In Praise of Tracy Barlow

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog December 2017, reposted to this blog with permission.)



Guest blog post by Shaina who is on Twitter @Shaina2111 

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Of all the characters in Coronation Street who might be praised, Tracy Barlow is not one who would typically come to mind. She’s sarcastic, way too honest, and above all, a murderer. However, since her return to the Street following her release from prison, she has undergone immense character growth, and although some may argue that her changing attitude represents an unrealistic U-turn in her character. When you look beneath the surface it becomes clear that this is still the same person, but one who is - slowly but surely - learning to empathise more with those around her and deal with problems in less controversial ways (i.e. NOT committing murder!). 

One thing that has become clear in recent episodes is that even when Tracy does briefly stumble back into old ways, she tends to do it to try and help those she cares about. Tracy locking Angie in the back of the flower shop in an attempt to give Mary time to talk to Jude is a prime example of Tracy trying to do the right thing, albeit going about it in a morally ambiguous way. This is a far cry from the typical villain, who will often perform seemingly good acts for the wrong reasons, and shows how Tracy is not truly evil, and has simply not received much guidance on how to deal with problems, given her upbringing with the Barlows.

Whilst watching Corrie’s Christmas Day episode, I realised that Tracy, with her many faults and issues, may now be the most sane and logical member of her family. Sitting there amongst Peter- who had just caused Billy to fall off a cliff, Daniel and his obsession with Sinead, and Adam with all his dodgy legal activity, Tracy’s declaration that she’d rather not hang around whilst they discussed what to do with Peter was a refreshing indicator that she no longer gets the pleasure from watching people suffer that she may once have experienced. 

I cannot finish this post without also giving praise to Kate Ford and the Corrie writers for the portrayal of Tracy we now see on our screens. From her impeccable comedic timing to her nuanced facial expressions, Kate Ford brings life to the Tracy we love to watch, whilst the writers allow Tracy to develop meaningful bonds with characters such as Beth and Tracy and demonstrate her three-dimensional existence. Although nothing will ever excuse the murder of Charlie, Tracy can continue to show that she is trying to make amends for her actions, whilst retaining the strong and sarcastic nature that makes her who she is. 

Guest blog post by Shaina who is on Twitter @Shaina2111 

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Tvor @tvordlj on Twitter

Coronation Street Blog Interview with Simon Gregson and Kate Ford

(This post was originally posted by Ruth Owen on the Coronation Street Blog in December 2017, reposted to this blog with permission.)


I had the pleasure of interviewing Simon Gregson and Kate Ford – Steve MacDonald and Tracy Barlow at Media City in early November. It was a real joy to interview them and they had us all in uproar. At times, it was hard to distinguish whether they were being themselves or were being Steve and Tracy. They have worked together for so long and are such self-confessed very good friends, that the shifting in and out of character only added to the fun of the interview.

How surprised were you both when you discovered that you were to be an item again?

Pretty shocked actually! After all that’s gone on between them and all the vitriol that they have each thrown at one another, it really was a surprise when Kate Oates called us in to see how we would react to the plan. Now it’s sinking in, we’re both really excited about the forthcoming storyline. We know each other so well both on and off the cobbles and love working together.

When does it happen?

Well we both go to Amy’s school’s carol concert and we’re both a bit naughty. Tracy smuggles in a full hip flask into the concert and both of us get a bit giggly. Afterwards we sleep together. There’s an element of lonely at Christmas perhaps which brings them together. 

Are both of you ready to take all the criticism that will come your way? From Liz? From Amy?

Yes, we are. We’re both aware that romantically nothing else is doing and so we might as well get together. And we are attracted to each other. As yet, we don’t know how Liz will respond but we can take a good guess. Gobsmacked comes to mind. Remember that Tracy had an affair with Liz’s boyfriend Tony, so apart from anything else, Liz won’t forget that in a hurry.

Amy is very displeased. She discovers that her biological mum and dad have reignited the flames by seeing text messages between Steve and Tracy. Amy thinks that their being together will be a total disaster. It will be endless rows and for her, Amy believes, life will be unbearable. She has witnessed all the arguments and friction between her warring parents and imagines it will be more of the same.

And what about Tracy? How does she feel about claiming Steve as her own?

Oh, she is loving every minute of it and sees herself as getting one up on Steve’s other women; a triumph over Leanne and Michelle. Tracy has never seen eye to eye with these two women, or any of the women except Beth and Mary, so revels in claiming Steve as her own. Leanne is particularly shocked, which really pleases Tracy. Leanne is worried about Tracy’s involvement in her baby’s life.  Besides, remember when Steve’s ideal woman was revealed to him on the computer? Well, it was Tracy, wasn’t it?

Does the relationship between you both run smoothly?

Not exactly… They go to the bistro for a meal and every time Tracy looks at Steve, she finds him looking longingly at Michelle. This does not go down well with Tracy! Steve’s not quite Henry VIII but he is certainly getting there!

How does Carla’s return affect Tracy, bearing in mind that they were arch enemies?

Tracy has moved on from all the Carla aggro, so she doesn’t seem to bother her anymore. There are no plans to revive that hostility. I think possibly it won’t return because it was all a bit overdone, pantomime even. 

