Classic Corrie Christmas Moments Countdown - Day 3

The Advent season is upon us once again, and the ITV Coronation Street website are releasing classic clips of classic Corrie Christmases of bygone years. 

Today, they're going back 8 years to Christmas Day 2006. Here's what the website says:

"During a very packed Christmas dinner at the Platt's in 2006, David took great delight in telling Maureen how Bill had been having an affair with Audrey!"

David at his best here with his teenage haircut!

To the see the video, click here. For people outside the UK, the clip is featured in this YouTube video (at 11:21).

For a synopsis and info of the episode (Episode 6455) on Corriepedia, click here.

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The faces of Corrie in 1996

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1996, 163 episodes were broadcast.

1. Vera Duckworth (114 episodes)

2. Liz McDonald (105 episodes)

3. Andy McDonald (102 episodes)

4. Jack Duckworth (100 episodes)

5. Ken Barlow (97 episodes)

6. Deirdre Rachid (94 episodes)

7. Rita Sullivan (92 episodes)

8. Bill Webster (92 episodes)

9. Don Brennan (90 episodes)

10. Jim McDonald (87 episodes)

11. Mavis Wilton (86 episodes)

12. Mike Baldwin (85 episodes)

Due to lack of space, Alma Baldwin, Fiona Middleton and Audrey Roberts fail to make the top 12, but they also appear in 85 episodes

Average age: 51

Note: This is the last time Mavis (to date), Jack and Don appear in the top 12 and the only time, to date, Andy and Bill appear

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Peter Armitage beats cancer and wants Corrie return

On Coronation Street, Kevin's dad Bill Webster had a heart attack last year.  In real life, the actor who played Bill, Peter Armitage has battled cancer and now wants to get back to work on the Street.

The Mirror reports that Peter Armitagewas diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.  He says that he's currently in remission and will have check-ups every six months for the next five years.

He says: "It’s 30 years since I first started on the cobbles and I’ve always come in and out. Now Michael le Vell has been cleared, Kevin is due back on the cobbles in the spring and they’ve said Bill is fine.

"I’d like to go back again, too, if there’s a storyline for me."

I'd love to see Bill back on the Street - as long as he doesn't bring the dreadful Aunty Pam with him.

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Kevin Webster: Now Where Were We?

So....Kevin Webster is looking after his Dad in Germany. Following a massive heart attack, Mr Webster senior is recuperating with the support of son and grandson who took the first flight out of Manchester on hearing of Bill's sudden illness.

Whilst Kev's been away Sally doesn't seem to have been missing her ex, despite signs in past months that they might have been getting closer. Tim is now on the scene and whilst our Sal seems smitten, Tim seems more interested in a bit of slap and tickle than anything else. Most of us wouldn't bat an eyelid at the former Mrs Webster hunched over the Dyson getting rid of last night's kebab remnants, however Tim is obviously quite keen...in a bit of nocturnal activity followed by a few post-coital pints.

Sally can probably see the writing on the wall with Tim, but he makes her feel sexy and she's having fun. The years have been kind to her physically and after all the heartache Kevin put her through, she probably deserves a bit of action. Remember Tim cancelled his plans for a new life in the North East to pursue this 'thing' with Sally, so it may play out for a good while longer yet.

There are rumours however that Bill has made a good recovery in Germany so Kevin and Jack could be planning a return to the cobbles. How will Kevin reacclimatise to life on Coronation Street, will he be jealous of Sally's new man, and what could be in store next for one of the Street's most familiar residents?

I think we're all curious to see how this plays out...

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Let's see more of Corrie's Karl Munro

Anybody else want to see more of Karl Munro on Coronation Street?
One of the main reasons I watch Corrie these days is to see if there's any decent male totty, suitable for the more mature woman of course.
Peter Barlow's long been my favourite, swiftly followed by Bill Webster, but coming rapidly up on the inside is Karl (played by the excellent John Michie).

Not only is he fit, I think he's sadly underused at the moment. He was great as roving-eyed cop Robbie in Taggart, and he definitely has the potential to be just as good in Corrie as a louche, womanising cab-driver with an attractively dark edge.

My only quibble is his accent. As I'm Scottish I've no idea how accurate it is, but I do know that there are plenty of Scots living in the North of England and I don't see why he wasn't allowed to use his own.

Never mind. Let's hope he gets a really juicy storyline soon that allows him to use his talent to the full.

Bill Webster to return to Corrie

Bill is set to return to Corrie with Auntie Pam in September, according to The Mirror. The couple's reason for being off screen will be that they have been travelling, and have now returned to marry. Although Pam will apparently ban Kevin from the wedding, which causes Bill to suffer a heart attack.

I'm looking forward to the pair returning, it was a bad decision to axe them in the first place, with Auntie Pam returning, we will have another link back to Molly.

Bill Webster axed from Coronation Street

Peter Armitage, who plays Bill Webster in Corrie, has been axed, says the News of the World. The paper says that Corrie producer Phil Collinson sees no future for the character and he's getting rid of him.

A Corrie source told the paper: "Collinson told him that there was no future for him playing Kevin Webster's dad and that the day's scenes would be his last. Peter returned to the green room to tell cast and crew, `Well that's me... I'm finished.' And when he returned next day to clear his dressing room he found his name plate had already been removed from the door. The cast and crew were shocked as Peter is a popular guy. But that was it."

