Fiz and Phill’s Wedding Day Chaos? Corrie Blog chats to Jennie McAlpine

A summer wedding is always something to look forward to, isn't it? In recent Covid years, we Corrie viewers have been starved of any big cast ensemble event, so it's with some excitement that I look forward to Phill & Fiz's big day. Fiz however, has some hesitations and hurdles to cross before then!! 

Beset with DIY disasters at their posh new house, Fiz's pre-wedding jitters go into overdrive as she faces up to more Phill-sized problems! Firstly, matriarchal Mimi returns to cause more trouble, and then Phill's beautifully posh ex-wife Camilla arrives on the scene! Could she be a catalyst that stops the big day from happening? That could also be said of Tyrone though, who is encouraged by Kevin to tell Fiz his true feelings. Meanwhile, Cerebus causes Evelyn and Mimi to clash. Will the ceremony even go ahead? As I write this, I'm reminded of Eva and Aidan's big day, so let's hope that's not an ominous thought! 

With all of that in mind, I was ecstatic to be invited to an ITV Corrie press day to chat with Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz, to learn more about it! 

Hi Jennie, great to speak to you again. How does Fiz feel as the wedding day approaches?  

Fiz is sure that this is the right thing for her and that this is what is right. If Tyrone hadn't cheated, things would have been different, but of course, Phill is a lot better for her and is the antithesis of Ty. Fiz has no more doubts now. 

Mimi makes a return for the wedding. She caused a bit of trouble the last time she was on the street. How are things between her and Fiz now? 

Well, she wasn't nice the last time she was on the street, was she? Phill finally stood up to her and sent her on her way. Fiz is dreading her arrival, and thinks it's will be the same as last time. If you remember, it was the planning of Phill’s birthday, which she took over, but the wedding's a million times bigger! She (Mimi) is out to cause chaos and sabotage the wedding. 

Does Fiz think that Mimi will put a stop to the wedding?

Yes, I think she does - Evelyn certainly does. It doesn't surprise Fiz that Mimi may try and scupper the wedding. It doesn't go well. 

Phill’s ex-wife Camilla also arrives! Does this unsettle Fiz? Does she worry that there could still be feelings between Phill and his ex? 

Yes. Deep down she’s still quite fragile since Tyrone did that to her. There is an element of disbelief with everything she’s had from Phill, and then his successful ex-wife turns up! She (Fiz) thinks that Phill is going to go back to Camilla and that Fiz will be left on her own. Fiz is low on self-esteem as it is. 

To add to the mix, the registrar is cancelled on the morning of the wedding! Does Fiz feel that her big day is doomed?

Yes, and I think Fiz says exactly that to Evelyn, whilst in the pub! That was one of my lines. I do. I think she thinks it is: that’s a part of how she thinks about herself. It’s as though she thinks she doesn’t deserve the big house and the posh wedding, and that she should have just stuck with the cheating Tyrone, in the first place.  

Whilst she’s feeling vulnerable, Tyrone tells her he still loves her and on the morning of the wedding itself! How does she react? Does this change anything for her? 

No, it doesn't. She just tells him what we've already said before. Had he not cheated on her with Alina, things may have been different. It's not a total shock that Tyrone wants them to get back together - the timing is lousy. However, she still wants to marry Phill and goes ahead with marrying Phill. She takes little notice and carries on with it regardless. Tyrone also gives Fiz a pair of Vera’s beautiful pearl earrings! It's a nice nod to corrie's past, and something else to add to Fiz’s emotional wedding morning.  

Thanks, Jenny - looking forward to watching the wedding! 

Coronation Street isn't giving anything away here so we will have to watch and find out if Fiz marries Phill at all? The lead-up to this has included a lot of comedy; Phill and Ty’s fights, staunch matriarchs in the form of Evelyn and Mimi, trouble from Hope, and a tug-of-war for Fiz’s affections. I predict a culmination of all of these factors for the Wedding day episode? 

I shan't be showering the confetti about, just yet! 

Phill and Fiz’s wedding (episode 10685) is due to broadcast on Friday 8th of July 2022 at 8 pm, so make sure you're watching 

I am @rybazoxo your Corrie superfan and cobbles connoisseur   

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Tyrone And Phill Fight In Concrete! Corrie Blog Interviews Alan Halsall and Jamie McKenna

Usually, Coronation Street love triangles follow a tried and tested formula of two women and one man but, with Tyrone, Phill and Fiz's romance storyline, that tried and tested formula has gone out of the window. What started as Tyrone's affair with Alina, this story, in my opinion, has given us far more weight, depth, and humour, since Alina departed for Romania, and they introduced tall guy/fall guy, Phill into Fiz's affections. A clever move by the storyline writers - longevity and an in-depth inward look into Tyrone and Fiz's past, future, and current blended family dynamic. Another interesting slant (mirrored in Daisy and Nicky's battle for Daniel) is that Phill and Tyrone could make great friends - they get along swimmingly most of the time! Aside from the Christmas Day fight (huge comedy, not anything vicious) things have cooled between them? This week, we see them fight again, and this time it's a concrete battle for Fiz's affections. Will Ty escape unhurt or is it Phill that comes unstuck? A proposal looks to be on the cards for Fiz, but who will it be? 

