Dennis reverts to type

Llifon wanted to know whether Rita and Dennis ever really worked as a couple. I have to agree that though I loved the characters individually and I did like seeing them get together at first, in the long run, they were not an equal couple. It didn't really have anything to do with Rita being the one that supported them financially. There was no reason for all that business to do with Dennis having to rely on her for money. He's of pensionable age so why wouldn't he have a bit of money of his own?

It became clear over time, that she really was taking him for granted. Perhaps just looking for someone as a companion in her final years? Dennis has always been a bit of a lad. Llifon mentioned that he saw Rita and Dennis as friends and I would agree with that, as well. If it hadn't been for Lewis being in the picture or colouring Audrey's recent past with heartbreak, I could have seen him with her as a great couple. Rita may have been a rival to Elsie, Dennis' mother, back in the day but enough time has past that I never saw that as a barrier to this couple but their chemistry as lovers didn't gel.

Rita was dragging Dennis down. Dennis returned on a downswing in his life but he still had that bounce and love for life and adventure, a scheme or two, and a cheeky joke. Rita isn't the going concern she used to be and, as most women at her age, you wouldn't expect her to be. She's settled, she's comfortable and she wanted company. The opportunity to get back into the music business was right up his alley and he proved that he was good at it. Gloria loved helping out but Rita decimated his confidence at every turn.

Dennis may love Rita but I don't think it's the same kind of passion he will have for Gloria. She really is more supportive and isn't trying to change him. They're two of a kind. It's been obvious in recent weeks. Dennis and Gloria both are still very young at heart and still looking for a life that contains the unexpected. It's what drives both of them. They may not last but by'eck they'll have a good time while it lasts.

He went from this, looking at a long, predictable life:

To this, most definitely not knowing what was around the next corner:

You can hardly blame him, can you?

Philip Lowrie and Sue Johnston were both sadly underused. Both actors sparkle on screen but can only be as good as the material they're given. It was nice to have a Tanner back on the screen with the occasional references to the past. I suppose they decided on Rita to be Dennis' wife because of the history and the temptation of having another red-headed Mrs. Tanner was too much to resist.

If Dennis ever does return, probably with his tail between his legs in defeat, he'll still be happier for the adventure. If he does come back, I hope Rita doesn't take him back and he becomes a strong character in his own right. If he doesn't come back, I'll wish him well.




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Yay or Nay: Did Rita and Dennis work for you?

Last night saw Dennis Tanner leaving wife Rita for Gloria Price. Although, I heard Sharon Marshall on ITV’s This Morning the other day saying that Dennis will return. I don’t know if it’s a brief comeback or have the producers given the character a reprieve? Who knows?

But for me, the writing’s on the wall where the Tanners are concerned. They’ve reunited so many times in recent weeks it’s very hard to keep track of when they’re off or on so I feel that they’re better apart. Honestly, I’ve never seen them as a great couple. I like them as individual characters, but as a couple it felt awkward for me watching. I feel cheated since Dennis’ return almost three years ago. We were promised big things by Phil Collinson about the character and I was excited that maybe Dennis would inject some humour back into the oldies section of the show. We were promised that Dennis would ruffle Ken’s feathers. Yet, that never happened. I was glad that the gossip of a love triangle between Rita, Dennis and Emily weren’t true because these women aren’t attracted to the same kind of men. And his returning storyline of being homeless was dealt with in a few episodes, which I found annoying as there could’ve been more potential for it. We wanted to know what led to his downfall.

Another mistake I felt the producers did was immediately link Dennis with Rita. They invented this love story that dated back to 1964. Whereas, in reality, Rita only stayed with Dennis the one night and from what I can see they were just friends. A far more plausible scenario would’ve been for Emily to see Dennis in the homeless shelter and let him lodge with her. And then at the Rovers, Dennis would happen to see Rita and they’d catch up. Emily recalled that she walked in on Rita at No.11 back in 1964. But in that particular episode, Emily didn’t even appear! 