By Ruth Owen, twitter: @Ruth1722

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Tvor @tvordlj on Twitter

Why I Adore Tracy Barlow

(This post was originally posted by Sophie Williams on the Coronation Street Blog in November 2017, reposted to this blog with permission.)

This blog post might seem like just a natter but I couldn’t help myself! Over the years Corrie have blessed us with some iconic characters that will reign supreme in the Coronation Street Hall of Fame for years, or decades, to come.

One of the characters that I personally adore is none other than Tracy Barlow, played by the brilliant Kate Ford. I will always have time to watch the ‘Queen Bitch’ making snide remarks, or just watching Ms Barlow and Mary putting the world to rights while arranging some lilies.

With one of the show’s most rich character backgrounds, Tracy has been pushed to the back of the queue where storylines are concerned in recent months but in the last few weeks she has popped up here and there, offering her sarcasm and shall we say, unpleasant, comments. Particularly where Tracy has taken young Chesney under her wing, and I am loving this. It’s about time Tracy took on a protégé and shared her worldly wisdom on pettiness. 

Speaking of being a victim of Tracy Barlow, one of my favourite Corrie episodes ever involves Tracy, Charlie Stubbs, and a certain statue. Yep, you know the one. The whole thing is just brilliant; Tracy (awkwardly) seducing Charlie, the dialogue, the music climaxing just as Tracy picks up the statue and whacks ol’ Charlie over the head.

And who can forget Tracy wreaking havoc on Nick and Carla’s wedding day? The day consisted of Tracy concocting several schemes to cause as much trouble as possible. Admittedly she did end up locked in a cupboard, but when she got out she was out for revenge by revealing to everyone that Carla had done the dirty with Robert. Well, no one ever said Tracy was subtle, did they?

Quick-witted and sharp-tongued, Tracy for me is one of the characters that make Corrie so first-class. Her one-liners are hilarious and her scheming plots are masterful. Please, please, please, never change this!

Just a short post this time but I wanted to pay my compliments to a character that will always allow us to relish in her cynicism. 

Sophie Williams 

sophie_jw26

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Tvor @tvordlj on Twitter

Kate Ford on working at Corrie: "We all get itchy feet"

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2017, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow in Coronation Street, gives a good interview to Sue Crawford in The Express this week.

She talks about the upcoming storyline where Tracy, Rob and Amy have gone on the run to the Peak District. We'll see those scenes unfold this week in the show.

The trio head for the Peak District, where they hide out in a cottage - but the scenes were actually filmed in Bolton.

“It was a B&B and the woman who owned it looked after me very well,” Kate smiles. “She bought me a bottle of wine and made me breakfast every morning. I had a cosy bed and a lovely room – it was a good week.”

And asked if she was happy to stay at Coronation Street, she said: “We all get itchy feet, but you’ve got to be practical – I’ve got a family and bills to pay and a good job here at Coronation Street. It doesn’t mean I won’t do other things one day,  but right now I have a child to support, so I have to prioritise.”

At 13, she appeared as an extra in a scene, but never for one minute imagined how the future would pan out. “Sometimes I still get that moment where I think, ‘Oh my goodness, I’m a Barlow!’” she smiles. “Coronation Street is an institution and I’m so proud to be part of it.”

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Tvor @tvordlj on Twitter

Kate Ford reveals she suffers from endometriosis

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog January 2016, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow in Coronation Street, has revealed that she suffers from endometriosis.

Kate tweeted in response to a twitter statement from US singer Halsey, who is currently recovering from "multiple surgeries" as a result of the illness.

Kate added to her tweet:  "I suffer from this it's not easy."

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb (the endometrium) is found outside the womb. The condition is estimated to affect around 2 million women in the UK. 




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Kate Ford on Tracy Barlow turning 40 this week

Tracy Lynette Langton was born on January 24 1977, the daughter of Deirdre and Ray Langton. And this week, Tracy celebrates her 40th birthday on Coronation Street.

Kate Ford is the latest in a long line of actresses who have played Tracy in Corrie. And she gives a good interview today to The Sun. 

Asked to pick her favourite Tracy moment from the 15 years she's played the character, Kate says: “One of my favourite scenes was when Tracy confessed to Deirdre that she’d killed Charlie Stubbs after he cheated on her. I worked so closely with Annie (Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre) on that scene. It was just the two of us. We rehearsed and we were given the time to do it."

I couldn't agree more, this two-hander episode is one of my favourite Coronation Street episodes, ever. It's one of only two two-hander episodes that Corrie has ever done, the other was Raquel and Curly's milennium special episode of the show.

But Kate was less than happy with the direction her character was going in last year. She says: “Tracy was harder to play for me last year, because she was becoming a bit one-dimensional, but this year she’s back on track. The stories are making her a bit more human again. And I like the fact that she doesn’t have a female arch-enemy at the moment. For a while the scriptwriters would have Tracy fight with someone, then they’d leave, and they’d give her another arch-enemy. It got a bit old."

