Tracy's Revenge - burning issues

So there we have it. Kal is no more and it's not looking good for Maddie. Following the slowest rescue in history, Carla, Amy and Leanne survive to fight another day on the cobbles. Who knows what happened to all the other Victoria Court residents, and who cares? 

We are now left with the fallout from an eventful few days on Coronation Street. Old rivalries start to re-emerge, cracks appear in once strong relationships, and a tangled web of lies dominates the Street. Zeedan is left heartbroken at the loss of his dad Kal, making orphans of him and his sister Alya. But a surprising relationship will emerge out of the fire, as Zeedan and Leanne strike up a friendship, which comes about as Leanne struggles with Simon's behaviour. The upcoming domestic abuse storyline involving Leanne and Simon has been well publicised but Zeedan's involvement in helping her through her ordeal is a surprising twist, although the Coronation Street blog understands it will go no further than friendship.

With Maddie now in a serious condition in hospital, Jenny is hoping her actions this week will remain a secret. But what of baby Tom, and her plan to run away with Jack? The lies and revelations of her dead child will continue for a while longer, but will Maddie ever be able to warn Kevin and Sophie before it's too late? A voicemail left on Sophie's phone amid all the panic might just give the game away. I asked actress Sally Ann Matthews how she felt about the character descending into what can only be described as 'madness', and how that might affect the longevity of her character. She said she didn't really acknowledge that Jenny wasn't 'normal' at first:

"When I got the scripts I didn't really think about her being mad, or abnormal, and I don't think when she came back on the Street she was. I just took the scripts and played them the best way I could as the story progressed, without thinking about whether she was mad or not. But now we all see she definitely has issues and we'll see all that come out.'

"I don't believe that she's planned any of this. Jenny was very reluctant to look after Jack, you have to remember that."

Producer Stuart Blackburn told the blog that the resulting storyline following Maddie's accident and Jenny's deception will lead to a 'coming of age' period for Sophie Wesbter, as she and her family come to terms with the aftermath of the fire. 

As Tracy tries to cover her tracks and ensure the blame for the fire stays at Carla's charred door, the lies and deceit spread throughout the street. But some lies have now been, or are about the be exposed. Tony has gone AWOL but will return to face the wrath of Liz and fight for control of the Rovers. Gavin's secret is still to be revealed, and with the whole family implicated, the Platt household is set for a bumpy ride, even more so now we've seen that Kylie is back. The custody battle for Max will continue, but who will side with who? There's some sad news for Nick too, as Erika loses the baby.

During all of this drama, we'll lose some cast members and gain a few, and we'll say a final goodbye to a much loved character. It's going to be emotional!

@StevieDawson 

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Tracy's Revenge - a glimpse into the fire

What promised to be a happy few days for the Street’s residents is set to turn dark tomorrow as Tracy goes on the rampage yet again. Following the revelation that Carla has bought half of the Rovers, gazumping her and Tony’s plans for world, or at least Weatherfield domination, the bitter Barlow seeks revenge.

The Coronation Street blog had a sneak preview of every thrilling episode airing next week and whilst we won’t be giving away any big spoilers just yet, let’s take a look at where everyone stands, and what might be in store for them.

Producer Stuart Blackburn offered his take on the week’s events and the stories that follow: "The centre of these episodes is Tracy's revenge and that hasn't come from nowhere. That has been brewing for months and years. The jealousy that started off when she was with Rob has built and built into utter loathing.

"Coming out of these episodes, those characters are going on very, very different journeys and it is the same for everybody involved.”

Steve and Michelle are busy preparing for their big day, and hopeful that their recent troubles are behind them. With Steve’s depression under control and his financial woes improving, it’s all looking rosy. The happy couple even have a new family member…Rover the dog (who is Simon Gregson’s own dog Cookie) so could we finally see things start to improve for the McDonalds? Probably not. With Tracy on the war path, neither man nor beast can get in her way. So will the McDonalds be at risk next week and will Rover have a lead role in events?

Coronation Street’s latest true love story took a nice turn last week when Sophie and Maddie decided to move in together. The amazing turnaround Maddie has shown since moving on to the Street continues in the right direction as her and Sophie start to make future plans. But next week’s events might just scupper those plans, as Jenny’s behaviour starts to become more sinister and with all the commotion of the fire, people start to resort to desperate measures to hide secrets. There are quite a few hair raising moments to say the least. Different stories start to intertwine at this point, bringing some people closer together and others the exact opposite. 

