Strife at N0.5 Coronation Street: Joseph’s ‘illness’ sparks Linda’s return!

Gemma’s depression at Paul’s illness and looking after the Fab Four has manifested itself into classic displacement. These past few weeks have seen her convinced that Joseph’s ill, which Chesney completely ignores, and what with Bernie’s upcoming imprisonment and Paul's imminent death, you can forgive her for being distressed. With Christmas just around the corner, Joseph’s set to receive a present in the guise of his loaded gran, Linda! Does this mean he is actually ill? This week sees another hospital visit for the family, and back in October, we spoke to Corrie Producer Iain Macleod, who gave us a tease of what happens next:

Iain told us ‘’Joseph's issues, on-screen at the minute, culminate in him falling behind with his school work, and his fairy godmother turns up, in the shape of Linda (his grandmother) who decides that she’s going to try and fix all this and starts throwing money at the situation, which puts Chesney and Gemma in an impossible quandary'’ Iain continued ''By accepting financial help from Linda, they feel that they can't look after Joseph, and are just conceding to Linda’s cheque book'’  

How does Gemma feel about it? 

‘'It’s interesting because Gemma is not Joseph’s biological mother, so there are tensions around that, (in terms of) Chesney and whose side he should be on. It fractures their (already fraught), relationship'’

We don't want to give anything away, but for other reasons involving Joseph, Gemma, and Chesney, Linda is stopping for a bit longer this time?

''Yes, it's going to be a long runner for us. The tease I can give you is that we are taking the original story played by Ken Barlow (in the very first episode of Corrie) as inspiration. Our inspiration for this story goes right back to 1960, which is all capitalised by Linda’s arrival’’

Watch Coronation Street on ITV & ITVX this week as this Winter-Brown story continues!

Let me know what you think in the comments or @rybazoxo on X using #Corrie

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‘’I'm Old Man Chesney!’’ - Corrie Blog Interviews Sam Aston

Tonight Coronation Street shows their wedding of the year as quad parents Gemma Winter and Chesney Brown finally tie the knot. This year marks Chesney's 20th anniversary on the show, and with that in mind, I was elated when asked to join this latest Corrie press day to talk to actor Sam Aston about his two decades on the street, and of course his characters gloriously orange-themed wedding. 

Hello Sam! How is Chesney feeling in the build-up to the wedding? 

Initially, he was a bit stressed, as they had no money, and all he had was this burger van idea. He's quite a practical and simple guy who was just thinking about money, but once he realised how much this meant to Gemma, wanting to get married, and just be a family, he just wants Gemma to have the best day possible and worry about the money later.

Linda then turns up and offers to pay for everything. Does he feel bad about keeping Gemma in the dark about where the money has come from? 

He does because he also knows that Bernie and Linda don't exactly see eye-to-eye and he is quite a proud man. He thinks that if they have to do it on a budget, that's what they have to do, but I think there is also the element that he can relieve some of the stress here and get the help It's a catch-22!

This year marks your 20th year on the show. Did you ever think you would still be here after all of this time? 

No, not at all it's just a whirlwind. I think anybody who works in the building, not just the cast, knows how time just flies here, it's crazy. I came in on a 6-month contract as Fiz’s brother, and Cilla’s son, just to do a few episodes, and before you know it, I've been here 20 years. When you get a 12-month rolling contract, you wonder if your time on the show is up, but I'm still lucky to have been here. I try not to rest on my laurels, and then when you bring a family in for a visit, you become a fan again and realise how lucky you are! All of the cast call me ‘Chesney’ and now Dolly and Jane call me ‘old man Chesney’. Ben Price (who plays Nick Tilsley) has me as ‘Chesney’ on his mobile phone!

Chesney is that classic Corrie male character that's surrounded by all of these strong women! - Do you enjoy playing that part? 

I can honestly say I have the best time. You know, working with Dolly (Gemma), Jane (Bernie), and Jacque (Linda), we have such a laugh on set. I think Chesney has just accepted the chaos. At first, I thought he was like, When is your Mum going Gemma? She really got on his nerves, but over time he has warmed to Bernie, and they get on nicely. It's a good partnership. Dolly and Jane both call me ‘old man Chesney’ cos I am like Chesney, so that's the name I’ve got for myself now. He is the old man figure in their house who keeps things grounded. He is very beige and very sensible, but it works! 

We have seen pictures of Gemma and that OTT dress. He knows Gemma is generally OTT - did he imagine how the dress would be? 

Yeah, I think Chesney is used to it now; she is bonkers but in a good way. He lives with her and Bernie and must be mad to live in that. When it gets to doing the day, he wants to roll with it and have the best time. I think the dress is pretty epic. When you need a drone (camera) to get it in the shot, that says something, doesn't it?!

Thanks, Sam! Watch the drama-filled wedding tonight on Coronation Street on ITV & ITVX Do keep an eye out for Gemma's epic dress! 

I am @rybazoxo your Coronation Street superfan and Corrie blogger

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Coronation Street Episode Review, Wednesday 1st February, 8 pm

As I sit down to write this Wednesday Weatherfield episode review, my kitten, who is in heat, is making a set of weird purring noises whilst rubbing herself against me. She’s furry, funny, and equally annoying, but I adore the ground she walks on! We can guess how Hope felt about her Chincilla and Beth's feelings about Peanut, but would I slap a child for my cat? No, and I doubt Beth did either. 

Tonight's Corrie starts with Tyrone discovering Hope harbouring David’s stuffed weasel and realises that she used taxidermy to create the bite mark, which led Fiz to report it to the police, putting Peanut in pet purgatory. Fiz reluctantly relays the truth to Beth and Kirk. Fuming with rage, Beth confronts Hope out in the street. We don't see what happens next, but Hope heads home and tells her parents that Beth has slapped her in the face! 