And as for the future of Tracy, Kate says: "I can imagine Tracy turning out quite like her grandmother Blanche, getting drunk, insulting everyone and causing trouble.Will Tracy still be here at 80? You’ll have to wait and see. But I don’t think she’s run her course yet.”




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Kate Ford: "Tracy's the best behaved Barlow right now!"

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog November 2016, reposted to this blog with permission.)

There's a good interview with Kate Ford in this week's Inside Soap magazine. She talks about the beefing-up of the Barlow clan in  as she left him years ago and he's been living all alone. Coronation Street as Adam and Daniel return tonight - you can read all about the boys here.

Kate says there'll be a power struggle at No. 1 when the Barlow boys turn up. "There are all these Barlow men around now," she says. "But it's nice for Tracy to have a family unit again - she's missed that since Deirdre passed away. Plus, she's more than a match for the boys!"

She says that Daniel will return with a secret and it's Tracy and Peter who uncover just what's going on. Tracy pinches the keys to Daniel's flat and has a look around but what she finds is that Daniel has been living a very lonely life.

Kate says: "Daniel cracks and reveals that he hasn't been living with his mum Denise."

More secrets and lies will come to light about Daniel, causing all kinds of problems in the Barlow house.

"For now, Tracy's the one member of the family who is not up to her neck in secrets and lies," says Kate. "Tracy is the best behaved Barlow right now - it's quite weird!"



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Coronation Street Blog Interview: Kate Ford

(This post was originally posted by Emma Hynes on the Coronation Street Blog in May 2016, reposted to this blog with permission.)

The tension mounts as, like my fellow blogger Ruth making her third attempt to get to Media City UK after two cancelled trains from Sheffield, we hurtle towards another big week for Corrie. We both travelled to Manchester for an exclusive preview of next week’s episodes and interviews with key cast members, including Kate Ford who plays the infamous Tracy Barlow.

With Carla and Nick’s wedding on the horizon, it doesn’t help that scheming Tracy has the potential to derail proceedings. Speaking of Tracy and Robert in a Q&A which we published yesterday, Kate revealed “something happens that puts their relationship in jeopardy”. Could this mean the end for the pair?

“Well I don’t think it’s looking good at the moment” explains Kate. Tracy’s not the only one hoping it’s not over for her and Robert, however, as both she and actor Tristan Gemmill, who was also there on the day, agree that they enjoy working together.

It sounds as if Tracy manages to upset more than Robert, as she reveals, “Amy falls out with Tracy as well and that is really painful for her. She hasn’t really thought through how behaving like that in front of her daughter is going to affect her.”

Kate had an insightful take on Tracy’s relationship with her only daughter. Acknowledging that there’s only one person at the centre of Tracy’s universe, that being Tracy, she adds, “but more recently, since Amy got older, she hasn’t bored her as much, so they’ve spent more time together and she’s more fond of her. She loves her and she’s been a better mother in that sense. When she was a baby she used to try and palm her off all the time on Aunty Emily and that. But she’s proud of her and she’s proud of how conniving she can be." Kate explains Tracy's shock when Amy appears to turn her back on her. "It really hurts her because actually, they’ve been very close, and she thinks she’s been a good Mum over the last few years, compared to what she was anyway”.

When I asked Kate if this was the long awaited turning point for Tracy, and if her character will finally be redeemed, she expressed an awareness that some fans wouldn’t have her any other way. “It’s really tricky” she told me, “because I don’t think anybody would ever want her to be nice, they like Tracy to be like that. But I think she’s going to show some more humanity.” That sounds good to me.

It was interesting to hear how it feels for Kate to play arguably the most despised woman on the cobbles. “She’s been hated for 14 years, and what’s good about it is that it’s paved the way for me to explore something else. Tracy is desperate to win people back around which is something that I’ve never really had with her. The last scripts I’ve been doing have been quite nice because her karma has come a little bit.”

When asked if she’ll miss Alison King, and if her departure has given her itchy feet, Kate had a similarly interesting answer. “We are really good friends, so I’m gonna miss seeing her every day” she acknowledged, continuing, “I can see why she wants a break from the character and I can see why she wants to spread her wings and do all that, but at the moment I’m happy to stay at Coronation Street because I’m still enjoying it, and it’s a good job. I can see why she’s doing it, it’s not unappealing, but I’m staying for now.” I'm glad that's the case, as I'm not ready for a Corrie without Tracy in it.

While Kate doesn’t manage to watch Corrie every day, she isn’t averse to seeing herself perform. “If there’s an episode I particularly enjoyed doing, or a scene that I felt proud of [I will]”, she explains. But, is viewing herself on screen ever a source of discomfort? “It depends on the lighting” she grins which leads to an eruption of laughter around the table.

Kate revealed that her little boy features in an upcoming episode of Corrie in which he’ll be walking past during a scene. “He came to watch me film and he asked whether he could be an extra” she revealed, adding, “he actually asked me yesterday, ‘when’s my episode on TV?’”

Kate was a joy to interview and strikes me as a thoughtful individual with a great sense of humour who would be very good company. Indeed, so different is she from her on screen persona, that it's truly a testament to the quality of her performance as the infamous Tracy Barlow.

