Perdita
21-02-2010, 10:03
Coronation Street is sensationally plotting to bring back its most famous character Hilda Ogden for blockbuster 50th anniversary live episodes.
In a move that could blow EastEnders' huge 25th birthday show last Friday out of the water, a galaxy of Street legends is set to return.
They could also include Mavis Wilton, Curly Watts and Tracy Barlow, as well as a guest appearance by Oasis star Noel Gallagher.
Show chiefs have been hatching plans for dramatic shows featuring movie-style stunts for Corrie's birthday in December.
And they were encouraged when the EastEnders anniversary episode drew a huge 16.6million viewers to see Bradley Branning fall to his death off and Stacey Slater confess she killed Archie Mitchell. The outcome had been one of the Square's best kept secrets. Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, only learned she was the murderer 20 minutes before the live broadcast.
But ITV are confident Corrie's 50th anniversary will be even bigger and better. Producer Kim Crowther said: "We are planning lots. It will be must-see television. I'd love to see Hilda back."
Insiders revealed that Corrie is hoping to show at least two live birthday episodes - with a sizzling storyline that will put the Archie Mitchell whodunnit in the shade.
A mole said: "EastEnders was brilliant but Corrie is twice as old and is planning to be twice as jaw-dropping, like nothing seen before. Corrie is cooking up ways to really blow fans' minds. The fact they want Hilda back, shows they want it to be the stuff of soap legend."
Live episodes of Corrie were transmitted weekly in its early days and a live show for its 40th anniversary in 2000 drew 17.5million viewers.
Hilda, played by 83-year-old Jean Alexander, was last seen on the Street in 1987, when her final scenes attracted 27million viewers.
In an online chat, producer Kim suggested they may also talk to Kate Ford, 32, who played Tracy Barlow. She said: "There may well be some exciting returning cast. It would be fab to see Tracy Barlow back, wouldn't it? "Noel Gallagher would be great as well. There are also plans for some new faces in the factory."
Our mole added: "This year is the ultimate war of the soaps. EastEnders set the bar high on Friday but Corrie will want to smash it. Whatever happens, they will make it go with a bang."
[email protected]
Enders On A High, Jon Wise: Page 39
Here's what Albert Square stars past and present made of Friday's EastEnders, when 16.6 million people tuned in to see who killed evil Archie Mitchell.
Charlie Clements (Bradley Manning): "I'm drained. I thought it was Ronnie. It was the biggest secret on telly."
Charlie Brooks (Janine Butcher): "I'd gone through stages thinking it was me. It was bizarre."
Leslie Grantham (Den Watts): "That Larry Lamb with all that wink. I started the wink. He winks in every scene."
June Brown (Dot Cotton): "I didn't think it would be Stacey. She's got manic depression, so she'll go to Broadmoor or somewhere."
Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale): "I loved it.We were all glued to our seats. I was shocked to find little Stacey Slater was the one."
Devon Anderson (Billie Jackson): "I had no lines. I was cool as a cucumber!"
Danniella Westbrook (Sam Mitchell): "I thought it was an amazing episode, great writing, great performances, fantastic team work from cast and crew. I'm proud of them all."
Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell): "I thought Ronnie'd done it. Then I found I'd done her - and didn't even get to enjoy it!"
People
In a move that could blow EastEnders' huge 25th birthday show last Friday out of the water, a galaxy of Street legends is set to return.
They could also include Mavis Wilton, Curly Watts and Tracy Barlow, as well as a guest appearance by Oasis star Noel Gallagher.
Show chiefs have been hatching plans for dramatic shows featuring movie-style stunts for Corrie's birthday in December.
And they were encouraged when the EastEnders anniversary episode drew a huge 16.6million viewers to see Bradley Branning fall to his death off and Stacey Slater confess she killed Archie Mitchell. The outcome had been one of the Square's best kept secrets. Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, only learned she was the murderer 20 minutes before the live broadcast.
But ITV are confident Corrie's 50th anniversary will be even bigger and better. Producer Kim Crowther said: "We are planning lots. It will be must-see television. I'd love to see Hilda back."
Insiders revealed that Corrie is hoping to show at least two live birthday episodes - with a sizzling storyline that will put the Archie Mitchell whodunnit in the shade.
A mole said: "EastEnders was brilliant but Corrie is twice as old and is planning to be twice as jaw-dropping, like nothing seen before. Corrie is cooking up ways to really blow fans' minds. The fact they want Hilda back, shows they want it to be the stuff of soap legend."
Live episodes of Corrie were transmitted weekly in its early days and a live show for its 40th anniversary in 2000 drew 17.5million viewers.
Hilda, played by 83-year-old Jean Alexander, was last seen on the Street in 1987, when her final scenes attracted 27million viewers.
In an online chat, producer Kim suggested they may also talk to Kate Ford, 32, who played Tracy Barlow. She said: "There may well be some exciting returning cast. It would be fab to see Tracy Barlow back, wouldn't it? "Noel Gallagher would be great as well. There are also plans for some new faces in the factory."
Our mole added: "This year is the ultimate war of the soaps. EastEnders set the bar high on Friday but Corrie will want to smash it. Whatever happens, they will make it go with a bang."
[email protected]
Enders On A High, Jon Wise: Page 39
Here's what Albert Square stars past and present made of Friday's EastEnders, when 16.6 million people tuned in to see who killed evil Archie Mitchell.
Charlie Clements (Bradley Manning): "I'm drained. I thought it was Ronnie. It was the biggest secret on telly."
Charlie Brooks (Janine Butcher): "I'd gone through stages thinking it was me. It was bizarre."
Leslie Grantham (Den Watts): "That Larry Lamb with all that wink. I started the wink. He winks in every scene."
June Brown (Dot Cotton): "I didn't think it would be Stacey. She's got manic depression, so she'll go to Broadmoor or somewhere."
Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale): "I loved it.We were all glued to our seats. I was shocked to find little Stacey Slater was the one."
Devon Anderson (Billie Jackson): "I had no lines. I was cool as a cucumber!"
Danniella Westbrook (Sam Mitchell): "I thought it was an amazing episode, great writing, great performances, fantastic team work from cast and crew. I'm proud of them all."
Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell): "I thought Ronnie'd done it. Then I found I'd done her - and didn't even get to enjoy it!"
People