Corrie Press Day (Part 6) - Eva Price leaves Coronation Street!

Welcome to interview No. 6 of my visit to the Coronation Street set, and my day caught in a flurry of exclusive summer storyline interviews.

A character who has had a stormy seven years on the show, Eva Price is about to depart Coronation Street for the foreseeable future. Stepping onto the cobbles in 2011, Eva slowly broke away from the Price clan and formed a 'sisterhood' with half-sibling Leanne and Leanne's half-sister Toyah. A tumultuous relationship with Aidan Connor resulted in her daughter Susie, and we know how much heartache this has caused several residents of the Street.

As actress Catherine Tyldesley enters the Corrie hub for today’s press release interview, she appears a little upset. The actress has in fact just filmed Eva’s final teary scene on the set of Corrie, and she begins our interview apologising for looking a tad emotional. I am now hoping to hear that addictively more-ish laugh that Catherine gave to Eva!

As a mother yourself do you get emotional at the thought of your child being taken away from you (when Johnny kidnapped Susie)?
“Yes. Absolutely. I can’t begin to imagine being in that position, I personally can understand why people would give their children away but it's not something that I could do”

If Toyah hadn’t have confessed to Peter, do you think Eva would have taken Susie back anyway?
“Yes. She said to Toyah, 'I want to move out so you can be a family with Peter and Susie' but it's breaking her heart seeing Susie every day. But yes I think she would have taken her back anyway 100%”

How does it feel to be leaving Coronation Street?
“It's surreal. I feel like I’m trying to absorb everyone more than ever. I’m trying to get every last bit of it in and I love it here, I’m not unhappy, so it's going to be really emotional.”

Eva isn’t being killed off so would you ever consider a return?
“Of course, yes, I’d consider it. We don’t know what the future holds but Corrie has been like a home to me,” she enthuses. "Ever since I was small, I’ve dreamed of being on Corrie, it was a dream job. I would love to see Eva come back to wreak some more havoc.”

Are you happy with your leaving storyline?
“So happy. Kate Oates has been wonderful; the writers have been wonderful and I’m really grateful for the stuff they have given me. It’s a great exit storyline”

Why does Eva think it's better to move away from Weatherfield?
“Because of Johnny, and for Toyah’s sake. She can see how hard it is for Toyah to be seeing Susie every day. It's just heart-breaking. She actually isn’t being selfish, she is doing it for them and a fresh start for Susie. She has her Mum and Gran in France so feels she has the security she needs there”

I for one will miss Eva on the street. For me, I think she represents that northern strong female character that Tony Warren created at the show's inception.  All the best to Catherine, I say.

Would you like to see Eva Price return to the cobbles in the future?

I am @rybazoxo and I write Wednesday night episode reviews for @CoroStreetBlog Follow me for more content on Corrie’s summer storylines. coming soon.

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Coronation Street - Double Episode Review; Wednesday 18th of July 2018

Its early morning at The Rovers Return and baby Susie is suspiciously absent, alongside Toyah and Johnny. After escaping for a 'veggie hangover' meal, Toyah returns to the pub, minus the baby!. What with Jenny's continued emotional turmoil and recent history, you could easily blame her, but its an equally fraught Johnny, that's actually snatched his own granddaughter.

Over at Number 11, Abby and Seb hurriedly tidy up ahead of Eileen's swift return to the street. Upon arriving, it isn't long before Eileen is back in the cab office. Hearing the streets latest goings on, she decides on not returning to Bristol, belittles Steve about marrying Tracy, and lets Abby move in.

Also returning to the street is that charming cad and brewery heir, Henry Newton. Gemma, having seen Henry's engagement announced in the Weatherfield Gazette, is utterly distraught. Seeing a chance, reluctant Cassanova Chesney invites her out to The Viaduct Bistro. Underwhelmed by its lack of kebabs or grease, Gemma hits the beer. As Chesney is about to reveal his unrequited love, you can guess who strolls straight into the restaurant? yep, it's Henry. Unimpressed by his posh metaphors and Vodka, Henry finally wins Gemma over by breaking off his engagement and buying her The Rovers Return!. Gemma as the new Bet Lynch, anyone?...

With no sign of a break-in at the pub, Liz realises that Johnny stole her pub keys to kidnap Susie. When it's clear that Johnny has taken the baby but not his medication, the Connor clan quickly rally round. A swift press conference is called by (the usually incompetent)Weatherfield Police whilst Johnny remains hiding in the hotel. Ringing confidante and ex-lover Liz, she quickly finds him alone with the baby. Will Liz get caught in the crossfire?.

In other news, Angie & Jude's marriage reaches crisis-point, Victoria Street shop wars have begun, and Roy doesn't own a mobile phone.


PS - I think it's worth mentioning some great quotes in tonight's doubleheader;

Gemma - "Are you boozing or boring?",
Audrey - "I'm not as green as I am cabbage looking!"
or Eileen, with the deliciously prophetic "Its a good day to bury bad news" on hearing of Steve's engagement and Sally's exit from the Mayoral office.


