The Ballad of Wendy Crozier

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

With the news that legendary 1980s strumpet Wendy Crozier's about to return to the cobbles, it's time for us to revisit TV Cream's classic tune, The Ballad of Wendy Crozier.  It's a heartfelt tribute to the Weatherfield Gazette's finest secretary/bit on the side, and you can hear it here.

It's written and performed by my very talented friend Ian, and you can hear more of his compositions at this site.


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Cheering for a Lloyd storyline

I, for one, an really looking forward to the new storyline featuring Lloyd discovering he's got a grown daughter. He's one of my favourite characters and he doesn't get a lot of storylines of his own. While the whole Cheryl thing was ill-fitted, I was still pleased that we saw more of Lloyd than his usual support role.

Jenna, his newly-discovered daughter, has rejected him but you know this will follow Soap Plot 231 and they will make up and get to know each other. So far, I like both actors who portray Jenna and Mandy.

More thoughts about Lloyd over here.


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VIP Corrie Blogger - Cllr Fraser Macpherson

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

Cllr Fraser Macperhson is a top Coronation Street fan - and the Liberal Democrat Councillor for the West End, Dundee City Council.  He's taken time out of his Councillor duties whilst on holiday to write about his love of Coronation Street. And in return we've donated £10 to Cllr Macpherson's charity of choice which is the Multiple Sclerosis Society

Cllr Fraser Macpherson writes :

"Looking back, I suppose I was, as a child, sort-of reluctantly spoon-fed Coronation Street.  My mother was and is the Street’s greatest fan and therefore, in the Macpherson household of the late 1960s and 70s, Coronation Street was compulsory viewing.

I have a distinctive memory of a caravan holiday in a windy and rainy Lossiemouth. I must have been aged about 7.  There was only one TV in the communal lounge on the site and who in 1970 had a portable telly in their caravan?  The ladies descended upon the communal lounge on Wednesday at 7.30pm to see what was bound to be a memorable edition of the street – the death of Jack Walker, landlord of the Rovers. On their arrival, many of the children were already watching the TV (Star Trek if I remember correctly). Battle of the TV buttons then took place between the ladies switching to Grampian (our then local version of ITV) to get the Street on, with various children switching it back to BBC1. The tenacious children won, and, in the days before video recorders and repeat showing on ITV2 later, the opportunity to see that edition of the Street was lost!

My other distinctive early memory of the Street was the death of Renee Roberts, hit by a lorry on the way back from Alf and her concluding the deal on their buying a rural sub-post office. Not entirely sure why that immediately springs to mind, but the departure of Renee did prevent the departure of Alf to the countryside and Alf was always one of my favourite Coronation Street characters, along with Hilda, Elsie, Rita, Audrey and Annie Walker.    

I suppose that, Coronation Street was a permanent TV fixture when I was a child, I have just kept on watching and enjoying the Street – brainwashed at 7, still watching it at 49!

For me, Coronation Street evokes that sense of community – of belonging – that so many people, particularly older constituents, say is missing in the 21st century.  The Street is warm, welcoming, you sort of feel part of it, and 52 years on from its arrival in 1960, it is still coming up with the great, gripping storylines that has kept it as my – and the world’s – favourite soap!


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Sneak Previews from next week's Canadian Corrie, Oct. 8 - 12

Without further ado, here's a brief run down of next week's Coronation Street on Canadian Screens:

Kirsty's parents show up and it's mayhem. Tyrone thinks he has the upper hand but Kirsty isn't about to be told and shocks Tyrone with her response so he counters with one of his own.  Michelle and Tracy have a hair curling argy bargy. Lloyd tries to win Jenna round which causes conflict with Mandy. Brian tries to intervene to keep Ken on Board. Can Ken and Wendy work together? What's going to happen when Deirdre discovers her old rival? Michelle bans Tracy so Ryan  walks. Under whose roof will he end up?

David's feeling the financial crunch. Mary wins a lavish holiday. Maria faces a health crisis with Marcus by her side.

For more detail and photos, see the Moosejaw Mercury at Corrie.net

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Corrie originals - Jack Howarth MBE as Albert Tatlock

First appeared: 9th December 1960

Last appeared: 25th January 1984

Jack Howarth played the role of grumpy pensioner Albert Tatlock between 1960 and 1984.