On May the 5th I joined ITV online for a Coronation Street Zoom press event, to chat with Jamie McKenna (Phill Whittaker) and Alan Halsall (Tyrone Dobbs) to learn all about it. 

Jamie, our first question is to you. Phill is about to have his secret uncovered! In tonight’s episode, it’s revealed that Phill is writing a book about John Stape. Is that his reason for being with Fiz all along??  

It's just a coincidence. I think the thing with Phill, is that you can always guarantee that he does everything with the best intentions - even this. It’s a seemingly weird freaky manoeuvre to write a book about her ex murderous husband - he has good intentions. His friend is a barrister who was on the case, and even though Phill has always been aware of it, he’s never talked about it to Fiz. He thinks he can free her from the past by writing a book and getting her side of the story out in the open. It massively backfires!

Alan, how smug does Tyrone feel when his suspicions about Phill are confirmed? Does he use this to try and win Fiz back? 

I think it’s got to that point between Tyrone and Phill, where Tyrone is quite clearly wanting Fiz back. He recognises that Phill is a good guy, and good for the girls and that Phill could be a great friend, in another life. Tyrone thinks this could be news for him when playing the long game. 

Jamie, as things backfire, Phill ends up having his car smashed by Hope and a digger! Has Phill been brave by taking on Fiz and the girls?

I think he is a brave man for taking on the girls. He’s always wanted kids but it never worked out for him. In his mind it's this perfect scenario - he's besotted by Fiz. They come as a package and he’s really happy. He thinks he gets on well with Hope, but she is volatile They come as a package, but maybe he should always be wary of Hope, and he hasn't been. What he hasn't thought through though, is that Hope didn't know anything about John Stape's past and when she discovers these things, her world falls apart

Alan, following all of this, Tyrone and Phill start fighting again, and in wet concrete! Can you tell us more about that? 

Well, I think Tyrone sees this book deal as an opportunity, and immediately opens his arms to Fiz telling her he will do anything to get back with her. He heads over to Phill’s house to pick up Fiz’s belongings, with the best intentions, but it doesn't go to plan! I think after what happened with the Christmas day episode, the writers saw something and ran with it again. Small man, tall man, and a comedy fight in concrete!

Jamie, How did you feel when you read the script? 

We both got a call to do a private zoom meeting with the producer. It was a bit daunting but he just wanted to ask our permission, concerning this scene, and if we were comfortable filming in concrete, and then hosing each other down, in our pants, after!! It was funny. 

Alan and Jamie share a behind the scenes selfie! 

Alan, do you enjoy filming these concrete fight scenes? 

No, not really! We are actors and that's what we are paid to do but I can't say I was excited or looking forward to it. It was in Didsbury, freezing cold, and in a garden somewhere. What we try to do with these scenes is have some fun and give the audience a laugh. As you can see on screen, there is a clear difference in the height of me and Jamie, and it's funny watching Jamie and me scrapping it out. Last time we had an inflatable unicorn and a toy sword, and this time it's concrete! It’s quite silly and I think people appreciate that kind of humour. That said, it is quite a sad situation, it's a family break-up, people trying to move on with their lives, heartache etc but to have that comedy, its corrie in the light-heartedness and that's very familiar in the script.

Another 'behind the scenes' pic! Thanks, Corrie

   

Alan, a question for you. Aside from the comedy, Tyrone realises that Phill has lost Fiz’s ring in this concrete, and he's planning on proposing to her. Does he see this as a real threat? 

Well, Tyrone learns that the ring is precious, and a family heirloom, He thinks if it's lost, Phill won't ask her anymore. The point has gone, and he's lost Fiz. Tyrone thinks it will be left at that, not realising that Phill has plans to go and speak to Fiz to see what will come of that. Tyrone knows that Phill won't search for the ring on his own, so Tyrone just tries to do the right thing and helps him look for it.  

Jamie, What makes Phill think this is the right time to propose?

I don't think he goes with the intention. The ring that Phill loses in the concrete was his grandma’s, who died last year, I believe that is what bonds Tyrone and Phill, at the moment. Tyrone is a family man who understands the ring's relevance and sentimentality. Phill feels awful and goes to Fiz to clear the air and apologise. He doesn't go with intention of proposing, yet it just happens It's a very lovely scene actually, he just goes with the moment. 

