Coronation Street Episode Review; Weds 27th Nov 8.30 pm

We've not had a sinister nanny on the cobbles since psycho Carmel tried to steal Martin Platt from under Gail's nose, so its certainly time for a new one. Jade is a different kind of sinister though, and tonight's episode is promising that her secret will be revealed...

Stealing a moment with Evelyn, Jade tells her that she thinks Fiz has anger issues when it comes to Hope. At The Bistro, Fiz tells Tyrone that she feels she's struggling with Hope's fire starting and general bad behaviour. Confiding in each other they agree that things need to change, but Tyrone warns Fiz to kerb her fiery temper. It's an ominous thing to say really, as later on Fiz finds matches hidden inside one of Hope's dolls (is that Jade, again?) and smashes up Hope's iPad. Has anyone not thought of more counselling for the poor girl?

In his counselling session, Paul struggles to get to grips with the repercussions of Kel's abuse but seems adamant that he wants a conviction and closure. Later on, Paul tells Bernie and Gemma of his plans, relieved almost, that Kel will be convicted and it will all be over?

Seeking legal advice from Adam, Michelle is pacified enough to tell Robert that she'd like to go ahead with the wedding. Meanwhile, Kirk fools Nick into another sneaky meeting at the pub, and the factory girls all turn-up as well, including Sarah, who just happens to have another business idea for the team...

Nina heads to A & E leaving Roy to look after Richard. An anecdotal Roy (who knew he was first-aid at stone roses seminal spike island gig), is getting to know Richard and helping with his care. Nina returns from the hospital, slightly hurt but uninjured and Roy guiltily worries about how his niece will cope. Confiding in Carla, Roy tells her he's contacted health services, to see if Richard can be re-assessed. However, as Nina was an underage carer, this has only made things worse.

As the dust settles at N0.9, Evelyn tells Jade to mind her own business when it comes to Fiz's parenting. Jade is visibly upset as she storms out of the house.

Later, and by a graveside, Jade cries and reads a poem to an offscreen tombstone

The tombstone is then revealed...

Jade is John Stape' Daughter!! It looks like Fiz better watch her back...

What did you think to this Wednesdays Corrie? let us know in the comments section.

If you enjoyed this review give us a follow @rybazoxo over on twitter, your self-styled 'Cobbles Connoisseur'.

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The poetry of Coronation Street

It’s National Poetry Day in the UK today, so I am celebrating the art of Street Poetry. Get it?

I find it pretty cool that Craig Charles began his career as a contemporary performance poet, regularly sharing a stage with Merseyside greats such as Roger McGough and Adrian Henri. Apparently, Craig has taken up poetry again since leaving Coronation Street.

The character of Ken Barlow also wrote some poetry after departing Weatherfield for Canada a few years ago. Another resident to have enjoyed the written word was John Stape, who - after being struck off as a teacher - went on to teach romantic verse at an adult education centre. 

Poetry has been used to devastating effect recently by Daniel Barlow. Not in his seduction of Sinead or in his exams, but in the attempted murder of his old man with the Howatch Book of Classic Poetry and Poets. It was the first time ever that Ken did not enjoy getting his head around a book of poems!

I have long thought of Corrie as a work of art and at its best, the dialogue is poetic. It is no wonder, then, that several poets have been fans of the Street. Sir John Betjeman may have hated Slough but he loved Weatherfield. He said: “Manchester produces what to me is the Pickwick Papers. That is to say, Coronation Street, I live for it. Thank God. Half past seven tonight and I shall be in paradise.”

Sir John Betjeman, Tony Warren and Lady Elizabeth Cavendish

The current Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, is also a Corrie enthusiast with strong links to the show. In this 1999 interview, Duffy talked about watching Coronation Street and revealed that her close friend Tony Warren was her daughter’s Godfather. 

When Tony passed away last year, Carol spoke for us all when she said: “Manchester has lost its dearest son and so many of us a beloved friend. And the millions who have loved Coronation Street for over half a century have lost their Dickens.” Lovely words.

I studied Carol Ann Duffy in my English A-Level and I have enjoyed her work ever since. I was delighted when she wrote a special poem to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Coronation Street in 2010. She said: “I was so proud to be asked and so proud to know my poem would be on the show.”