Another blossoming love affair develops further next week as Kal and Leanne ponder their own future together. We know that Jimi Mistry is leaving Coronation Street, but in the coming days he will make a decision that will affect both his and Leanne’s futures, not to mention the whole Nazir family. Are we to hear more wedding bells on Coronation Street? And how will Simon react to the prospect of a new dad?

Where to start with Liz and Tony…poor Liz is as yet unaware that Tony has been scheming and sleeping with Tracy. Still planning a move to Spain, Liz has no idea how much her world will be turned upside down. But with things starting to improve for her and her family in recent weeks, the revelations could tip Liz over the edge. Tracy isn’t the only one with a temper…could Liz explode and if so who will come off worse, and who could inadvertently be in the firing line?

There’s no doubting Carla is in danger next week. Having attempted a normal relationship with Tracy, Carla’s purchase of the Rovers on Friday is the catalyst for all of next week’s dramatic events. But Carla is unaware of the significance of her business transaction to Tracy until Liz confides in her in the back of the Rovers. On the warpath herself, Liz asks Carla to take care of something very precious to Tracy whilst she figures out what to do. Is this Carla’s opportunity to show Tracy who’s boss?

Over at the Potter, Tilsley, Platt, Hillman, McIntyre-Rodwell's, expect more heartbreak as David resigns himself to life having to share Max with Callum, and perhaps giving him up completely. One time tearaway David really shows his emotional side next week, as recent run ins with Corrie’s new bad boy really takes its toll.

Tracy feels like she's back at square one next week. And it isn't a position she's comfortable with. Having lost so much, the evil mum starts to plot how to seek revenge on those she's been scorned by. Liz, Carla, Tony...all have targets on their backs in the coming days and unpredictable Tracy considers extreme measures to make her point. But what collateral damage might be caused through her reckless actions? 

As with all dramatic events in Weatherfield, we are always offered at least some light relief with a bit of comedy. Enter Sally and Tim, delighted at the prospect of another wedding. Because what happens during weddings on Coronation Street? A certain couple get frisky. Fresh from her Soap Awards win, expect a few more brilliant examples of Sally Dynevor’s comic rebirth.

Later in the week we will reveal what the implications of this week’s events will be throughout the summer. Stay tuned.

Tracy’s Revenge is on ITV at 9pm every day this week. 

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Tracy's Revenge - next week on Coronation Street

The Coronation Street blog sat down with cast and crew of Coronation Street on Friday where all was revealed ahead of the explosive week titled 'Tracy’s Revenge'. In a small screening room in Central London, Kym Marsh, Jimi Mistry and Sally-Ann Matthews sat with us as we watched each gripping episode, enjoying every moment just as much as we did with each actor's character having a central role in the episodes. Producer Stuart Blackburn shared a few teasers for the months ahead, as summer on Coronation Street promises to be truly unmissable and more than worthy of that recent BAFTA win.

Director David Kester offered an insight into the many hours put in to creating such an epic and unforgettable series of stories, culminating in several life-changing events. The fire itself, the central event in next week’s episodes, took over five weeks to film, several weeks longer than planned, as cast and crew worked painstakingly to get it just right. We've seen the build up to these scenes over many months, and at the centre of the story, we'll be left wondering whether Tracy has yet again gone too far. But it’s not just the event itself we should look forward to. What happens on Coronation Street next week will have repercussions for many months to come and will see families torn apart, surprise new relationships formed, with new and uncharted directions for some of the characters we know and love. 

The Coronation Street Blog will be with you all the way, with perspectives, opinions and exclusive news from the actors and producers themselves. So keep checking the blog over the coming days. In the meantime you can whet your appetite by watching the Tracy's Revenge trailer here.

Whilst we had them, our writers took the opportunity to ask producers about another major storyline heading our way; Deirdre’s demise. Beverley Callard revealed this week that whilst she tried hard to keep reality and Coronation Street apart, her first scenes in the Barlows’ living room recently brought back the reality of her friend Annie Kirkbride’s death, and it was a difficult experience. Stuart Blackburn revealed that they are now working on Deirdre’s funeral and the aftermath, how families and friends come together to remember the iconic character. Expect tears, laughter and the odd lock-in at the Rovers.

Don’t forget to follow #TracysRevenge on Twitter, where blogger @StevieDawson will be sharing more about the coming week’s brilliant Corrie.

It's going to be explosive...

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