Fifty years since Elsie married Steve in Coronation Street

Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the first of two Corrie episodes covering the wedding of Elsie Tanner to Sergeant Steve Tanner. Conveniently, no change of surname was required! 

At the time, it was the most talked-about event in the history of Coronation Street. In fact, the episode broadcast on 6 September 1967 was the first in Corrie to show the wedding ceremony itself.

It was such a big event that the nuptials spawned a special ‘Coronation Street Wedding Souvenir’ magazine published by the TV Times on 7 September 1967. This was the first ever Corrie magazine and, apart from some records and jigsaws, one of the first pieces of Coronation Street merchandise.

For one shilling, Corrie fans that had enjoyed the wedding on TV could relive it all with a 32-page souvenir mag packed with photos of the ceremony and reception – a lavish do in Warrington.

I have never seen the Tanner wedding. However, having recently acquired a copy of the TV Times supplement, I feel like I know a lot about the big day! 

It’s a great historical document and one interesting feature is a copy of Dennis Tanner’s speech, which was not heard on screen. It was printed along with his supposed hand-written amendments.

Other highlights include an artist’s impression of the lounge in Elsie and Steve’s new luxury flat in Altrincham. The flat was decked out with wall-to wall carpeting and a craftsman-designed fireplace in natural stone, with a built-in gas fire and a slate hearth. It was a far cry from the sparsely furnished living room of 11 Coronation Street.

Elsie was going up in the world, you see – from the cobbled back streets of Salford to the tree-lined avenues of Manchester’s stockbroker belt. The wife of an American GI, she could kiss goodbye to cooking on a stove in the living room and her tiny scullery with a sink and larder. Now Elsie could enjoy a real kitchen with all mod cons: new cooker with eye-level grill; stainless steel sink unit; plenty of cupboard space; Venetian blinds and a transistorised clock – plus, a refrigerator! 

According to Corriepedia (read more here), the photos in the magazine were not taken on set because recording was too close to the TV Times’ publication date. Instead, the cast assembled at St Margaret’s Church in Whalley Range, which looked like the church designed in the studio. The back cover featured a photo of the Tanners at Manchester Airport, staged as if they were about to board their honeymoon flight to Lisbon.

The Coronation Street Wedding Souvenir magazine was given a second print run and is thought to have sold over one million copies in total. Not surprisingly, the TV Times went on to publish more special Corrie magazines, for example to mark the tenth anniversary in 1970, the wedding of Len and Rita in 1977, and the 2000th episode in 1980.

I came by this wonderful relic thanks to a friend of a friend, Scarlett, who found it when clearing her Aunt’s bungalow after she had passed away at the age of 92. It was sitting inside a folder of Royal souvenirs and cuttings; alongside some old Cadbury Creme Eggs and Woods of Windsor talc sets.

Scarlett’s Auntie Alice was an avid Corrie fan from the very start and actually passed away peacefully as the opening bars of the theme tune could be heard from the residents’ lounge in the care home where she spent her last eighteen months. Alice hated Len Fairclough and Annie Walker and she thought Ken Barlow was a womaniser. She would have liked to have tried Betty’s hotpot. Me too!

It’s amazing to think that someone I never met spent many happy hours watching Coronation Street, just as I, and many other millions of people have, all of us formulating opinions about the same set of characters. It made me think of the wonderful ‘Coronation Street: Then, Now & Forever’ promo produced by ITV to celebrate 57 years of our favourite continuing drama. For us Corrie fans, we’ll always have iconic scenes and storylines by which to remember major milestones in our own lives.

My first child is due soon and I look forward to sharing many Corrie moments with her. I’m sure she will grow up to love Coronation Street, just as her Daddy always has – Then, Now & Forever!

By Martin Leay, on Twitter @mpleay

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The men of Weatherfield

The return of the wonderful Jim McDonald last week has made me ponder the state of Coronation Street's men. We all know that Corrie has always been dominated by the strong female characters but male representation is also very important.

Big Jim is a man's man. He has his demons but all he really wants is the love of a good woman (Elizabeth) and the respect of his sons. Most of the time these days he's some way off achieving these goals but he always gives it a damn good try. And normally clad head to foot in denim.