Ken Barlow (who else?) read the poem in an episode broadcast on Christmas Eve 2010. It was during a memorial carol service on Coronation Street to commemorate the victims of the tram crash: 

The poem in full reads:

If someone could direct me to a street where I could stand

Cobbles beneath my feet tearful with rain; 

The shadows of my hopes behind the stained-glass windows of a pub, ghosts – 

I would turn up the collar of my coat, and walk, and number each small, terraced house by heart: 

Birthplace; neighbours – hard man, hussy, harridan, hustler, hero, heroine – 

Threshold, bride and groom, as clueless of next year as Christmas Eve; 

Or exit-place, a hearse, a raw and local grief... 

Then I'd retrace my steps, perhaps a baby's cry, sharp as a sudden star nailed to the sky, 

To stand now in this backstreet bar, nursing a beer
All my griefs, my gifts, and glad I live here.

Carol Ann Duffy was on set during filming, an experience she described as “magical”. She told how they “were stood in the fake snow and it felt like a real street”.

That's made me feel all Christmassy! Talking of Christmas on the cobbles, the sad news of Liz Dawn's death has reminded me of Christmas 2004 when Vera chastised Jack for giving her the same Christmas card as the year before... “But the poem made you cry”, protested Jack. “Yes”, said Vera... “but I didn't expect to get it again this year, you bone-idled, tight-fisted pig!”

Now, that is poetic. Rest In Peace, Liz - your poetry endures.

Blog by Martin Leay, on Twitter @mpleay

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Corrie serial killer stars in new Morrissey biopic

Pic: https://twitter.com/graeme_hawley

Graeme Hawley, who played serial killer John Stape in Coronation Street, is starring as Morrissey's boss in a new film.

The film is called England is Mine, a new biopic based on the former Smiths frontman’s early life.

The first trailer for England Is Mine was released last week, with the film premiering at the Edinburgh Film Festival before arriving in cinemas on August 4.

Graeme plays the role of Mr Leonard, Morrissey's boss.  There's a good review of the film at Julie Hamill's blog and you can also buy Julie's book about Morrissey here.

Read more Corrie news, interviews and spoilers 

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Happy St. David's Day - Corrie's Welsh connections

It's time to repost this lovely blog from blogger Llifon in honour of Coronation Street's connections to Wales for St. David's Day.

Hello all! As I'm from North Wales, I thought I'd delve into the Corrie archives to see the links between the soap and North Wales. North Wales and the cities of Manchester, Liverpool and Chester have strong links through tourism, shopping and retirement and Corrie hasn't ignored this link with characters referring to towns like Rhyl and Llandudno. As well as links through the characters, both cast and crew have links as well.

Firstly, those who were born in the region. Ian Puleston-Davies who plays Owen Armstrong was born in Flint; Huw Garmon who played factory owner Phil Dunbar in 2011 was born in Penmynydd on Anglesey; Iain Rogerson who played cleaner Harry Flagg between 2002 and 2004 was born in Wrexham; Wyn Bowen Harries who played Reverend Gerald Douglas (the Les Battersby lookalike who conducted Sophie and Sian's blessing) hails from Llanllechid near Bangor; and Sue Roderick who played barmaid Megan Morgan in 1989 was born in Porthmadog.

Two individuals who had links with Corrie passed away in North Wales. H. V. Kershaw, a writer, script-editor, producer and executive producer on Corrie between 1960 and 1988 retired to Prestatyn and died there in 1992 aged 74. Jack Howarth, who played Uncle Albert for 24 years passed away in Llandudno hospital in 1984 aged 88.

Those who have or had other links with the region include the following: William Roache (our Ken) was educated in Colwyn Bay, is a patron at a hospice in Llandudno and has a holiday home in Abersoch on the Llyn peninsula; Jack Howarth worked in the theatre in Llandudno and ran a cinema in Colwyn Bay where he met William Roache for the first time - both having no idea they'd work alongside each other for nearly 25 years on Corrie; Eileen Derbyshire (Emily) used to (don't know now) have a holiday home in Rhoscolyn on Anglesey; Bruce Jones (Les Battersby) had a holiday home in Conwy; and Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow) was ironically caught drink driving in Llandudno in 2008.

Various characters have holidayed or moved to North Wales over the years. Here are some that come to mind:

Frank and Ida Barlow holidayed in Colwyn Bay in 1961, weeks before her untimely death.

Irma Barlow moved to Llandudno in 1972 before emigrating to Canada.

