel’s abuse to continue this helpline fraud charade is starting to grate on me slightly! Last year we had those episodes when Paul broke down and told Bernie the truth, they were BAFTA level for me, so why use it as a rod for Todd to beat Paul into submission? I know Billy is an archdeacon now but is Todd that desperate to get back under his cassock? I understand the Todd is evil narrative, however a strange way to go about it!


P.S How is Billy not seeing Todd’s blatant scheming? Billy warned Paul all about him, not two episodes ago!



Evelyn’s knight in shining armour, Arthur, is back with a belated Christmas gift, a welcome return do we think? I like the actor (This Life, The Archers) and more screen time for the grumpy Gran cannot be a bad thing, can it! Although Evelyn got blindsided by Tim's classic Christmas toys at the jumble sale, it was good to see Roy try and help Arthur regain her trust. Tim and Dev’s new mateyness (with Steve away) was also quite fun. Did Chesney not get some money back on Christmas Eve from the stolen stall takings or have I missed something?  



Something I have not missed though, is Peter giving up the ghost - what is going on? Devastated by Peter and his despondent attitude (you and me both Ken), Ken is also astounded to learn of his irreversible liver damage and reluctance to continue the fight against the bottle. Is Peter really dying or giving up entirely because of Carla and Adam? Peter has fought this battle before and won, so let us hope he can win again! In a nod to the past, Ken’s recollection of Christmas 1990 is worth watching on youtube, if you can find it. 


Classic corrie that one!


PPS - Can we keep Elaine? Paula Wilcox sharing a scene with Maureen Lipman shows you the level of Corrie and 60 years of continuing drama. Superb! 


What are your thoughts?  


Speak next week! Same time, same place, just a different year 


Have a good one!  


I am @rybazoxo your cobbles connoisseur!







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Sally Dynevor receives MBE


Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe in Coronation Street, has been awarded the MBE for services to drama in the New Year's Honours List.

Sally said: "I am humbled, grateful and very proud to have received this honour. I am still in shock. I didn't believe it was real when I first found out earlier this month that I was to be given an MBE. Keeping it a secret has been so difficult. 

"During the 60th anniversary of Coronation Street I was reminded daily of my time on the show - the young girl in those scenes 35 years ago could only have dreamed of the incredible things that were going to happen in the coming years.

"I am so blessed to have met and worked with some wonderful people, not only on Coronation Street but also through the incredible charity Prevent Breast Cancer, their founder, Lester Barr, and their amazing fundraising team. This honour is as much for them as it is for me.

"I also want to thank my beautiful family, Tim, Phoebe, Sam and Hattie, for their constant love and support."







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Preview of tonight's Coronation Street - Thurs 31 December


Thursday December 31st (one-hour episode)

ADAM AND SARAH TOAST A NEW YEAR TOGETHER Sarah returns to the corner shop flat, dressed to the nines and carrying a bottle of wine. She suggests to Adam they see in the New Year together and Adam’s touched. As Sarah opens the wine, Adam watches her lovingly and suggests that they should start again with a clean slate. Sarah smiles seductively. Meanwhile a clearly upset Kelly confronts Gary and demands that he tell her what he’s done to her Dad. 

UNDERWORLD TURNS DOWN RAY IN THE NICK OF TIME Debbie quizzes Ray, wondering why Gary changed his mind about selling the factory. Ray’s evasive. Ray and Debbie offer Nick alternative premises for Underworld on half the rent. Nick’s torn what will he do? Sam calls at No8 with a birthday present for Nick. 

TIM FEELS BAD FOR TOYING WITH HIS PAST Having discovered that Bernie bought the toys, Tim buys the whole lot back for £30. Elaine’s pleased to see that Tim has managed to get his toys back and suggests he sells the vintage car and donates the proceeds to Oliver’s charity.  

PAUL RETURNS HOME Paul confirms that he’s been charged with criminal damage and assault. Billy’s deeply concerned whilst Todd relishes the news. When Billy and Paul announce that they’ve cleared the air and realise they need to spend more time together, Summer’s heart melts whilst Todd quietly seethes. 

