“I'm going to
Weatherfield, cock. Pub called the Rovers Return, Coronation Street,
if you know it.”
On a grey November day, after five
years away, I stepped out of a black cab (tram), and strode dramatically across the cobbles
(skipped across the Media City footbridge) to make my Coronation
Street return.
The last time I was here, Gary Windass
had become a double killer, Robert Preston was leading a double life,
the Baileys had just taken up residence as Corrie's new family, and
it was less than a year since the airing of Ian McLeod's first
episode as producer.
A lot has happened in the meantime,
both in the onscreen world of Corrie, and the offscreen world of my own life, yet there was a sense of going back to the past about this. As
I walked up Trafford Wharf Road, and passed through the gate, I experienced a small glimmer of what it must be like for a returning actor with
much water under the bridge since their last time on the show. As
would also inevitably be the case for them, it becomes apparent quite
quickly that things are not the same here, no more than they are for
me on the outside. New faces greet me with a smile, and we make our
way through the precinct set; something that didn't exist on my last
visit.
 |
Chatting Corrie with Michael
from Conversation Street |
Our destination is Weatherfield Police Station, where I find the
familiar faces of Alison Sinclair, Janice Troup, and other Corrie press
staff, all there with a warm welcome, and various journalists including Duncan Lindsay from Metro, who it's lovely to catch up with later on.
I then spot Gemma and Michael from the wonderful
Conversation Street
and introduce myself. It's always lovely to meet fellow fans, especially ones as friendly and enthusiastic as these. The
dedication, joy and energy they bring to their podcast is such a delight, and their
vlog of this day is a must-see for any fan interested in going behind the scenes.
 |
| R-L: Durk, Ski and Me |
But they're not the only people I recognise from the online
world.
If there's one thing I love, it's quality comedy reels on
Instagram. There's nothing like a well-acted,
written and executed sketch, and for over a year now,
Durk & Ski have been among my go-tos for guaranteed laughs. UK soaps, daytime TV, property shows and bad ads all get their unique treatment, and it's very entertaining.
Surreal isn't the word for it then,
when I turn around to find them standing next to me in Corrie's cop shop, and I can't go without letting them know how much I appreciate their work. They are so nice, and we end up having some great chats and laughs across the day. They're taking their act on the road again next month, and you can catch them live in
Manchester and
Derby.
We all enjoy a tasty lunch as bloggers, journalists and influencers continue to arrive, and Michael and I also have a quick chat with Claire Sweeney (Cassie Plummer) who pops in to say hello.
But, like many before me who have lingered
in the Wethie Police reception, I'm eventually persuaded to leave without having
reported anything, and we are summoned upstairs to what is revealed
to be another set.
Now, I have been known to say that
nothing good ever happens at the Chariot Square Hotel, but I am about to be proven wrong. Welcomed at the top of the
stairs by Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster, Manager) appearing as
several rays of unbridled sunshine in a spectacular orange coat, I
float into this gorgeous set wondering, how is it not the
repository of every good story to unfold on this Street?
And if that
wasn't enough, a barman is on hand to whip up a selection of Corrie-themed cocktails for us as everyone mingles, including with new
producer Kate Brooks, and various members of the cast. I go with
the delicious Victoria Garden which I spend so long over, it makes its way into my interviews with me.
It may sound glamorous,
sitting there sipping a cocktail while hearing all the Corrie goss
directly from the cast, but in truth it ends up at my foot for most
of it as I take notes, and it is a blessing it doesn't end up kicked
all over the carpet in a moment of gripping spoiler absorption.
While Wethie Police members and
certain cobble-based solicitors have developed quite the habit of
chatting business for all to hear in Roy's and the Rovers, I've no
intention of revealing just yet who I interviewed on the day and why.
I suppose I'm like Corrie's infamous empty coffee cups in that way
– nothing to see here.
There are plenty of chats and spoilers
coming your way though, so do watch this space!
Next, we make our way to the
Christmas-bedecked Rovers for a table quiz hosted by the inimitable
Sally Ann Matthews (Jenny Connor) and with cast including
Julia Goulding (Shona Platt), Calum Lill (Joel Deering), Sydney
Martin (Betsy Swain) and Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe).
 |
| Behind the bar with Sally Ann |
In
time-honoured tradition, the pub becomes a hotbed of rivalry, drama
and comedy as we combine to plumb the depths of our Corrie
knowledge, vying for an unknown prize over mulled wine and mince
pies.
While my Conversation Street pals and I
had planned to join forces, it's decided by the powers that be, in the interests of fairness, that we should split up; not a bad
suggestion, although a gross
overestimation of my capacity for retaining certain information.
I don't do so
badly however, and while our team of Daniel Brocklebank (Billy
Mayhew) and The Vicar's Knickers don't quite romp to victory, we put
in a respectable showing. Indeed, no prayers for intercession
would've prevented Gemma and Michael lifting two fabulous engraved
first-place trophies, their knowledge of Ken Barlow's impressive accumulation of episodes securing
them a tiebreak victory along with their teammates, including Colson
Smith (Craig Tinker) and Channique Sterling-Brown (Dee-Dee Bailey).
I have a good look around the Rovers,
and get to ring last orders on the hallowed bell before the time comes for our merry party to disperse. One of the last to leave, Sally Ann
Matthews kindly shows me the way out of the studios.
Alone in the
dark, I pass alongside the deserted outdoor set, catching a glimpse of the
area between the Bistro and Alahan's at one end, and Weatherfield North tram station at the other. I pause as if I might take a photo, but
don't. It's not that kind of moment.
Making for home, I walk back across
the bridge - the lights of Media City illuminating the water - and on
to a waiting tram.
By Emma Hynes
Web
www.emmahynes.com
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