Last night's Corrie - Mini Cheddars and Rana- what did you think?

What did you think to last night's killing of Rana in the Underworld roof collapse?

Did Kirk's mini-cheddar moment bring a smile to your lips?

The fall out and weeks of Kate crying isn't something I'm cherishing, to be honest. Kate and Rana were never my "thing" - but I know I'm not the target audience for them and yet millions of fans are. So I'll act like a wise monkey and say nowt.

The only thing I am eager to see in the coming weeks is how Coronation Street deal with Carla's mental health and her breakdown. I hope it's done as sensitively as we all trust it will be. Fingers crossed.

Did you enjoy watching it all unfold last night? Any thoughts on what you did and didn't like?

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Coronation Street Episode Review; Friday 9 November 2018

At long last you can put a face to the initial.  That is the mysterious "E".  Not a reference to a drug supplier or merely a partner in a restaurant in Nottingham but Elsa (although not much of a lioness on performance to date) aka Nick's wife.  Her story is that she fell for Nick when he walked into a restaurant and they fell in love and married in a matter of months.  This is the same Nick who this week has assured Carla he can talk Leanne round and has also told Leanne that he can talk Carla round.  Elsa (above) had just been watching Carla inside Nick's swanky car where Carla found his expensive wedding ring.  Elsa followed Carla back to Roy's flat and dived up the stairs to confront her rival in love (as she thought).  Carla put her right on that one but made no mention of Leanne.  Carla did however tell Nick that either he sells his half of the factory to her for a fair price or she will tell both Elsa and Leanne the truth.  Nick has already told Elsa he wants a divorce (but not why) and he has not found the courage to tell Leanne he needs to get a divorce before he can make an honest woman of her again.

Talking of becoming an honest woman Tracy does have a conscience and is insisting that Steve employs Abi on the switch, although Abi's customer contact skills leave more than a little to be desired I would say, more training beckons (Eileen is visiting the distant Nicola again).  Tracy is almost on the point of taking Steve back when Amy comes in (above) and implies that it will be more or less over her dead body.  She stomps home to Number One catching Adam eating a sandwich because there is no food in his flat and grandad's bread goes off otherwise.  Steve follows and Amy says that if her parents are to be back together it will be on her terms.  Adam and Amy spend the afternoon drawing up a contract which Steve assures Tracy will be summat and nothing; they can just sign it and all will be well.  Tracy puts back on "her" engagement ring which Steve had found in the desert.  I wonder just what Amy and Adam have put in the contract?

Earlier in the week Geoff was pretty sure that Gina saw Tim as more than a friend and early in this episode she clocked an eyeful of Tim getting dressed.  Geoff tipped Tim the wink and although Tim did not believe him he took the opportunity, during a prison visit to Sal, to hold Sal's hands and declare that she was the most important woman in the world as far as he was concerned and that they were all supporting her.  Gina is stood above them (above) and she realises her dreams are just that - with no foundation - Tim really does just see her as a mate.  So within a flash she is on one o' them interweb findamate sites and signing up for love and romance.  Sally is pushing ahead with her plans to reform prisons from the inside and the fall out earlier in the week between the sisters is resolved for now at least.  Tim tells Geoff that he had it wrong (he didn't but that closes the matter off).

In a blink and you almost miss it way the progress on the fit out of the new salon was damned by Claudia as taking far too long, apparently Maria needs to visit twice a day.  Maria upset Audrey by sneering about her salon and customers to Kate and Rana with Audrey in earshot.  There is a big hairdressing awards do on Monday and Claudia has a surprise planned for Audrey (my bet is on some form of lifetime award for services to the industry which Audrey will not want).  Also Maria has bought an unappealing looking dress (above) to wear on Monday.  Perhaps it will look stunning once she is inside it but as shown tonight it looked suitable for someone of about 95.

Am I the only person in the world who does not get the Kate and Rana vibe?  Let me put aside Rana's change in sexual preference and the immense pressure from her family (she has been excommunicated once again tonight by her mother despite spending 6 weeks on a cruise with her).  Surely any young couple with their backgrounds would at least want to spend some time on being together before embarking on the life changing decision of having a child?  Much of this episode consists of Kate rampaging around making arrangements to have a baby including seeing a doctor to get details of suitable clinics and asking for advice from Toyah, all of which she is telling Rana in the picture above.  To me Rana looks as though she has seen a ghost she looks that scared!  She has spent the episode trying to decide if she is ready to be a mother.

