Coronation Street meets Frozen

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog April 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Am I the only Coronation Street fan who thinks this?

Maybe I need to get out? Answers on a postcard, please.

It's just that every time I see a picture of the two cartoon characters from Frozen, above, it always puts me in mind of these two, below...

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More cast members have their Corrie contracts renewed

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

The tabloids are reporting that some of the Coronation Street cast have signed new contracts which to keep them on the cobbles for at least another year.

The four cast members reported in the tabloids are Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor - soon to be McDonald), Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price) and Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Stape).

We already know that Les Dennis has confirmed his contract has been renewed for another 12 months.

Returning are the actors who play Kylie, Peter Barlow, Brian Packham, Robert Preston

And joining the show are The Bill actor Andrew Paul, comedy actor Paddy McGuiness and Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding.


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Corrie's Dean Fagan turns theatre director

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog March 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Coronation Street actor Dean Fagan, who plays garage mechanic Luke Britton, is to go behind the scenes as director on a new theatre production.

Dean and his pals from student days at Salford University have set up a new theatre company, Perfectly Flawed, and are preparing to showcase their first production in April at the Salford Arts Theatre.

Dean has been working on the production in between his filming commitments on Corrie.

Perfectly Flawed is a theatre adaptation of the brooding John Fowles novel The Collector, which will star Mark Frampton as the obsessive Frederick Clegg who kidnaps beautiful young art student Miranda Greg, played by Louise Pridding, after winning the pools and buying a remote country house to keep her imprisoned.  The Collector, which is suitable for audiences over 16, will play at the Salford Arts Theatre from April 23-25. For tickets see salfordartstheatre.com.

The Manchester Evening News has some pictures, well worth a look.

Glenda Young
Flaming Nora Blog / Twitter  




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My favourite Coronation Street scene, ever

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog April 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

This is my favourite Coronation Street scene, ever.  It was after Sharon Gaskell had jilted Ian Bentley at the altar on their wedding day. She'd found he'd been having an affair with that well-known husband-pincher (and at the time, a grieving widow) Natalie Barnes.

Sharon stormed out of the church before she could say 'I do' to Ian, ran down the aisle and out into the frosty cold air. She found her way back to the Rovers to yell and scream at Natalie 'You've ruined my life!' before Betty tried to console with her with a brandy. But Sharon wouldn't be consoled, and Sally shepherded her out of the Rovers and away from Natalie, the woman who had caused her so much pain when she had her fling with Kevin years before.

The reason I'm posting this today is that I've just found the scene on an old episode of Corrie that I was watching. It's from March 1999 and the scene where Sally and Sharon emerge from the Rovers, I remember at the time, was one that had me in tears. It was the beauty of the shot, the two women united in their hatred for harlot Natalie, Sharon in her wedding dress and veil, and the snow falling softly, adding a freezing cold edge to an already bitter day.

When I found the scene today, it brought the beauty of it all back and I knew I had to rewind it and pause, take it all in again, and then here I am sharing it with you now too.

If there is one screen-grab that sums up your favourite Coronation Street scene, do please email it in with a few paragraphs about what makes it so special to you. I'd love to hear all about it.  And now, I think I'm going to console myself with a brandy.




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Corrie Canada sneak previews for May 25 - 29

Without further ado here is a brief sneak preview of what you'll see on  next week's Corrie in Canada.

Jackson gets involved. Leanne clashes with Tony over Zeedan's sacking. Tony works on Liz to sell her half of the pub. Max's custody hearing begins. Erica seems jealous of Carla and Nick. Steve's stag do doesn't go as planned. Carla makes Michelle an offer. Will it save the Rovers from Tracy Barlow?


For more details and photos, visit the Moosejaw Mercury at Corrie.net





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Samia Ghadie announces pregnancy

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog March 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor on Coronation Street, has announced she's pregnant with her second child.

Samia and her partner, ice-skater Sylvain Longchambon, met on the Dancing on Ice show. Samia announced last night on twitter that she's expecting their first child together. She already has a daughter Freya with her ex-husband Matthew Smith.

The news that Samia is pregnant will of course mean that she'll be taking a break from Coronation Street when she goes off on maternity leave.  This means Maria will no longer be involved in that storyline where she's... hang on, well, there's the kitchen tiles and a bit of hairdressing at Audrey's, but there really hasn't been much else for Maria going on for a very long time.  

When Samia is given a meaty role for Maria, which let's face it isn't often, she really shows her mettle, Maria grows a pair and both the actress and the character are worth watching. But for far too long Maria has been nothing more than a hair-twirling bit of background fluff and won't be missed by this fan.