Meanwhile, drug dealer Damon, and his control of the Bistro are starting to grate Nick’s temperament. Sam’s charmed by his DJ lesson, and even Leanne has a cosy chat in the flat with him. Nick tells Damon his feelings, only for Damon to tell Nick that another drug deal is coming into the restaurant. Struggling to hide his problem with Damon, Leanne is slowly becoming suspicious of the animosity between the business associates. With the Bistro buzzing, Beth's also out boozing but is interrupted by a call from Fiz. At N0.9 - Beth tells Fiz and Ty a few home truths about Hope, and her parents seem as clueless as ever, married or otherwise. Hope struggles to get them to believe her. Elsewhere, Damon mingles with the bistro clientele, tries some flattery on Dee-dee and manages to get her number.  

Still smarting from her social media stalker, Daisy confides her worries in Glenda, whose presence in the Rovers (and with all the women in the backroom) makes her my favourite new barmaid in absolute aeons. Jenny and Christina’s vendetta, and barroom bickering, are also good to see; that bar has been too quiet for too long. Daisy decides she's had enough of the rabble and goes to the wedding fair (at the Chariot Hotel, obviously) on her own! She may have blocked him online, and Daisy thinks she’s gotten rid of Justin, until he turns up at the event, pretending to be Daniel. 

Disturbed, Justin believes that he will be the one to marry her whilst fantasising that Daniel is some control freak. Justin soon gets the message and leaves the venue, but Daisy is very scared. Later, Daniel tells Daisy all about it, only for her to receive another gift - funeral flowers. Fearing the worse, Daisy soon learns that the flowers are just a twisted gift from Tracy. Daisy confides in Jenny, leaving Christina to depart, and surrogate Mum Jenny sheds a tear over the heart-to-heart.  Ches and Gemma also head to the Weatherfield wedding fair giving Gemma a few ideas, but all are out of their budget range, so they decide to book the Rovers instead.

Elsewhere, Max’s guilty plea has David relishing in the realities of his premise, whilst Alya is forgiving, telling him that it's not his fault. David then receives a call from Shona, who knows about everything, and he tells her to stay in London. 

A lot to like tonight, but my favourite moment was Daisy dressed up at the hotel. That's some superb art direction -look at the colour match! Is that the first time we've seen the hotel logo? 

What did you think of Corrie tonight?

I am @rybazoxo cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan. 

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Wednesday 16th of February 7.30 & 8.30 pm

This week, Wednesday night’s Coronation Street concentrated on Amy’s post-birthday spiking nightmare, and her new relationship with the reformed bad boy, Jacob. Drink spiking is another issue-based storyline, but, it's also very relevant - less so in the U.K mainstream media, but, Sheffield (my home town) had a spate of drink spikes just before Christmas, so kudos on this occasion! Steve takes the fatherly concern to the extreme and wallops Jacob with a (well-staged) punch. 

Thankfully, Amy speedily recovers from the spiking (thanks to her boyfriend) and is soon ready to leave the hospital. However, we viewers are left wondering about who would put GHB in her drink? Would I be wrong in thinking it could be one of the teens that were out at the club that night? Aadi and Asha were both out, and Aadi has had one or two drunken random acts in his recent past, or, is that a red-herring? 

Jacob does try to make some headway with Steve tonight ( he does seem genuinely rehabilitated) but that punch puts paid to any resolution between the two. I guess Jacob could remind Steve of his younger self? Even Leanne is on Steve’s side and chastises Amy with a verbal warning about her new fella’s past. 

Anyway, the police have reviewed nightclub CCTV which confirms Jacob didn't do it, so it seems Daniel’s own investigating is well worth continuing. Later, Jacob is arrested anyway, but for supplying fake I.Ds to the youths.  Amy is muddled by all of the events and seeks solace in a chat with Sam and Simon, who drive forward a few more home truths. Simon then admits to getting Jacob arrested, and rather than stick up for her fella, Amy proceeds to dump him instead. Is this the end of their relationship, or merely the beginning? I hope it's the latter, as those two have great chemistry, as do Daniel and Daisy, who I’m pleased are also back together following their Valentine meal. 

Also, following their separate drunken Valentine night, Sarah and Lydia are both back at Underworld and nursing hangovers. It is brilliant to see Underworld back on screen, and loony Lydia’s hate campaign against Adam and Sarah is a treat. Tonight, Lydia’s machiavellian machinations continue and with all talk of her affair with the married man, Sarah gives her a warning about wrecking her own life for a fella. Is Lydia suggesting that this fictional married man she’s seeing is Adam? This story is one to keep me watching, unlike Tim’s heart attack recovery, which gets less funny by the week! Elaine has embarked on a heart health course, much to her son's, and Sally's annoyance.

 

Meanwhile, familial fallouts at N0.5 continue, as Joseph’s Grandma pays a visit to check on the young lads home situation. Bizarrely, Izzy didn't tell her Mother about her grandchild going missing, and being oblivious to recent drama's, Linda takes Joseph's parents to the bistro for a meal. The truth is nearly out via big gob Debbie Webster, but Chesney and Gemma cover it up instead. 

Overall, a good pair of episodes with a lot going off tonight! It was great to see Leanne back on screen, Mary, albeit briefly, and this new 'whodunnit' alongside loony Lydia's incessant craziness, was a real treat. 

Ps - I have a 5-year-old daughter so I can very much relate to Russsian poo-lette!

PPS - I absolutely adore Bernie!

 

I am @rybazoxo your self-styled cobbles connoisseur

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