Coronation Street Episode Review. Weds 31 Jan, 7.30pm

Tonight's first visit to Coronation Street starts on a morose slant; the day of Luke Britton's funeral has dawned. Alya is now grieving longer than the actual relationship and continues to blame herself. The real grieving, of course, comes from the return of Luke's sister Steph (much to Phelan's dismay).

At the crematorium, Luke's ex-girlfriends assemble to mourn, with Audrey at the helm. As Luke's pallbearers bring in the coffin, Eileen and Phelan's presence isn't unnoticed and neither is that of Weatherfield police.

Kate Connor delivers a wonderful eulogy (a funeral mainstay, in fact) which was 'Miss me and Let Me Go' by the wonderful Christina Rossetti. A tried and tested tear-jerker, it was a poem that added some real pathos to the drama. Well done Corrie!

Back on the cobbles, Eva and Toyah's baby swap plan continues to bear fruit. Also at Roys Rolls, Carla is lamenting life and heads 'out and about'... over to the bistro!

Dishing out advice about grabbing life and its chances, its great to see Carla back in the fold but has she had too many coffees?.

With Luke's 'wake' taking place elsewhere, the residents reside between The Rovers Return and Nick's Bistro to celebrate and commiserate the life of the garage lothario.

In The Rovers Return, Phelan's presence is uncomfortably felt. Tim, obviously aware and fearful of Pat, decides he wants to take Faye & Sally to his Dads, regardless of his wife's mayoral duties nor of her feelings. Confiding in Kevin, is a dent about to be wedged in the mayoress's marriage, and is Tim next in line for Phelan's murderous streek?.

Steph returns to her old workplace, having been unable to face the wake. Subtly wondering where Andy, Steph ponders the past and wonders if he was 'the one'. As the moment passes, a shattered KANA (aka Rana & Kate) are sharing lingering glances across the bar.

Unable to handle the sheer grief, confusion and emotional weight, Kate finally succumbs and tells Rana their relationship is all but over!. Rana retreats to number 6.

Zeedan then heads home to find Rana overcome with heartache. Unable to contain her lie any longer, she tells her husband that she's in love with someone else!!. Will Rana finally tell Zeedan the truth?.

And as Carla leaves the Bistro after too many coffees (or rather her deteriorating kidney condition) she collapses. Quick someone ring for Roy!

Anyway, that's me done for another week. I'm off for a whisky and a game of monopoly with Steve McDonald.

TARA!

I am @rybazoxo -Your Cobbles Connoisseur

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Steph Britton's returned filmed for Luke's funeral

Tisha Merry has been spotted filming along with the Coronation Street cast today. Tisha plays Luke Britton's sister Steph in Corrie and I'm over the moon that she's coming back to the show.

The paparazzi pictures taken today show the Coronation Street cast filming on location for Luke's funeral. Also at the funeral are Rana Nazir, Kate Connor and Bethany Platt – while Phelan also puts in an appearance at his murder victim's funeral.

Digital Spy have the pictures here.

Find out who else is returning to Coronation Street with our updated list here.

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Steph Britton returning to Coronation Street?

There's a tabloid spoiler today that says Tisha Merry, who plays Steph Britton, is returning to Coronation Street. Oh, I do hope this is true!  Tisha was a breath of fresh air on the cobbles and I was really sad to see her go.

The Star reports that Tisha was back on set at Salford’s MediaCityUK last week to film her comeback.

Mr Curry Sauce tells the tabloid: “Producers got in touch with Tisha about a possible return and she jumped at the chance. She’s really excited to be back at Corrie and working with the rest of the cast again."

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A Requiem for Andy Carver

There is much attention on Phelan and his dastardly dealings, at the moment, along with speculation as to who might be his next victim. But, I’d like to take a moment and reflect on the life of Andy Carver.

