What a start to 2019 Coronation Street has
had. Already a death! Lewis was a bit like Pat Phelan in some ways - you knew
he was about to do something rotten to a much loved character but you’d forgive
him each time because he just made love to the screen. Well, no more. Give that
screen a wipe as you dab away your tears. Lewis is dead and Audrey is alone
again. To be fair, nobody could match up to her Alfie anyway, and she didn’t
really seem suited to debonair Lewis. But it was fun while it lasted.
And thirty-four years into avoiding talking
about their love for each other, Chesney and Gemma are still wasting time with
other people, unable to tell each other how they feel. Why is that? You’d have
thought Gemma would have been right in there. She clearly thinks Chesney is too
good for her and is scared of the rejection. So Chesney is cracking on with
Emma. Who is lovely but that won’t last.
Simmering romantic tensions are threatening
to spill out into the Street as we start
the brand New Year. Which ones do you approve of and which send you reaching
for the sick bucket? Here I speculate whether these Corrie couples should,
would, or have got it together…
Ken
and Claudia (Kendia)
The pompous bookworm and the hairdressing glamourpuss appear to be in a relationship already.
Nothing has been confirmed on that front but they are spending a lot of time
together and can often be spotted wandering across the cobbles arm-in-arm. I’m
in favour of this development. Claudia is a bit more cultured than Deirdre was,
but there’s something in that raspy voice and big hair-do that make it all a
bit familiar. And she and Ken seem to have good chemistry. Some might see it as
a betrayal of Deirdre but he wasn’t faithful to her in life so there’s not much
chance now is there? I say go for it Ken.
VERDICT: SHOULD AND PROBABLY HAVE
Ken
and Audrey (Kendrey)
Old friends Ken and Audrey have had their
ups and downs but there’s always been something between them – more so from
Audrey - but they’ve just never quite made that leap to see what would happen.
I can just see Ken making the move from the One Coronation Street to Grasmere Drive
leaving the rest of the family to fight their battles in the tiny terrace
whilst he sees out his retirement in Audrey’s lovely semi. But I just don’t see
them seeing out their retirements together. Aud’s going to need a shoulder to
cry on in the coming weeks, but it probably won’t go beyond that for our
unlucky-in-love almost-pensioner and her old friend.
VERDICT: SHOULDN’T
Billy
and Paul (Baul. Or Pilly?)
Paul’s arrival has sent hearts aflutter in
the knicker factory, and the revelation that he’s actually Gemma’s twin brother
has opened up an interesting new direction for her as she struggles with her
feelings for Ches. But what or who will Paul be doing now that he’s started to
make himself at home? It looks as though a defrocking might be afoot with Billy
discovering Paul’s sexuality. But will Paul be in it for the right reasons and
are they well suited anyway? I think not on both counts. But I’m liking cheeky
Paul already – he fits right in and allows us to get to know Gemma a little
better.
VERDICT: SHOULDN’T BUT PROBABLY WILL. YOU
KNOW WHAT GAYS ARE LIKE.
RAMPANT.
Dev
and Moira (Doira)
I’ve just pulled this one out of thin air
but I reckon this romantic double act could be comedy gold. She’s crazy as
hell, but with certain airs and graces, and he has a pretentious side too so
their mad, up themselves double act could be a slapstick winner.
VERDICT: MUST
Sophie
and Kate (Skate)
I never saw the chemistry between Kate and
Rana, however their emotional scenes over Christmas really packed a punch and I
could sense the love between them for the first time. That said, now that it’s
over it should stay that way. There's suspicion something is going on between Kate and Sophie but things are uncertain at the minute. I remember interviewing Brooke Vincent about
Sophie’s love life a couple of years ago, and she said she doesn’t want to be
put with every other lesbian in the show because that’s not realistic, and I
agree. Her pairing with Paula worked for me as it was unexpected, and I’d love to see more scenes
with Stirling Gallacher, I think she’s great. However anything between Sophie
and Kate would be too obvious and I can’t see much entertainment from them as a
couple.
VERDICT: SHOULDN’T
Carla
and Peter (Parla)
This star-crossed pair have shared some
lovely scenes in the past couple of weeks. There’s still a bit of game-playing
between them, but they are both in on it and seem to be taking a more mature approach
to their feelings rather than just jumping into something out of lust. I have
to admit I’ve lusted after both of them of late, they are a right sexy pair and
I think they are perfect for each other. The only down side to anything
happening between them is that eventually it will come to an end to again. This
is Coronation Street. And not only will it be disappointing for us all, it will
most likely be a very, very dark time for Peter and Carla.
VERDICT: MUST
Steve
and Abi (Stabi?)
I know they’ve already dabbled. But I want
them to dabble more. Abi has been a revelation for me since she arrived, she’s
such a complex but likeable character and there’s real warmth in her that fits
perfectly on the Street. And in some of her less guarded moments she has a comedic
quality that fits Steve’s personality perfectly. Or maybe they are too alike? I’m
not sure yet but I think they Stabi should have another stab at it. Sorry
Tracy.
VERDICT: SHOULD
Norris
and Mary (Morris)
Word is that Norris is heading back to the
Street soon, and I’m sure he’ll have some interesting stories to tell. But he’s
missed a lot being away from Weatherfield for so long. Particularly with Mary
and her family woes. Will her time of need see him become her knight in shining
armour. Or will he return with a love interest in tow? Either way I quite like
Mary in spinster mode, and Norris as a lone busybody. Not everybody has to be
in a relationship, right?
VERDICT: SHOULDN’T
Who do YOU think will be getting it on in 2019?
@StevieDawson
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