Alan Halsall Interview : "It's A Spanner In The Works!"

Family man Tyrone Dobbs got the shock of his life last week, upon discovering old flame Alina had concealed a secret son from him! It was no shock to us Corrie fans, as her departure was a harbinger of an ending -  it was obvious this day would come! Less obvious was me finding out back in June when I had the privilege of visiting Corrie’s Salford studios to chat with Alan Halsall (who plays Tyrone) who told us all about this latest addition to the Dobb’s blended family!

Hello Alan!

Did you ever wonder when Alina would return to the show with Tyrone’s baby?  “I knew this was gonna happen! Also, the fans knew as well, I think everyone knew apart from Tyrone, bless him. I knew this would be a spanner in the works!” 

Did fans ask you about it when Alina originally left?

“All the time! What the scriptwriters did was very clever, wasn't it? Everyone knew before Tyrone, but Tyrone is the last person to know anything about his life, anyway. It worked out well - fans would stop me and say ''She’s gonna come back with your baby”, so they did cotton on very fast” 

How does he react when he sees Dorin for the first time?

“A child involved definitely changes things for Tyrone because he is a family man he wants to do right by his children, so he wants to do right by him and feels that throughout this. It’s a whirlwind of emotions for him - he’s confused by the situation. He’s got a lot of opinions around him - his teenage daughters, his wife, Cassie, and of course, Evelyn, who has an opinion about everything, so he has to try and navigate his way through, and do the right thing for other people too”

Do you think he would like a relationship with Dorin or, is he aware that this could damage the relationship with Fiz and the girls? 

“I think it's both and because of his upbringing. He doesn't want that for Dorin, he knows what that feels like. He’s aware of family feelings, and he wants to make everyone happy. Generally, we see Tyrone try and make everyone happy but he never seems very good at that”

Fiz is understandably worried about Alina’s return. Do you think Tyrone's feelings for Alina could reignite? 

“No, to be honest, I think Tyrone did learn his lesson when they finally got back together and married - after splitting up many times: Fiz got with Kirk, Ty got with Kirsty, and of course - big Phill! There have been plenty of situations when Ty and Fiz haven't been together, and that bubbled on for 20 years, so I think he knew that this was the right thing ( to get married to Fiz) to do. He thinks Fiz has nothing to worry about, but she will be concerned!”

Are you enjoying seeing his life turned upside down again? 

“I’ve seen that plenty of times, to be honest! With Jenny (McAlpine, Fiz) being on maternity, we haven't seen the domestic bliss (if you like) of Tyrone and Fiz’s marriage, the two kids, Nana living with them, his new mum… For it to go upside down so quickly and for Alina to return with a child onboard, it will divide a lot of people, and that's just within that house” 

Thanks, Alan!  

With Alina due to stick around for the foreseeable, are Ty and Fiz in danger of splitting up again? Dorin Dobbs does have a ring to it! 

I’m your Corrie Blogger @rybazoxo on X  

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Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 9th of November 8 pm

With discriminatory language and views that some readers may find offensive… 

No, I am joking because this is the coronation street blog, but I did wonder, when starting this review, why that warning would be needed when watching the show on catch-up online. 

This is a slightly skewed slant, but I wanted to get the Max storyline out of the way first. Max the vulnerable lad is slowly being lured into Griff's web of right-wing political tyranny, and with Spider elsewhere, the little fly is starting to get stuck. Tonight, Max is keen to start afresh at Speed Daal, after Monday's disaster, and Lauren turns up to meet him after his shift. Visibly uncomfortable by the staff, Lauren makes a quick exit. Back at HQ (the Weatherfield answer to The Berghof), Max is shocked as his girlfriend explains her ill feeling of being at the curry house, telling Max that Daryan was perving and freaking her out. Max collars Daryan at Speed Daal, asking for an apology, which he gives to them, but Alya is quick to correct the error of his ways. Later, Lauren leads Max to his bedroom. I guess the pre-episode warning was to do with the vague suggestions of racism, and I'm left wondering how far this storyline will go.