Whereas I accepted Rita taking in Dennis as an old friend, I felt uncomfortable when it was revealed that they would fall in love. The age gap didn’t concern me – Rita’s been with younger men that herself in the past like Alan Bradley, Fred Elliott and Colin Grimshaw. The fact was that Rita had been married to Len Fairclough, who had a long history with Dennis’ mother Elsie. Rita had a love/hate relationship with Elsie due to her friendship with Len. And for that on-screen history between Rita and Dennis’ mother I felt uncomfortable with the pairing. I would’ve been more comfortable to see Dennis embark on a relationship with Sylvia, Audrey or Gloria and maintain a strong friendship with Rita. Phil Collinson wanted to see another Mrs Tanner on the street and felt that Rita was the one to suit the bill. Realistically, I couldn’t imagine Rita wanting to have the same surname as her one-time rival.

Having got them married and having got his wish of a Mrs Tanner treading the cobbles once again, Collinson soon forgot about the couple and we quickly realised that the producers weren’t dedicated to the success of the couple. Dennis was quickly labelled the hen-pecked husband, living on Rita’s hand-outs. He tried to find some fun in life that was usually dampened by an uncharacteristically boring Rita. Possibly Dennis soon realised that the Rita he knew back in the day had changed and maybe regretted marrying her? Rita herself told Bet Lynch in 2002 that she had changed whereas Bet was still the same. The Rita of today is a far cry from the Rita of the 1970s and 1980s. She had an edge and was cheekier whereas now she's content on sitting in the Rovers with Emily and winding up Norris in the Kabin. She was linked to more rough characters like Len, Bet and Elsie and Alan Bradley. But when she became Mrs Sullivan she changed. She became more of a lady – her choice of men changed from the rough and ready to gentlemen like Ted Sullivan, Fred Elliott, Anthony Stephens and Archie Shuttleworth. Like Bet, Dennis hasn’t changed with age – he hasn’t morphed into Ken Barlow. And with that, possibly the gap between Dennis and Rita was there from the start.

And so, for me, it’s a big nay. I think Stuart Blackburn did us a favour separating the two characters but I am sorry that they’re thinking of axing Dennis because as a character he’s got potential, but not with Rita. Yes, they can maintain a friendship but what about associating Dennis with other characters and having his own storylines and ventures instead of just with Rita. And as a historian, I have also been annoyed at the lack of mentions to the past we’ve had from Dennis with other characters. Elsie’s been mentioned sometimes and a reference was made to Martha Longhurst. No mention was given when he first walked into the Rovers and seeing the changes to the place. No mention of the Walkers or the snug. It’s been criminal that the scenes between him and Ken and Emily were so low – they could’ve reminisced about Albert Tatlock, Frank and Ida, David, Leonard Swindley and Gamma Garments. Dennis could’ve mentioned Valerie to Peter in a poignant moment or reminisced with Gail and Deirdre about Elsie. He could’ve walked into the Corner Shop and say “Eh, what would Lionel Petty say about this place?” So much potential lost. 

What’s your verdict on the Tanners? I’d love to hear your thoughts and sorry for rambling on!

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What's happened to the women of Weatherfield?

(This post was originally posted by Clinkers (David) on the Coronation Street Blog December 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)

As the holiday season approaches, it would seem that the lovely ladies of the cobbles have come down with a nasty dose of shrew-itus. Whichever door your care to knock at, the chances are that it will be answered by a woman with a bad attitude or one who has had a personality transplant.

Take Gloria. No really, please take her. The bo-ho bint has spent over a year being unpleasant. Every sentence was riddled with a nasty barb and yet here she is, sweetness and light, toying with the increasingly odd Dennis Tanner. Will somebody please return the old sourpuss back where she belongs as the new version is a worry.

Of course, Dennis' slightly over-the-top manner may be due to him living with the Moral Majority known as Rita. In the space of a few weeks, the red-headed lovely has morphed into a spiteful old spitbag. On she goes, berating and badgering. A snipe here, a snotty word there. Rita, please sit yourself down and have a big hot cup of shut up.

Meanwhile at the Rovers, pray silence for the Sisters Grim. Michelle is now folding her arms so frequently that Steve is considering installing hinges on her armpits. She beats a steady, sour path from 'back room' to bar, stopping only to offer a stream of vindictiveness with her partner-in-doom, Liz 'Ronald' McDonald. Liz has proved, as if we actually ever needed proof, that she will never step forward to receive a Mother of the Year award. While she laughs, snorts and points at Steve, maybe she ought to remember who invited her back to the Rovers. Maybe Steve will get the last laugh and send these two mirthless hyenas packing.