Anyway, that's me done until next Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Until next time Corrie fans...

TARA!

I am @rybazoxo- your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Corrie Comicals week ending 13 July 2018

Liz starts us off with her observations to Sean on the fiancee of the year - that'll be R'Tracy, who has moved in (or hanging about as Liz observes) and who keeps using Liz's best shampoo - next time Liz will rag her head off!  Who thought that poor hard up Liz could afford a best and a second best shampoo?

Re-employed in the Rovers Return Sean is busy finding his notch where he rests his elbow on the counter.  His notch is adjacent to Betty's nook and to Liz's cranny.  So now we all know where to find Liz's cranny, although I suspect Johnny does not need telling.

For those making programs which are shot some weeks ahead we have a classic problem.  The UK is enduring Mediterranean style weather - endless days of sunshine with high overnight temperatures.  So poor Sean is in Kirk's broken tent wrapped up to keep out the cold.  Although he probably filmed this before summer set in!

Audrey's clients are mysteriously cancelling and she catches up with Jude who claims he has to look after George for the afternoon and not revealing that he is heading to "A Cut Above" in Maria's flat  - her puntastic naming of working at home.  Audrey suggests that Jude brings George to the salon as Emma and George probably read the same books!  A neat line just slipped in by the writers!

Well we all knew Duncan was a wrong 'un - but to have his office in Cheetham Hill was just to much of a give away.  I am surprised we were not told this sooner!  Dead giveaway.

Carla deserves a smack on the wrist for playing with Peter's mind the way she did.  And when did bananas start costing 50p each?

Surely Maria does not have planning permission to cut hair in her flat and I bet the lease makes it clear that a business cannot be conducted on the premises.  Audrey ought to take advice from Adam.

You said it Eva (what did happen to Aidan's pink Range Rover?).  She is looking for mumsy clothes for the mediation hearing and Toyah suggests she goes and buys some shoes which look like pasties as part of her image change!

Which just about wraps it up for this week.  Holidays in the offing so not sure if I will be here for a few weeks.


Writers: Jan McVerry, Owen Lloyd-Fox (Monday), Ella Greenhill, Martin Allen (Tuesday), Julie Jones (Friday)
Directors: Abe Juckes (Monday), Gill Wilkinson (Tuesday & Friday)

Kosmo
@Kosmo

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Seven years of Eva the Diva on Coronation Street

By Matt Johnson who is on Twitter @unitedkanamixer and blogs here.

Fancy writing a guest blog post for us? All details here!   

As many of you will know, this week sees Catherine Tyldesley film her final scenes as Eva Price, so I thought now was a good time to look back on a memorable seven years of ‘Eva the Diva’. 

From the moment Eva first arrived it was clear she was going to make an impression. The first time we ever saw her she turned up at the Rovers in tears after discovering that her fiancé was cheating on her with a friend and mum Stella allows her to stay at the Rovers. She later discovers that Leanne Barlow (as she was then) is her half sister due to Stella’s past relationship with Les Battersby (yep, that is actually canon!)

Her bubbly personality, not to mention that laugh, quickly made her a fan favourite with viewers. Although not exactly the smartest of people, Eva has a heart of gold- but that didn’t do her too many favours on the relationship front. She dated Nick, Rob and Jason before finally finding her true love with Aidan. Even though their wedding day ended in disaster when Aidan discovered her fake pregnancy, which was her revenge after finding out about his affair with Maria, it was clear that the two of them never stopped loving each other.

As well as numerous relationship disasters, there was also the discovery that Leanne is her sister, her friendship with Kylie and the time she attempted to help a Polish worker that she found was hiding out at Underworld from one of the factories clients. Finally, the baby swap deal with Toyah that will ultimately lead to her exit. The last couple of months have shown that not only does Cath excel at the comedy side of Eva’s character, she also does a superb job of the emotional scenes. We know that the door is going to be left open and I for one hope that one day, Eva will grace the cobbles once again

By Matt Johnson who is on Twitter @unitedkanamixer and blogs here.

Fancy writing a guest blog post for us? All details here!   

Read more Corrie news, interviews, gossip and spoilers  

Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook 

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Shayne Ward interview: Aidan's final scenes air tonight

How did it feel to film your exit scenes?
As an actor I was honoured to be given the responsibility of this storyline, what actor would give up that opportunity. It was a decision that was made between us all and was totally storyline led, they sat me down and said they were thinking of exploring this issue and I understood the importance of it. At the end of the day I could have said no, that I couldn't do it. But I thought about it and talked it through and there was a greater pull to want to do the storyline. I will miss playing Aidan and working with the fantastic people on this show but it is a massively important storyline to tell.