Born in Rochdale in Lancashire in 1896, Howarth attended the same school as wartime singer Gracie Fields. Like many of the Street’s early cast members, Jack Howarth began his acting career in the theatre. He later ran his own cinema during the 1910s and was also a member of the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Great War. He also ran his own theatre in Colwyn Bay, North Wales and that’s where he met William Roache (Ken Barlow) for the first time. None of them would think they’d work alongside each other for nearly 25 years on Coronation Street. He made his television debut in 1949 in The Cure for Love. During the 1950s in appeared in films The Man in the White Suit (1951) and Hobson’s Choice (1954) and TV shows The Secret Garden (1952) and BBC Sunday Night Theatre (1950-1953). In 1960, he appeared in Emergency Ward Ten, one of Britain’s first soap operas.

At 64, he was chosen to play the role of 65 year old curmudgeonly WWI veteran Albert Tatlock in new drama serial Coronation Street. Appearing in the first episode, Albert is fondly remembered for his flat cap and glasses and boring his residents with his wartime stories, Albert was Britain’s Mr Grump. A widower throughout his tenure, romance did enter Albert’s life occasionally. Clara Midgeley proposed to him in 1965 but he declined. He became engaged to Alice Pickens in 1969 but they called off the wedding when the vicar’s car broke down and they saw it as a bad omen. He proposed the next time to old friend Minnie Caldwell in 1973 in a bid to bid to solve their financial worries but Minnie called it off when she grew tired of his habits. Albert’s life revolved around his allotment and he enjoyed reminiscing with Minnie and Ena Sharples in the Rovers snug while supping his rum. He was elated when his niece Valerie married Ken Barlow in 1962 and when their twins Peter and Susan were born in 1965. He was devastated when Valerie was electrocuted in 1971 and the twins were sent up to Scotland to be brought up by her parents. Albert maintained a close relationship with Ken who moved in with him between 1972 and 1973 and from 1976 onwards. Albert disapproved of Ken’s marriage to second wife Janet Reid but warmed towards his third wife Deirdre Langton and encouraged them to live at his house after they married.

By the early 1980s, Jack Howarth’s health began to deteriorate. In 1984, he took time off from the serial and was expected to return but sadly passed away in March that year of a liver complaint while holidaying in Llandudno, North Wales. He was 88. He’d been awarded an MBE the previous year for his charity work and his association with the disabled. Albert Tatlock was killed off in May while visiting his daughter Beattie, around four months after his final appearance. At the time, Jack Howarth was one of two members of the original cast still in the show – William Roache was the other. Over 23 years, he appeared in 1307 episodes. Albert’s presence still remains at No. 1 with his photo on the mantelpiece and Ken often recalls Albert’s fatherly advice over his own father Frank.

 
Jack had married Betty Murgatroyd in 1929 and had two children: John (b. 1930) and Anne (b. 1939).

Did you ever see or meet Jack Howarth? Do you have any pieces of trivia about him?  Did you know he once featured on a Damned single?

Research from Corriepedia, Wikipedia and IMDB.

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Yay or Nay - are you pleased Kirk and Beth have got together?

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

So, how we do all feel about our Kirkeh and Beth getting together?  Last night on Coronation Street, Kirk turned out to be Beth's knight in shining armour Underworld van after her date with internet Dave went wrong.

After a touching moment on the cobbles when Beth bid Kirk goodnight and he shook her hand, telling her: "Have a good sleep, and dream about nice things," it looks like the next step is a date for the duo.  And as our preview picture shows, they waste no time in getting stuck in.

But what do you reckon about Beth and Kirk getting together? Are you pleased or put out?

Yay or Nay - are you happy about this pairing?  Me - oh Yay!



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Conversation Street podcast number 6 for Canadian episodes

Gemma and Michael's podcast for the episodes in Canada that aired up to last night can be heard here. Don't worry, they don't do spoilers so you won't hear anything you don't want to!

 You can also subscribe to them on iTunes, Like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter (@conversationstr).


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Lloyd's Daughter has arrived

Last night was the night when Lloyd's daughter turned up in Coronation Street.  Jenna is played by actress Krissi Bohn - and she's on twitter @krissibohner

Craig Charles, who plays Lloyd Mullaney on Corrie says this about Lloyd meeting his daughter for the first time. After Mandy lies and says she has no children, Lloyd's a bit surprised to turn up at Mandy's house only to find Jenna there calling Mandy "mum".