By Emma Hynes

www.emmahynes.wordpress.com

Twitter: @ELHynes

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Kate Ford reveals her favourite Carla and Tracy scene

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2016, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Q&A with Kate Ford, who plays Coronation Street's Tracy Barlow.

How does Tracy feel when she hears Carla might not be moving away after all? 
She panics because she can’t stand the thought of seeing her every day because of what happened with Robert. She wants her to move so that Tracy herself can move on.

Robert’s already warned Tracy to leave Carla alone – would she really risk her relationship with Robert just to get revenge on Carla? 
She really doesn’t want to risk losing him but something happens that puts their relationship in jeopardy.

Is she confident Robert would give her another chance if she messed up again? 
No, she knows that he wouldn’t. But something drastic happens that means she acts impulsively.

Does she really love Robert, or would she still always put herself first at the end of the day? 
She always puts herself first but as far as her loving someone goes she does feel really happy with him and she does care for him. When they were married he was a bit of a drip but during their time apart he did actually do quite well for himself. He used to be a carpenter but then became a successful chef. Now she views him in a different light because she is an opportunist. She fancies him more now because of who he is. She felt he was holding her back before with his mundane lifestyle. Now she's older that’s more appealing.

Could Robert (or anyone) ever really tame her?
I think she does want more stability in her life now and Robert is providing that for her. Now she has her own business with the florist’s she feels as if she’s going places so she’s happy with Robert.

Do you prefer Tracy being with a good guy or a bad boy? 
Tracy makes her own trouble anyway so even when she’s with a good guy she’s always up to something. I don’t think it makes much difference, the battles are just different.

Would breaking up Carla and Nick truly make her happy? 
Her intention isn’t really to split them up, she just wants to get rid of Carla.

Carla and Tracy have had a lot of run-ins over the years, but what do you think is the main reason Tracy hates her so much? 
She sees Carla as the real bitch on the street, she’s convinced she’s nasty, but it’s Tracy who has the bad reputation with the other residents. She wants her exposed. And Carla’s not much better than Tracy really - she cheated on her fiance - she just hides it better. Tracy’s jealous of her and she’s very angry that she grassed Rob up.

What’s been your favourite Tracy-Carla scene/storyline? 
It was fun when we filmed on top of the cliff (after the minibus crash) because Ali (King) convinced me to do my own stunt and I’m terrified of heights. I had this harness on under my costume attached to this massive vehicle but it was still really scary. Afterwards I loved the adrenalin. I felt like I’d really achieved something.

Will you miss working with Alison King? 
Yes, definitely. We are very good friends.

Would you like Tracy to have a new nemesis and if so, is there anybody currently on the cobbles in mind? 
I think it would be nice for her not to go straight into battle with someone else, maybe explore other things for a while.

Are you enjoying Tracy and Amy’s relationship? 
I do enjoy doing those scenes. It’s nice seeing Amy becoming a little more like Tracy and also turning into a teenager. I’ve heard from so many people how that can be in real life!



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Kate Ford reveals her favourite Carla and Tracy scene

Q&A with Kate Ford, who plays Coronation Street's Tracy Barlow.

How does Tracy feel when she hears Carla might not be moving away after all? 
She panics because she can’t stand the thought of seeing her every day because of what happened with Robert. She wants her to move so that Tracy herself can move on.

Robert’s already warned Tracy to leave Carla alone – would she really risk her relationship with Robert just to get revenge on Carla? 
She really doesn’t want to risk losing him but something happens that puts their relationship in jeopardy.

Is she confident Robert would give her another chance if she messed up again? 
No, she knows that he wouldn’t. But something drastic happens that means she acts impulsively.

Does she really love Robert, or would she still always put herself first at the end of the day? 
She always puts herself first but as far as her loving someone goes she does feel really happy with him and she does care for him. When they were married he was a bit of a drip but during their time apart he did actually do quite well for himself. He used to be a carpenter but then became a successful chef. Now she views him in a different light because she is an opportunist. She fancies him more now because of who he is. She felt he was holding her back before with his mundane lifestyle. Now she's older that’s more appealing.

Could Robert (or anyone) ever really tame her?
I think she does want more stability in her life now and Robert is providing that for her. Now she has her own business with the florist’s she feels as if she’s going places so she’s happy with Robert.

Do you prefer Tracy being with a good guy or a bad boy? 
Tracy makes her own trouble anyway so even when she’s with a good guy she’s always up to something. I don’t think it makes much difference, the battles are just different.

Would breaking up Carla and Nick truly make her happy? 
Her intention isn’t really to split them up, she just wants to get rid of Carla.

Carla and Tracy have had a lot of run-ins over the years, but what do you think is the main reason Tracy hates her so much? 
She sees Carla as the real bitch on the street, she’s convinced she’s nasty, but it’s Tracy who has the bad reputation with the other residents. She wants her exposed. And Carla’s not much better than Tracy really - she cheated on her fiance - she just hides it better. Tracy’s jealous of her and she’s very angry that she grassed Rob up.

What’s been your favourite Tracy-Carla scene/storyline? 
It was fun when we filmed on top of the cliff (after the minibus crash) because Ali (King) convinced me to do my own stunt and I’m terrified of heights. I had this harness on under my costume attached to this massive vehicle but it was still really scary. Afterwards I loved the adrenalin. I felt like I’d really achieved something.

