Worst of Corrie waxworks

Yesterday, we blogged about the unveiling of Kym Marsh's waxwork at Madam Tussauds Blackpool, where they have a specialist Coronation Street exhibit. They have the frontage of the Rovers, followed by a number of houses (each containing items relating to Corrie's history in the windows), followed by a loosely based interior of the pub. Apparently, they've also just opened up a replica of the beer garden. Kym's waxwork is one of seven Corrie related models already at the world famous museum, joining Jack and Vera, Hilda Ogden, Bet Lynch, Ken and Deirdre.

Violet Carson's waxwork appeared at Louis Tussauds Blackpool for fifty
years. It was horrific.

Now don't get me wrong, whilst the current models are pretty much identical to their human counterparts, I can't help but notice that there is something not quite right. And then I cast my mind back to models that featured in the house of wax that occupied the building prior to 2011, Louis Tussauds, because they were truly hideous. Digging through the old photo albums, I could find countless photographs of me and my family posed around figures that didn't look remotely similar to the celebrities they were in likeness of. But I couldn't find any of the Coronation Street exhibit which has been at the museum since the early 1960s.

Alec Gilroy's waxwork was appalling.
Just not quite right, and very plastic
 in appearance.

Research I did on the waxworks showed that Violet Carson was the first to be immortalised in wax as Ena Sharples, and she unveiled it when switching on the Blackpool illuminations in Summer 1961. It just shows how popular her character must have been after just eight months on screen. Julie Goodyear and Roy Barraclough both added to the museum in 1990 as characters Bet and Alec, once again following the illuminations switch on. The three remained alone,
alongside a frontage of the Rovers, until 1998 when a to-scale replica of Jim's Cafe opened on site at the museum, complete with Roy and Hayley models. I'm not sure, but judging by the photographs, I believe that either Gail or Alma had a waxwork too, seen stood at the counter.
Thank goodness some order was in place from 2011, when Madam Tussauds bought the Louis Tussauds building and removed all of the old models. The only thing they kept was the frontage of the Rovers Return. Out of all of the current waxworks, I believe that Hilda Ogden's is possibly the worst. She looks so childlike for some reason. As for the future of waxworks in Blackpool, I'd love to see some more iconic characters returning to the museum, such as Ena Sharples. Surely someone still has that poor Violet Carson model kicking about in their attic?

The rather good Jim's Cafe recreation,
much better than the waxwork of
 Roy. Note the waxwork in
the background. I'm not quite sure who
it's supposed to be.

I hope you enjoyed this rather random post from myself. But hopefully it sparked some nostalgia for some readers. I can be found on Twitter @MichaelAdamsUk, and @CStCollection.

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Pics: Kym Marsh Wax Figure Unveiled at Madame Tussauds Blackpool

Coronation Street's Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor, met her match at Madame Tussauds Blackpool, where she unveiled her brand-new wax figure.

She could barely believe her eyes when the curtain dropped to reveal her Coronation Street counterpart, Michelle Connor, not only looking back at her but talking too – quoting some of the Corrie character’s most famous one-liners.

Kym excitedly posed side-by-side with her new wax figure, toasting to the occasion, in none other than Madame Tussauds Blackpool’s Rover’s Return Inn beer garden – a fun new addition to the attraction, building on the existing fully-licenced pub.

Following Michelle Connor’s dramatic storyline in Coronation Street, it was only right that Madame Tussauds Blackpool chose the Corrie beauty to take place in the attraction in the company of fellow Corrie legends, Bet Lynch, Hilda Ogden, Jack and Vera Duckworth and Ken and Deirdre Barlow.

Since Michelle hit our small screens back in 2006, the pint puller has been a favourite with viewers and in recent months, Michelle’s turbulent relationship with estranged husband, Steve McDonald has kept the nation gripped.

Kym said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was approached by Madame Tussauds Blackpool to have my own figure created! It’s been fascinating to be involved in the process and see first-hand how the figures are made.

“It’s such an honour, especially as I’m being placed amongst Corrie royalty in the Rovers Return Inn – I’d love to take her home!”

