Julie Goodyear given Freedom of Rochdale

Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear MBE - better known to us Corrie fans as Bet Lynch - is to be given the freedom of the borough of her home town, Rochdale.

The honour is in recognition of her contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.

Julie said: “I am honoured, delighted and thrilled to accept this award from Rochdale Borough Council. I was born in Heywood and lived here all my life and never wanted to leave and live anywhere else so this is a very special award from the council. Rochdale is one of the best-known towns in the country and some very famous people have come from here so it will be truly wonderful to be given this honour.”

Councillor Richard Farnell, the leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Coronation Street has always enjoyed a special place in the heart of the nation and many of us grew up watching Julie pulling pints behind the bar of the Rovers Return. She is the world’s most famous barmaid who eventually became the second and most iconic landlady of the Rovers - and one of the most famous faces of British television."

Heywood councillor Peter Rush, who nominated Miss Goodyear, said: “I have known Julie for many years, including when she lived at the Bay Horse pub with her mother and father. She is a brilliant ambassador to Heywood, instantly recognisable with her long blonde hair and sports cars and always good to have around. The freedom of the borough is an honour that as a proud Heywoodian she well deserves and it was my pleasure to be one of the people that nominated her.”

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Consumed by Coronation Street

We're all excited for the impending sixth episode of Coronation Street later in the Autumn, not only because it'll bring more action, characters and storylines but also because there's to be an exciting set expansion alongside it. The last time we were given the opportunity to see more of Weatherfield was back in 1999 - the year of my birth, when us viewers saw the exterior of Victoria Street for the first time. Given I was yet to be born I don't know how Corrie watchers of the time felt about this new addition but I for one am very excited to see what the next few months brings in terms of businesses, houses and other recreational areas such as a small park which has been teased by Kate Oates.

The exploits of Hilda Ogden amazed viewers for 23 years

Anyway, onto the main point of my blog. This sixth episode will bring a whole extra half an hour a week of Coronation Street to us and whilst that doesn't seem a lot per week, in the long run we'll be spending a whole lot more time watching our favourite soap.

Over the past year, not including extended or extra episodes, or any times that an episode has been cancelled due to that god awful football, we've spent approximately five and a half days watching Corrie. That's nearly a whole week of a year that we spend dedicated to the lives of other people.

If you think that's a lot, just wait until this time next year, when we could have spent another whole day watching Corrie once the sixth episode is added to the weekly schedules.

But what makes us so transfixed by soap operas, and especially Coronation Street? Why are we so consumed by the daily goings on of a bunch of fictional characters? Just a few things worth thinking about as I conclude this small but important post. And who knows where we might be in ten years time? Could we see a 7th weekly episode?

You can find me on Twitter, @MichaelAdamsUk.

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Leon Ockenden reveals Will's stunt-filled Corrie exit

Leon Ockenden, who plays evil Will Chatterton in Coronation Street, is interviewed in this week's Inside Soap magazine.

He talks about his current storyline which sees Will wheedling his way into Michelle's affections. Whether Michelle will allow herself to be manipulated by him is another matter, of course.

He says that the storyline is going to get very dark we'll see the climax of the story in a special location - Will's house.

"Will's house is even more impressive than the last one - there's a swimming pool in the basement. Everything will come to a head there and I've been able to fulfil some childhood dreams of doing action fantasy sequences and stunts. There's no coming back from this for Will - but I don't want to be James Bond. I want to be the villain! It's more fun to play."

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Coronation Street - Schedule changes this week and next

Due to the football, there's schedule changes to Coronation Street this week and next.

THIS WEEK

A reminder that there's NO Coronation Street this Friday night, 1st September.

Coronation Street is on Sunday night, 3rd September instead. It'll be shown at 7pm for an hour.

NEXT WEEK

Next week there's NO Coronation Street on Monday 4 September.

It will be on Wednesday 6 September at 7.30pm for one episode.

And it will be shown as normal with double episodes on Friday 8 September at 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

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