Will you miss working with Alison King? 
Yes, definitely. We are very good friends.

Would you like Tracy to have a new nemesis and if so, is there anybody currently on the cobbles in mind? 
I think it would be nice for her not to go straight into battle with someone else, maybe explore other things for a while.

Are you enjoying Tracy and Amy’s relationship? 
I do enjoy doing those scenes. It’s nice seeing Amy becoming a little more like Tracy and also turning into a teenager. I’ve heard from so many people how that can be in real life!


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Tired of toxic Tracy

 

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in February 2016.)


I'm afraid I am back on my soap box again today. Following yesterday's blog where I got a lot off my chest about the current state of Corrie I can't help but do a follow up and this time I'm singling out Tracy Barlow. I really cannot stand this character and I think it is time she departed. I don't really care how, I just want her gone.

The loyal Corrie viewer has had to suffer Tracy on and off for years now and the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. I see the character as someone the storyliners can turn to when they need a cheap ratings boost or someone to create some ridiculous dramatic tension in the break between double episodes on a Monday or a Friday. Tracy is reliably unpleasant, vicious and nasty. Most soap operas need a smattering of characters like this but more often than not they are short lived.

However Tracy Barlow has never really had her comeuppance. Forgiveness is something she receives far too easily from those around her, no matter how vindictive or heinous her crimes. It just doesn't ring true and it's certainly not what Coronation Street used to be all about. She's turned into a low grade pantomime villain only sadly she doesn't even throw sweets to the audience. Tracy is just out and out vile. Other characters in Corrie have their moments - Leanne has been an arsonist, a prostitute, a drug addict and a gobby little mare, but the skill in the characterisation is that she survives because she can and has changed. It actually enriches the character. Sally too can be downright rude, spiteful and unpleasant yet we all sided with her when Kevin did the dirty and we longed for Tim to turn up and marry the woman.

With Tracy however there is no light and shade. There is no real humour, no humanity and any vulnerability is short lived or nondescript. Because Tracy is always so rude, so abrasive and so on the attack, it is virtually impossible for the viewers to understand her, like her or feel for her. It's as simple as that. 

Ken, who was always less sympathetic towards Tracy that Deirdre, still forgives her every indiscretion and allows her, when she is nearly forty, to continue to clog up his house with all her endless dramas. After Deirdre's death, Tracy promised to change and to honour her mother's memory. What was the point of that exactly as less than a year later it's like that little story arc didn't happen. We are expected to believe that Tracy is a decent mother, yet would she do all she has done if that were the case? The only saving grace chez Barlow at the moment is Amy's transformation into a mini Blanche. She is fantastic. 

As I wrote yesterday, the Tracy and Carla feud has been boiling away like a pan of overcooked sprouts for far too long. All taste and colour has gone and we're now left with a ludicious merry-go-round of rubbish. What it really needs is for Karen McDonald to suddenly launch herself at both pathetic women with the heel-end of her red stiletto. That would liven things up and show them how it should be done. There's just no spirit in these scenes anymore because anyone in their right mind would have brought this simmering hatred to a head long ago and moved on.

 

I'm afraid I blame whoever took the decision to release Tracy from prison back in 2010 on a technicality designed to boost ratings. Nevermind doing the time for bumping off the gorgeous but menacing Charlie Stubbs, Tracy should have been left to rot for all eternity for performing that rancid dance in the lead up to whacking him one. My retinas are still in recovery.

I honestly don't know what you'd do to salvage a character like Tracy now. Too much water has gone under the bridge. My only suggestion is that we revert to what happened periodically in the 1980s and send her upstairs to listen to her tapes. Either that or...

 You can follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82




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Corrie Christmas wish list - Kate Ford

KATE FORD - CHRISTMAS Q&A 2015

Will your character be having a merry Christmas this year?
Well she thinks she’s going to be having a very merry Christmas when she finds an engagement ring that Robert is hiding. She spends all Christmas day waiting for him to propose but then Tracy’s been visiting Rob in prison behind Robert’s back so maybe it won’t go quite as well as she’d hoped. 

What’s your favourite Christmas board game?
I used to love Backgammon, I haven’t played it for years but I love it. Also charades, it’s not a board game, but it’s a classic.

What’s your Christmas tipple?
Port with a nice blue cheese, love it.

Turkey or otherwise?
I always think Turkey because it’s traditional, although I have ordered a boiled ham as well this year, I think cooked with cloves it’s really festive, I’m mixing it up.

Where’s your favourite place to spend Christmas?
At my house in London with my son Otis, then seeing friends with their children. But equally at my parents house in the Lake District. We have a second Christmas Day there. I don’t suppose it matters where you are but who you’re with.

Best Christmas tip?
Don’t start drinking until the actual food arrives on the table or you’ll be asleep by the main event. Pace yourself on the alcohol front and be careful with the 9am Bucks Fizz!

Any Christmas disasters?
My mum broke her foot one Christmas Day by dropping a pan on it and then proceeded to tell everyone she was ok and hobbled round the kitchen all day. She styled it out until the day after boxing day before she gave in and went to A&E. There’s no way a man would do that, you’ve got to hand it to women, they just get on with it where Christmas is concerned!