Kylie we love. Let's re-iterate: we love Kylie. There are ominous signs though that she is starting to do a 'Becky', that endless cycle of joy and retribution. Please, powers-that-be, let's not go there.

Eileen continues to shuffle around like the Ghost of Christmas Past, now aided by her '36 year old' (stop sniggering) sister. We've had the Sisters Grim, now make way for the Sisters Grimshaw. Maybe 2014 will be kinder to them.

Add to this bunch a slightly batty Carla, all of the Armstrong/Windass women, Tangerine Tina and creepy Gail languishing in the House of Oedipus and you have a somewhat disconcerting bunch of females. We should cling to and cherish the likes of Audrey, Beth and for a little while longer, Hayley. As for the rest? They need an away day in Morecambe. Now.




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Does Corrie make the most of its senior cast members?

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in December 2013.)

By gum but Coronation Street can be frustrating. It has all the elements of the best television programme on earth, yet recently it just keeps falling short. There are lots of big, explosive storylines and headline grabbing action, but I just don't feel the writers are making the most of the talent available.

This view has been reinforced only this very Sunday morning with the news that Philip Lowrie has been reportedly axed as Dennis Tanner. In my view one of the few really good things to happen under the reign of Phil Collinson was the decision to bring back Dennis. Philip Lowrie is such a good character and such an important link to former glories.

Apparently the Corrie writers can't think of anything else to do with him after being so underused for the past three years. I just can't fathom it.

There have been scant references to his glorious mother Elsie, no return for his sister Linda. Dennis has barely been seen on screen with characters like Deirdre, Audrey and Gail - characters who knew Elsie well back in the 70s. I'm not saying Corrie should live in the past, but I do think it is a fondness for what has gone before that keeps many of us loyal viewers watching. Instead we get a constant, tedious diet of Tina's trysts, Tracy's tantrums and Windass wingers.

The older Corrie cast are fast diminishing. It was inevitable really, but surely the sad losses in recent years should galvanise the writers to invest in the classic characters we are still lucky to have, while we have them? 

Rita still has plenty of screen time, but mainly as a foil to TIna's latest exploits. Involvement with Tina has turned Rita into something of a daft old dear. Would Rita really keep bailing Tina out and involving herself in all those dramas? Gail and Audrey are also still prominent but again only as a backdrop to the younger characters' infidelities and outlandish acts. Why can't Gail have a strong storyline of her own? Why can't Audrey? Let's see a female friend from either of their pasts come back and revitalise them.

We seldom see Emily these days and Norris also barely gets a look in. The biggest disappointment for me is the chronic way Deirdre has been underused of late. We've seen glimpses of the old sparkle whenever Anne Kirkbride has been given a chance, however I struggle to recall the last time she carried a major storyline of her own. 

So can it be true that storyline ideas for the older cast are drying up? 

Surely these longstanding characters should still be what drives the programme, even if they are all reaching a certain maturity. 





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When Corrie characters just don't work

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

Now then, Gloria turned out to be not so glorious after all.

For many Corrie fans the writing was on the wall from day one. Who was this spiteful interloper, this bo-ho battle-axe? There was never a chance to warm to Gloria simply because there was nothing for us to cheer for.

A mean-mouthed mother of a character no one really liked. None of this is the fault of the superb Sue Johnston. She simply worked with what she was given. For UK viewers, familiar with Sue's sterling work in Channel 4 soap Brookside, and long-running BBC comedy The Royle Family, it was a real disappointment.

Of course, it isn't the first time that a cobbles character has failed to gel. Between us we could probably name enough to stretch from the Red Rec to the Weathy Arms but here's a few of my own top flops:

Amy Burton

Played by Fanny Carby, Amy was ushered in as Vera's mother towards the end of 1987. Generally loud, uncouth and a poor replacement for Hilda Ogden, Amy was eventually uncovered as a petty thief and booted out of the Street forever. We didn't miss her.

The Clayton Family

If ever a bunch of characters made you want to scream out "wrong!" then these were the bunch to do it. Tedious trumpet playing milkman, gruff unsympathetic wife, dull-as-ditch water daughter who had an improbable liaison with Terry Duckworth. Oh and there was another daughter but who cared? Not the viewers. After some old nonsense about a frock and the bay-beh storyline, it was goodbye.