Jim follows a tradition of Corrie men that was long epitomised by Len Fairclough. Len was a bit rough around the edges, not afraid of a hard drinking session or a good brawl in the street. However he was also a local councillor and respected businessman. People would go to him for help and advice in times of need. And above all else he married the Weatherfield Warbler herself, Rio Rita. However apart from Len and his sidekick Ray Langton, who else was there? Mike Baldwin was too smooth, Ken Barlow wore too many woolly liberal cardigans and Stan Ogden was far too feckless. Perhaps the man's man has always been in short supply in Weatherfield?

Who are the contenders these days amidst Corrie's ever bulging cast?

I remember early on, RIta commented that Owen Armstrong reminded her of Len. I have to say at the time, he did to me too. Now though I'm not so sure. Tony Stewart, currently stepping out with Jim's fair Elizabeth is also a bit rough and ready but he's far too sly and cunning for me. I'd rule Steve and Lloyd out straight away. Lovely as they both undoubtedly are, their girlfriends constantly run rings around them and not often in a good, palatable way.

Nick Tilsley is too camp and petulant, David will always look too young and Dev is just Dev. Rob has been taken down the killer route and lovely Roy is in a category all of his own. Peter Barlow meanwhile has soaked up enough personality flaws for the entire district. Who does that leave us with?

Jason Grimshaw is a true bloke - the character's development and sense of maturity over the years has been impressive. Ryan Thomas has taken Jason a long way since his early appearances. He's the only male presence in the Grimshaw household with a bit of integrity and a backbone at the moment. I just hope he rumbles his unpleasant father and equally toxic brother before they ruin his business.

Perhaps a bit of an odd contender, but there's always our Kirkeh. He may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer (something I think the writers sometimes take too far) but he'll always stand up for his sister, no matter how deranged she becomes. He's also a steadfast supporter of Beth, Craig and Chesney. 

Finally there's Gary Windass. There's a streak of the bad lad in Gary regardless of where he's at in life. Gary's decision to go to war and the aftermath of his life as a soldier were beautifully written and poignantly, powerfully portrayed. Does his link to the army put him in the Jim McDonald mould? 

Kevin Webster will also be returning to the fold again shortly. Is he the epitome of the Weatherfield bloke? Or is he too fists first, think later? 

So who, for you, is currently the archetypical Coronation Street bloke? Which Corrie men do you think need to "man up" and who would you like to see more of (in a manner of speaking)?

Follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82 



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Come back Rita Littlewood!

I love our Rita. Always have and always will. However, I've been watching a lot of cracking old 1970s episodes of late and it's made me wonder whether the Rita Tanner of 2014 needs to give it a bit more welly.

Yes I know she is no longer in the first flush of youth and one of the joys of Corrie is watching long term characters progress and mature over the years, but I do love the sassy, quick tempered, quick-witted Rita Littlewood as was.

Her scenes with Len Fairclough were often fiery, her interactions with Elsie Tanner often bitchy and camp and her Kabin scenes with wittering Mavis are stuff of Coronation Street legend. I vividly recall one scene where Mavis kept stuttering on some recent bit of news and Rita's reply was "Watch it love, your needle's stuck". Brilliant!

I love Rita's continuing presence in Corrie as it provides some much needed continuity with the past. What I don't like so much are some of the recent directions the character has been taken in.

I thought it was a wonderful decision to bring Dennis Tanner back after more than forty years. Philip Lowrie is a terrific actor, Dennis a super character and another cherished link to the Coronation Street of 1960. Doing nothing with the character other than ruining him and turning Rita shrewish was not only a bad move but almost unforgivable. I thought I would like Rita married again but I don't. It now just seems like a shallow attempt at a wallow in the past without actually exploring the rich history involved.

Also, Rita's closeness to Tina did her no favours. The writers would have done better by the character to focus on her relationships with not only Dennis but Norris too. They are a brilliant double act, not quite Rita and Mavis, but wonderful all the same. It's also been ages since Rita has interacted properly with other characters of her generation like Audrey, Deirdre or Gail. They are always a delight when sharing scenes.

I know people get older and mellow over time and Corrie should reflect this. I just yearn for the Rita of old - knocking out bolshy hecklers in t'Gatsby; battling with Len for a few home comforts; taking Elsie on, shoulder pad to shoulder pad; tearing across the Blackpool seafront, gold lame mac flying...that's the Rita I know and love.


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Top 50 Corrie Couples - No. 13

13. Len Fairclough and Rita Littlewood/Fairclough 1972-1983 (101 votes)

When Rita Littlewood first appeared on the cobbles in 1964, Len had just divorced his wife Nellie and was busy chasing Elsie Tanner. It would be in 1972 that she would reappear. She found herself attracted to Len and they began a romance. She was a nightclub singer and he a builder and their relationship was tempestuous.