Best Christmas memory?
I always loved Christmas as a child, my mum and dad made them magical. My favourite memories are probably sneaking downstairs in the middle of the night and trying to work out what the presents were, feeling through the wrapping and being so excited for the morning.

Christmas Day...cheese or chocolate?
Can’t I have both, it is Christmas Day?!

Sprouts...devil or delicious?
Delicious, especially if they’re cooked with a bit of pancetta.

Christmas Day...PJs or fancypants?
Definitely PJs, there’s maybe a period of the day when I’ll change into fancy pants but then straight back into my PJs. We once had a Christmas guest come to our house on Christmas Day in PJs, he decided he didn't’ want to get dressed so he actually rocked up in his car in his PJs, we quite liked it.

If you could spend Christmas Day in any other country where would you spend it?
I don’t think I’d go anywhere hot, maybe somewhere like Canada or North America, somewhere where there’s snow.

Favourite Christmas film?
Home Alone, the first one, Otis and I always watch that on Christmas Eve. I love it, it reminds me of my childhood.

Favourite Christmas song or carol?
I would say my favourite carol is Good King Wenceslas, it really sums up Christmas, it’s very rousing and it builds.

Describe your perfect Christmas…
Money doesn’t buy the sort of happiness you get at Christmas, it’s to do with spending time with family and friends. So for me maybe an extra week off work to have lots of time to catch up with family and friends, then maybe some snow for Otis, he’s already asking me whether we’re going to have snow on Christmas Day.

You have one spot left at the dinner table..Who would you give it to, anyone past or present?
Probably Annie (Kirkbride). I really miss her, she’d bring some good advice to the table and some fun.





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Corrie cast members sign new contracts

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

Here's some cast contract news, which comes from The Sun.  As there's no official Coronation Street source for this tabloid snippet, as always take with a pinch of extra salt with your Curry Sauce.

The Sun reports this week that Kate Ford and Bev Callard (Tracy and Liz) have been given 'generous new contracts' to stay on the Street.  After Corrie favourites recently exiting (and a few more to come, but no spoilers!), The Sun says Corrie bosses are keen not to lose any more characters.

Mr Curry Sauce tells the paper: “With so many cast members quitting recently, the bosses have been panicking that others may follow in their footsteps. They can’t afford to lose any more favourites, so they have wasted no time handing out these new contracts, some of which are very generous."

Other characters reportedly staying on the street include Alan Halsall (Tyrone Dobbs), Jimmi Harkishin (Dev Alahan) and Antony Cotton (Sean Tully).

Debbie Rush (Anna Windass) and Mikey North (Gary Windass) have reportedly been given new contracts. 

Newbies Tisha Merry (Steph Britton), Oliver Farnworth (Andy Carver) and Daniel Brocklebank (Billy Mayhew) will be on the soap for another year.  Daniel's contract has already been confirmed - read here.



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Kate Ford on Tracy's ex-husband Robert Preston

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

How does Tracy feel when she spots her ex-husband in the crowd at Deirdre’s funeral? When did she last see Robert?
Tracy’s really struggling on the day of the funeral. She’s in bits over her mum and also struggling with guilt over the fire, but Ken’s still being really cold and she’s only just holding it together. So when Tracy spots Robert she’s shocked but overwhelmed to see a familiar face and loves that he is there to support and care for her.

What makes her kiss him?
Tracy can’t face the wake and heads home alone but when Robert knocks at the door she admits she could do with some company. He makes her some food and Tracy’s really touched by how caring he is. He says all the right things and he’s there when she desperately needs some comfort.

What does Ken make of Robert’s surprise arrival?
Ken is furious to find Tracy kissing Robert on the day of the funeral. They’re in his house and that’s not what Ken expected to see when he got home. He shouts at Robert to get out, he thinks Tracy’s sunk lower than ever but she just wanted to blot out the pain.

How does Tracy feel about Peter’s arrival – is she pleased to see him?
Peter arrives while Tracy’s in the midst of a massive row with Ken. Yes she’s pleased to see him but his timing is not great. She’s angry with Ken, she’s so angry that Peter missed the funeral and she just erupts. They all give each other a few home truths.

Was it emotional filming the Barlows scenes where they go over their family history?
Yes it felt really sad. It still feels like Annie is here with us.

Do you think Tracy sees Robert as a means of filling the void left by her ex Rob or is their real feeling there?
Robert’s there when she needs someone, he’s saying all the right things and she likes that he likes her so much, even after all this time apart. I think she also likes the fact that he’s completely detached from all of the drama she’s had over the past couple of years.

Does Tracy have any suspicions about Robert’s motives?
No, she is very confident in herself in that way.

Ken’s concerned that Tracy might be burying her grief for her mum – is this the case?
Yes I think so to a certain extent. Tracy loved her mum more than anyone else in the world and without Deirdre’s constant, unwavering support, her life is going to be very different. I think Robert is the only other person who has ever truly loved Tracy for what she is, warts and all, so she’s throwing herself back into that relationship.