Also still away on maternity leave are Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Stape) and Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price). Paula Lane, who plays Kylie Platt, has now returned to work.

Glenda Young 
Flaming Nora Blog / Twitter 

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Bet and Hilda budgie cups for sale

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog March 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Ooh get her! Budgies Bet and Hilda from Coronation Street on a pint sized Bone China mug with ceramic transfer. 

Available from Etsy shop Miller Ceramics.

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Conversation Street podcast 148

Gemma and Michael's podcast for the episodes in Canada that aired (up to last night's Canadian Corrie) can be heard here.



This week, Steve finds a whiny bitch in the back of his taxi, and no, it's not just Michelle tagging along for a ride. From dogs to dog collars, and Billy decides to hang his up this week after a disastrous meeting with the new bishop. Will Sean let his new man give up on his calling for him? Meanwhile, David takes radical action when he finds out about Sarah's relationship with Callum. It's the Great Manchester run this weekend, and in a short Kabin segment we hear about why Ian Puleston-Davies is doing it twice, and then we round off the show with some feedback. Our character profile this week is on Sean Tully.



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Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn dismisses Corrie crisis

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

There are some strong, positive comments from Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn over at Digital Spy today.

Stuart dismisses reports of problems at the show, insisting that Corrie is 'doing fine'.

Corrie son Best Soap and Continuing Drama at the House of Fraser BAFTA Television Awards last night (May 10), taking the title for the second year running. However, the victory followed negative comments in the press surrounding the programme's ratings and upcoming cast exits.

Speaking at the BAFTA press conference, Blackburn commented: "The stories about Corrie not doing very well have to be put into perspective. Apart from, I think it was two weeks in December and the Live Week, we've been about a million ahead of EastEnders every week, every month, for the last two years - we're doing fine.

"The thing is, all viewing figures are down. I don't watch television now - not live, I just go home and Sky+ it or whatever - so that's why the figures are down, but we've probably got the same amount of viewers as before.

"So we always knew we were doing well - but I don't feel any pleasure in beating EastEnders, because I know how hard they work and there's some good people there. I'm just delighted we've won it twice on the trot."

Asked about the celebrity signings, Blackburn added: "Obviously getting names in is great, but Coronation Street has a long history of doing that - Peter Kay was in the show and that worked out. Paddy's (McGuiness) in for about five eps and… look at his CV - it's fantastic, and if anyone's seen [2009 BBC TV movie] Freefall, Sarah Harding did a really good job.

"But this [BAFTA win] is about the cast we've got now - the full-time cast - and these guys could grace any genre and any drama, and it's proven when some of them leave the show - people like Sarah Lancashire, these are good people."



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Celebrating 36 years of Audrey in Coronation Street

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog April 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

With thanks to Corriepedia for the reminder of this wonderful anniversary.

Today in 1979, Audrey Potter made her first appearance on Coronation Street.  She turned up for Gail's engagement party to Brian.  Long live Audrey, she's wonderful.

Re-live Audrey's first scene on Coronation Street, via the wonders of YouTube, below. Audrey appears at 10 minutes in.

We all know Sarah and Bethany can't possibly stay on to live at Gail's house, there simply isn't the room. I'd love at least one of them to go and live with Aud, she'd soon sort them out.



You might also want to check out The Audrey Roberts Noise



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British Soap Awards 2015 - list of all the winners

 

The British Soap Awards was held last night in Manchester.  Read on only if you want to know who won.  

The awards show will be screened on Weds 20 May on ITV at 8pm.

Coronation Street took home two awards. The first was for Best Comedy Performance which went to Sally Dynevor for her role as Sally Webster. 

The second accolade of the night was the Outstanding Achievement Award which went to the late Anne Kirkbride who played Deirdre Barlow for 42 years.

A moving tribute was lead by William Roach and Beverley Callard and the award was collected by Anne's husband David Beckett. 

All of the other winners were as follows:

Best British soap – EastEnders
Best actor – Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale in EastEnders)
Best actress – Kellie Bright (Linda Carter in EastEnders)
Villain of the year – Jeremy Sheffield (Patrick Blake in Hollyoaks)  Best newcomer – Jessica Regan (Niamh Donoghue in Doctors)
Best storyline – EastEnders – Who Killed Lucy?
Best single episode – EastEnders The Live Episode
Best dramatic performance – Kellie Bright (Linda Carter in EastEnders)
Best on-screen partnership – Laurie Brett and Adam Woodyatt (Jane and Ian Beale in EastEnders)
Scene of the year – Emmerdale – Donna’s Goodbye
Best Young Performance - Emmerdale: Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor)

See Coronation Street's red carpet pictures here.


