Pics: Weatherfield window cleaners

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


When Tim announced to Sally this week that he was intending to get himself a career that would take him to some dizzy heights, it was clear there was only one way he could go.  For a feckless fella on Coronation Street, there can only ever be one profession of choice - a Weatherfield window cleaner.

So let's look back at some of the other workshy individuals from Corrie's past who have taken to window cleaning.  First off was Stanley Ogden.

Followed by Eddie Yeats.

And of course, the king of the chamois cloth, Jack Duckworth, who saw a lot through those bedroom windows he cleaned, especially Dulcie Froggatt's.

The last window cleaner in Weatherfield we had was Graham and since then, the windows must've got a bit mucky so Tim could have quite a job on his hands.

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Tonight's episode, or how I fell back in love with Corrie

(This post was originally posted by Chewy on the Coronation Street Blog in May, 2011.)

(Again, posted in error, this contains a SPOILER for tomorrow night's episodes!)

Tonight was the first episode I had seen since the night John fell off the roof of Weatherfield General, I stopped watching the show for a week, as I didn't feel like the show had anything for me (also for coverage of the Electronic Entertainment Expo over in L.A.).

Everything about tonight's Corrie contained everything I loved about the show from the second half of last year - sunny streets, sunny people, drama and the show looking nice and cinematic.

I think Graeme's exit was perfect, for such a warm character it feels only right that he left under a bright blue sky, with all his errors forgiven. Was also good to have a mention of poor 'Ash', or Ashley to me and you, and to hear the history of Graeme and his days at the Casa Del Platt.

Farewell Graeme!

Graeme/Tina/Xin: A Positive view (spoilers)

Now, I know there has been a lot of criticism of this storyline but I have to admit that for the most part, I have enjoyed it.

Although the ending has been very predictable, probably because Craig Gazey is leaving soon, it has been enjoyable and I think if this storyline was played on any other soap, it would not work.

Why? Because this storyline, played out on any other soaps, could have been totally serious. Now, I don't want to bash other soaps, but everyone knows that Coronation Street is the king of comedy in soaps, and this comedy has been shown throughout this storyline.

From hiding behind sofas, to staging fake parties and break-ups, there have been plenty of funny scenes.

There has been criticism of the acting of Elisabeth Tan in the role of Xin which I don't think has been fair, there are plenty of worse actors on the street!

Michelle Keegan, with all her sexiest female awards, is often ignored on the acting stakes but tonight she shone in the role of a broken hearted woman. Although we all know it was her idea for Graeme and Xin to get married, she would never have expected this to happen and all she wanted to do was help her friend.

Craig Gazey...well, all I can say is that he is going to be missed. He has had some great scenes and storyline's during his time on the street and there will be a comedy void left behind when he leaves the street for good next week.

Here's what's wrong with Graeme and Xin

(This post was originally posted by me The State of the Street

Monday night's episodes showcased more cringingly awkward scenes with Graeme and Xin trying to get their stories straight under the sharp and calculating glare of Inspector Norris Clouseau. Again, I shuddered watching the actors lurch through the scenes and I wondered if they're supposed to be playing it so badly or if the actors just can't deal with the awfulness of the plot? Here's what I think. What's your opinion, dear readers?

Graeme Proctor - From Hero to Zero?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog March 2011, reposted to this blog with permission.)

There's many facets to Graeme Proctor on  Coronation Street. Crazy fire starter, garden doctor, nutter in the hats with his home-spun philosophy and friend to David Platt.

And now, he’s – well, what?

Getting him together with Tina might have looked good on paper but he’s had a sense of humour by-pass since he got loved up. He’s not mad, bad and fun to watch any more. He’s just a bit sad. And now they’re marrying him off to a Chinese girl we’re supposed to care about - and don’t, what’s to become of our favourite Corrie bloke?

It seems it’s not just me who’s not enjoying this Graeme and Xin storyline. After asking Corrie fans on twitter it looks like there’s a lot of unhappy fans over this Xin storyline.

And following on to the following blog post by Rebecca:

I've got a few problems with the current Graeme/Tina/Xin triangle.

Firstly, I agree that the wedding probably won't happen as it's currently being talked about, because Corrie won't want to be seen condoning something so illegal, especially when it involves a much-loved character like Graeme. Secondly, I think it's a shame that it's likely to be Craig Gazey's last big story. Thirdly, although I am all for a more ethnically-diverse Corrie cast, I don't like the way that Xin has gone from being a literal nobody to a somebody within a short space of time. Fourthly, when did Tina become such a harridan?