When Andy was shot dead by Phelan, he was 32 years old. He was in the early summer of his life and if he had been released, his joy and relief would have made him live a good and happy life, his imprisonment having most surely shifted his perspective as to what is important in this life.

To have your freedom snatched away, to live in a filthy damp cellar, in almost solitary confinement, apart from the odd, brief exchanges between him and Phelan, his jailer, not having any idea as to when or indeed if, you will ever be released, must be one of the cruellest punishments.  This, as well as knowing that the world continues to turn without you and that your chances of joining the society you were so cruelly removed from must be diminishing with each passing hour. Deprived of comfort, light, warmth and company, it is a testament to Andy that he survived it all for so long. Phelan did bring him food and medical supplies intermittently, but no promises were made about Andy’s chances of escape.

Andy must have craved contact with the outside world and when a chance appeared, Andy promised that he would say nothing to the police about Phelan and what had happened. A plan was hatched, and Andy would be released. Andy’s mixture of fear and relief was almost tangible. But Phelan, nothing if not cunning, staged an  ‘escape’ and crashed the van, ‘allowing’ Andy to run to freedom. According to Phelan, Andy had failed his ‘test’ and was recaptured. It’s hard to imagine the state of Andy’s emotions as he felt freedom was his, only to find himself recaptured and back in the cellar, chained up. Devastating. 

Andy, I’m sure, will have thought of his beautiful girlfriend Steph, played by the stunning Tisha Merry. The plan was that they would meet at the airport and fly to Portugal. Phelan intercepted the plans and sent a text from Andy’s phone saying that Steph was better off without him. Poor Steph and poor Andy – both ensnared by Phelan and ensuing misery for both.

On his discovery that Nicola was his daughter, it seemed as if a change for the better was imminent in Phelan. Andy suggested the idea of the replacement prisoner, which Phelan thought initially, was ridiculous. He then had a rethink and thought it would be a good idea to capture Vinny, the man who ran off with the money after the flats fraud. Andy must surely now have been thinking that his freedom was but hours away.

Instead, Andy was forced to murder Vinny, and then, after all that time, hopes dashed, then renewed, time and time again, Phelan shot and killed Andy. Andy pleaded for his life, ‘Because underneath it all you’re a good man and no murderer.’ These words rang out hollowly for Phelan.

Phelan would never have taken Andy at his word, so in Phelan’s head, there could only be one solution for Andy. This was heart-breaking – bad enough that he had been held in a cellar for months, but to then be murdered is just too unbearable.

Did we, as viewers, really believe that Phelan would allow Andy to be free? I believe we hoped he would, but in our heart of hearts, we knew that Andy was doomed, once caught in Phelan’s web, the man who watched dispassionately as Michael Rodwell lay in front of him breathing his last and making no effort to help.

So, Andy, really sorry for the lost months there in the cellar - you suffered so horrendously and so sorry too for the years you should have had, growing into middle then old age, possibly with the wonderful Steph. All hope is gone now. Rest in Peace, Andy Carver, and if there is a heaven, I sincerely hope you get there.  

By Ruth Owen, @Ruth1722 

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Andy and Steph to leave Weatherfield next week?

Next week on Coronation Street, the preview pictures show Steph at an airport.

And the previews tell us that Andy is forced into torching Kev's garage at the behest of Pat Phelan.  You can see the pics and read more on that here.

After the garage goes up in flames, Andy and Steph plan to do a runner from Weatherfield and Andy promises Steph that he'll meet her at the airport. As Steph waits for Andy at the airport, she confides in Luke that their relationship has been under a lot of strain recently and she wouldn't be surprised if Andy didn't show up.

Back on the street, meanwhile, Andy makes to leave but Phelan fights back, will he prove too strong for Andy? Will Steph & Andy escape Weatherfield? 

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Tisha Merry quits Coronation Street, says The Sun

Sad news indeed, if it's true.  The Sun are reporting today that Tisha Merry (Steph Britton) has quit Coronation Street.