The interactive wax figure, styled by Coronation Street’s very own costume department, is smiling and standing in a casual pose with arms folded, dressed in a relaxed outfit of a grey, loose top, black jeans and boot, complete with an ombre hairstyle and natural make-up.

Visitors now have the exclusive chance to chat with Michelle, as her figure features new, integrated speech technology. Sound bites were recorded of Michelle’s most famous lines during the sitting, in order to make visitors’ experiences even more realistic.

Creating Kym’s wax figure was an in-depth and thorough process, with a dedicated team of sculptors taking hundreds of precise measurements and photographs to ensure as accurate a likeness as possible. The figures are created by expert teams of sculptors, moulders, colourists and hair stylists, taking 20 people up to four months to complete a figure costing £150,000.

General Manager, Matthew Titherington, said: “We are thrilled to unveil Kym’s figure here at the attraction.

 “Due to her infamous storyline in the show there has been a huge demand from the public for a wax figure, so we’re sure they’ll love getting up close and personal now it’s in the attraction.”

So, head to the beer garden, grab a pint and have a chat with Michelle. Be careful though, once she starts nattering she might not stop…

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New Coronation Street wax figure at Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds Blackpool have today officially announced that Rovers Return barmaid, Michelle McDonald, played by Kym Marsh, will be their new Corrie wax figure.

Michelle McDonald's wax figure will be unveiled at Madame Tussauds Blackpool in the coming months, where she'll be in the company of fellow Corrie legends, Bet Lynch, Hilda Ogden, Jack and Vera Duckworth and Ken and Deirdre Barlow.

 The wax figure will be smiling and standing in a casual pose with arms folded, dressed in a relaxed outfit of a grey, loose top, black jeans and boot, complete with an ombre hairstyle and natural make-up.

Kym said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was approached by Madame Tussauds Blackpool to have my own figure created! It’s been fascinating to be involved in the process and see first-hand how the figures are made.

 “It’s such an honour, especially as I’m being placed amongst Corrie royalty in the Rovers Return Inn – I can’t wait to see the figure!”

General Manager, Matthew Titherington, said: “We are thrilled announce that Michelle will be the latest addition to the attraction.

“Due to her infamous storyline in the show there has been a huge demand from the public for a wax figure, so we’re sure they’ll love getting up close and personal when it is unveiled later this year.”

More Corrie news and spoilers at Coronation Street Blog

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Go speed-dating on Valentines Day in the Rovers Return

Madame Tussauds in Blackpool are opening up the Coronation Street set inside the museum on Valentine's day for a special speed-dating event.

The event is taking place at a fully-licensed replica of the Rovers Return inside Madame Tussauds on February 14 and 15.

The normal ticket price is £17, but organiser FastLove Speed Dating is offering an exclusive discount of £5 per ticket today. To claim it, book online at fastlovespeeddating.co.uk with the discount code MADAME.

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Pucker up, chuck! Bet Lynch most kissed Corrie waxwork

Legendary soap barmaid Bet Lynch is kissed so much by Coronation Street fans that bosses at Madame Tussauds are having to take special measures to protect her this Christmas.

The feisty barmaid appeals to all ages and genders. Whether a peck on the cheek from a young fan, a cheeky smooch from an ageing admirer or a fond farewell from an old friend, blonde bombshell Bet is a favourite for a little peck from visitors to the Madame Tussauds attraction in Blackpool.

The leopard-print clad pint-puller gets more action from kiss-happy fans at Madame Tussauds Blackpool that she even outshines beauties including Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Lady Gaga.

Being particularly popular, Bet’s figure has demanded a lot of attention from the studio team – making her the most retouched figure on display at the attraction.

Bosses at Madame Tussauds Blackpool say Bet’s figure is touched up at least twice as much as any other figure at the venue – especially at Christmas when mistletoe kissers pay the figure particular attention.

She’ll undoubtedly be one of the star attractions of the new Rovers Return’s Christmas On The Cobbles event, which sees wax figures of the biggest stars of the Street in a special Christmas scene at Madame Tussauds Blackpool.

Find out all about Christmas on the Cobbles here.


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Celebrate Christmas on the cobbles at Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds Blackpool have a new attraction this Christmas - it's the Rovers Return Christmas On The Cobbles event.

