Who will Nick's pick be?

With the news that Nick Tilsley looks set to return to Coronation Street, the first thing I thought was: "Who will be his love interest?"

He's sure to be good looking and there is no shortage of beautiful women to chase on the cobbles. I have speculated on just that subject and to see who I think might be the one he'll end up with, read over here.

Stephanie Beacham 'may return to Corrie'

The Press Association have run a story with a bit of a twist. It reports that Stephanie Beacham says that she's been approached by ITV about making a Corrie comeback as Ken Barlow's barge floozy Martha Fraser. "The producers are interested in bringing Martha back so I may well be returning to the Street."

And the twist? At the end of the article, it states that a Coronation Street spokeswoman says: "There are no plans for the character of Martha to return at the moment."

But never mind Ken and Martha, isn't it time Deirdre got herself a bit on the side? Perhaps another young man... like this hunky one who's returning?

Platt prodigal son returns

The ITV Corrie site broke the news today that Nick Tilsley is returning to Weatherfield!

By the end of the year, Gail will have her first-born son back within reach of the apron strings again on Coronation Street, albeit with a new head. The last Nick was played by Adam Rickett who is now happily ensconced in New Zealand on a soap there, Shortland Street, so the casting call has gone out for a hunky man about the age of 30.

Oddly, the news article says that David never got on with his older brother but that's not true, is it? David adored his older brother but really didn't know him very well. Nick spent quite a few years in Canada while David was growing up and then left the area after a brief return. His exes, Leanne and Maria are still around, of course, and then there's a few other randy young women that will certainly give him the glad eye. (Yes, Rosie, I'm looking at you, and you, too, Mrs. Molly Dobbs! Trollops, the pair of ye's!)

Coronation Street hot spots in Manchester

Emails to the blog continue to ask when the Coronation Street set will be reopened to fans. The last we heard was that the set's still closed to the public.

So, for fans planning a trip to Manchester who want to see some Corrie sights, where would you recommend they visit as they can't get into the set?

How about these suggestions:
The Old Grapes pub owned by Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) on Little Quay St.
Negresco restaurant on Deansgate. This was used for filming as The Queens pub when Liz McDonald was landlady.

Further out from Manchester:
The Navigation Inn, once owned by Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner)
The Lantern Pike Inn, where Tony Warren wrote his first Corrie scripts

If you can add to this list of places for Corrie fans to visit when they're in Manchester or the surrounding area, do please leave a comment below, with a weblink if you can, and I'll add details in.