And that my friends is what happened on Friday on the Street, written by Sam Holdsworth and directed by Nic Phillips.   

This time next week MsKelstar will be in this slot.

Kosmo
@Kosmo100

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Faye Brookes interview: #Kana and forbidden fruit

Why does Kate tell Rana that she is moving to Spain?

Kate wants to get a reaction out of Rana so she decides that if she takes the candy away and leaves her with nothing then maybe Rana will tell her how she truly, truly feels because Rana keeps putting the ball in Kate’s court. It’s way too much pressure on Kate so this is her way of turning the tables.

How does Rana react?

Rana doesn’t bat an eyelid and it frustrates Kate even more. Kate doesn’t get the reaction that she wants and it leads Kate to think that this could ruin their relationship as well as their friendship and their friendship is the one thing that Kate wants to hold on to the most. Now they are frosty, uncomfortable and they don’t get on.

Tell us what happens when Kate breaks down to Luke

Kate finally realises her true feelings and they are so powerful. She has never felt these feelings before about anyone and the fact that it is someone that she can’t have makes it even more of a struggle. She is left with this broken heart without even having the relationship and break-up; she's broken hearted from the get-go.

How does Luke react?

Luke is the first person to see Kate vulnerable, she just breaks down. She tells him it all and to put that on Luke is awful... from an outside perspective I can’t believe Kate does that! But I am so glad that she finally has someone to talk to because she can’t even talk to her family. Poor Luke!

It seems like Kate and Rana can’t keep away from each other…

Weatherfield is a small place and even just seeing each other across the road it’s like, “Oh gosh,” - it’s the chemistry! There is definitely something there and it makes it really juicy that Kate can’t have Rana - forbidden fruit.

After Kate comes to terms with her feelings, Zeedan sends Rana and Kate to attend a food fair on his behalf. What happens next?

The pair drive out to the food fair in Zeedan’s van and it breaks down. They are in the middle of nowhere and for the first time ever they give each other time to talk. Rana opens up about the strict, regimented routine when she was growing up, that she can’t disappoint her family, she has to go by the book and live this happily ever after for her family’s sake. What’s really nice for Kate is that she sees Rana in a whole new light and it’s a good one, she realises that Rana has been dealing with so much. It’s now made them a lot closer on a friendship level and maybe something more…

How does Kate feel when Rana makes these revelations?

She is relieved that it’s not just her that is struggling with the feelings and in a way she is feeling optimistic. It puts a question mark over whether something could happen now.

What was it like filming those scenes?

It’s definitely racy but we did it right and in a very sophisticated, artistic sort of way which I love. It’s filmed it in a really beautiful way but at the same time it is Coronation Street and it has to have that added drama. There is that element, the fact that they are not meant to be there and they are not meant to be alone, that electrifies that scene and makes it more intense so you never know if one thing is going to lead to another.

What’s it like filming with Bhavna Limbachia?

She’s a dream. We are both from the same work ethic which is to get the job done, to do it well and to respect the LGBT community. We both want the very best out of our characters so we are giving our all and we work really well with each other.

What has been the reaction from viewers, for example there has been the hashtag #Kana (Kate and Rana)?

#Kana is mental. I sit down to dinner and I can’t put my phone down because Twitter is crazy and that’s so nice because there is so much effort that goes into these episodes. When I see the viewers have got every little moment that we have tried to create it’s so nice to be recognised by them. This was a massive risk for Coronation Street and for our characters but they are mad for #Kana.

Were you surprised at the reaction from viewers?

I knew that people enjoyed certain Kate scenes with the likes of Shayne Ward, Kate’s brother, because they can see that we get on, they can see that naturally we always have a bit of banter which we bring to the screen and I love when the viewers give their opinion about what they did and didn’t like. But there is so much love for Kate and Rana that this is the beginning of something amazing.

What do you hope that this storyline will achieve?