Waxworks figures of the biggest stars of the Street can be seen in a special Christmas scene at Madame Tussauds Blackpool.

Visitors can pull a cracker with Deirdre Barlow, share their spuds with Ken, or make their Corrie Christmas fantasy come true, by booking an ultimate office party among the legends.

Those looking for the perfect alternative venue to impress their colleagues this season can book Madame Tussauds Blackpool’s very own Rovers Return until  21st December 2016.

Enjoy a welcome drink with Bet on arrival, before tucking into a traditional, Northern winter warming Hot Pot (veggie option also available). Guests will also receive exclusive use of the attraction, complete with a DJ who will be celebrating all things festive with classic Christmas tunes. That’s if you can manage to dance after all that food…

So, if you’re looking for something unique to spice things up this December, head to Christmas On The Cobbles – you never know, you might even see a famous face or two.

Full information here.

See also: Who's the most kissed Corrie waxwork at Madame Tussauds?! 

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Jack and Vera Duckworth join Madame Tussauds Blackpool

One of the best-known couples in television history, Coronation Street’s Jack and Vera Duckworth are the latest to have been immortalised in wax by Madame Tussauds.

The famously fiery couple have been chosen by guests visiting the world famous attraction as their favourites to join other legendary characters on the custom-built Rovers Return set.

Captured in their colourful ‘90’s heyday, the long-standing residents of No.9 Coronation Street appear as they are best remembered.  Vera is dressed in her characteristic bright clothing and Jack in a pink shirt with a burgundy paisley patterned tie, braces and his classic cream jacket over his arm.

Each of the famous soap star figures has taken four months to create and Madame Tussauds sculptors have used archive footage supplied by ITV to expertly craft their wax figures.  Additionally, the costumes have been hand made to ensure every detail from this snapshot in time is perfect.

Both Liz Dawn (Vera) and the family of the late Bill Tarmey (Jack) were closely consulted during the figure-making process, culminating in a private final viewing where they were able to see the figures and pour over every detail.  Liz Dawn said: “I can’t believe how well they’ve captured the tiniest details – it really is like looking into a Vera-shaped mirror. It’s lovely to know that a character I’ve played for so long has had such an effect on the nation that she’s been immortalised like this – if only they could have done it when I was 20!”

Bill Tarmey’s widow, Alma, added: “I am sure Bill would have been very proud and honoured to see himself, as Jack, immortalised in such a lifelike figure. For myself it brought back many happy memories of the character Bill had portrayed for so many years, truly amazing! My congratulations and appreciation to the sculptor and all those involved in the production of the figure.”

Among the most-loved of all Britain’s TV characters, Jack and Vera were no strangers to Blackpool. In fact, when they weren’t in the middle of an argument, they often talked on the Corrie cobbles about retiring to the seaside resort.

So it feels justifiably fitting that they should join other characters in the fully licensed Rovers Return set, which already includes fellow legends Ken and Deirdre Barlow, Hilda Ogden and Bet Lynch.

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Ken Barlow waxwork returned to Madame Tussaud's

In May of last year, the waxwork of Coronation Street's Ken Barlow was removed from Madame Tussauds in Blackpool.  Now that William Roache has been cleared in court of all charges against him, the waxwork of Ken has been put back on display.

Matthew Titherington, the attraction's general manager, said: "We made the decision to temporarily remove the Ken Barlow figure from display in the middle of last year, after we received a number of comments relating to its continued inclusion - but, even more importantly, witnessed some unacceptable behaviour from a very small number of visitors. Behaviour we did not condone in any way.

"We said at the time that it was always our intention to review this decision in the light of future events and therefore we are reinstating the figure in time for half term. Madame Tussauds never comments or moralises on the character or specific activities of the figures we include. Our figures are chosen because we, and our visitors, believe that they have made a significant contribution to the world around them or in their chosen field - good or bad - or they earn their place through visitor demand, as in the case of Ken.

"The Coronation Street set in Madame Tussauds Blackpool is a very popular part of the attraction and has been since it opened in 2011. It is our overall objective must always be to ensure that all our visitors have an enjoyable visit with us."

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