Coronation Street looking for a new Blanche Hunt

Coronation Street producer Kate Oates has repeated her desire to get a battleaxe into the soap.

It's something that she's said often before but as yet, we haven't seen the type of character that we all miss. Well, I know I certainly do and I keep blogging about it too.

And now she's told The Sun that she is actively looking "for a new scathing senior to verbally rip everyone on the cobbles to shreds when they get a bit too big for their boots."

"We all miss a Blanche," said Kate Oates. "I tell you what, I am always interested in another Blanche and we are kind of on the lookout.

 "I think Amy Barlow’s a little Blanche. I love her when she’s a little Blanche though, Amy. Some people say ‘oh she’s such a young Tracy’ but I want her as a young Blanche. Maybe she’ll kill someone with her razor-sharp tongue but that’s it."

I think Tim's mum could do well to come into the show as a battleaxe. But why not bring back Roy's mum Sylvia?

See also: Corrie A-Z, B is for Battleaxe

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Well, here’s to another wild and crazy birthday

I was looking through some old things in the loft recently when I came across the best birthday card I have ever been given. Not the image of Betty above but this beauty below:

It was given to me exactly ten years ago to this day when I turned 25. Back then, I was young and hungry. Now I’m just hungry.  

It was an official Coronation Street greeting card copyrighted by Granada in 2006 and produced by Hallmark. My brother got it for me and the picture and message on the front is just brilliant. Nowadays, I’d take a quiet drink in the Rovers with Norris over a wild and crazy night out anytime!

Right… it’s QUIZ TIME. At what Weatherfield event were Nozzer, Blanche and Emily pictured at on the front of this card? 

The prize for the first correct answer in the comments section below (should you wish to claim it) is a Newton and Ridley Best Bitter beer mat, as pictured:

Ready, steady… PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT!

By Martin Leay, on Twitter @mpleay

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Collecting Coronation Street: Props

It seems like an absolute age since my first instalment in my Collecting Coronation Street posts, where I spoke about cast autographs and how they make up a bulk of my Coronation Street memorabilia collection. As I said before, the majority of you are probably unaware of my Coronation Street Collection, which is the collective name for what started as a few small bits and pieces from across the show's history and has since morphed into a whole house full of archive Corrie props, costumes and more.

For me, the closure of Granada Studios was an absolute blessing, as there was a sudden influx of items being flogged on eBay that had been left behind by the Coronation Street crew as they were now considered worthless to be kept in the prop store at the new MediaCity Studios. It's always a shame to think that many props are probably discarded on a regular basis, but always rest assuring if they fall into my hands!

One of my favourite pieces - Blanche's funeral plaque

Another time when props show up on eBay is when they've been donated to charity auctions by the production team. Often pricey, but always worth it (as the money is going to a good cause), that's how I've obtained some of my best pieces, such as a painting of Nick Tilsley drawn in show by Hayley, and signed by Julie Hesmondhalgh. I've also bought a copy of The Weatherfield Gazette, from the time when Ken was opposing Peter's plans to open The Joinery (déjà vu?) which is signed by both Bill Roache and Chris Gasgoine.

I'd wanted a Roys Rolls table mat for a while, when suddenly one signed
by David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh appeared on eBay and I
snapped it up!

When it comes to obtaining props, there's always a few difficulties regarding authenticity. I've found on a number of occasions that people try and sell the replica props that were included in the Coronation Street Treasures book (which is a great read none the less and definitely worth picking up). Whilst these replicas all look authentic and include letters from Richard Hillman, Roy's passport photos and a card from Des Barnes' funeral flowers, they were made in mass numbers for purposes of the book. I've seen many eBay users claim these are real, and sell them on for ridiculous prices!

I absolutely adore this painting of Nick Tisley that I purchased
in a charity auction on eBay, but can't find the episode anywhere!

Props that I buy tend to come in all shapes and sizes, from as small as a Rovers beermat to as big as Carla and Frank's wedding seating plan, but always a worthy part of my collection. They're often so personal and each have their own little story behind them. It's just a shame more props didn't show up on eBay as I'd love to add more to my collection. Perhaps a sofa? 

You can follow me on Twitter @MichaelAdamsUk, and also on my collection Twitter account @CStCollection.

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Too much misery? Here's some joy from the wonderful Blanche Hunt.

Of late, on our favourite street there has been very little cause to laugh. We have Phelan cheating anyone who has a pulse, beautiful, faithful Ozzie on his way to the Rainbow Bridge and relationships falling apart.  The usually cheerful, vivacious and feisty Beth has had much to bear and is distraught with neither Craig nor Kirk very pleased with her.

