In My Corrie Feelings - Part 1

Coronation Street has really made me feel my feelings lately, fulfilling my need for a good cry most weeks. The factory collapse and the fallout has been particularly hard hitting.

As I’ve somewhat been able to start having coherent thoughts about the collapse and all that followed, can I just say, bloody hell.

Easily some of the best Corrie I’ve ever seen, and I say that with confidence. I was worried that I wouldn’t feel the full impact of it as I was late to the party and stupidly scrolled through Twitter, but I have never been so wrong.

I don't think I’ve ever cried at anything I’ve seen on TV than when I did watching the collapse episodes. Kate breaking down after learning that Rana wasn’t going to make it, Imran getting Kate inside the imploding factory, their beautiful wedding vows.

My heart was physically breaking and I watched in horror and amazement at this tragedy unfold with a glass of much needed wine and mascara running down my face.

Imran’s reaction to losing his baby sister was haunting. His anger and devastation affecting his life that would never be the same again. As we watched him trash the flat before breaking down on the floor, it was a harrowing microcosm for what has ricocheted around the Street.

The realism of it all was shocking and breathtaking. I take my hat off to every single person involved in creating these episodes; cast; film crew; makeup; set design – absolutely everybody.

Special credit, though, has to go to Bhavna Limbachia, Faye Brookes, and Charlie de Melo in this storyline. Alison King has also been incredible but I’ll get to that more later. I don’t think they’ve had an opportunity quite like this to stretch their acting as far as Corrie’s concerned but they really knocked it out of the park.

It really is something spectacular when you don’t just watch a TV show, but you feel it. It’s the feeling of needing to sit in silence for a good ten minutes after it’s finished, basking in the dismal afterglow of a tragedy you feel you’ve really witnessed.

After all that had happened, we watched as Rana’s loved ones tried to come to terms with her untimely passing and attempt to piece their lives back together.  There was a lot of shouty Imran, but I’ll forgive it. He and Kate made my eyes glisten once again as they watched Rana’s memorial video in the beautifully lit community garden. Can someone pass me a tissue?

This storyline is proof that Corrie is returning to it’s top game, if it’s not there already. It’s not just this however, there’s a few more characters and stories that have had me gripped. Alas, I’ve realised that if I don’t cut this into parts we’ll be here until God knows when. See you for the next part!

Sophie Williams

Read some more of my general natterings on Twitter @sophie_jw26

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Bhavna Limbachia: "It’s the best exit I could have wished for"

Bhavna Limbachia has been talking about last night's episode of Coronation Street when her character Rana Habeeb was killed off. And she says it was her own decision to leave the show.

Bhavna says: "When I told Kate Oates and Iain McLeod that I wanted to leave the show to try other things, it was my decision and my choice for Rana to die because it was the only fitting end to the character.

"Kate and Rana had fought so hard to be together and they had been through thick and thin together. I believe their love was so pure as two souls that there was no way that Rana was just going to have a change of heart, hop in a cab and leave.

"I felt that if they were to be separated, they had to be torn apart and it couldn’t have been their decision. The only way to go was if Rana were to die. Rana would never leave Kate, ever."

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Bhavna Limbachia interview: Kate and Rana's wedding

After the situation with Lolly, where is Kate and Rana’s relationship at?

After New Year’s Eve when they got back together they were as solid as ever, they have been through so much together that only made their relationship stronger. When Lolly rocked up on the cobbles, she was shaking things up, she was bored, divorced, wanting to reconnect with Kate and she is the the kind of person who wants to be the centre of attention and take over. Rana could see right through her but she was feeling quite vulnerable and left out but in the end both Kate and Rana realised what Lolly was like. 

Tell us about Kate’s wedding jumpsuit

Rana is secretly having Kate’s dream wedding outfit made because she couldn’t afford to buy her own and Rana would do anything to make Kate happy. They are, at this point, loved up. 

This is where you can buy it from

What can you tell us about Rana’s wedding dress?

