Can these cameos save Corrie in 2025?

Ok, Corrie doesn’t need ‘saving’, but it’s been a tough old year for the ITV institution. Despite some epic storylines, great cast additions and a few much-needed departures (Gail definitely not included), there’s been a heavy dose of criticism not only from us superfans but across the media and the British TV-watching public. 

There’s a common theme to the dissatisfaction; there are just too many characters, and many of them are given storylines that don’t tug at the heartstrings because we haven’t been given enough time to care about them. Not to mention the numerous kids, teens and young adults causing chaos across the Street that don’t seem to be adding much…I’m not sure how many more scenes of forlorn mouth-breather Mason skulking around Victoria Gardens I can take.

We’re about to lose the much-loved Gail Platt and I’m still coming to terms with the news that Debbie Webster’s leaving storyline has been set-up - I refuse to believe it’s true until I see it on screen. There’s even a petition to keep actor Sue Devaney in the show. Get it signed! Losing Sue would be a significant loss to the show in my opinion. 

But the New Year might bring new fortunes for the beleaguered soap, and there’s a tried and tested way of  adding a bit of camp and comedy to the cobbles - celebrity cameo appearances. Some have been utterly ridiculous - I’m looking at you Lorraine Kelly - and others fall flat; the late Girls Aloud icon Sarah Harding gave it a good go on her limited run but it just didn’t work. But other short celeb stints have worked like magic - remember Ian McKellen as devious conman Mel Hutchwright? And Status Quo at Les and Cilla's wedding?

Here are some well known faces I think would spice things up a bit on the nation’s most famous street in 2025 - can you think of any others you'd like to pay a visit?

PETER KAY

I'm a big fan of all Peter's work from 'Phoenix Nights' to 'Britain's Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice' and am glad to see him back on tour after a few years out of action. Peter is no stranger to Coronation Street having had a small speaking part back in the late 90s and then as Shelly's love interest Eric Gartside in 2004. Absolute TV gold. Corrie is missing the laughs these days as it tries to draw a younger crowd the way Easternders has. Maybe Peter is the man to bring back the comedy by bringing back Eric Gartside? What would Jenny Bradley think of him?

JULIE WALTERS

Another comedy icon of the small screen, Julie has recently had more of a cinematic career, having appeared in blockbuster Mamma Mia and its sequels. She's now surely reached the status of being able to pick and choose her roles, so how about a few episodes of Coronation Street....serving two soups in the Bistro perhaps?

MEGHAN MARKLE

Despite turning their backs on the UK for a better life away from our dreadful paparazzi, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle often come back to Blighty for their various charities. And of course Meg is a former actress. Could she add a bit of glamour to Corrie and maybe provide a new love interest for Kirk? Or how about Gary Windass...she is partial to a ginger afterall...

CRAIG CASH

Monotone voice of Gogglebox and the legend that co-wrote The Royle Family, Craig is a national treasure. His dulcet Manchester twang and working class persona would fit perfectly with the rest of the Street. In fact, Corrie comes across as positively middle class these days. Perhaps it's time for a someone to bring the common touch back to the Street?

LISA STANSFIELD

Despite never having found her baby, Lisa Stansfield still tours the world and is a soul superstar. She still however lives in her beloved Rochdale, just a few miles from Media City where Corrie is filmed. Producers apparently offered her a role as barmaid of the Rovers, a role Michelle Collins later took. Time to reconsider?

ANDY BURNHAM

Politicians have visited the cobbles for decades. From Thatcher to Ed Miliband, desperate for votes they've pulled pints and had selfies with our Corrie favourites in the hope of soaking up some of that working-class popularity. With Manchester's buses coming into public ownership and council elections to come in 2025, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy could do worse than a trip to Weatherfield on one of those famous yellow trams. 

DONALD TRUMP

Ok hear me out. I'm not fan of the orange menace either. But he's about to take their reins across the Atlantic once again and we all have to make the best of it. So how about a bit of relationship building by inviting the 47th President to the world's longest running TV soap. Carla coul take him on a tour around Underworld to share some entrepreneurial expertise perhaps. Maybe even swap some local delicacies...an Eccles cake in return for some of that famous chlorinated chicken...? Yummy. Trump has dipped his to into acting before...who remembers him in Home Alone 2?

LA VOIX

RuPaul's Drag Race is not everyone's cup of tea but it's generated a handful of household names. A recent success from the UK version of the franchise is La Voix, a fabulously camp comedy queen who is currently entertaining audiences with Vernon Kay in panto at the Wycombe Swan theatre. Perhaps a quick visit to Manchester after Christmas is in order...or is it time Coronation Street had a full-time drag queen? Oh yes it is....

Maybe you're totally against soap cameos. It's true they don't always work. But we are all missing that Corrie comedy magic we grew up watching, so desperate times call for desperate measures. Their BBC rival has a never-ending stream of former cast members to call back and make dramatic returns, but Corrie doesn't seem to have as many of those to draw on. And Eastenders, while high on camp, has never been famous for comedy. That's Coronation Street's USP, and one it should embrace. One thing's for sure, in 2025 fans are expecting a few changes if they are to carry on tuning in. Time will tell if producers are listening.

Happy Christmas everyone.

@StevieDawson 

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