Craig says: "Yes. Lloyd thinks it's weird when this girl, Jenna, who's about 28, answers the door. The fact that Mandy's lied makes him suspicious and he starts asking Jenna a load of questions – like when was she born? He does a quick bit of mental arithmetic and he soon puts two and two together and convinces himself she could be his daughter.

"There's a big confrontation and it all comes out that Jenna is indeed Lloyd's daughter. It's a really bittersweet moment for Lloyd. He's excited, but devastated that he's been cheated out of being a father for so long. Mandy says she loved Lloyd, but Johnny, who was Lloyd's best mate at the time, was her rock. But it's a massive shock for Jenna. She's really angry that her mum's lied to her for so long and she leaves in disgust."

"He wants to get to know Jenna - she's his flesh and blood. But he makes mistakes by steamrolling in. I'd tell him to take it easy, don't be too pushy, don't try to replace Johnny and just always be there for her. But I don't think Lloyd would listen to that advice..."



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Exclusive: Place your bets on the Coronation Street horses

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

David Nicholls began training horses back in 1992. After a successful career as a jockey he turned his hand to training. David started training with five horses with the help of his wife, champion lady Jockey Alex Greaves, he now has around 100 under his care.

Well, that's all well and good but what's this got to do with Coronation Street?

David has named some of his horses after Coronation Street characters. After I'd noticed in the press that one of his horses was called Albert Tatlock and another was named Ena Sharples, I contacted David to ask him why he's named his horses after Corrie characters.

David tells us here at the Coronation Street Blog that his horses have been given classic Coronation Street names because David's mum Doreen is a massive fan of the show and they think of the characters like friends!  Horses have been named to suit the Corrie person  they're most like in the show.

And so, here with go with pictures of David's horses named after Coronation Street characters.  If I was a betting woman I'd keep a close eye on that Albert Tatlock one - he's doing very well indeed at the moment winning races.

ALBERT TATLOCK has ran three times and won once, and it looks like there is more to come. 

ANNIE WALKER ran 11 times and was only out of the Money 2 times, she was sold to Bahrain at the end of August where hopefully she will do well.

ENA SHARPLES ran 5 times and won once and hopefully has plenty more to give.

HAYLEY CROPPER ran 5 times in UK where she won twice and then was sold on to NORWAY where she is very happy.

David also had a horse called ELSIE TANNER who ran twice then they realised she didn't want to be a racehorse, so she is now enjoying life as a riding horse.

So, there you go.  These are the Cornation Street horses - and David says they're very pleased to have them in their yard.

Check out their website at www.davidnichollsracing.com

And follow David Nicholls on twitter at https://twitter.com/NichollsDandy


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Can you name this mystery Coronation Street character?

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

Well, you learn all sorts of things when you read Inside Soap magazine. 

I learned today that one of our current Coronation Street favourites starred in the Lily Savage stage show: Pisoner Cell Block H: The Musical

Here she is pictured far right on this image. Can you name her Coronation Street character?



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Pics: Corrie cast have wheely good fun

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog September 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)
Paparazzi pictures appeared this week of some members of the Coronation Street cast having a wheely good time in between takes jusst off the Corrie set.

Below are - left to right - Alan Hasall (Tyrone Dobbs), Jack P Shepherd (David Platt), Chris Fountain (Tommy Duckworth), Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and Charlie Condou (Marcus Dent) all having a go on the new toy. It looks like a skateboard with oversized wheels. Does anyone know what it actually is?

And then it was the turn of Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster) to take to the wheels, and as you can see she needed a bit of help from her Corrie co-stars.

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Corrie's surrogacy storyline - splendid or stupid?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog September 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)
I'm hating every minute of the surrogacy storyline in Coronation Street. It's a complete farce and I can already tell it's one of those storylines I'm going to have to endure for the next few months instead of enjoy. 

First off - how on earth Gary and Izzy were ever going to raise the thousands of pounds needed for the IVF treatment in the first place were never explained. Then Owen pops up saying he'll pay, so that's all sorted. Now we've got Tina who offers to pop out a baby to pay off Tommy's debts and then Tommy tries to leaves her. 

Why on earth didn't Tina take Rita's offer of the money? She could have given the money to Tommy to pay off Tyrone and get that nasty Kirsty one off their backs once and for all while paying Rita back at leisure. She's in no rush for the money, is Rita. She's loaded.

