Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 13th September, 8 pm

Welcome to another Wednesday Weatherfield round-up and to catch up on the latest Coronation Street drama. 

Following Monday night's escape, Stu realises that Eliza has done a runner, and panics, using Alya as a conduit while Yasmeen is away. When he gets a call from the school, he realises his grandaughter is at her Dad's flat. Suspecting that Dom has arranged all this, Stu calls out a social worker (and the police) who decide the youngster is best off with her Dad for another night. Stu overreacts, telling Dom he won't be giving him a penny, before getting arrested for assaulting the policeman. 

Later, he meets Dee-dee at the cop shop and tells her what has happened. Watching the drama progress, I wondered if this could be the start of a custody battle. Surely not, because we have already had Stu go through a lengthy court battle over his wrongful jailing, a case which Dee-dee and Alya won for him! Out of the cop shop, Stu drowns his sorrows in the pub and sings songs before being taken away by Alya and Dee-dee. He wakes up from a booze-fuelled nap and tells Alyla his plan to fight for Eliza with a (drumroll) custody battle! Great stuff - I can hardly wait. 

Meanwhile, Aadi Alahan is also in the thick of it tonight as his affair with Courtney becomes exposed at the business dinner celebration. Before the dinner date, Dev’s been probing Aadi about his love life, thinking he's dating Amy Barlow. Aadi lies and tells his Dad that he does have a new girlfriend, but is too embarrassed to introduce her to the family. As the dinner progresses (it's great to see this storyline cast ensemble together) Amy makes light of Aadi’s new girlfriend (knowing his secret) whilst doing her best Tracy Barlow impression. As the young lad gets embarrassed and Courtney plays along, he decides to get some air. Courtney follows him and embraces Aadi in the doorway, just in time for Dev to catch them in the clinch! Dev is understandably furious but promises to keep quiet to save the deal. Back at the table, the atmosphere shifts as Darren and Courtney argue. Darren loudly accuses Courtney of cheating, and Dev struggles to hide his dismay. Courtney admits to an affair and tells her husband that her beau is ‘'hiding in plain sight’' As drinks flow, Darren gets ever more drunk, and what with Bernie’s jealousy of him greasing up his business partner's wife, it isn't long before Dev gets accused of cheating! Darren throws a punch but stops as Aadi admits the truth. I think we can assume the shop deal is off!

Elsewhere - Roy and Evelyn’s septuagenarian living arrangements offer light comedic relief to tonight's proceedings. The cafe boss is known for his eccentricities, and what with Evelyn’s trademark caustic humour, these two are an absolute delight! 

Also tonight, Dee-dee rebuffs advances from Joel and dithers about her love life, consulting Alya, Adam, and Michael. Paul seeks health advice from Shelly, but her condition is rapidly declining. Cassie helps Tyrone with the girls, but Hope takes advantage. 

What did you think of Wednesday nights Corrie? 

 I am @rybazoxo your Cobbles connissieur and coronation street superfan

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Aadi’s Affair Begins! Will This Bring Down Dev’s Business Empire? Corrie Blog Interviews Adam Hussain

In the past year, the Alahans have grown to become one of the street’s favourite families. Starting with Asha’s body dysmorphia, and the soap-week car crash (not to mention a subtle re-casting) fans have seen Dev’s twins develop into more than just ‘corrie kids’ who are seen but don't say much. That re-casting has really brought Adam Hussain to the front of the family, and now it's time for his character to have a big storyline. An extramarital affair with one of Dev’s business associates' wives would not have been my first thought, but then I'm not a soap writer, and from what we can tell - could this affair risk the whole future of the Alahan clan? As part of my latest Coronation Street blog press day, I chatted with Adam Hussain to learn more about Aadi’s risky business venture! 

Hi Adam! Courtney makes a play for Aadi as soon as she first meets him. How does he feel about that? 

At first, he's a bit intimidated by the advances of Courtney and Aadi is in a headspace where he has a lot of weight on his shoulders. There's this important business deal that Dev has to make happen with Darren, and Aadi also wants to prove himself to Darren and progress his career. Courtney offers to help him progress his career, he finds her attractive, but wouldn't have thought about making a move! 

What is it about Courtney that draws him in? 

She's a warm and welcoming character and has a knowledge of business that draws him in. Just that constant flirtiness and fun energy that engages him and pulls him further in. 

What do you think she sees him in? Obviously, there is quite an age gap. 

I'm guessing she's attracted to him because he's young and innocent. It's quite fun for Courtney, and Aadi's quickly infatuated with her. She's got him wrapped around her finger. 