ELSEWHERE Daniel is taken aback to discover Peter has discharged himself from hospital.

Glenda Young
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Wednesday, 30 December 2020

Coronation Street writer Adele Rose dies age 87


Sad news reaches us today that Coronation Street writer Adele Rose has died, age 87.

Her husband Peter today paid tribute to her in The Newcastle Evening Chronicle and explained how she became the only female writer on the show in its early days: “She rang the producer (of Coronation Street) and said, ‘All the strong characters in this programme are women, but you’ve got no women writers. Well, I’m a woman and I’m a writer.’”

Adele wrote episode 40 of the soap in 1961, and continued to write for it until she was nearly 70, winning a BAFTA for her work in 1993.

A prolific TV writer, her other credits include Heartbeat, Angels, Z Cars, The Dustbinmen and Robin’s Nest. She also wrote for Crossroads under a different name.

Born in Salford, she originally worked at Granada Television as a secretary, and was encouraged to submit a sample script for Coronation Street by Jack Rosenthal.

In 1989 Adele was approached to write a children’s series set in Newcastle, and Byker Grove was born.

Peter said: “She wrote the first three series by herself, but she was very busy with Coronation Street and they appointed a team of writers, but she still had a creative credit until it ended.”

Paying tribute to his wife, Peter said: “She had a huge sense of humour which was often quite naughty and quite wicked. She loved writing the battleaxes in Coronation Street."

Corriepedia also report that Adele was one of the bridesmaids at Patricia Phoenix's wedding to Alan Browning in 1972.

Glenda Young
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Preview of tonight's Coronation Street - Weds 30 December


Wednesday December 30th (hour-long episode)

PAUL FALLS INTO TODD’S TRAP Todd calls for Paul on his way to work. Billy tells Todd how grateful he is that Paul has got both him and Ajay to look after him at work as he’s inclined to follow his heart which can get him into trouble. When Paul takes a call from a distressed Will Todd urges Paul to go round to his house to help him. When Paul ends up arrested for assaulting a man he believed to be Will’s stepdad, Todd is the first to show support for Billy and Summer whilst cleverly putting the boot in to Paul with the police. Billy thanks Todd for his kindness towards Summer and all the support he’s given Paul.  Todd smiles to himself. A dejected Paul lies alone in his police cell wondering how he got himself into this mess.

TIM TRIES TO MOVE ON Tim surveys the array of toys Elaine gave him and confides in Sally that he doesn’t really want to be reminded of a childhood that never really existed. When Tim reveals that he’s thinking of stashing the toys in the attic, Elaine covers her disappointment and assures him it’s up to him what he chooses to do with them. Evelyn offers to sell them at a jumble sale but when Dev discovers that one car alone is worth £2000 the race is on to find out who has bought it.

ADAM TRIES TO DO RIGHT BY HIS FAMILY Adam confronts Gary in the furniture shop and suggests Gary dug up Rick’s body. Faye wonders what’s going on but Gary’s quick to close the conversation down.

KEN URGES PETER TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE Ignoring Daniel’s advice, Adam breaks the news to Ken about Peter’s state of health. Ken visits Peter in hospital and is shocked to realise the gravity of his condition. Exhausted and clearly depressed, Peter tells Ken that after years of self abuse, it’s time to accept that he’s dying. Ken’s devastated. 

IMRAN BURSTS TOYAH’S BUBBLE When Imran reveals that he turned down another foster baby, worried it might be too soon, Toyah’s gutted. Imran promises to phone social services and rectify the situation. Having called social services, Imran breaks the news to Toyah that he was too late and they placed the child with someone else. Toyah’s gutted and Imran knows he’s messed up.

ELSEWHERE Arthur calls at the cafe with a belated Christmas present for Evelyn. Evelyn gives him short shrift and Arthur heads out deflated, leaving the present on the table. Asserting that she wants nothing more to do with Arthur, Evelyn picks up the Christmas present and heads out.

Glenda Young
Twitter: @Flaming_Nora
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