In 1973, Len bought a newsagent, called it ‘The Kabin’ and installed Rita as manageress. Their relationship nearly ended in 1974 when Len favoured a council scheme to demolish Coronation Street. He confided in Rita who blabbed. By 1975, they had rebuilt their relationship. In 1977, Rita got a singing offer in Tenerife and accepted. At the airport, she realised she loved Len and married him shortly after.

In 1980, Rita left Len over his stubbornness to make improvements at their home at 9 Coronation Street and she still envied next door neighbour Elsie who Len held a flame for, but they later reconciled. In 1981, Rita became broody and as they were too old to adopt, they fostered John Spencer and later Sharon Gaskell. In 1982, they moved next door to No. 7 that Len had newly built. Rita was devastated when Len was killed in a car crash in 1983. She was later shocked when it was revealed he had been visiting his mistress.

Were you fans of the Faircloughs? Was Len Rita’s true love? Should they be at 13?

Check out who was at 14.

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The faces of Corrie in 1982

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 1982, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1. Len Fairclough (80 episodes)

2. Elsie Tanner (75 episodes)

3. Annie Walker (74 episodes)

4. Eddie Yeats (71 episodes)

5. Hilda Ogden (70 episodes)

6. Bet Lynch (68 episodes)

7. Ken Barlow (66 episodes)

8. Ivy Tilsley (66 episodes)

9. Fred Gee (66 episodes)

10. Rita Fairclough (66 episodes)

11. Mike Baldwin (65 episodes)

12. Mavis Riley (64 episodes)

Average age: 51

Note: This is a significant year for the top 12. Both Annie and Len make their last appearances, having appeared for 22 and 21 years respectively. Len also holds the record for holding the top spot – eleven times! In 1975, the top spot was tied between Len, Ray and Bet – 84 episodes each.

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The faces of Corrie in 1981

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 1981, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1. Elsie Tanner (82 episodes)

2. Len Fairclough (80 episodes)

3. Fred Gee (80 episodes)

4. Rita Fairclough (74 episodes)

5. Ken Barlow (73 episodes)

6. Bet Lynch (72 episodes)

7. Deirdre Langton/Barlow (70 episodes)

8. Hilda Ogden (70 episodes)

9. Alf Roberts (69 episodes)

10. Bert Tilsley (68 episodes)

11. Annie Walker (68 episodes)

12. Mavis Riley (64 episodes)

Average age: 51

Note: This is the only time Bert appears in the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1980

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 1980, 105 episodes were broadcast.

1. Len Fairclough (83 episodes)

2. Annie Walker (77 episodes)

3. Elsie Tanner (73 episodes)

4. Ivy Tilsley (71 episodes)

5. Eddie Yeats (71 episodes)

6. Hilda Ogden (69 episodes)

7. Fred Gee (67 episodes)

8. Alf Roberts (65 episodes)

9. Rita Fairclough (65 episodes)

10. Bet Lynch (64 episodes)

11. Betty Turpin (63 episodes)

12. Mavis Riley (63 episodes)

Average age: 52 – to date, this is the oldest average age of the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1979

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 1979, 83 episodes were broadcast.

1. Len Fairclough (59 episodes)

2. Ivy Tilsley (58 episodes)

3. Gail Potter/Tilsley (58 episodes)

4. Elsie Tanner (57 episodes)

5. Suzie Birchall (55 episodes)

6. Hilda Ogden (55 episodes)

7. Rita Fairclough (54 episodes)

8. Deirdre Langton (50 episodes)

9. Betty Turpin (50 episodes)

10. Ken Barlow (49 episodes)

11. Stan Ogden (49 episodes)

12. Brian Tilsley (49 episodes)

Due to lack of space, Annie Walker fails to make the top 12 but also appeared in 49 episodes

Average age: 42

Note: This is the last time Stan appears in the top 12 and the only time Suzie (to date) and Brian appear. This is also the first time that a Rovers licensee doesn’t appear in the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1978

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 1978, 103 episodes were broadcast.

