Keith Duffy's Corrie return is shorter then originally planned.

Keith Duffy, who plays Irish barman Ciaran McCarthy, was on ITV's Lorraine programme yesterday morning. He was primarily there to support his son Jay, who joins rival soap Hollyoaks this week.

However Keith did confirm that he will be reappearing on the cobbles again this autumn, as he starts filming again in September. Kym Marsh, who plays Ciaran's on screen girlfriend Michelle, will start again then too.

Keith also said he won't be on screen for as long as he would like. This is because Jay has a big exam year, and his other child Mia, who has autism, is starting secondary school next year and he needs to be home in Dublin to support her with the transition.

This blogger think it's great Keith puts his family before work. Also, although Ciaran is a likeable character, I've not missed him while he's been off our screens. It'll be interesting to see how Michelle and Ciaran's relationship is looking though!

What does everyone else think of Ciaran and Michelle's upcoming return?

Is Phil Collinson a good Corrie Producer - Yay Or Nay?

Last week's Yay Or Nay asked Is There Too Much Drama On Corrie? The comments agreed with a Yay, with user Adam Reckitt saying "The saying truth is stranger than fiction highlights that drama can cross a line and become no longer credible. Corrie certainly did that with Jim's bank robbery, the Max story, Graeme and Xin etc."

This week, we are asking for your opinion on Phil Collinson - Is he a good Producer? Since joining Corrie, he has introduced many great storylines and certainly boosted Corrie from its disastrous Kim Crowther period. He led Corrie into its 50th birthday with the Tram Crash week, one of the best week of storylines since the Hillman era of 2001-2003. He was also at the helm when classic Corrie episodes such as Roy and Hayley's wedding were produced, and turned the stale Kevin/Molly story line into an enjoyable one.

However, he has also had his fair share of bad storylines, most notably the disastrous Graeme/Xin storyline which was an utter bore from start to finish. Truly awful stuff. And let's not forget the return of Tracy Barlow.

However, overall, I have liked his reign as the Producer of Corrie and hope he carries on for much longer, as he seems to understand the Corrie formula, unlike other producers such as Kim Crowther. So I am going to give him a Yay.

What about you?

Bet's Boogie

People have been complaining about the crime levels in Weatherfield as though this is a new phenomenon.  Clearly they weren't aware of this recording, in which Julie Goodyear tortures and murders Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made For Walking 

Lock her up and throw away the key!

Frank Foster rapes Carla Connor, says The Sun

Despite Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson saying that Corrie has too much crime, he's continuing with the ruination of Carla Connor this summer with a rape scene.  The Sun has more details today about psycho Frank Foster's sexual attack of Carla Connor and the paper says he rapes her after she calls off their wedding. Peter then comes to her aid and attacks Frank.  Dopey Maria offers support for Carla after she reports the rape to police.

The scenes will be screened in September  and will see Frank get angry with Carla when she announces her love for Peter. The scene will then cut straight to the aftermath of the attack.  Carla will be seen as she cowers in a foetal position, with a torn skirt and bruised wrists. Stupid nutter Frank will then try to convince her that the rape was HER fault.  Oh for God's sake, lock him up and throw away the script.

A source said: "These scenes will be uncomfortable to watch to say the least - but you don't see the actual rape because that might be too disturbing for younger viewers." 

Bosses and actress Alison, 38, have also been working closely with rape support groups to make sure the storyline is as realistic as possible.  

Oh, so that makes yet another rape story perfectly alright to show as entertainment in Corrie then? NOT!