Albert Tatlock and Ena Sharples holidayed in Llandudno in 1973 but Ena returned home early due to suffering a heart attack.

Mavis told a bemused Rita in 1976 about how she was proposed to by Sunday school inspector Mr. Eccleston while on a trip to Rhyl. He told her that if they missed the coach, they'd marry, but sadly they caught the train instead. Rita's reaction: "British rail - spoilsport". Mavis Eccleston has a ring to it doesn't it?

Fred and Eunice Gee honeymooned in Rhyl and Llandudno in 1981.

Hilda Ogden and Sally's uncle Tom Hopwood went on a coach trip to Rhyl in 1987.

Martin and Gail Platt honeymooned in Abersoch in 1991.

Emily considered retiring to Rhos on Sea in 1991 but decided to stay put in the end

The Websters and Rita holidayed on Anglesey in 1995.

John Stape hid out in Anglesey while on the run in 2011.

Fiz Stape and Tyrone Dobbs went on the run to Anglesey in 2013. 

And last year Ken and Deirdre went on holiday to North Wales (despite filming being in rural Cheshire!). Ken proved to be a dab hand at speaking Welsh. And as a Welshman, his pronunciation was spot on! It also gave Ken and Deirdre one last chance to shine in a humorous storyline after William Roache's absence and before Anne Kirkbride's untimely death.

And to finish. In a classic scene when discussing what to do with her brother's inheritance money in 1983, Hilda said she'd like to go on holiday with Stan. "They say Lanzarote's nice" said Betty. "Oh no, we want to go somewhere further than Wales" said Hilda. Hilda thought the exotic Canary Island was in Wales and to me, that's very flattering! She probably thought it was near 'Landudno' (mispronounced as it's Llandudno).

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Classic Corrie Christmas Moments Countdown - Day 4

The Advent season is upon us once again, and the ITV Coronation Street website are releasing classic clips of classic Corrie Christmases of bygone years. 

Today, they're going back 7 years to Christmas Day 2007. Here's what the website says:

"Back in 2007, Fiz stormed round to the Websters' and accused Sally of having an affair with John, just as Rosie walked in with a present wrapped in the same paper...

"Nobody buys nutmeg!"

Poor Fiz!

To the see the video, click here. For people outside the UK, the clip is featured in this YouTube video (at 25:49).

For a synopsis and info of the episode (Episode 6716) on Corriepedia, click here.

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The faces of Corrie in 2010

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 2010, 263 episodes were broadcast.

1. Nick Tilsley (161 episodes)

2. Fiz Stape (154 episodes)

3. Steve McDonald (146 episodes)

4. David Platt (144 episodes)

5. Gail Platt/McIntyre (140 episodes)

6. Leanne Battersby/Barlow (139 episodes)

7. Audrey Roberts (134 episodes)

8. Becky McDonald (129 episodes)

9. Peter Barlow (124 episodes)

10. John Stape (124 episodes)

11. Tyrone Dobbs (123 episodes)

12. Sophie Webster (123 episodes)

Average age: 34

Note: This is the last time John appears in the top 12. 

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John Stape and Colin Fishwick - alive and well and on stage together

Coronation Street actors Graeme Hawley (John Stape) and David Crellin (Colin Fishwick) are both starring on the Manchester stage together in the play Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.
For Graeme in particular, landing the role at the Royal Exchange was for him an important clean slate after playing Corrie baddie Stape.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “It's a good way to go, 'that's done' from Corrie, and now for something completely different. I'm excited to come and work at the Royal Exchange, it's a unique space.

"Corrie has been the perfect job for me.  It's worked out great, there's never been a time when I was kicking my heels in the show, I was either in prison, on the run or dying.  From a personal point of view I've been able to go away, do other stuff and return to the role over the months. But it was also important for me that there was a line drawn under the character this time."

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is at the Royal Exhange Theatre  from March 1 to April 7.
Buy your tickets here.

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Graeme Hawley's charity visit to Manchester children's hospital

Graeme Hawley, who played hapless serial killer John Stape on Coronation Street, recently visited Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to meet patients and also hand out gifts that had kindly been donated by the Disney Store in Manchester Arndale.

He is joined in the picture by Terri Dwyer who appears on Loose Women and is a former Hollyoaks star.  They were joined on the visit by Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Chairman Maurice Watkins and other celebrities including John Thomson.

Find out more about the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity.

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