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Corrie arent revealing Fiz’s answer to Phill’s proposal just yet, so it looks like there’s more to come, which pleases me, to no end! This storyline got me through lockdown and I’m glad there’s still more to come. Will Tyrone put a stop to a wedding? Will Hope cause more mayhem? Will Phill publish a John Stape true-crime blockbuster? ...we shall have to wait and see. 

 

Keep your eyes on the Coronation Street Blog for more cast interviews, backstage gossip, episode reviews, and storyline previews! 

I am @rybazoxo Cobbles Connoisseur and Coronation Street superfan

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Fiz Finds Out Phill's Secret? Corrie Blog Chats to Jennie McAlpine

In last night's episode, Fiz was left reeling having discovered Phill is friends with Graham, the prosecution solicitor who presided over her criminal trial following John Snape’s murder spree. Fiz confided in Tyrone, telling him how she’s never told Phill about her crazy ex-husband, as she doesn't want to scare him away. It then transpired that Phill actually knows all about John Snape, and would never think badly of her.

However, we will soon find out that Phill is hiding secrets too!

On the 5th of May, we attended a Coronation Street Press Day, and the Corrie media gang promised us that there is still a lot more to come in this long-standing love triangle between Phill, Fiz, and Tyrone. John's daughter Hope wreaks havoc with a digger, Tyrone digs for the truth, and Fiz contemplates a marriage proposal! In our latest Corrie cast interview, we spoke to Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz Brown, to learn all about it!

Hi Jennie! All seems to be going well for Fiz and Phill until the spectre of John Snape comes back into Fiz’s orbit. How does Fiz feel when she meets Phill’s posh friends for dinner, only to discover that Graham was a prosecution solicitor on John Snape’s murder case? 

Well, she's dead nervous about this dinner, meeting Phill’s posh friends. She doesn't know what to wear, Sean tells her to put some more make-up on - so she’s in a right state, anyway. Then she gets this huge bolt-from-the-blue in the form of John Snape when he’s mentioned, and he becomes the whole content of conversation over dinner

Phill doesn't know anything about Fiz’s past, even though he’s supportive of her, and the girls, and seems to be an absolute gentleman. This week we find out that Phill is also hiding something, and Hope is the first to find out his secret. What does Hope do to Phill?

First of all, Hope gets hold of a giant digger and smashes it into Phill’s car. We all know that you don't mess with Fiz’s daughter! It’s quite tame for her really, and she could have been a whole lot worse, actually. Fiz is then really angry and distressed. For some reason, Hope finds out that Phill has a whole load of info about John Snape, and subsequently learns a whole load of things about her Dad, that she didn't want to know

How does Phill react to the attack on his car? He is mature about it and just concentrates on trying to smooth things over with Fiz. He has a whole lot more to worry about!!

How does Fiz feel when she finds out the truth about Phill. Will it change her perception of him? 

Yes, the shine is knocked off when reality hits home, but she still likes him and wants to cling to the idea of them. She doesn't want to be on her own, nor leave the posh home they share, having thought he was ‘the one’ for her. 

We all know that Tyrone is hoping to get back together with Fiz. Do you think she could go running back into his arms? 

Would Fiz go back to him? Yes, she would, but it would be the Tyrone that didn't run off with Alina, nor break her heart. It's just that she can't get over what he did, and tearing the family apart. 

Does she have genuine feelings for Phil? I think she does, but she's putting the family first, and the girls first ahead of her feelings. It's a new start away from Weatherfield and Phill can give her all the things that Tyrone can't. He has no baggage (that she knows of), no kids, and seems stable...

Phill and Fiz end up on shaky ground this week, and then Phill proposes marriage. Is this something that Fiz wants? 

I think this is the thing, Phill is romantic and kind to her, all of the things that Tyrone wasn't, he’s really sweet. There’s a line in the script where Phill lists all of the things that he loves about their relationship and it's the same things that Tyrone said he hated about their relationship before he left her for Alina. It reminds her of that original conversation but the outcome is completely different. I think she gets swept away by Phill’s romance 

Would you like to see Fiz marry Phill? 

Well, if you remember my last on-screen wedding, it was in a prison with only Chesney and prison guards as guests, so it may be nice to have a white wedding. However, Evelyn points out to Fiz that if she does get married, she can't wear white, and Fiz disagrees, so we shall see!

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What is Phill hiding? Does Hope take this vendetta further? and will Tyrone stand aside to let Fiz get married? This press day was part of a big set of storylines coming up, so keep your eye on the Coronation Street blog for upcoming spoilers, backstage gossip, and more cast interviews! 

I am @rybazoxo your Cobbles connoisseur and Corrie superfan. 

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