I loved Tina and thought she was a breath of fresh air when she first came around. I think the actress is amazing and I loved Tina's scenes with Joe and her dealing with Joe's death. But a few months ago she started wearing her hair in a high ponytail and it seems like a personality change came with that, along with her new job in the Rovers. I don't like Tina anymore and I wish she was leaving instead of Graeme.

I thought the break up scene last night between Graeme and Tina in the pub was laughable. Xin, for instance, didn't join in, which I found unrealistic, and she was smiling the entire time, which I didn't think was helpful. Graeme was on the verge of laughter too, although I couldn't work out if that was Craig corpsing or not.

I think that the rumours about Graeme and Tina breaking up for good are probably true, especially given Graeme's jibe about her dad, which may just be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Tina and Graeme and why I love them

(Here's another view on Tina and Graeme, This post was originally posted by blogger Rebecca on the Coronation Street Blog in July, 2010, reposted with permission.)

So it seems like some people don't like Tina and Graeme's fledgling relationship. I love it. I love it SO MUCH, and here's why.

I love Tina. I've loved Tina ever since she arrived with her massive gold hoop earrings, looking far too glamorous for dreary old Weatherfield. I loved that t-shirt with the braces printed on it (they actually mentioned that the other day and I squeed!). I loved how she was with David and how, in the early days, Gail and Tina ganged up against him. I loved how real and emotional she was after her dad's death. I didn't really love her with David, but I can see how it was necessary, and I wish drippy Jason would feck off to London so that maybe we could have sexy Todd back instead? Tina's relationship with Jason was just a nothing to me. Do not care.

I love Graeme. I love his hoodies and his hats and his cheeky grin. I love that he's a bit weird looking. I love that he exists on a planet that is far away from Planet Earth. I love the little asides he has. I love that he has no family and a shady past but is now trying to make a decent living even though he has that not-so-hidden pyromaniac side. I would love for Graeme's family to arrive, all chaotic and rambling, a bit like the Mortons maybe? I love how Graeme talks to EVERYONE from Rita to Rosie. I would like a Graeme of my own, really. Corrie should rent him out.

This relationship doesn't work on paper. She's high maintenance and a glamorous teenager, he's laidback and a little bit off the rails. She should be with someone like Jason - pretty but dumb. Graeme is neither. But, that's WHY this works. It reminds me so much of Racquel and Curly - two other slightly odd individuals that didn't work on paper. And yet some of my earliest and best Corrie memories involve those two, the dizzy blonde barmaid and the weird supermarket assistant manager. They worked. Tina and Graeme work.

If I was writing Corrie, I would keep them together. I would have Graeme proposing somewhere really stupid, and then I'd have a gorgeous wedding where Graeme almost didn't make it for some reason but where everything turned out alright in the end. I'd love for them to settle down and fail at being parents, but together. They could have all the makings of a great Corrie couple and I for one can't wait to see!

Corrie's Graeme and Tina, an unlikely couple?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog in May, 2010, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Digital Spy have some paparazzi pictures of Tina and Graeme being filmed for Coronation Street in Manchester's Heaton Park. Is this unlikely coupling reminiscent of Curly and Raquel, the beauty and the berk?

Radiator Dave

After last night's episode, I thought you might like a replay...

These have got to be the funniest Coronation Street pictures I've seen in a long time. It's David Platt chained to a radiator, of course, and why not? It happened when Graeme decided to tell David that he's now dating Tina and in order to be sure that David's not going to punch his lights out, Graeme chained David to the radiator in Gail's house first before delivering the news to the Plattser, as you can see below. David yanks the radiator off the wall and goes in search of Graeme...

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog in June, 2010, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Craig Gazey participates in a fan Q&A

Last year on the Coronation Street Blog, Craig Gazey, who plays the wildly popular Graeme Proctor, kindly participated in a Q&A interview. Fans were asked to contribute questions.

The interview is very good and though he hints at some upcoming storylines for Graeme, he doesn't really spoil it so you can read it with impunity.

For all this and more, read the full interview here.

With thanks to Craig Gazey.

Corrie fans, sponsor Craig Gazey

Craig Gazey, who plays Coronation Street's Graeme Proctor, is running the London Marathon this year to raise funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research.  This is a wonderful charity to support as it affects so many people.

And now, you can make a difference too.  Craig is asking fans to sponsor him to run the Marathon on Sunday 17th April.

He's got a Just Giving page and full details here.

Information for Canadians: Even though many fans reading this are in Canada, you can still donate. Be aware, though, that you can't get a tax receipt that can be used against your taxes for Canada because the charity doesn't have a Canadian registered charity number. I've checked with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada to confirm that. Having said that, I sponsored a friend last year who ran in the Marathon using this site and Paypal and it was an easy transaction and the money went to a good cause.

Please sponsor Craig for this wonderful medical research charity.