Fighting man Tyrone Dobbs is up against the ropes again tonight, what with the video of his slap going viral in Weatherfield, the dozy Dad struggles with his latest actions and the threat of the book's early release. Adam Barlow is hoping to halt publishing with a defamation claim, telling Ty and Fiz they need a fast £100K to stop publication. Facing unrealistic costs, and a tight court deadline, the couple admit defeat, telling Adam they simply can't afford it. Unfortunately, that also means relaying the news to Hope. The little girl is distraught, rightfully blaming Tyrone for lying and making her anger known. Fiz is concerned about Tyrone’s violent outbursts and tells her his masculinity has been hurt, which explains his gym trips. Later, the police call round and arrest him for that slap. Fiz talks to Hope and tries to explain his actions, whilst Tyrone gets off with a caution. Adam is also busy elsewhere tonight, checking in on Stu’s case with Alya, who has obviously picked up the legal jargon, following her victory with Dee-dee. 

Talking of court, Bernie receives a summons tonight, to face jewellery robbery charges, and tempted by Dev’s offer of a posh hotel spa treat, Bernie seems to think this is where Fern would be residing. Hiding in plain sight? Doubtful. Anyway, she arrives at the hotel, masquerading as Fern Lindon, (surname revealed). At the hotel, Bernie tries to access the hotel system and inadvertently gets caught in the act by Howard, a hotel guest, who just happens to be Fern’s ex-husband. She makes up a bizarre excuse but then tells him the truth. Knowing his ex-wife, Howard admits to believing her and tells Bernie that Fern robbed him as well. Although he obviously hates her, he refuses to help her find Fern. Later, at the rovers, Bernie tells her assembled family about her findings, only for Howard to turn up. He tells her that he will talk to the police. 

Meanwhile, Summer's surrogate pregnancy has moved from Billy’s pokey flat to the new setting of the builder’s yard maisonette. Summer seems to have moved in okay but tonight she’s still feeling poorly, and whilst working at Underworld, Jacob tries to convince her to tell the bosses she’s pregnant, and to tell Aaron how she’s feeling. She appears to refuse both. Meanwhile, Tracy visits and makes herself at home, just like Blanche or Dierdre would have - loved that!

Elsewhere, Sam’s restorative justice crusade towards Harvey, as touching as it is admirable, continues with pace tonight. With a visitor from the crime victim scheme (it's a real thing, by the way) Sam discusses his thoughts about his grief journey and the counsellor agrees it's a good idea, much to Nick and Leanne’s dismay - will Harvey agree to it though? 

I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan. 

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Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 20th of July 8 pm

50 grand, 30 grand, or 24 grand? That's tonight's prize money in the Corrie crime caper competition. Compensation or ransom money: I can't say I'm bothered, either way. I'd much rather we see a random romance on the red rec or in the rovers but in this Netflix / TV streaming era, they need to add spice to the Corrie hotpot. Tonight, Kelly remains trapped by her random enforcers in what I can only assume is a disused part of the Redbank building?  It's a superb set design! Kelly’s captors continue to menace her in the darkly lit basement whilst Gary scurries around to try and find the (ridiculous) £50K ransom demand -he still manages to get £24K (!) from somewhere.

Meanwhile, Maria gets a call from P.C Tinker telling her that the naughty handbag tracker has led them to arrest Darren, the environmental guy, who perved over her at last week’s council shindig. She tells Gary this, but he’s more concerned about assuring Kelly’s safety, who remains trapped and in danger - with distant police sirens giving a sinister edge to the proceedings. Gary meets the kidnappers and gives them £24K, but the men refuse to give her up. Later, he uses a tracker (are they a good thing, now?) to find Kelly but he gets knocked out in a scuffle. Gary soon awakens and crowbars the kidnapper, threatening to finish him off. Kelly then sees that side of him, the murderous one that we viewers all know. Later on, and safely home, they both discuss the aftermath of violence, and a palpable tension is now present between them.  

 

Speaking of silly money amounts and crime, Debbie is struggling to get Ed that compo cash together, and rather than face bankruptcy, starts to get desperate. Aggie seems hellbent on wringing Debbie dry of £30K (a bit steep for an electric shock, but yeah okay) Meeting at Number 3, it seems it's a stalemate, with Aggie demanding the money, and within weeks. Will she kidnap Debbie if Ed doesn't get the cash? I am joking, but I do wonder how Debbie will get out of it? Anyway, that's enough of Corrie's crime for tonight's episode review. In a lighter and more traditional Corrie sense of things;

Gail organises another family meal for the Platt clan, and David announces a planned surprise for Audrey. I wonder if Max will reappear yet? In the meantime, David has a hard time tonight coming up against Gail, and an unforgiving Audrey. I wonder why the lad bothers! Funny though.  