What research did you do?
I met with Samaritans and I was able to talk through everything, they were across all the storylines as were CALM. It helped answer a lot of questions, I learned lots of things from them and realise that every story is different. This is Aidan's story, it is not based on anyone else's story but it is telling an all too common story. They encouraged me to ask anything. Knowing that they were advising on the scripts gave me great confidence to play the story out. I know Aidan, I have played him for three years, I was able to have some input into the final episodes following my meeting with Samaritans as I wanted to be true to Aidan.

How did you find playing the scenes?
It was difficult playing those scenes because I know how important it is to tell a story like this, it has to ring true for the viewer. There needed to be honesty in it so I had to really look into everything that Aidan has been through. Obviously you do draw upon stories that you have been told but I had to take everything into account and try in some way to understand everything Aidan has been through and what has brought him to this point.

I had quite a few emotional scenes and it is important to be able to get out of that mindset and shake it off at the end of the filming day. I have always been able to deal with a lot of pressure, it helps being from such a big family, this going back to my singing days. I was 21 when I did The X Factor, I had been working from the age of 16, so when The X Factor came along I was more prepared for the pressure that brought. I am one of seven and I always felt like one of the older ones. I was the one they took advice from. So when I did this storyline and came out of it I was able to step away from the pressure.

You can do a scene like the ones I played and you can remain in that day place and I could have stayed feeling very down and knowing how serious the storyline was, I could have added pressure on myself but I believed in what I was doing and hopefully it will be so helpful to people that it will be something that my daughter will be proud of. So for me it was all about looking to the future with her at the forefront of my mind. She is my happy place.

Are you good at talking about your feelings?
Trying to find the right balance with Aidan I brought a lot of myself into playing him so I could give true performances but there is also a lot about him that is very different from me. I am a talker, I believe in talking. It is something I try to instil in my friends and family if they are going through hard times. I ask them to talk to me about it, or to each other. If you are left alone with your thoughts and demons it puts you in that dark place and it is hard to get out. That is what this storyline is about, a lot of men think it is a weakness to talk and it isn't. It is a pride thing, men bottle it up - but have pride in talking and admitting how you are feeling. I have sat there with my own thoughts and it doesn't work, talking about them is what helped me but sadly Aidan doesn't, he doesn't want to burden anyone, he is too proud to speak out.

Will you watch tonight?
Yes, and my family have said that they want to watch it, and that is the point, if they didn't want to watch they would be falling into the bracket of ignoring the issue and staying silent so I am very pleased that they want to watch it. Hopefully it will spark conversations amongst viewers, they might be difficult conversations but they are important ones.

If Aidan's storyline is resonating with you, there is help and support available now. Samaritans offers a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week helpline support service. Call them FREE on 116 123. You can also email jo@samaritans.org. Further information can be found at www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Corrie Comicals Week Ending 4 May 2018

Maybe it was me but I was quite tickled by the concept of Sally having lawyers on hand to demand £150.  Also why didn't Angie (who appears to have setup her practice in the Barlow solicitors' office) mention that she could recommend a firm of lawyers to Yasmeen?

Before she smashed the door down R'Toyota had the good grace to acknowledge that she was impersonating Jack Nicholson "Hello Honey I'm Home".  Studies elsewhere (@ConversationStr) have shown that about 50% of pregnancies on the Street do not make it.  However of those that do it would be nice to revert to a nice simple hospital delivery - getting locked in lifts and bathrooms is just a little too common to be believed, luckily we were spared the birth in a tree house!

Wednesday largely concerned itself with dinner parties - who has dinner parties on a school night?

As a general pointer however the fake marine biologists were not bad at some stand up as shown here.  They were eventually rumbled by Brian when he recognised them from local amateur dramatics which he has been to see.

Across the Street Yasmeen and Sally were at daggers drawn until Magic Geoff brokered a (probably temporary) peace deal.  However Yasmeen telling Sally that she knew why she was not invited was my stand out moment.

Now Tyrone and Kirk are far from the sharpest knives in the Coronation Street drawer so what can possibly go wrong with the former's advice to the latter to describe his wealthy Chewey owner (Sharon Butterlee) as about 60 and Mrs Butterlee when quizzed by Beth?  Utterly more like 30 if you ask me.  Indeed both episodes on Wednesday were a complete contrast to most events on t'Street at the moment - with only Jenny being upset by the talk of baby Susie causing the slightest black ripple.

Shona found an opportunity to stick it to David on Friday when she had a little dig about Emma!  As we saw earlier in the episode Emma is being played as little bit of an airhead - but David assures Shona all is going well!  Bethany assures Shona that Emma is not right for David.

Rita had a couple of nice sentiments this evening - earlier she regretted that no-one had ever called her "Mum" - although the way she looked after the younger Jenny Bradley and now Gemma she would have been good at it!  However as she completed Jude's Kabin training this comment followed by a hint that it was time for a cup of tea were just right and brought amusement to this viewer.

Hope you are enjoying these slightly sideways look at the warmer aspects of the Street!  And there was no room for Kirk's doggy doings or the Weatherfield County anthem!

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

---

Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License