David is drowning in grief and has just heard that Kylie's murderer may be charged with manslaughter only, thus receiving a much reduced sentence than he would for murder. Todd's life could be in danger if serious villain Vinny discovers what he's up to. Caz is still hanging around and clearly developing feelings for Maria, so that will end in tears. There is the affair of seven years standing between Sharif and Sonia and upcoming heartbreak for Yasmeen. Alex, Cathy and Roy have had their problems, with Cathy struggling to accept Alex's paternity. Alya has got rid of Sinead and she is now bribing her grandfather to  keep quiet about the Sonia affair.

So where is the fun? The truth is that we are pretty bereft of any levity.

In desperation who else to turn to other than Blanche Hunt to provide us with some much needed comedy. Delivered with real credibility and great aplomb, here are just a few of the comments Blanche made :-

'You're going to have to learn to take pleasure in the misfortunes of others, Ken, or you're going to have a very miserable old age.'

'Good looks are a curse Deirdre. You and Kenneth should count yourselves lucky.'

'Skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eyeliner and roots as dark as her soul. Of Liz McDonald

'Like Postman Pat do you? So long as you remember it's a work of fiction. 'Early in the morning, just as day is dawning.' Your real Postman Pat rolls up around noon wearing a pair of shorts and his breakfast. And if he's not chucking elastic bands around like confetti, he'll be rifling through your birthday cards for ready cash or leaving your valuables out on the step.'

And there's more:-

'Nowt but propaganda is this! And as for Mrs. Goggins, she'd be cowering behind three inch thick glass with a baseball bat under the counter. That's assuming her post office hasn't been shut down of course.

All this addressed to Simon Barlow as a young child.

'An alcoholic and a prostitute open a bar... sounds like the beginning of a joke.'

On discovering that Peter and Leanne are planning to open a bar.

You've married foreign once Deirdre. You could've done it again and got a shop out of it,'

Following Deirdre's fling with Dev.

These timeless words from the irreplaceable and incomparable Blanche Hunt.
 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 2

2. BLANCHE HUNT (377 VOTES)

Duration: 1974-1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1996, 1997, 1998-2009
Played by: Maggie Jones
2012 character poll position (women): 1

Apart from original battleaxe Ena Sharples, nobody has filled the battleaxe role better than Blanche on the cobbles. 

Mother to Deirdre, Blanche had her first stint on the street in the 1970s. A corset maker, she quickly made her mark as nobody to mess with when she slapped Ray Langton for mistreating Deirdre. She was later instrumental in planning Deirdre’s non-wedding to Billy Walker and clashed with his mother Annie. After stints behind the Rovers bar and the corner shop counter, she was whisked away by Dave Smith to run a country club in 1976. She would visit the street in 1977 (for the birth of granddaughter Tracy), 1978 (to console Deirdre during her marriage break-up to Ray), 1981 (for Deirdre and Ken’s wedding), 1996 (Tracy’s wedding) and 1997 (Deirdre and Jon Lindsay’s engagement party).

In 1998, she visited the Barlows once more but decided to stay put and moved into Albert Tatlock’s old room. Thus began Blanche’s tenure as one of Corrie’s classic characters.

Alongside gossipy ally Norris Cole, Blanche would pass comment on the goings-on on the street and didn’t care if residents heard it or not. And it was her family who would suffer the most. Ken and Deirdre had to have elephant skin to deal with Blanche’s acid remarks. But she was as fierce as a lioness when it came to defending the family.

My favourite Blanchisms have to be her condemnation of the Royal Mail and the classic AA meeting. 

Blanche went on holiday to Portugal in 2010 and sadly passed away there.

Were you a fan of Blanche? Should she be No.1? Have you got a favourite Blanche moment?

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What Coronation Street Needs Now

Monday’s episodes this week were pretty damned good, I thought. And yet there were no tram crashes, no fires, no minibuses going off road and no murders. What was included was plenty of sharp, convincing, dialogue. It is this dialogue, this interaction between people, that is Coronation Street’s heart and soul. Mary’s lines were spectacular - sadness, poignancy, insight and humour.

Long ago though it may be, one of the best pieces of dialogue was Blanche Hunt speaking to Deirdre.

‘Good looks are a curse, Deirdre. You and Kenneth should count yourselves lucky.

And the inimitable Blanche again - this time it is Liz McDonald who cops it.

‘Skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eyeliner and roots as dark as her soul.’

And once more  - this time to Tracy.

‘You’re remarkably chipper. Trod on a snail?’

Rita is always able to come upon a suitable comment when required, especially when it involves Norris.

Rita:      Did you ever run away from home?’

Norris: No, I certainly did not!

Rita:      That must have been a great disappointment to your mother.

Eileen too can produce the words when needed. Of Tracy Barlow she says:

‘Even her initials are a killer disease!’