Do you see Deirdre’s death as a turning point for Tracy?
We will see. Some of what Peter says strikes a chord with her, she does love her daughter and she’s determined to make some changes.

Can you see a happy-ever-after for her and Robert?
Probably not if history is anything to go by!



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Blog interviews with Kate Ford and Alison King

(This post was originally posted by Ruth Owen on the Coronation Street Blog in October 2014.)

What a treat to see Tracy and Carla sitting together! Before the interview began, Kate Ford and Alison King were chatting and are obviously very good friends. The interview was conducted with Tracy and Carla together as they are both inextricably linked by their love of the same man, Rob Donovan - Carla's brother and Tracy's fiancé. The wedding is soon - Tracy, the bride, Rob the groom and Carla, the Best Woman or Best Bird as she refers to herself as.

The trouble with the these two women is that they loathe each other. In fact it might be fair to say that  Tracy loathes Carla more than Carla detests Tracy. Carla is not in the minority here, whereas most people on The Street are alright with Carla, not that she has been a saint, but lately because of her friendship with Hayley and now Roy, we see that though she may be a keen, cut throat business woman, she is also fundamentally a good woman.

In recent months, Carla has lost her baby, her husband, her 'friend' Tina and now she will lose her brother. She must do the right thing by The Barlows, the law and morality, and so she informs the authorities that it was Rob who killed Tina.

How does Tracy react to the news about Rob?

Tracy is raging! She even sets off after Rob, leaving Amy behind. When things go wrong for Tracy she lashes out, which she does anyway when all is well, but this time she becomes absolutely vicious. What's more, she blames Carla for everything. she doesn't stop to think and rationalise, but lays one hundred per cent of the blame at Carla's door. It was bad enough when she found out that Carla was to be Rob's best woman, but after Rob confessed to Carla, Tracy interprets that as being Carla's plan to ruin things for her. In addition Tracy's business hits the skids.

Liz and Tracy have also got a fractious relationship which is about to become even more fractious. Tracy and Tony have an affair which was hinted at a while ago in the advertisement where Liz's reflection becomes the reflection of Tracy, as Tony stands by looking into the mirror. So that will further damage the relationship between Tracy and Liz. Poor Amy!

How about Carla, how does she react to the truth about Tina's murder?

Carla is devastated. She needs time to take stock and understand what has happened since Hayley's death. Her child, her husband and now her brother - all lost to her. Carla does what Carla does when life lashes out - she launches herself body and soul into her business and unlike Tracy's, Carla's business is doing very well indeed. Her business is her saviour.

There will not be a man waiting in the wings for Carla. She needs a break!

She is also blessed in her friendship with Michelle, one of the few really strong female friendships amongst the younger women. Michelle has been a rock and continues to be so. When, in her turn, Michelle experiences problems, it is guaranteed that Carla will be a great support for her. They have had their spats, as do people in life, but essentially they are solid.

Is there any future for Peter and Carla? 

It is very unlikely that there will be any relationship now or in the future for Peter and Carla. Does she still love him? Difficult to say after all that has happened. Carla is numb.

Carla is anxious about Simon. Before Tina's death and after a shaky start, Carla and Simon began to hit it off. She knows for certain that Peter, Simon's dad is not Tina's murderer, but Peter is the one who has been found guilty in a court of law, even though Ken, was almost certain that Peter would be coming home. No doubt about it - neither Simon nor Amy are going to grow up unscathed.

What was your favourite scene during the filming of all these dramatic scenes?

The favourite scene was out on the balcony with Rob, as the hen night clattered away at the other side of the street at The Rovers, including for our delectation a rendition of Gloria Gaynor's anthem, I will survive.




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Tracy Barlow does the right thing

(This post was originally posted by me on the Coronation Street Blog in November 2014.)


We've seen the back of Rob Donovan tonight. I've enjoyed the character quite a bit and meeting him here in Halifax in November, 2013 added to that enjoyment because I met the man behind the character. At that time, there was no immediate end in sight for Marc Baylis on Corrie but he was the one chosen to kill Tina. Was he the expendable crew member or was it the case of last in first out? We were losing Chris Gascoyne as Peter and it could just as easily have been him that killed Tina but as he's attached to the longest standing family on the show and they'd want the chance to to have Peter back at some time in the future.

I enjoyed the whole storyline and liked that we knew from the start who the murderer was. It was interesting to watch Rob's guilt torture him, all the while planning a future with Tracy. He ended up confessing to Carla, the only one that knew him inside and out and that was it. Just a matter of time.

This week, it was Tracy that offered to run away with Rob but it seems maybe that was the "old" Tracy. The "new" Tracy backed out and was even the one the turned Rob in to the police. She said there were two reasons. She couldn't leave Amy and she didn't want to risk going back to prison. I wonder if we'll even see Tracy with a changed point of view, someone unselfish, someone that puts their daughter first from now on. Maybe not.

I had a feeling she might be the one that turned Rob in but I wasn't sure. I did figure that he would get caught, perhaps the police following Tracy. It's soap law, after all. All in all, Marc Baylis and Kate Ford *both* turned in very good performances this week!