Anyway, this fan's opinion is - despite fab acting from my two favourite Corrie actors Mikey North and Cherylee Houston as Gary and Izzy - this surrogacy storyline is the daftest, dullest thing Corrie's done in a while.

What do you reckon?


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Corrie spoiler links - Oct. 1

Every now and then we post a bunch of links that lead to spoiler blog entries over on Coronation Street Blog because we know many of the Canadian fans love spoilers.

There's just the character name but even hovering the mouse over the link could give something away so click at your own risk.

Maria
Tina
Tyrone
Fiz
Deirdre


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Corrie Canada weekly awards Sept. 24 - 28

Grizzly Bare: Cliff is a "grizzled Rock Hudson"? Well she got the grizzled part right at least. (O.M.G. Can Cliff hang around for awhile? He's bloody brilliant!)

Busybody award: Gloria is sailing awfully close to the line poking her nose in everywhere. She'll fit right in!  

Pants on Fire award: Gloria was telling a load of flannel about her flight from Spain!  aka Hoist with her own Petard award.  

Mr. Moneybags award: Owen's giving Tina 15K and it'll cost a minimum of 7K for the fertility treatment *each* time they have to do it.  

Unreasonable award: Is Tommy being unreasonable? Is Tina for not taking Rita's offer? Is Gary for wearing blinders when it comes to fatherhood?

White Knight award: Kirk rode in on a white van and took one on the jaw for Beth.

Dirty Dog award: Yet another man cheated with the wife of his best friend. To quote Eileen "Oh Lloyd!"

Music ambience award: Fiz and Julie chatting to Beth about her new fella, the one she's lying about, to Heart of Glass.
Be careful what you wish for award: Lloyd is feeling down, no direction to his life. Something tells me that's all about to change. It's the Soap Law! Hidden Agenda award: Is Dev trying to break up Karl and Sunita? Is he trying to get her back? Or is he just trying to give her back some of the torment she gave him.

Fashionista award: I like Mandy's style!

Jigsaw award: Tommy and Tina break up and get back together more than a jigsaw puzzle.

 Lines of the week: Kirk "Half a lager, please" Tina "Are you on detox?" Kirk "No, I'm skint"
Tina to Owen (joking) "Maybe I should have the baby for them" (oh wait....)
Gail "I bottom every morning!" Gloria "You haven't seen a Spanish bottom"
Beth to Kirk "Zip it, Zombie!" Gail "And Gloria left Spain under a cloud?" Cliff "A very large one what with those chemicals? It was like Chernobyl!" (snort)
Stella "You are not to interfere with my life" Gloria "Even if you're making a fool of yourself?"
Lloyd "Some things are best left in the past" (guaranteeing he'll run into her again)

Owen "I can't tell my daughters how to run their lives. Nor would i want to" (I now have to clean my monitor)

Dennis "I think she's stirred the green-eyed monster in you" Rita "As long as she hasn't stirred anything in you!" Dennis "I wouldn't even let her stir me tea!" (Good answer!)

Rita "I don't give my life savings to every Tom, Dick and Harry" (Um, you pretty much do!)

Kirk "I wish i could say deep things" (he does sometimes, without even realizing it)

Kirk to Beth "Have a good sleep. Dream dead nice things"

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Video: Barbara Knox interview on ITV's Lorraine

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog September 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)
Barbara Knox, who plays Coronation Street's Queen of the Kabin Rita Tanner, was interviewed live today on The Lorraine show on ITV1.

Barbara was being interviewed to show her support for ITV's Women of the Year awards.

She also talked about Rita's current role on Corrie, trying her best and failing to help Tina. "I've had some lovely lines, lovely stories and lovely people," she says. And she talked about Rita's relationship with Dennis Tanner and about Rita being a survivor with over 42 years on the cobbles.

Lorraine asked Barbara if she's able to go out and about, doing ordinary things like shopping as she's so recognisable. Barbara replied: "Well, I do because I think I should. At the end of the day, I'm a human being and I have to do my own shopping.  People are very nice, they love the programme, they come up to you and they are so kind. It's very nice, actually, because the programme hasn't got stale. People still love it. I do go about and sometimes they grab my arm and say, 'Come here, you!' I don't particularly like that, but I suppose it's affectionate in a way!"




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