It is, then, the sparkling wit of the dialogue that makes the show, along with great actors who can deliver the lines with conviction. It is the engine from which the show achieves its brilliance.  

Sally and Tim work so well because of the connection between them, helped by the terrific dialogue written for them. It is the way the two characters contrast too. Tim is largely easy-going and unconcerned about social standing. Sally is deeply concerned about social status and  how she is viewed by the outside world and revels in her position at Underworld, which often has her making unpleasant and patronizing comments to Alya, the young pretender. Private schools, sofas, Banksy, quinoa, kale are her concerns, even though she thinks a Vienetta has class. Long may these two continue to amuse us.

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Is Amy Barlow turning into Blanche Hunt?

The title of this blog post is a rhetorical question, of course.  The spirit of Blanche is truly living on in Amy Barlow on Coronation Street, and it's a joy to watch.

Actress Elle Mulvaney, who plays Amy, has come on leaps and bounds in the past year or so.  She's a young actress who can deliver some really good drama and now comedy too. And as her great-grandmother was one of the battle-axes of the Street, the geriatric genes live on in young Amy.

The writers are clearly having fun giving Blanche-like dialogue to Amy these days and as a fan, it's great to see the spirit of Blanche living on.

With her £40,000 inheritance from grandma Deirdre's life assurance policy, Amy knows she's got that money behind her. She's also bright enough to know that her mum Tracy will try to take it off her.  It could be an interesting future for Amy Barlow and definitely one to watch!

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Raising a glass to Deirdre

It's Deirdre's funeral tonight on Coronation Street as I'm sure you'll all be aware. Recent episodes have been hard to watch but also executed very well, all things considered. Paying tribute to the character of Deirdre Barlow was always going to be tough for all concerned.

The emotion on display from the likes of Ken, Emily, Tracy and Liz was so real it blurred the lines between fact and fiction. It was always going to be this way given the tragic events off screen back in January. The actors, the writers, the entire crew at Corrie have obviously worked extremely hard to do this send off justice and it shows. I thought the reactions from Ken, Emily and Liz were absolutely spot on. It was right that Bev came back to break the news and the symbolic appearance of Deirdre's glasses was not overplayed and did not feel like a retread of Hilda and Stan all those years before.

I loved everyone gathering in the Rovers and most of all I thought the discovery of Deirdre's battered old Quality Street tin was a delight. It was the kind of moment experienced by many families up and down the land and the letter was very true to Deirdre herself. Lots of red wine, Freshco's finest ham, a short service for those gasping for a fag and a bit of gutsy Nina Simone at the end. Perfect. 

I could have done without a couple of things. I thought the gust of wind blowing the Rovers door open was unnecessary and a bit clumsy. The episodes had been so powerful that it really wasn't needed. I know these days that focusing on Deirdre's death just wouldn't be enough for these episodes, that more would be required. The snippets of Roy and Cathy were fair enough but must we contrast the farewell of such a fine, legendary Corrie character with the ongoing dull drudgery that is the Callum - Sarah - Bethany - David - Kyile merry-go-round? These two storylines hardly compliment each other and every appearance Callum made jarred terribly with the emotional tale unfolding at the Barlows.

I know Deirdre's funeral will be spot on tonight. Coronation Street do big events ever so well. Damon Rochefort is a highly skilled Corrie writer who appreciates the history of the show and the fantastic legacy of this much-missed character. Damon delivered a wonderful tribute to Anne Kirkbride on BBC Radio 4's Last Word programme back in January and I'm sure he will deliver the same tonight. 

I know the funeral will generate further animosity between Ken and Tracy. Funerals have a habit of doing things like that and I hope we see a change in Tracy now her main protector and supporter has gone. However instead of the endless Barlow bickering, I hope tonight's episodes focus on what a life force Deirdre was - the passionate woman from the back streets who married Ray Langton, married Ken twice, stole the heart of Mike Baldwin and will now forever be linked to those sexy specs, stuffed marrows and gargantuan belts which told many a tale.

Monday's episodes of Coronation Street will be deeply sad and moving but they must also celebrate the passing of a legendary Corrie character we all laughed with, cried with and cheered on over 42 years. I'll have my large glass of red wine at the ready. 

You can listen to the Last Word tribute here

You can follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82 

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Saying Goodbye to Deirdre

This will be a big week for Coronation Street. It sees the passing of a character we all know, and I mean all of us. Even those people who claim never to have seen an episode of Coronation Street know Deirdre Barlow.

I feel nervous even writing about the upcoming episodes, let alone actually watching them. Nobody can tell us not to take it so seriously or to get over it this time as like the actress who so memorably played Deirdre's mother, the inimitable Maggie Jones, there is real life loss at the centre of this fictitious character's passing. Anne Kirkbride was loved for many reasons but probably one of the main ones was how unstarry she remained despite spending her entire adult life not just in the spotlight, but in the glare of full publicity playing the same television character.

