Coronation Street film on location in Blackpool again

Pic copyright: Manchester Evening News

Paparazzi pictures this week show Coronation Street filming in Blackpool as Mary and Roy appear to be there searching for Mary's son, Jude.

The Manchester Evening News have the pics.

I wonder if there'll be any reference to Hayley from Roy, as the last time he was in Blackpool it was to grant Hayley her dying wish of dancing in the Tower Ballroom.  Could be an emotional visit for Roy, and I hope Mary is gentle with him.

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Worst of Corrie waxworks

Yesterday, we blogged about the unveiling of Kym Marsh's waxwork at Madam Tussauds Blackpool, where they have a specialist Coronation Street exhibit. They have the frontage of the Rovers, followed by a number of houses (each containing items relating to Corrie's history in the windows), followed by a loosely based interior of the pub. Apparently, they've also just opened up a replica of the beer garden. Kym's waxwork is one of seven Corrie related models already at the world famous museum, joining Jack and Vera, Hilda Ogden, Bet Lynch, Ken and Deirdre.

Violet Carson's waxwork appeared at Louis Tussauds Blackpool for fifty
years. It was horrific.

Now don't get me wrong, whilst the current models are pretty much identical to their human counterparts, I can't help but notice that there is something not quite right. And then I cast my mind back to models that featured in the house of wax that occupied the building prior to 2011, Louis Tussauds, because they were truly hideous. Digging through the old photo albums, I could find countless photographs of me and my family posed around figures that didn't look remotely similar to the celebrities they were in likeness of. But I couldn't find any of the Coronation Street exhibit which has been at the museum since the early 1960s.

Alec Gilroy's waxwork was appalling.
Just not quite right, and very plastic
 in appearance.

Research I did on the waxworks showed that Violet Carson was the first to be immortalised in wax as Ena Sharples, and she unveiled it when switching on the Blackpool illuminations in Summer 1961. It just shows how popular her character must have been after just eight months on screen. Julie Goodyear and Roy Barraclough both added to the museum in 1990 as characters Bet and Alec, once again following the illuminations switch on. The three remained alone,
alongside a frontage of the Rovers, until 1998 when a to-scale replica of Jim's Cafe opened on site at the museum, complete with Roy and Hayley models. I'm not sure, but judging by the photographs, I believe that either Gail or Alma had a waxwork too, seen stood at the counter.
Thank goodness some order was in place from 2011, when Madam Tussauds bought the Louis Tussauds building and removed all of the old models. The only thing they kept was the frontage of the Rovers Return. Out of all of the current waxworks, I believe that Hilda Ogden's is possibly the worst. She looks so childlike for some reason. As for the future of waxworks in Blackpool, I'd love to see some more iconic characters returning to the museum, such as Ena Sharples. Surely someone still has that poor Violet Carson model kicking about in their attic?

The rather good Jim's Cafe recreation,
much better than the waxwork of
 Roy. Note the waxwork in
the background. I'm not quite sure who
it's supposed to be.

I hope you enjoyed this rather random post from myself. But hopefully it sparked some nostalgia for some readers. I can be found on Twitter @MichaelAdamsUk, and @CStCollection.

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Pics: Kym Marsh Wax Figure Unveiled at Madame Tussauds Blackpool

Coronation Street's Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor, met her match at Madame Tussauds Blackpool, where she unveiled her brand-new wax figure.

She could barely believe her eyes when the curtain dropped to reveal her Coronation Street counterpart, Michelle Connor, not only looking back at her but talking too – quoting some of the Corrie character’s most famous one-liners.

Kym excitedly posed side-by-side with her new wax figure, toasting to the occasion, in none other than Madame Tussauds Blackpool’s Rover’s Return Inn beer garden – a fun new addition to the attraction, building on the existing fully-licenced pub.

Following Michelle Connor’s dramatic storyline in Coronation Street, it was only right that Madame Tussauds Blackpool chose the Corrie beauty to take place in the attraction in the company of fellow Corrie legends, Bet Lynch, Hilda Ogden, Jack and Vera Duckworth and Ken and Deirdre Barlow.

Since Michelle hit our small screens back in 2006, the pint puller has been a favourite with viewers and in recent months, Michelle’s turbulent relationship with estranged husband, Steve McDonald has kept the nation gripped.