Debs Brownlow

Natalie Barnes' hair-dressing sister bored us rigid with her unconvincing 'eeh-bah-gum' accent. Memorable for 'nowt', she was cut and blown from Weatherfield with Natalie's Geordie barman.

Lauren Wilson

She lasted barely six months and that was possibly five months too many. Nothing about this grim barmaid worked and it was with no regret whatsoever that we waved her off on holiday to Spain where Sean Tully left her.

Ravi Desai

The long-forgotten former Corner Shop owner who was forever referring to Rita as 'dear lady' and generally being creepy. He disappeared overnight and returned to India . . . and was immediately replaced by the unique Dev Alahan.

Just a handful of those who maybe did not shine as brightly as anticipated. Which other characters brightened up Weatherfield by simply packing their bags and leaving?



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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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Price family to be made into Corrie's top clan

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog April 2013, reposted to this blog with permission.)


There's a Coronation Street spoiler today in today's Sun that says all members of the Price family, including the detested (in our house) St Ella, have been given another year's worth of work on the soap.

I'm happy to hear that Jane Danson (Leanne), Sue Johnston (Gloria) and Catherine Tyldesley (Eva) will all be staying on after Corrie bosses gave them one year contract extensions.

But St Ella's staying too and that does not gladden the heart of this Corrie fan. I won't bang on, you already know how much she spoils Corrie for me.

The Sun piece says that Corrie has started writing a host of new storylines which will make them the most heavily-featured characters in Weatherfield.

I wonder what Emmerdale's like these days? Anyone?



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Is the Price finally right?

(This post was originally posted by Chewy on the Coronation Street Blog in March 2013.)

This probably wont be the most popular opinion, but I think the Price family are finally becoming a 'Corrie family', for a long time now, we've had to endure St. Ella of the back room, and nobody in the show has actually reference how interfering she actually can be, until last night.

Sunita probably deserves best name caller of the year in the 2013 blog awards (a while off yet!) for her line "St. Stella of Weatherfield" and "Like Norris with bad roots!" perhaps we are starting to see the humanisation of St. Stella, with her no longer appearing as a know it all street councillor, instead as an interfering landlady.

Eva has also grown into a great character, she can be bitchy, but at the same time, she can be vulnerable, she's probably the better of the Price sisters, as Leanne has a bit of a self righteous side that can make her very unlikeable at times.

Gloria's return has been surprisingly good, during her original stint last year, the character was hard to like, Sue Johnston was great, but the character herself just came across as a bit mean and sometimes nasty, that side to Gloria hasn't gone, but she's finally realised that perhaps family is more important than money.

I do think that perhaps finally, we might see Stella in a different light, up until now Phil Collinson has made the character appear perfect, so that we find it easier to like her, which has ended up having the opposite effect, with Stuart Blackburn in charge, perhaps that will change.



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Why Corrie's Glo fails to glow

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in February 2013.)

Are sympathetic characters out of fashion in Weatherfield? When the powers that be first announced the casting of Sue Johnston I was thrilled. I have always admired Sue's performances on screen and had great hopes for an enjoyable stint in Coronation Street. However, the honest truth is, I haven't enjoyed one bit of it and I thoroughly dislike her character.

What a waste of good talent! I'm not about apportioning blame, but something has gone wrong somewhere along the line. I am not criticising Sue Johnston's acting talents at all, but the character of Gloria Price has just not taken off in my eyes. All she does is cause trouble for her family, pick fights and deceive people. I had hoped her return last night would see a change in direction, but no: within two episodes she had upset her entire family and picked fights with Carla and Peter. It wasn't enjoyable to watch, it wasn't dramatic, it wasn't even funny.

Gloria's arrival in Weatherfield was based on a great big whopper of a lie. During her first stint she took advantage of her daughter, meddled in her private life and interfered in anything she fancied. She also upset the Rovers regulars. Then we had the yawnsome Pub of the Year debacle and finally the scam with Gail over Lewis. Not exactly a blaze of glory was it?

Don't get me wrong. I wasn't expecting a rehash of Barbara Royle or Sheila Grant, I hoped we would get something different. Just not this. Corrie has successfully introduced well known actresses in the past. I would love Rula Lenska to return as Claudia Colby one day, and Stephanie Cole continues to be superb as Roy's mum Sylvia. 