I don't play the sport, but I did find myself agreeing with Sean tonight ( a very rare thing) when faced with Frank’s awful attitude towards football and his blatant machismo. Finally showing his true colours to Dylan, Sean did the decent thing by dumping him, I thought, and in fact, that was my favourite moment tonight: real-life relatable drama. 

Elsewhere - Phill conjures up another cringeworthy romcom moment in the factory, hurting his back. Helped by Fiz, he deliriously agrees to sign the annulment. Tyrone gets a new tattoo to cover up the AP, and it looks like Mick Hucknall, he didn't realise you can have laser removal treatment! It is expensive though. If I was him I'd borrow some from Gary Windass, or Aggie, just don't be asking Debbie, I think she's skint! 

I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan 

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Coronation Street Episode Review;Wednesday 13th of July 8 pm

Would it be even a Wednesday without a Platt family meal? It would appear not, going off these past few weeks, and tonight the Audrey family trust fund continues to grate with certain parties. With Stephen as a mediator, David is the agitator, and even though Gail is paying, Audrey’s finances are the main focal point - the meal ends before it even begins. Nick sends apologies but Max is not in attendance either and hasn't been seen for a bit. The lad had a gripe with Maria recently, and he's skilled with social media visuals. Isn't this all a bit obvious? It’s not to Maria though, whose heightened sense of paranoia seems to be correct. We learn tonight that she’s being stalked, but by whom? Jimmy the random refuse collector, or the street’s resident online orchestrator? 

Maria and Kelly attend some council event at chariot square, and Jimmy threatens Maria. She’s then propositioned by some sleazy councillor about the deep-fake video. Sleazy lecherous councillors? It would seem that the writers probably watch Newsnight! Either way, it would seem Maria is being dangerously hounded on and off-line. We later learn that her mobile phone is being tracked anonymously by some tik-tok gimmick - a tracker was posted in her bag. Gary takes her to the cop shop and the police promise to chat with Jimmy. As it’s Weatherfield police, I imagine they won't be solving this anytime soon. I think I've solved it already, actually. It's Max, isn't it?? Later, David decides on a positive plan to cheer Audrey up. 

Reunited at last, Fiz and Ty's conscious re-coupling sees them telling the girls all about it, but they must keep it a secret from Phill. I’m all for guinea pigs and chocolate fountains for bribery purposes too, but Hope to keep schtum? Not a chance! Speaking of which, Tyrone has booked them into a couples therapy session. Admirable, but aren't they ignoring Hope’s obvious counselling needs? 

Meanwhile, Phill’s still clinging to the idea of getting back with Fiz and tries some sort of romcom guff, in full view of the street and factory staff. Fiz's mortified (she isn't the only one). I like how Kirk was involved, I just wished he’d have done his Classic Corrie Eminem impression -  that was actually funny and far less excruciating to watch than this was. Elsewhere, Phill asks Tyrone to go with him on the mini-moon holiday break. 

 

Steve's N0.1 problem may be about to go through the roof if Ed has anything to do with it? The warring neighbours have sparred a bit over this already, and with Aggie getting involved, Steve's directionless repair ideas (he used to be a builder and led the team that built Victoria St shops & the medical centre, but yeah, whatever) lead him to cross swords with the street’s other builder. Aggie forces Ed to take the job on at mates rates, but I doubt Steve and Ed will be pals anytime soon. Meanwhile, Ed is given a new business proposition by Ronnie. A new set of Weatherfield houses or will they be off-screen, I wonder?  

 

Elsewhere tonight - Micheal Bailey reappears with baby Glory. Paul also returns. Tim and Sally talk tantric sex (rank!). Tim privately confides in Aggie and decided to try some self-care (ranker!) I can only wonder where their confidential little chats are heading. Stephen decides to return to Milan. I agree with David on that one. Bye!

I am @rybazoxo self-styled cobbles connoisseur & Coronation Street superfan 

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