Kym said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was approached by Madame Tussauds Blackpool to have my own figure created! It’s been fascinating to be involved in the process and see first-hand how the figures are made.

“It’s such an honour, especially as I’m being placed amongst Corrie royalty in the Rovers Return Inn – I’d love to take her home!”

The interactive wax figure, styled by Coronation Street’s very own costume department, is smiling and standing in a casual pose with arms folded, dressed in a relaxed outfit of a grey, loose top, black jeans and boot, complete with an ombre hairstyle and natural make-up.

Visitors now have the exclusive chance to chat with Michelle, as her figure features new, integrated speech technology. Sound bites were recorded of Michelle’s most famous lines during the sitting, in order to make visitors’ experiences even more realistic.

Creating Kym’s wax figure was an in-depth and thorough process, with a dedicated team of sculptors taking hundreds of precise measurements and photographs to ensure as accurate a likeness as possible. The figures are created by expert teams of sculptors, moulders, colourists and hair stylists, taking 20 people up to four months to complete a figure costing £150,000.

General Manager, Matthew Titherington, said: “We are thrilled to unveil Kym’s figure here at the attraction.

 “Due to her infamous storyline in the show there has been a huge demand from the public for a wax figure, so we’re sure they’ll love getting up close and personal now it’s in the attraction.”

So, head to the beer garden, grab a pint and have a chat with Michelle. Be careful though, once she starts nattering she might not stop…

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See Hayley Cropper tribute show in Blackpool

Kate O’Donnell presents Hayley and Me at Viva Blackpool on Friday June 9th at 7.30pm.

Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper appeared in our living rooms three times a week. Bringing Hayley back into the limelight, this cabaret takes a nostalgic look at the impact of this classic character and her place in trans history.

The show stars award winning Performance Artist Kate O’Donnell who is currently starring in Twelfth Night at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.

Hayley and Me explores the relationship between Hayley’s Coronation Street storylines and Kate’s own journey.

Expect some visuals, a little audience interaction, a lot of Spice Girls and a very iconic anorak.

More details and tickets here.

A Perfect Duet - the Diary of Roy and Hayley Cropper 

With a foreword by Coronation Street actor Julie Hesmondhlagh, who played Hayley.

 Find out more here.

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Iconic Coronation Street hotel goes up for sale

The Stand Hotel in Blackpool was at the centre of one of Coronation Street's most dramatic storylines  - and it's gone up for sale.

The hotel has its own “blue plaque” outside to commemorate it as the place that Rita Fairclough was staying when evil Alan Bradley came to drag her back to Coronation Street after stealing from her and victimising her.

Famously he chased Rita down the prom but was hit and killed by a tram. The episode in December 1989 was watched by almost 27 million viewers and remains one of the iconic in the programme’s history.

The Strand Hotel's owner Jane Long has put it on the market with a guide price of £825,000. 

Jane told the Blackpool Gazette: “The Coronation Street episode is so well known. We still get people staying here wanting to stay in Rita’s room and we have the memorabilia. The plaque was put on in 2009 and it was unveiled by actor Mark Eden who played Alan Bradley and we raised £1,500 for Donna’s Dreamhouse.

Last summer Alan Bradley’s Coronation Street daughter Jenny came back to Blackpool to visit the place where he died and they filmed a bit outside the hotel.”

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Celebrate Christmas on the cobbles at Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds Blackpool have a new attraction this Christmas - it's the Rovers Return Christmas On The Cobbles event.

Waxworks figures of the biggest stars of the Street can be seen in a special Christmas scene at Madame Tussauds Blackpool.

Visitors can pull a cracker with Deirdre Barlow, share their spuds with Ken, or make their Corrie Christmas fantasy come true, by booking an ultimate office party among the legends.

Those looking for the perfect alternative venue to impress their colleagues this season can book Madame Tussauds Blackpool’s very own Rovers Return until  21st December 2016.

Enjoy a welcome drink with Bet on arrival, before tucking into a traditional, Northern winter warming Hot Pot (veggie option also available). Guests will also receive exclusive use of the attraction, complete with a DJ who will be celebrating all things festive with classic Christmas tunes. That’s if you can manage to dance after all that food…

So, if you’re looking for something unique to spice things up this December, head to Christmas On The Cobbles – you never know, you might even see a famous face or two.

Full information here.

See also: Who's the most kissed Corrie waxwork at Madame Tussauds?! 

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