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British Soap Awards 2015 - Corrie's red carpet pics

The results are in from The British Soap Awards 2015 and you can read them all here.

The awards show will be screened on ITV on Weds 20 May at 8pm.

Here are the red carpet pics from last night's awards show. It's always good to see the Coronation Street cast scrubbed up in their best bib and tucker.

All pictures copyright: Getty Images

Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price)

 Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster)

Melanie Hill (Cathy Matthews)

Ellie Lou Leach (Faye Windass)

Amy Kelly (Maddie Heath)

Tisha Merry (Steph Britton)

Sally Ann Matthews (Jenny Bradley)

Hayley Tamaddon (Andrea Beckett)

Alison King (Carla Connor)

 Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster)

Sair Khan (Alya Nazir)

 Katie McGlynn (Sinead Tinker)

Debbie Rush (Anna Windass)

Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor)

 

There are loads more pictures from ITV Corrie Instagram at instagram.com/itvcoronationstreet

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Taking the Audrey Roberts option

(This post was originally posted by Clinkers (David) on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2015.)

Of course, there could be no truth in this theory whatsoever. Indeed, it's probably a load of nonsense dreamt up by someone suffering from sleep deprivation caused by too much General Election coverage. Bear with.

Audrey Roberts, I salute you! Bless her, for she has had the nous and common sense to avoid her entire family for weeks. Gail's wedding? No show. Erica's pregnancy? 'Sorry luvvie, I'm busy'. Max disappears? Radio silence from Aud. One can only surmise that from her pad on Grassmere Drive, Audrey has come to the conclusion that she cannot stomach another scene where the entire family is wedged into the increasingly familiar set at number eight.

In scenes reminiscent of early pantomime Nazir sightings, the entire Platt/Tilsley/Rodman combo all have to appear 'en mass' in any family related scene. Nick abandons his business. David rushes from the salon. Sarah presumably dismounts the box she is surely perched on behind the Rovers bar. They all take their places in that God-awful house, jammed on to the sofa or stood around it in some kind of horse-shoe formation. Cue useless wittering from Michael, non-amusing one-liner from Bethany and screwed-up facial expressions from Nick. Then add to this delightful ensemble Andy/Gavin/Whatever with a mug like an Easter Island statue and Steph who seems to be permanently on the verge of a breakdown. At this point the living room door will be flung open and, for no reason whatsoever, Callum, channelling the late Charles Hawtrey, minces in and terrifies us with his witty badinage. No Audrey though. Not a word nor a whisper from Camilla-lite. Behind closed doors in the posh bit of town, she is no doubt pouring herself a decent measure of gin and ignoring the ringing of her mobile. Audrey is unavailable. You can only sympathise with her.

The seemingly endless merry-go-round based at number 8 is almost bordering on farce. Like demented cuckoos in a clock, the family pop in and out with dizzying regularity. It has to stop. Either that or whip out the front door and install a lovely new turnstile. In the meantime, Audrey isn't available. She's on page four of Anna Karenina and refuses to budge from her sofa until she's read the entire novel. Slowly.

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Jack P Shepherd celebrates 15 years on Coronation Street

Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt, celebrates 15 years on Coronation Street today, Jack tweeted:

Been at Corrie 15 years today, I was 12 when I started. Which means I've been David Platt, longer than I was Jack Shepherd.
— Jack P Shepherd (@JackPShepherd88) April 2, 2015

Thomas Ormson (pictured left) played the character of David Platt from December 1990 to March 2000, and then Jack P. Shepherd took over the role one month later.

Here's to many more years of Jack P Shepherd on Corrie as David Platt, he's brilliant!

Glenda Young
Flaming Nora Blog / Twitter   



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Anne Kirkbride to be honoured at British Soap Awards 2015

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Anne Kirkbride, who passed away earlier this year, will be honoured at this year's British Soap Awards.

Anne, who played Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street for 42 years, will be remembered posthumously at the awards ceremony which is being held on Saturday 16 May.

Her on-screen husband William Roache (Ken Barlow) and close friend Bev Callard (Liz McDonald) will present the Outstanding Achievement award on the night, which will be collected by Anne's real-life husband David Beckett.

It will be the first time that the British Soap Awards has handed out the Outstanding Achievement gong after the recipient has died. Anne Kirkbride could also win Scene of the Year for Deirdre throwing her trifle at the wall.

 

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