I had hoped Gloria's arrival would improve my feelings towards St Ella of the Back Room and her daughter Eva. However I still couldn't care less about St Ella and while Eva is in a different league completely, she's no Raquel.

Part of the problem is that Gloria has failed to interact with other characters in the Street. Practically all her scenes are with St Ella, Eva or Leanne. There was a brief glimmer of hope when Gail helped her out months ago, but nothing really came of that, apart from the dreadful scam over Lewis.


I'm not saying it's too late to salvage something from the wreckage. I keep waiting for the writers to explore Gloria's past and explain why she is the damaged, unpleasant woman she appears to be. If we are to take Gloria Price to our hearts, this better happen soon. 




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Sue Johnston reveals what it's like being Corrie's Gloria Price

Gloria Price is proving to be a bit of a Marmite character on Coronation Street. I love her, but from some of the comments left here on the Coronation Street Blog whenever we blog about her, it's clear not everyone feels the same way and her character really splits fan opinion.

Well, love her or hate her, Gloria returnedto the Street this week and this time, as we know, and she brought her fella Eric, played by veteran actor Timothy West.

There's an excellent interview in the Mirror with Sue Johnston, who plays Gloria Price.  Sue says she gets more attention from the public as Gloria than she ever did as the wonderful Sheila Grant from Brookside.

She says: “It is a high-profile soap but I have been quite shocked really by the reaction. Even when I was in Brookside and The Royle Family I didn’t really get recognised. But the other day I was in Manchester and, even without Gloria’s wig on, I only had to speak and someone said, ‘Oh, it’s Gloria!’ The Street is far bigger than anything I have ever experienced. When I go to Liverpool to watch the football I have always been Sheila Grant but now it’s Gloria! I also have people saying to me, ‘I’m seriously going off you now. You are a nasty piece of work’. It’s very funny.”

Sue says she wouldn't like to see Gloria settle down. “She has got to be a wild card, really, to keep everyone guessing – that’s what makes her more interesting. But he obviously has got a past and that is all rather exciting. Gloria is very straight-talking. She is the sort of woman that I wish I had the courage to be sometimes. She really doesn’t care what people think. Sometimes I think that is rude. I don’t think I could be as insensitive as her but it’s great to play someone like that because they get the best lines.”

So, who's glad to see the return of the Golden Glo?


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Meet Gloria's first B&B customer at Rovers Return

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog October 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

This picture shows actor Gregory Cox as an undercover journalist on Coronation Street.  He'll be seen on screen on Sunday, October 14, and Monday, October 15, as Laurence Carnegie - a secret reviewer who is checking out the bed and breakfast at the Rovers Return.

Mr Cox said: “Laurence was a great character to play as he gets treated like a lord by the landlady to impress him and hence get a good review. So ITV caterers provided splendid breakfasts and high teas which I naturally shared with the cast and crew. It was great working up in Manchester as they are much friendlier up there - not a cliche - and my daughter Georgie now lives there, so we could meet up.”

This year the actor, who is married to actress Robin Miller, worked with Mike Figgis on his new film Suspension of Disbelief, due out shortly. He is also busy filming the last episode of Poirot.



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What do you think of Gloria so far?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog September 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

While I'm loving the recent addition to Coronation Street of Sue Johnston as Gloria Price, (As do I, here at Bluenose blog!) comments left over on the Coronation Street Blog and on their facebook page show that other fans don't feel the same.

For this fan, Gloria is a breath of fresh air. She's a flirt, she's funny, rude and forthright, she's clearly got a past that she's not afraid to airbrush to suit her needs. And in her interaction with Gail, we know she's got a soft and vulnerable side too - all the makings of a classic Corrie matriach.

I think Gloria's great. But what you reckon to Gloria Price on Corrie so far? Is she your Golden Glow or do you think she should go?


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Gloria Price to be a classic Corrie matriarch

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog July 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

There's an excellent interview in The Radio Times with Sue Johnston, who appeared on Coronation Street last night as Gloria Price.