People are growing up now who aren’t comfortable in their own skin who don’t know whether they like boys or girls and it shouldn’t be taboo. I want this relationship to develop into something that is celebrated and helps the community to be celebrated and not to be perceived to be wrong because it's not. I found a new respect and understanding in Rana’s character because this is going on all the time. I want to do the LGBT community justice because it should be celebrated, love is love.

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All the Single Ladies

There are several single ladies at this moment on the cobbles. Some newly single, others have been single for a while. Let’s start with Liz. At one point something seemed to be happening between Amy’s friend’s dad and Liz but that must have fizzled out though I don’t remember when or why.

Her last significant relationship was with Tony and I thought they went well together. Naturally it had to end because of Tony’s deceit and relationship with Tracy. Remember how well Liz tricked Tony and everyone else into thinking she was going to give him another chance? Sheer class from the landlady of The Rovers.

Who is there for Liz? I had wondered about Vinny, the villain. She is attracted to bad boys, is our Liz. Is he with anyone? Even if he was, I cannot see Vinny being morally troubled by a little adultery. Is there anyone else suitable for Liz amongst the current residents? She needs a new arrival. And I don’t mean Leanne’s baby. Odd how she seems more interested in Leanne’s baby than she does Michelle’s. Is that just the natural reaction of human psychology? The one less available becomes the more tantalising?

Some might say that Maria must have had a moment of insanity when she dumped Luke. After all, what is not to like about the tall, dark handsome man? What is going on in Maria’s head? Does she have her heart set on Aidan, after their night of passion? He has made it clear that it was a mistake but Maria did seem a little put out by his rather ungallant attitude in making it clear that it was indeed just that and nothing more – a mistake. Maybe there will be a follow up after all.

Sarah has been single since her relationship with Callum and has been very delicate mentally since his death and Harry’s birth. She now seems to be getting stronger and there is a certain Gary Windass who may well ask Sarah out. Gary and Izzy’s time is done and they have agreed to take Care of Jake as best they can, despite their not being together. Sarah and Gary? I think that could work. We’ve already seen Izzy watching the 2 of them talking. Will Izzy find someone else too?

Mary now feels that she is nothing short of an expert on broken hearts after her fling with married cheat and ghost hunter Brendan. She has taken on her woman of the world role with great gusto, thereby producing further comedic moments for the massively talented Patti Clare.

But the question is - who will be Mary’s next love object? There has been speculation that a new man will arrive on the cobbles and that love develops after friendship. I hope It’s true. I’d love her to find a decent man but not at the cost of a reduction of eccentricity.

Tracy has been single for a while since her split with Robert. Is it possible that the 2 of them will reconcile? At the moment it seems unlikely, though who knows what set of circumstances the writers will create to put them back together. To be with Tracy is not an experience for the faint hearted and there is no sign of an orderly queue forming at her door.

Since Gary and Alya split over her night with Jason, Alya has not had a romantic attachment. Alya is beautiful, intelligent and ambitious – in short a good catch. However, she may well be enjoying her life as a working single woman and contrary to what many believe it is possible to lead a fulfilling life without a significant other.

Are Rana and Zeedan back on? Why was Rana so cagey as to why she didn’t want her parents to show up for the Nazirs anniversary do?

Gemma, a definite marmite character, had a fling with Jason, and we saw from that Gemma’s lack of confidence, despite her general gobbiness. She did reveal a while ago that she loved Callum, but it wasn’t crystal clear as to her meaning. Was it romantic love she felt or strong friendship?

Caz, Kate and Sophie are all currently single. Caz has clearly developed feelings for Maria, but there’s no chance those 2 would work as Maria is into men. Kate and Sophie, who are also single, appear to enjoy each other’s company so maybe after Brooke Vincent finishes her theatre run, Kate and Sophie will get together.

If Audrey and Ken are going to get together they are taking their time about it. Does she prefer Freddie? And there was that rather elegant looking silver haired woman in the Bistro…

Rita, I believe, is not looking for romance but you can never say never. How satisfying it would be if Queen Rita could meet her king and reign on the cobbles together. If someone did come along, he would have to be worth his weight in gold.

Ruth Owen, twitter @ruth1722

Is Rana Sharif's secret daughter in Coronation Street?