We had to think practically because there’s a lot of action happening on that day. It’s very girly, it’s not something that I would personally wear but it is right for Rana. Rana’s dress is made with a similar lace fabric to Kate’s wedding jumpsuit because she wants to have something similar to Kate. With Zeedan, Rana had the traditional Islamic attire and this time she wants something completely different because she doesn’t want it to be a reminder of her past as she wants to move forward. It’s a very pure, angelic look for Rana because it symbolises a new beginning, a clean slate and she just wants to press the reset button.

Tell us what happens on the morning of Kate and Rana’s wedding day

On the morning of the wedding, Kate and Rana are both very excited. Everything is great until Imran reveals that he has been to see their mother, Saira, because he felt it was important that she knew that Rana was getting married. Imran tells Rana that their mum isn’t quite ready to accept hers and Kate’s relationship but if Rana got married in six months time she might be able to accept it and come to terms with it. 

How does Rana feel about Imran’s revelation?

By this point Rana is so angry with her mother because she thinks, why does she have to do this on my wedding day? She thinks it is very selfish. Imran explains their mum only needs time and he hands Rana this old bracelet that belonged to their grandmother and their mother wants Rana to have it. When Rana sees this she is torn, she doesn’t know whether to postpone and wait or just go ahead with the wedding and marry Kate. She’s confused. 

Why does the bracelet change Rana’s mind?

She just wants to shut out the situation with her mother and deal with this later but when she is handed this sentimental piece of jewellery from her grandma she know that her mum does mean well so she doesn’t know what to do. 

How does Kate react when she finds out how Rana is feeling?

Kate wants to wait, she's willing to cancel the wedding. But everything is going wrong, Rana’s dress isn't quite ready and Rana thinks this is a sign to call the whole thing off. But things get back on track and Rana realises this is what she wants, or so she thinks. In the back of Rana’s mind, it’s still niggling her whether she has made the right decision. Kate is the right person, at the wrong time and Rana feels completely lost. 

How do you think the fans will react over Rana’s dilemma?

They are going to be devastated, especially the Kana fandom, because they have followed this journey from day one. They know that they have fought so hard to be together and have been through thick and thin and the last thing they want is for Rana to have cold feet and to be filled with doubt. Rana is a bit flaky like that, she does get scared, she has her flaws and she is very vulnerable and I think the fans will be rooting for Rana and Kate to just get married and to be happy for once. 

Why does Rana want to give her mum a second chance?

The bracelet is just so sentimental and she hasn’t had that connection with her mother for a while, Rana sees it as a peace offering. Her mother is the most important woman in her life aside from Kate. All she has ever wanted in her life is her mother’s love and her mother’s approval. She sees this moment as an opportunity to reconnect with her mum. 

What advice would you give to Rana?

I would say to Rana, follow your heart and be true to yourself. Your wedding is such an important event in your life and it is about you and you have to remember that, nothing else should matter on that day. Be good to yourself and those around you. 

What has been your favourite scene to film with Faye over the course of Rana and Kate’s relationship so far?

We have so much fun filming together but my favourite scenes with Faye have been the emotional scenes. We’ve formed a connection that I know only Faye and I will understand and there has been a lot of trust between us so when we have done big, emotional scenes, we have put our truth and poured our heart and soul in to them. When the director says ‘cut’, you can’t always switch of those emotions so Faye and I always share this moment where we just hug, have a cuddle and recharge each other. Those are always the most special scenes. 

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Bhavna Limbachia's video message to Corrie fans #Kana

News yesterday that Bhavna Limbachia is leaving Coronation Street sent the #Kana Kingdom into meltdown. While I was never of fan of Rana, Kate nor their relationship as I felt them ill-matched spoiled brats, I appreciate that for fans of Kate and Rana this will be devastating news.

I was moved much the same when Spider and Toyah split up and Spider left Weatherfield. Well, sort of. #Spiyah #Toyder

And now, actress Bhavna Limbachia has sent a video message to fans. You can watch it unfold below.

Following media reports this morning I just wanted to send you all a message @itvcorrie ♥️🙏🏽🌈 pic.twitter.com/Toa2pCFo7h

— Bhavna Limbachia (@BhavnaLimbachia) January 23, 2019

Find out who else is leaving, joining or returning to Coronation Street

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Bhavna Limbachia leaving Coronation Street

Bhavna Limbachia, who plays Rana in Coronation Street is leaving the show. ITV have confirmed this today with the following statement:

"Bhavna Limbachia will be leaving Coronation Street later this year, she made the decision last year and spoke to Producer Iain MacLeod when he joined the show about her plans to leave.

