Patti Clare is loyal but not obsessed

There's a nice interview with Patti Clare in the Mirror. She talks about how much she really wanted to be in Corrie and pursued it with a persistence worthy of her future character, Mary Taylor! She sent letter after letter to the casting director, even suggesting scenarios! She proved that the squeaky wheel does get the grease, finally successful in her quest.

In the interview she does say that she is "doggedly loyal" but unlike Mary, not obsessed when it comes to relationships and she mentions that her mother, while thrilled Mary is on Corrie, is appalled at the clothes her daughter has to wear. Patti thinks her costumes are just right for Mary, however.

It looks like Mary is here to stay while, too, because Patti has a new six month contract though her dream would be to become a permanent fixture. Of course nothing on television is guaranteed (unless you're William Roache!) but here's hoping Patti will be around awhile and Mad Mary continues to throw her wonderful one-liners acrosst he cobbles!

We'll also see Mary in the upcoming A Knight's Tale dvd!

What the flaming heck is a ha-ha?

Anyone else been wondering what a ha-ha is? Coronation Street's "scary" Mary Taylor keeps mentioning them in the context of posh weddings at country house hotels.

Seemingly, you can get double-sided ha-has, as well as single sided. Who knew? The one pictured, is a single- sided example.

I'm still a big fan of Mary. I'd like to hear her tinkling mad laugh again though - mentioning "ha-has" just reminds me of it and makes me miss it more.

Mary to return to the cobbles

Here's some good news! At least, I think so! Mary Taylor is due to return to the cobbles in the new year, according to ITV. I know, I know, some of you are cringing at the thought of yet another Norris-story and partly, I am too but look at it this way...anything that gets up Norris' nose is always worth watching. He's so uppity and know-it-all most of the time that anyone that can bring him down a peg or two has my vote. And, dare I say it, maybe he'll actually realize what he's lost and romance will bloom? I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not! In any case, I thought Mary was a great character, and I'll be glad to see her back!

There's something about Mary

Corrie waved farewell this week to Mary and the motorhome and I couldn't let her go without a mention on the blog, Mary, played by actress Pattie Clare, has been an absolute joy to watch. Her giggle, her dialogue, her mother, it was fantastically well written and she was a wonderful character. For this fan, Mary could well go down in the hall of fame of Coronation Street's unsung heroes. They're those characters who are on screen for too short a time but leave a lasting impression and a smile on your face. Norris Cole might not want to bump into Mary again any time soon but I'd love her to return to the Street one day. Would you?

Where have you seen Norris' girlfriend before?

Norris Cole turned up trumps when Mary Taylor invited him to attend a Cliff Richard concert this week. He was well pleased. But where have you seen the actress who plays Mary, before? The actress is Pattie Clare and eagle-eyed fans of Torchwood might have seen her before as she appeared in one episode. She appeared in Dracula as a nurse. Norris certainly knows how to pick 'em.

See also - where have you seen...David's mate, Graeme Proctor, Molly's Aunty Pam, Maria's mum and dad, Gail's dad, Scary Brian, Tina's dad, Tony Gordon's henchman, Little Simon Barlow