Could Gloria be Glorious?

(This post was originally posted by Clinkers (David) on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2013.)

Yes, it's the question on the lips of the nation. Well maybe not but it did occur to me the other night that we may possibly be witnessing the re-birth of Boria Price as something far more glorious.

A lot of the dissatisfaction with the Gloria character may stem from the high regard in which people hold the actor Sue Johnston. Certainly this blogger anticipated the character with great interest but in my own mind, I'd assembled someone who was three parts Sheila Grant to one part Barbara Royle. In essence, I'd prepared myself for some warm-hearted, late middle-aged northern woman, dispensing common sense and sharp one-liners. Therein lay the disappointment. Instead, we gasped at the bo-ho, ill-mannered, unlikeable harridan who stormed on to t'cobbles and upset the regulars. What was there to warm to? A charmless mother of a character no one seemed to like.

With hope in our hearts, we now look on to see that the influence of Stuart Blackburn may have made inroads into Gloria. In recent episodes she seems to have softened. Her voice is a little lighter and she appears to be interacting with other residents in a much more positive manner. It never really made any sense in having an actor of Sue Johnston's calibre and foisting some hateful old bag of a character on her. As with Stephanie Cole, there is a wealth of talent and experience to be utilised. We have already witnessed some Corrie gold thanks to the Sylvia/Roy/Hayley storyline of recent days. The joy of these scenes however, does tend to make the efforts of others look decidedly ropey which is a pity.

Bringing Gloria in out of the cold could be a very clever move. With a stronger, more likable maternal figure at the head of the Price family, there is always the possibility that the character of Stella can be rescued and that Eva can blossom. Leanne's starting to feel like a lost cause so let's leave her out of the equation.

Having much-loved actors like Sue involved in Corrie should always be seen as a positive. I feel she was not served well by the Gloria of old. Here's hoping Uncle Stuart has rescued her and that Gloria's glory days are yet to come.



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