Sue describes Gloria as “A horror!” and within minutes of appearing on the cobbles, Gloria brands the Rovers Return “grotty” and startles a kimono-clad Ken.  Sounds great fun

Sue has appeared in Corrie before, with a  short stint as bookie’s wife Mrs Chadwick. In the interview with Radio Times journalist David Brown, she says: “I remember it so clearly because I was terrified. At the time, the characters were truly legendary and some of the actors were very intimidating. It really was true that if you sat in somebody else’s seat in the green room, you’d get in trouble. Thankfully, Liz Dawn [Vera Duckworth] took me under her wing and we’ve been close friends ever since. She was one of the first people I called when I knew I was going to be in the show and she was delighted. 

“One of my strongest memories from 30 years ago was being in the ladies loos when Doris Speed [Annie Walker] entered. I froze. This was Doris Speed! I stood in awe as she chatted away to me ten to the dozen. She then brought her Annie Walker wig out of her bag still talking away. She popped it on, snapped into role, left the toilets and walked straight into the Rovers. I thought about that on the first day that I walked onto the Rovers set and had a chuckle to myself.”

Read the full interview here.

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Interview with Sue Johnston as Gloria Price (slight spoilers)

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog August 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

These are the first shots of Sue Johnston’s arrival in Coronation Street as meddling Gloria Price.

Gloria arrives out of the blue from her home in Spain to surprise daughter Stella (Michelle Collins) and granddaughter Eva (Catherine Tyldesley). But it is Gloria who gets the surprise when she discovers that Stella’s fella Karl has been playing away with Sunita Alahan. And she is finally re-acquainted with her long lost granddaughter Leanne (Jane Danson).

As these pictures show Gloria wastes no time in confronting Karl (John Michie) about his affair and letting him know exactly how she feels. Larger than life, ballsy and outspoken Gloria will be in the great tradition of strong Weatherfield women who don’t take no for an answer and live life to the full. It soon becomes clear that Gloria has been economical with the truth about her reasons for leaving Spain and the sparks fly between her and her daughter as she tries to stamp her mark on the Rovers.

And the ladies of Weatherfield quickly discover that they will have to keep an eye on their men as she sets her sights on both Dennis and Lewis.

Corrie producer Phil Collinson said: “I'm delighted to welcome Sue Johnston to the cast of Coronation Street.  She is a national treasure and a stunning actress.  She has been at the heart of the very best comedy and drama the UK has produced over last 30 years and will step into the heart of Coronation Street as her character, Gloria, takes up running The Rovers with daughter Stella.”

Sue will make her Corrie debut as Gloria on Wednesday September 5th.

Interview with Sue
Thirty years ago a role in “Coronation Street” was SUE JOHNSTON’S first job in television. Now after a hugely successful career that’s seen her star in major television dramas, soap and sitcom, as well as creating at least two characters that became household names with Sheila Grant and Barbara Royale, Sue returns to the cobbles as Stella’s straight talking mother Gloria Price.

TELL US ABOUT GLORIA PRICE
I think people will be in for a surprise as she’s not the sort of character I’m usually associated with. She’s certainly not got the warmth or maternal instincts of Barbara or Sheila, in fact she’s a terrible mother.  I’ve still got so much to learn about her past with Stella but it’s fair to say she hasn’t always been there for her daughter and she gave her a bit of a rough ride when she was growing up. She’s very straight talking and just doesn’t care what she says and to whom she says it. She’s the sort of person who takes pride in shooting from the hip. It never wins her any friends but she’s clearly not bothered about that.  She wastes no time in ruffling feathers when she arrives in Weatherfield, which she thinks is a dump. As well as being blunt to the point of rudeness, she’s also a terrible flirt which is terrific fun and a great combination to play.

HOW DOES GLORIA LOOK?
Her appearance is also very different to many of the parts I’ve played in the past. I decided I didn’t want to go down the path of showing my cleavage and wearing animal prints.  Gloria’s a bit of an old hippy and I wanted her dress sense to reflect this. I went out shopping with the wardrobe department and we’ve chosen long skirts and flowing tops with lots of colours and lots of layers. Her look is very distinctive.

HOW DOES GLORIA ARRIVE IN WEATHERFIELD?
She comes from Spain where she’s been running a bar.  Her reasons for leaving are murky to say the least. Aside from the fact that they involve a man called Cliff and something a bit dodgy to do with his business, it’s clear she’s playing her cards very close to her chest when Stella quizzes her about her sudden appearance. Although she’s thrilled to see Stella and Eva and to meet Leanne, it’s not long before she’s showing her true colours. Stella never does anything right as far as Gloria is concerned, and she thinks running a grimy pub in a Manchester suburb represents her hitting rock bottom. She thinks the Rover’s is beneath her, and therefore so is anyone who drinks there. That doesn’t mean when she’s given the chance to rule the roost she doesn’t lap it up of course. When Stella goes away she leaves Gloria in charge and she decides she’s going to save the Rovers by putting it on the map at any cost.