I know that Bill hasn't been much used in Corrie for a while, but he's always been a good, solid character that I'll be sad to see leave.  And speaking of good, solid characters, why isn't Gail's dad, Ted Page, returning? 

Who's the fittest bloke on Coronation Street at the moment?

Never mind all the hoo-ha about holey plotlines, slumps and so forth. Let's get completely shallow for a moment and contemplate Coronation Street's line-up of fit male totty. After all, we might as well, till the storylines pick up.

I'm speaking as an older woman, so my personal choices might not chime with everyone else's. Putting it mildly.

Top of my list is always going to be Eddie Windass (Steve Huison). That's just a given. He's had everyone's hearts a-fluttering, parading around in his pants and *swoon* dressing gown. Well - mine anyway.

Second, would probably be John Stape (Graeme Hawley). Living dangerously, I know. But there is something weirdly attractive about him. Dimples, perhaps?

Thirdly, Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne). Needs no explanation whatsoever. Devastatingly good-looking chap. But this has all been said before.

Now we're moving into new territory. I'm throwing Kevin Webster (Michael le Vell) into the mix. What's not to fancy? He's dark and handsome (not sure if he's tall...) with a rapidly-developing world-weary charm. And it's always handy to be on good terms with a feller who knows his way around a motor.

Owen could be up there too, rough and ready along with Bill Webster - only I find him far too alarming. Anyone else got any favourite Coronation Street fellas just now?

Bill Webster's 'tache - where's it gone?

Is it me needing new specs in my old age, or has Bill Webster's 'tache gone a-missing? I couldn't see it anywhere on last night's Coronation Street.

At first I thought it might be a trick of the light but I'm pretty sure that his top lip was indeed - gulp - naked.

I liked Bill's 'tache a lot, so I hope he grows it back. In fact, Bill's one of my favourite characters on Corrie and I wish we'd see more of him.

Rita and Audrey - dating solutions for the older woman

During Rita and Audrey's cat-fight last night, Rita accused Audrey (or was it the other way round? either way, it's a great line) of going for "anything with a wallet and a pulse". Well, that got me thinking. After all, some of us can't be that fussy. It has to be a wallet OR a pulse.

I can identify with Rita and Audrey being drawn to smoothie Lewis, in the vain search for a bit of excitement in their fading years. But they shouldn't be reduced to paying for it! No! There are men out there, who might not have much of a wallet, but who DO have a pulse - and a bit more besides.

The Jasons and the Ciarans of this world might not give us a passing glance, except to help us down off the bus, but there ARE "alternatives". They might not have six packs, but they've other qualities. Here are some examples that spring immediately to MY mind.

One - Bill Webster. Runs his own business, a nice solid kind of guy, and unattached (I think?). Okay, he's got a bad hair cut, but that can be remedied. I always thought Bill and Audrey were made for each other.

Two - my personal favourite - Eddie Windass. Can bake cakes and pies. What more do you want? 'cept I know, I know, he's married. Drat! I'm saying nowt about HIS hair cut.

Three - Norris. Might be a total pain in the behind, but he has hidden depths, as revealed in his heart to heart with Rita. Unattached, and currently has a pulse, and some hair, although who knows what will happen in that cosy holiday cottage with Mary. Also makes a great cuppa.

Four - Lloyd. Nice guy. Has hair. Unattached (I THINK it's over with Teresa? or, it will be soon), and at that "cross-over" age, where he COULD just possibly go for a younger bird, but could well settle for/down with someone more mature?

Another great line, by the way - Audrey to Rita, re. Emily - "You wouldn't give her the steam off your tea." Fab!

Corrie weekly awards: week of June 8 - 12

High Noon award:
Gold Star: Betty wins. You don't mess with the Betster and Poppy learned that the hard way.
Silver Star: Becky. Put Betty and Becky on the same side and the hair will fly. Most literally.



Unlikely couple award: Bill and Pam. Nope, can't see it, can you?
Potentially great couple award: Emily and Ramsay. And wouldn't that put Norris in a twist?

Missed Opportunity award: Did any long-time viewers wonder if Maria would give birth in the car with Sally helping, just like Liz helped Sally deliver Rosie in Don's Cab? It would have been nice to have recreated that, or at least referred to it.

I need new underpants award:
Gold star: David Platt, who didn't have enough time to put the family photos back on the shelves before his gran got home and then Audrey finds out David set up Gary and everyone believes it. And Ooops "I didn't even know he (Ted) were going to be there." Busted!
Silver star: Graeme is pretty much bricking it even though Gary Windass doesn't even know he was in any way involved.

Lines of the week:
Eddie about David "He's the brains behind all this. Our Gary's not smart enough!" (Truer words!)
Sally "John Who? Oh.. Prisoner 666!"

Peter Armitage to launch fund-raising day

Peter Armitage, who plays Coronation Street's Bill Webster, will launch a fund-raising fun day to help save the life of Pendle mum Julie Patefield. Peter will open the family event in the ambulance hall, Colne, on Saturday 21st February and it'll run from 2 p.m. to 5-30 p.m.

You can find out more at: http://www.helpjulie.co.uk/