There's a been a lot of speculation on the Coronation Street Blog lately about Rana and Sharif, and I'm liking what I read.

We already know, because ITV have told us in the previews for next week, that Sharif has been having a secret affair for the last seven years with a woman called Sonia.

And last night, we saw Rana become very uncomfortable when her parents were mentioned. 

So, I'm putting 2 and 2 together and possibly getting 32 here but, what if Rana turns out to be Sharif's daughter?  It could get very icky if she is, of course, as this means she'll have been canoodling on the sofa with her relation.

Speculation Street, indeed!

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Rana ramps it up

Enter Rana, the latest femme fatale to walk the cobbles. Rana has secured a job at the Medical Centre and is putting down roots in Weatherfield. This is excellent news as what a breath of fresh air  Rana is! It is Bhavna Limbachia who plays Rana and says of being in Coronation Street,  'Being a proud Northerner, it's a dream come true.'

Rana is much needed. She is cheerful, full of fun, smiles and laughs a lot and seems to know her own mind. She is single, though maybe not for long and understandably, has plenty of self-assurance.
Her appearances have been terrific, so far - exciting, engaging, vibrant - though not a little manipulative. Young, intelligent and beautiful - it is no wonder Robert had to tell Zeedan to put his tongue back in when she first came into the bistro with his sister, Alya.

Alya appears fond of her university friend, and the two girls are clearly very close as Alya tells Rana all about the Gary/Jason/drunk debacle. Alya is only too aware, though, of what Rana is like, particularly around young men. Alya shakes her head, rolls her eyes and has seen it all before, as Rana flirts with any male who has a pulse. Rana herself is more than aware of the effect she has on them. So far, so harmless. But. No one enters Weatherfield without a skeleton, clanking and clattering around somewhere. 

When Jason enters the Bistro (or the 'greasy spoon with delusions of grandeur' as Norris puts it) Jason and Rana have a brief chat and there seems to be appreciation from one to the other. On clocking this, Zeedan wards Jason off but as Jason points out, 'I'm a paying customer. I've as much right to be here as anyone else. So get out of my face.'

Zeedan apologises to Rana but she seems to have enjoyed the rumpus. 'Sorry about that, it's just that me and him - we've got history. It's complicated.' Zeedan rexplains. Alya fills her in on the details.

Rana takes it upon herself to steal into the Bistro kitchen to see Zeedan. 'What you doing- you shouldn't be back here.' Zeedan tells her. 'I won't say anything if you don't,' she replies. Zeedan points out it's about health and safety, but she takes no notice. She tells him that she wondered if one of the reasons he stepped in between her and Jason was because he was jealous. 'Jealous?' he says. 'You fancy yourself, don't you?' She replies, 'Not half as much as you do.' She kisses him and walks away.  Zeedan doesn't seem to be too concerned about health and safety now.

Ruth Owen - twitter @ruth1722

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New character Rana joins Coronation Street tonight

Tonight on Coronation Street, new girl Rana arrives.  She's a friend of Alya's from University who'll turn up and put a smile on Zeedan's face.

Alya and Rana meet in the Bistro where Rana entertains Alya with stories of her travel.

She also flirts with Zeedan - who’s clearly smitten with his sister's friend.

It’s not long before Rana gets herself a job at the medical centre.

Rana is played by Lancashire born actress Bhavna Limbachia who’s previously had roles in Citizen Khan and Cuffs.

Talking about her new role Bhavna said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the show. Being a proud Northerner - it's a dream come true!"

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Pics: New girl Rana arrives on Coronation Street next week

Next week on Coronation Street, new girl Rana arrives.  She's a friend of Alya's from University who'll turn up and put a smile on Zeedan's face.

Alya and Rana meet in the Bistro where Rana entertains Alya with stories of her travel.

She also flirts with Zeedan - who’s clearly smitten with his sister's friend.

It’s not long before Rana gets herself a job at the medical centre.

Rana is played by Lancashire born actress Bhavna Limbachia who’s previously had roles in Citizen Khan and Cuffs.

Talking about her new role Bhavna said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the show. Being a proud Northerner - it's a dream come true!"

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