Do you think he's aware of Courtney’s vulnerability and the attention she’s so obviously seeking? 

I think at first Aadi is a bit aware of it but not too bothered by it, he needs her help to get into Darren’s ear and progress his business ideas and secure this investment for Dev. As things progress he starts to develop more feelings for her. He becomes defensive and possessive of her and doesn't want her to go on holiday with Darren. We do see a change in him. 

This next week we see the affair take hold and Amy catches them in the act. How worried is he that this secret is going to come out? 

Aadi is quite worried at first he’s desperate to get into Darren's good books and make this investment for Dev happen. Dev reveals to Aadi that he's in quite a bit of debt as a result of securing the funds for this investment so Aadi has quite a lot hanging on his shoulders. For all of that to be ruined, and by his own sexual gratification, would be ruinous for him and especially if Darren finds out. Amy reassures him that his secret is safe with her. 

Does he still have feelings for Amy? 

He does, but he's quite preoccupied with Courtney and making sure that she's happy with him and that the affair is kept secret. He does enjoy his time with Courtney and has developed feelings for her. I think it could still go somewhere with Amy but, he has complex feelings for both women. The whole ordeal has made him very flustered. 

Aadi must be aware that Courtney is troubled! Is he aware of what could go wrong here? 

I think he’s certainly aware of the consequences of the affair, he tries his best to resist the temptation of Courtney’s advances but he always falls short. His falling for her too is not good. If the fling is exposed, Dev could be financially ruined, and Aadi’s aspects for a successful career could be tarnished as well! 

Thanks, Adam! 

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So, what are we thinking? Is Aadi’s adult affair about to bring down Dev’s empire or will he get away with it? Aadi appears to be his father's son with womanising ways. Could he still get together with Amy? Watch Coronation Street this week as this story really starts to develop! 

I am @rybazoxo your Coronation Street Blogger and die-hard Corrie fan!

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Stephanie Davis Joins Corrie! Courtney Causes Chaos On The Cobbles?

Fresh off the back of scouser stage star Claire Sweeney joining the Cobbles, comes another scouse singing stage star as actress Stephanie Davis joins Coronation Street later this month playing Courtney. Courtney is a character who hits our screens on July 19th as the wife of Dev’s business associate Darren, who ensnares (a much younger) Aadi Alahan into an extra-marital affair! 

Already on my 3rd Corrie press day of the year (spoilt by spoilers!) I fired up my laptop and joined a Zoom session for this year's sauciest plotline yet! I’ve got a few of these cast interviews to come this month, with a few shockers in store, but as a former viewer of ‘Over The Rainbow’ (don't judge!) I was very pleased to learn more about Stephanie Davis’s debut! 

Hi Stephanie! How does it feel to be joining Coronation Street?

It’s a dream come true! I’m loving it - everyone has been so welcoming! I've enjoyed working with Jimmi (Dev) who is such a special person, and Elle (Mulvaney, Amy Barlow), and Adam (Aadi Alahan) have been amazing. Helen (Worth - Gail) has been the ''Mother Hen'' settling me in, and seeing Jodie Prenger again. I did Over the Rainbow and she did I’d Do Anything (musical/reality TV shows) so she was made up about me joining, and we were reminiscing. It's an amazing place to work!

You've worked in soap before (Hollyoaks) so you're sure of the pace, and this character hits the ground running as soon as she arrives! 

Yes, my first scene and the first day was in the Rovers. I couldn't wait to be back on set and hear ACTION! I could have cried, I was so happy, everything is filmed so fast, multi-camera, it's done much quicker. It's like being back at home! Growing up watching Coronation Street, I feel grateful and blessed.

Stephanie Davis on the set of Coronation Street

Tell us a bit about Courtney then. She's a bit of a minx, isn't she? 

She’s a bit of an onion - there’s a lot of layers to her. I think she’s very sassy and has a load of confidence but deep down there are loads of layers there. She’s referenced her mum in some of the scenes, only little ones, but you can tell she’s not had a great life. She’s met Darren, who’s got a lot of money and settled for a good lifestyle, but it's a loveless marriage. Courtney in a nutshell is that she longs to be loved. 

Courtney and Darren

So what is that draws her to Aadi? The affair seems to happen very quickly.

She's instantly attracted to him - a lot of it stems from her relationship with Darren. He has cheated on her multiple times, which has affected her self-worth, but a lot of it is to get one back on her husband. She wants someone to love her and he shows that to her. 

Courtney leans in for the first kiss, certain of reciprocation. Is she a character that’s used to getting what she wants? 

