ITV 60th to air a live Corrie

[Perdita]

Coronation Street bosses have announced plans for another live episode.

The long-running soap will go live again in September 2015 to help mark ITV's 60 years on air.

Little is known about the storylines that will feature at this early stage, but show chiefs have promised that a number of plots will reach a dramatic climax to coincide with the special occasion.

Coronation Street's producer Stuart Blackburn will be in charge of the plans as he continues to oversee the soap. He previously led the Emmerdale team as they worked on the show's 40th anniversary live broadcast in 2012.

This will be the first time that Coronation Street has gone live since the show's 50th anniversary week in 2010, which focused on a tram crash disaster on the cobbles.

It will also be the first live episode to be produced from Corrie's new home in Trafford.

Speaking of the challenge ahead, Blackburn commented: "It's an honour to be at the helm as Coronation Street goes live once more.

"We've a reputation to uphold after the success of the tram crash and I'm going to enjoy working with the storyliners and writers as we plot stories for our live episode in 2015. We'll be doing all we can to eclipse what's gone before."

Coronation Street's executive producer Kieran Roberts added: "We're delighted to be marking ITV's 60th anniversary with a live episode from Coronation Street's brilliant new studios and set.

"We're immensely proud of our new home and it's been the most amazing first year of production. The cast, writers and production team are exhilarated by the prospect of a live broadcast as the programme's 50th anniversary episode was received so brilliantly by the audience."

Rival soap EastEnders is also going live next year, with a special 'live week' planned to mark the show's 30th anniversary.

[swmc66]

I cannot understand why they have to do a live episode. It must put a lot of pressure on the actors. It's not theatre its TV

[tammyy2j]

I cannot understand why they have to do a live episode. It must put a lot of pressure on the actors. It's not theatre its TV

I think having live episodes for anniversary/milestone episodes is now the done thing for soaps

[tammyy2j]

.

[maidmarian]

I think having live episodes for anniversary/milestone episodes is now the done thing for soaps

Yes tammyy2j I agree thats why they do it-
and soaps do compete for ratings .
Some of the Spectaculars are good but some
fall flat ( not just the sets!)
Perhaps some viewers might prefer a year-round
increase in quality and less Specials.
Then they could be more memorable- not just
" another crash!' And they never "kill off" the
right people - says she - grumpily!

[maidmarian]

I think having live episodes for anniversary/milestone episodes is now the done thing for soaps

Yes tammyy2j I agree thats why they do it-
and soaps do compete for ratings .
Some of the Spectaculars are good but some
fall flat ( not just the sets!)
Perhaps some viewers might prefer a year-round
increase in quality and less Specials.
Then they could be more memorable- not just
" another crash!' And they never "kill off" the
right people - says she - grumpily!

[swmc66]

I doubt it gets extra viewers if its live. Good storylines is what we want not live tv for some gimmick

[lizann]

I doubt it gets extra viewers if its live. Good storylines is what we want not live tv for some gimmick

any idea on storylines for 60th

[lizann]

I doubt it gets extra viewers if its live. Good storylines is what we want not live tv for some gimmick

any idea on storylines for 60th

[Dazzle]

The live episodes do get higher ratings though (for all the soaps). The sense of expectation creates a buzz and of course everyone's on the edge of their seats waiting for something to go wrong.