After almost four years of acting on the cobbles, Tisha's final scenes will unfold over the New Year, says the tabloid.

Mr Curray Sauce tells The Sun: “Tish has had an amazing couple of years where she’s been at the fore of some of Corrie’s biggest storylines, but feels it’s now time for a change.”

Some eagle eyed Corrie fans spotted Catherine Tyldesley's hint at her exit last week.

Catherine posted a throwback photo of her posing alongside Tisha and co-star Katie McGlynn with the caption: “These sexy ladies. Gonna miss our Tish.”

She won't be the only one who'll miss Tish and Steph Britton, I love the character of Steph.

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Steph and Andy - Coronation Street's best couple?

It's always the quiet ones, the unassuming ones, the characters in the background on a slow burner that you want to see more of. And at the moment, it's Steph and Andy - Coronation Street's best couple by far.

Robert has no idea how much of a little gem he's got working for him in the form of Steph. Andy, well, he plays his part too!  But the pair of them together are keeping the Bistro going, holding the place steady while Robert and Nick rock it from side to side, threatening to throw everything overboard.

I've long been a fan of Steph and it's only recently that I think the pairing of her with Andy is really starting to work.  I'm loving these two together.  And if Andy's zombie-fest party is anything to go by the other night, we've got a lot to look forward to with this unassuming Corrie couple.

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Five Characters I Would Like to See More of on our Screens

 

Flaming Nora recently blogged about five characters she could do without. So, inspired by her great idea, I decided to blog about five characters I would like to see more of and would love to hear what you think.

Firstly, I would make a plea for Steph to appear more frequently and for longer. Lately all we've seen of her is when she is working in the bistro. True, she does get the occasional one liner but an actress of her calibre could do so much more. She is, as she demonstrated in the 'pictures on the internet' story, a skilled performer and she could easily carry a weighty storyline. Beautiful, talented, with an excellent ability to deliver a comedic touch, this girl is seriously under-used.

Secondly, Steph's brother Luke - currently in a relationship with Maria. It may just be my opinion but I wonder if others are less than convinced by Maria and Luke. I wonder too why Luke, who is a decent, handsome and intelligent young man is content to languish in a back street garage as Kevin and Tyrone's underling. Does he have ambitions? Might he want to open his own garage at some point in the future or even turn his capable hand to something else either car related or not? He doesn't seem to lack confidence and nor does his younger sister Steph, for that matter. Perhaps they could go into business together? Perhaps they could take advantage of government business incentive loans.

Third on my list is the jewel of a character who is Craig. What a joy he is and what a long-suffering son to his somewhat less intelligent mum, Beth. After having been ditched by Caitlin, it would have been interesting to hear more of  his thoughts and feelings about this. He did seem keen on her. He need some mates, other boys his age. It would be an opportunity to show young people in a favourable light, intent on various projects or working over their summer holidays, perhaps in preparation for gaining a university place. I believe that Craig is studying for A levels, but it would be good to learn some specifics and to see his interests in the world developing. A Gap Year maybe? Whatever it is, let's be knowing.

I would like to see more of Beth, but a calmer. more thoughtful side where she becomes a more rounded person and not just typecast as a figure of fun, as she is so often portrayed. To see her in serious conversation with the son whose initial she wears round her neck, would potentially be an excellent scene. How might Beth react to his ambitions and the possibility that he might leave home before long?  It occurs to me to consider whether or not Kirk might hold her back. In fairness to Kirk though, he does convey show emotional intelligence and it would be hard to find a fairer more compassionate man on the cobbles than Kirk, even though his intellect will not set the world alight.

And finally, my fifth choice is Mary. Yes, it's true she did have some storylines to get her teeth into fairly recently, but now, armed with her award for best comedy actor in the soaps, it would be more than a welcome decision, in my book, to use her more. I sense that Mary and Gemma similarly divide opinion, but I can see those two developing a friendship of sorts...










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