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Taxi for Tracy

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

Now I'm feeling rather fed up today. I'm stuck in the Scottish wilderness with my leg in plaster and nothing but a Miss Marple marathon for company. As much as I do love Joan Hickson, it's not enough to sustain me. So I thought I would take my frustrations out on that nasty trollop, Tracy Barlow.
God, how I loathe her.

Coronation Street was founded on characters that were real. They were neither all good nor all bad. In short, we, the average viewer could identify with them. They were like us, capable of running the full gamut of emotions and demanding sympathy or criticism as required. What made Corrie was how believable the characters were compared to the Hollywood film stars of the day. I shudder to think that anyone out there can identify with Tracy-luv.

That is why I have such a problem with Tracy Lynnette Barlow. She simply has no redeemable qualities whatsoever and for that reason alone she must go. I'm sick of seeing her on my television screen. Yes, I know I could stop watching but I still enjoy Coronation Street so why should Tracy's presence stop me? Actually the main reason I have been enjoying Corrie more recently is probably because we haven't seen much of Tracy at all. As she is set to have a gut churning liaison with Rob thanks to her continued obsession with Steve and Michelle, that is sadly about to change. 

The main problem with Tracy is that Coronation Street normally makes sure characters of her ilk receive their comeuppance. I know Tracy is frequently humiliated and rarely gets what she wants for long. However she has been unpleasant and downright vile to nearly everyone in Coronation Street at some time or another and has never learned from her mistakes. Life in Weatherfield has simply never been this way before.

And I know she has been sent to prison - but she was released in a highly unbelievable fashion. Her entire character is now completely without compassion, or indeed any positive features whatsoever. She happily drops her daughter on whoever she can find at the drop of a hat and has transformed Deirdre from a sympathetic, likeable woman into a stupid, blinkered character, constantly defending her daughter, regardless of the crime.

So please, Coronation Street, get rid of Tracy!! She should never have been brought back in her current incarnation. I much preferred her when she spent months at a time upstairs listening to her tapes. As this is unlikely in the present day, can someone at Streetcars please call her a cab to whisk her out of Weatherfield as quickly as possible.

Where's Fat Brenda when you need her??

Kate Ford on OCD and being a Corrie cougar

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

There's a long interview with Kate Ford, who plays Coronation Street's psycho bitch from soap hell, Tracy Barlow, in the Mirror today.

Kate talks about having OCD and anxiety attacks; about her husband Jon Connerty and four year old son Otis, and about playing a Corrie cougar on the cobbles.

She also says how happy she is playing Tracy Barlow on the Street and wants to stay.

“Definitely for the next few years, if they’ll have me,” she says.

“I used to get itchy feet, but my priorities have changed. I love Coronation Street. I need to make money for my family and I know which side my bread is buttered.”


The full interview has some nice pics of Kate and her family and it's definitely worth a look. It's here.


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Sol Heras: "I snogged Kate Ford for an hour"

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

There's a good, long interview by Sue Crawford in today's Sun with Coronation Street actor Sol Heras, who plays Ryan Connor.

As it's The Sun, Sol talks about filming love scenes with Kate Ford, who plays his on-screen cougar (and psycho bitch from soap hell) Tracy Barlow.

He says: “There was one eight-page scene in the Rovers recently and me and Kate had no lines — it was literally just kissing from start to finish. Altogether it was probably an hour’s worth of kissing. We had chapped lips, dry mouths and both of us were needing to come up for air! We were just glued to each other — I’ve never kissed anyone for that long in my life. But I can’t complain, there are worse jobs!”

Speaking about the upcoming bombshell that Tracy will drop when she announces she's pregnant with Ryan's baby, Sol says that Ryan is shell-shocked, but decides he will do the right thing and stand by Tracy to raise the baby with her.  Sol says: “His mum says Tracy is playing games. But he takes it upon himself to be mature and, after taking advice from Steve, he decides to propose to her in front of everybody in the Rovers.”   Ooh, should be excrutiatingly embarassing to watch!

Sol was working as a painter and decorator and gardener when he found out he had landed the part of Ryan in Corrie. You can read the full interview here.

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Kate Ford nervous about her new storyline

From ITV.com this morning we hear from Kate Ford about Tracy's new storyline, her seduction of Ryan Connor. Tracy is devastated that Steve and Michelle are now living together and, after believing he led her on when she was ill, vows revenge. Nothing new there, then.

Kate explains that it seems like Ryan is only in it because it winds up his mother just as she is only getting back at Steve and Michelle. Kate was nervous, however, at the prospect of an on-screen romance with someone so much younger.

" I felt slightly out of my comfort zone." she says and adds that now that they're used to it, it's quite fun. We fans have been saying that it's a never-ending story, Tracy wanting Steve, and Kate thinks "I think it’s that old classic of wanting what you can’t have, I don’t know how she’d feel if she ever got him, whether she’d be bored after a year or two. I think it’s because she’s never truly had him that she’s so anxious to have him in her life. She can’t bear the fact that he doesn’t fancy her and he doesn’t love her."

It probably won't last too long but it'll probably have the intended effect on Steve and Michelle. How much do you want to bet Ryan's drug habit will then mysteriously disappear?
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