1. Len Fairclough (72 episodes)

2. Bet Lynch (69 episodes)

3. Ken Barlow (67 episodes)

4. Hilda Ogden (67 episodes)

5. Elsie Howard/Tanner (63 episodes)

6. Annie Walker (63 episodes)

7. Mike Baldwin (62 episodes)

8. Betty Turpin (61 episodes)

9. Rita Fairclough (60 episodes)

10. Deirdre Langton (59 episodes)

11. Emily Bishop (59 episodes)

12. Steve Fisher (59 episodes)

Due to lack of space, Gail Potter fails to make the top 12 but also appeared in 59 episodes

Average age: 45

Note: To date, this is the only time Steve appears in the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1977

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 1977, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1. Elsie Howard (81 episodes)
2. Len Fairclough (78 episodes)
3. Bet Lynch (76 episodes)
4. Hilda Ogden (76 episodes)
5. Rita Littlewood/Fairclough (74 episodes)
6. Ray Langton (69 episodes)
7. Betty Turpin (68 episodes)
8. Annie Walker (66 episodes)
9. Ken Barlow (64 episodes)
10. Alf Roberts (64 episodes)
11. Eddie Yeats (64 episodes)
12. Deirdre Langton (62 episodes)

Average age: 45

Note: This is the last time Ray appears in the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1976

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 1976, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Len Fairclough (82 episodes)
2.    Bet Lynch (78 episodes)
3.    Betty Turpin (76 episodes)
4.    Annie Walker (70 episodes)
5.    Ray Langton (68 episodes)
6.    Hilda Ogden (68 episodes)
7.    Ken Barlow (66 episodes)
8.    Elsie Howard (64 episodes)
9.    Deirdre Langton (62 episodes)
10.    Gail Potter (62 episodes)
11.    Alf Roberts (62 episodes)
12.    Rita Littlewood (60 episodes)

Average age: 43

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The faces of Corrie in 1975

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 1975, 102 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Len Fairclough (84 episodes)
2.    Ray Langton (84 episodes)
3.    Bet Lynch (84 episodes)
4.    Betty Turpin (82 episodes)
5.    Rita Littlewood (77 episodes)
6.    Hilda Ogden (71 episodes)
7.    Deirdre Hunt/Langton (70 episodes)
8.    Ken Barlow (68 episodes)
9.    Annie Walker (67 episodes)
10.    Alf Roberts (66 episodes)
11.    Ernest Bishop (62 episodes)
12.    Blanche Hunt (61 episodes)

Average age: 43

Note: This is the only time Ernest and Blanche make the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1974

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 1974, 103 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Betty Turpin (87 episodes)
2.    Len Fairclough (81 episodes)
3.    Bet Lynch (79 episodes)
4.    Rita Littlewood (73 episodes)
5.    Ray Langton (71 episodes)
6.    Annie Walker (71 episodes)
7.    Jerry Booth (69 episodes)
8.    Ken Barlow (68 episodes)
9.    Billy Walker (68 episodes)
10.    Deirdre Hunt (67 episodes)
11.    Emily Bishop (65 episodes)
12.    Stan Ogden (61 episodes)

Due to lack of space, Alf Roberts fails to make the top 12, but he also appeared in 61 episodes

Average age: 41

Note: This is the last time Jerry appears in the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1973

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 1973, 105 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Len Fairclough (79 episodes)
2.    Betty Turpin (78 episodes)
3.    Bet Lynch (75 episodes)
4.    Ray Langton (73 episodes)
5.    Annie Walker (72 episodes)
6.    Jerry Booth (71 episodes)
7.    Hilda Ogden (70 episodes)
8.    Ken Barlow (69 episodes)
9.    Rita Littlewood (69 episodes)
10.    Elsie Howard (65 episodes)
11.    Stan Ogden (64 episodes)
12.    Norma Ford (63 episodes)

Average age: 43

Note: This, to date, is the only time Norma appears in the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1972

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 1972, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Len Fairclough (79 episodes)
2.    Elsie Howard (78 episodes)
3.    Ray Langton (77 episodes)
4.    Billy Walker (76 episodes)
5.    Maggie Clegg (74 episodes)
6.    Jerry Booth (72 episodes)
7.    Annie Walker (72 episodes)
8.    Alan Howard (70 episodes)
9.    Hilda Ogden (68 episodes)
10.    Emily Nugent/Bishop (66 episodes)
11.    Betty Turpin (64 episodes)
12.    Ken Barlow (62 episodes)

Due to lack of space, Bet Lynch fails to make the top 12, but she also appeared in 62 episodes.

Average age: 44

Note: This is the last time Maggie (to date) and Alan appear in the top 12

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