"She has been fully involved in the discussions about Rana's leaving story, the details of which we are hoping to keep under wraps for the viewers. Bhavna is a talented actress and we wish her every success for the future."

The Sun today carry the details of Rana's shock exit storyline. I won't print that on the Blog for those who don't want to know, but you can read it here if you'd like to.

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Bhavna Limbachia interview: Kate and Rana's double proposal #Kana

How has Rana found the cruise and spending one on one time with her mum?
They have tried to make things work and understand each other better as they are on a cruise so there’s really nowhere to escape! Rana is trying to rebuild her relationship with her mother but her mum just keeps trying to fix her up with other men in the hope that she will change her mind. They are trying to find their happy medium to please each other but it’s still not really going to plan.

Can you tell us the moment that makes Rana realise that she wants to propose to Kate?
Having the time apart has made Rana realise that she has really missed Kate and all she wants to do is get back and cement their relationship. They have had so many hardships in their lives and they’ve lost loved ones which has brought them closer together. They have misunderstood each other in the past but they have always overcome that and that’s what makes their bond so strong.

What happens when Rana gets back to the street?
Rana gets back early to surprise Kate but Kate wants to surprise Rana. There is a lovely, endearing moment when Rana asks Johnny for permission to marry Kate and he is over the moon. I love how Jenny and Johnny are in on this little secret! You think both Kate and Rana proposing would be an unlikely event to happen but if you follow their separate journeys you can see how this has happened.

How did you find filming those scenes?
It was really emotional. When I first read the script it really moved me and I texted Faye to say that I’ve just cried reading it! It was because I knew how much heart was going to go in to filming this scene so when we did come to film it we were both feeling teary. This is the peak in their relationship and such a pleasant surprise for both of them and it just makes both of them feel confident and complete, knowing that they are on the same page as each other.

Did you see this coming for Rana?
It was naturally the next step to take because the stakes were so high when they left. When Rana comes back she just feels that there is no point wasting any time.

What sort of wedding do you think Kate and Rana would like?
I think it will be important for both of them to have their identities, their religion, their roots and their cultures put together because they are from two completely different backgrounds. Kate’s family have always being accepting of her sexuality whereas Rana’s family have always been quite traditional and it is a powerful message to say that it doesn’t matter where you are from, love is love. It will be interesting to see all the elements coming together.

What does Rana think her mum will think of the proposal?
Rana naturally thinks that her mum won’t be happy with it or want to give her blessing but I believe that Rana’s mum does want to understand. It’s a really important message; let’s educate ourselves in order to understand others. Rana’s mum wants to understand Rana’s sexuality and her relationship so hopefully, eventually she will come round.

What do you think the Kana fans will think of the double proposal?
At the moment they are hoping Rana is going to propose but a few of them think that it will be Kate because she has been the one who has lead the relationship because she has always been comfortable with her sexuality so it will be a treat for them. It’s going to be a pleasant surprise that they both proposal together.

How does Rana feel when Kate says that she will make a good mum?
 When Rana was in a relationship with Zeedan she was never ready to have children and a part of Rana has always had that fear. Before she came on to the cobbles she was a free spirit, she wanted travel and she wanted to see the world and that’s what she wants with Kate so it throws her that Kate wants children straight away because it is not a conversation that they have had before. The more Kate talks about it, the more that fear is embedded in Rana and she can’t shift it. But she does want to make Kate happy because they finally have something to celebrate.

Why does Rana feel like she can’t speak to Kate about how she feels?
Rana doesn’t want to disappoint Kate, she wants to give her everything she wants in life and she wants her to be happy especially after losing Aidan. They are really happy together at the moment and she doesn’t want to burst that bubble.

How much of a problem could this be for Rana in the future or is this something that they can talk through?
It is something that they would love to compromise on but until it comes to the actual decision it may be something that will make them or break them...

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