HOW DOES SHE REACT TO THE NEWS THAT STELLA HAS THROWN KARL OUT?
She’s devastated. She thinks the world of Karl. She doesn’t care about his money problems and his womanising or that he’s had an affair with another woman. She thinks you have to pay a price to end up with someone as good as Karl and makes no bones about telling Stella she’s made another huge mistake by getting rid of him. One of the first things she does when she arrives is try to engineer a reunion. She knows perfectly well how much Karl has hurt Stella but that doesn’t matter. She won’t listen to anything anyone says. She’s always in the right and she’ll stop at nothing to get her own way.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE THE FIRST TIME YOU WALKED DOWN CORONATION STREET?

I played Mrs Chadwick the bookies wife and it was my big break. It was whilst I was playing the part that I was seen for this new soap that everyone was talking about called “Brookside”, and I got offered Sheila Grant. I’ll never know if Mrs Chadwick might have become a regular character because I only did a few episodes. But I remember it so clearly because I was terrified.

At this time the characters were truly legendary and some of the actors were very intimidating.  It really was true that if you sat in somebody else’s seat in the green room, you’d get in trouble. Thankfully Liz Dawn took me under her wing and we’ve been very close friends ever since. She was one of the first people I called when I knew I was going into the show and she was delighted.

One of my strongest memories from thirty years ago was being in the ladies loos when Doris Speed entered. I froze. This was Doris Speed! I stood in awe as she chatted away to me ten to the dozen. She then brought her Annie Walker wig out of her bag still talking away. She popped it on, snapped into role, left the toilets and walked straight into the Rovers. I thought about that on the first day that I walked onto the Rovers set and had a chuckle to myself.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMING BACK?
Not at all like the old days. I was still incredibly nervous because obviously I’m working with all these terrific actors who’ve created iconic characters but everyone has been welcoming and very kind. I’ve just filmed some scenes with Barbara Knox, because Rita is one of the first people Gloria goes into combat with, and she was wonderful. Because the characters are so familiar and I’ve always watched the show as a fan, I have to make sure I call people by their real names. So far my only mistake has been calling Craig Charles Lloyd and he laughed when I apologised.

DID YOU EVER EXPECT THAT YOUR CAREER WOULD BRING YOU BACK TO THE STREET?
I never really thought about it. I’ve never really planned my career, I’ve just sort of rolled along and thankfully I’ve been incredibly lucky. When Phil Collinson called my agent however to say they were interested it did feel like fate and it’s happened at an ideal time. My son Joel lives in Manchester and he and his wife Zoe have just had Rory my first grandchild. So my house in Muswell Hill, where I’ve lived for eighteen years, is on the market and I’ve decided to move near Manchester to be close to them.  It’s a time of big change but it feels right. I’m entering a new stage in my career and my life

WHO DO YOU MOST GET RECOGNISED AS, BY FANS?
I’ve been very lucky to have played parts that have become so familiar.  Most recently people shout out Barbara, and I like that. I love working on “The Royle Family” and I’m pleased that my contract on “Coronation Street” allows me time off to film the Christmas Special that is definitely happening this year.  I also still get Sheila and it’s usually at a Liverpool match or by younger people who I always think couldn’t possibly remember “Brookside.” I hope one day people might shout out “Gloria”, but of course I really like people calling me Sue best of all.

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What are you first impressions of Gloria Price on Coronation Street?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog September 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Sue Johnston is an actress I've long admired and I think in my heart she'll always be Brookside's Sheila Grant to me.  I've been looking forward to her arriving on Coronation Street for a-g-e-s.

And now she's turned up last night as Gloria Price. Mum to St Ella and grandma of Leanne and Eva.

Gloria's staggered back from Spain to lie low in Weatherfield.  Stella's reaction wasn't what she was expecting - but never mind that. What did you think of Gloria Price turning up in Coronation Street tonight and Sue Johnston's first episode as Gloria?

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