Definitely. She’s always got Darren’s credit cards in her handbag and is very spoiled. What she wants - she gets - but it's all a big bravado. She's just a little girl. 

Courtney is a bit older than Aadi! - Does the age difference bother her at all? 

No, definitely not. I think it's because she notices that he’s interested in her and she goes for it. At first, it's a bit of fun, for the thrill and attention, and it makes her feel good. She hasn't felt that for a long time with Darren. It's a loveless marriage. Then she starts to see the other side of Aadi and he sees the other side of her so it gets a bit more serious. Aadi notices that she’s actually business savvy and not just a trophy wife, so he inspires her to try and get away from Darren. They fall for each other but the reality soon kicks in. The money is with her husband but the love is with Aadi - which way will she go? I love the character, as I say, a lot of layers are still to be uncovered. I can't say much more, as they are future scripts, but I've really warmed to this character! I would love to see her stick around!

           

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So, what are we thinking about Stephanie Davis joining the street? She's a former stage and singer, joining Jodi Prenger and Claire Sweeney in Weatherfild. Let's not forget we've also had a guest spot from musical legend Ruthie Henshall earlier this year too. Is ITV about to resurrect ''Street of Dreams'' - the Corrie musical?  

Keep your eyes peeled as I've a few more interviews from this summer storylines press event still to come!

I am @rybazoxo on Twitter - Coronation Street Blog blogger and Corrie superfan 

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Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 31st of August 8 pm

Whatever else happened in tonight's Corrie, I'd already seen a preview, so this review was inevitably going to be about Audrey's salon reopening!!! An icon all on its own, we've been starved of Audrey's blue-rinse brigade, since the pandemic, and Ray Crosby's failed Coronation Street buy-out. Tonight was a cause for real celebration then, and Corrie did not disappoint! I seem to write this every week now, and I always will, when they have these really big cast gatherings, post-covid. With everyone outside the re-branded salon, Roy, Ken, Rita, and the Platt’s congregated in the sunshine (I’m guessing filming was during one of those heatwaves we had) giving a ceremonial nostalgic tint to proceedings. 

A relic relaunched (minus the Renshaw twins), the old guard tells Audrey that maybe a confession about her suicide attempt, to her family, is long overdue. Inside the salon, Stephen asks Audrey about the trust fund paperwork, and Audrey's renewed vigour has given her a change of heart - she's not going to proceed with the trust fund, which refuses him the power of attorney and control of the cash. 

Thinking back to Gail's monologue in the aftermath of Aidan's suicide, and Audrey’s recent suicide attempt, that confession to her daughter, couldn’t have been any more apt, poignant, or tinged with sadness, and was undoubtedly tonight’s standout scene! Here are two actresses that have cemented their onscreen relationships for about 40 years, and it’s one of those scenes where Corrie’s TV longevity only adds to the dramatics. No hyperbole required - that was just brilliant. With the clan gathered at Number 8. Audrey reveals all to the rest of the family, promising herself a new start, sobriety, and a bog-standard will, splitting her money between them, apart from Stephen, because she still thinks he’s loaded. Later, we see Stephen buying a suit from the local charity shop. He’s clearly brassic. 

Feeling like the street’s pariah, Toyah is cheered up by a lunch invite from Peter, and the old partners catch up at Roy’s Rolls putting the world to rights. Spider’s arrival, alongside his echo-warrior friend, gives Peter some thoughts about possibly joining them at a new protest. The problem is that the target for a protest is Carla’s latest potential bigshot Underworld client. With Carla back on top form, Stephen goes berserk behind the bins, realising he’s run out of monetary business options.  

Aadi and Kelly’s rush to get (underage) married, and courting the idea of eloping to Gretna Green, takes my Corrie brain back to the 1990s when Leanne and Nick did just that. Is this a rehash of an old storyline or something a little different? Tonight, the lovesick teens cause Dev parental woes, and tears in the shop, causing Asha to confront her brother. Kelly makes Aadi see sense but he tells his Dad he’d still like to stay at Gary and Maria’s for a bit. Later, the teens email a registrar in Scotland, setting up the rushed nuptials. 

Elsewhere, Jenny and Leo’s relationship finally cracks under the weight of his dullness (sorry, but come on!) and, having been covered in poo working for Ed, he decides to take that job in Toronto. Jenny’s maturity leads the way, it’s an amicable split, and quite frankly, I can't see him being missed. 

Can he take Stephen Reid, and his terrible suit, back to Canada with him? 

A superb episode tonight. Is it me, or is the show on 100% top form right now?

Let us know in the comments! 

I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan 

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