Until last October, I had not known Coronation Street without Anne Kirkbride's Deirdre. Her appearances were certainly less frequent than in her peak period during the 1970s and 1980s but she was always there. My own favourite period for Deirdre came when she discovered Ken's philandering with Wendy flamin' Crozier in 1989. Anne Kirkbride was magnificent throughout that storyline, really giving it her all. She was a star alright, but one you could quite happily have a chat with at the checkout in the local supermarket. Not many around like that anymore.

I really hope that Coronation Street gets Deirdre's send off right. They owe it to so many people to do it justice. The television landscape has changed so much since Corrie first debuted in 1960 but I think the nation still cares about events like this. So many of us feel we knew Deirdre and that's down to the wonderful writing over the years, the terrific storylines, but most of all the warmth, truthfulness and sheer skill of the mega-talented Anne Kirkbride. 


At the root of all my nervousness is the basic fact that I still don't want it to be true. We've had months to come to terms with Anne's sad death and now it's time for Deirdre to go too. I'm torn because I really want to watch these scenes because Corrie do poignant emotion so well on occasions like these. There will be wonderful drama to come from this story but at the same time, I really do want it to be over with. 

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Isn't it time we met Beryl Linfield?

Was it just me or did Deirdre recently refer to Blanche's sister, the rarely mentioned but obviously still with us, Beryl Linfield?

I am sure I heard Deirdre telling Tracy in the shop the other week that she was off to visit Aunty Beryl. Does this mean Beryl lives in the vicinity? If so, why have we never met her? This vexes me. Poor Beryl rarely gets a look in and didn't even make an appearance at Blanche's funeral a few years back.

I seem to remember Stuart Blackburn mentioning in an interview, possibly after Stephanie Cole's departure was announced, that the production team would be looking to cast a new older character. So far nothing else has been said about that, but I do think the older cast could use a new addition to liven things up and create more stories. Who would be better than Beryl Linfield?

I'm not saying we should sully Blanche Hunt's memory by bringing in a carbon copy of the much missed battleaxe. It wouldn't be fair to the character or that wonderful actress, the late, great Maggie Jones. Instead, I think it would be interesting to present Beryl as the complete opposite of Blanche. It would still allow some on-screen memories of Blanche to be shared and it would give Deirdre a new focus, rather than just tutting at Tracy and Rob. I worry that Deirdre will go the way of Emily - only being mentioned when she is babysitting for Fiz or Tracy, and always off-screen.

As so little is known about Beryl (to my knowledge at least) it would give the casting department free reign. There are so many fantastic older actresses out there to choose from. My only ask would be that they don't go for someone too famous. Although it has the initial media buzz when the casting is announced, they seldom stay long and that irritates long term viewers who enjoy continuity.

So do you agree we should be introduced to Beryl? If so, who would you like to see in the part?

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Out of sight, out of mind?

As the Peter and Tina dirty circus continues to grind its way around Weatherfield, I've been contemplating what will actually happen once Tina is dead and gone, culprit caught and put away...probably sharing a cell with Jim McDonald in the Big House.

Will we see any of Tina's family in the aftermath of her demise? Her mother hasn't been glimpsed in years. Surely she will make an appearance in the weeks ahead? It would be bizarre if she didn't. Once Tina herself departs, I wonder how long other characters will remember her? Will she succomb to the usual "out of sight, out of mind"?

Sometimes it can take months, even years for a character to leave our screens. Nowadays it feels like actors announce they are leaving around a year before they actually get in that cab and take a right onto Viaduct Street. Afterwards however...nothing. For example, how often has Stella been referenced since they invented that never-before-mentioned-friend in New York for her to go off and live with?

Hayley will always be mentioned thanks to the continued presence of the much loved Roy. However wouldn't it be comforting for us long term viewers if Audrey spoke of Alma once in a while, or Rita of Mavis?

I'm not necessarily pitching that we need a full blown nostalgia fest, but given the links still in Corrie, it would seem natural for the occasional comment to be made. When was the last time Norris talked about Derek or David about Martin (his dad for goodness sake!)

Thankfully we still have Emily conjuring up moist-eyed memories of her Ernest, but I for one would love Deirdre to reminisce about Blanche more often. It would be a joy for some of Maggie Jones' classic one liners to get another airing. There's definitely not been anyone come along since to replace her in our affections.

Even if we never see some of these classic characters again in Coronation Street, I think it would reward long time viewers just a little if the likes of Mavis, Alf and Betty were name-checked every so often.

What do you think?


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