Coronation Street General News Thread

Coronation Street's executive producer Kieran Roberts has admitted that the next year is crucial for the soap as they lay the foundations for the next 50 years.

Roberts told the Daily Star Sunday that he is always looking for innovative ways to keep the ITV1 show fresh and hopes to continue to build Coronation Street as a brand.

He said: "The first 50 years is already behind us. Tomorrow is the 51st - a very crucial year for us - and we are in great health. Over the last ten years we have seen a decline in ratings. The main drivers for that have been multi-channel competition and the digital switch-over but I think things are settling down.

"We are constantly looking to diversify and increase revenue streams and we are already doing that. We will continue with sponsorship and we have branched out online. Gary's Army Diaries, about what happens to the character outside the Street, has received over 600,000 hits.

"Coronation Street content on itv.com has had two million hits this week alone, while five minutes into the live episode we became the number one subject on Twitter. What is important for me is the expansion of the brand. We are already doing that with the game, the stage show, the DVD and CD of music inspired by the show, and the film we made for BBC Four."

The Museum Of Science And Industry in Manchester is reportedly interested in preserving the current Coronation Street set once the soap relocates to MediaCityUK near Salford Quays.

According to the Manchester Evening News, MOSI is in talks to acquire the lot and open it to the public. It apparently hopes that it will provide new streams of revenue after mass cuts.

Museum director Tony Hill said: "We have always said that we'd be interested in talking to Granada about Coronation Street and we'd welcome the opportunity to continue that dialogue. They are next door to us and the sites were originally linked, so there's a natural means of linking them back together again.

"As the pre-eminent visitor attraction in the city centre there's an absolute logic that the set of the pre-eminent media attraction becomes a part of MOSI. We need to look at new commercial options and this wouldn’t require an awful lot of work or additional resource to run."

Speaking of Coronation Street's decision to stay in Greater Manchester, creator Tony Warren added: "The Manchester Ship Canal is one of the great glories of the North of England, and Coronation Street is another. I'm delighted to think the future of Coronation Street will be safe for the next 50 years on the banks of the canal."

He may be a control freak and a womaniser, having flirted with Eileen Grimshaw and Liz McDonald, but Owen Armstrong is not a baddie, says Ian Puleston-Davies.

Ian even claims that his Coronation Street alter-ego is nowhere in the same league as infamous Weatherfield villains Richard Hillman or Jez Quigley.

"He's not an evil man with an axe, or a hammer! Everything he does has reasoning behind it," he told Inside Soap.

"He's got morals - but they're his own morals. Don't write Owen off - he's not an out-and-out bad guy... honest!" he added.

Ian, who is married and has a daughter in real life, said his other half doesn't mind his on-screen villainy.

"She's used to me playing bad guys. I've cornered the market in vigilante sociopaths!" he quipped.

The Mirror states that Craig Gazey has signed a new deal to stay at Coronation Street with bigger storylines, good news :D

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Originally Posted by Christmas Angel

The Mirror states that Craig Gazey has signed a new deal to stay at Coronation Street with bigger storylines, good news :D

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Craig Gazey has signed a new deal to stay at Coronation Street, according to The Mirror.

The actor - who plays butcher Graeme Proctor - had been rumoured to quit the soap when his current contract ran out in the spring, with a possible move to theatre.

However, Gazey has reportedly changed his mind following an offer of a pay rise and a promise of bigger storylines.

A source said: "Craig is a highly valued member of the team, but it was touch and go as to whether he stayed. Craig's desire to leave was genuine. He wanted to branch out and do more theatre, especially Shakespeare, to broaden his range of acting experience.

"But Corrie were determined to keep him. They consider him one of their shining stars and they can be very persuasive.

"They said his character Graeme would become one of the main players and *promised some bumper stories. Craig admired their enthusiasm and vision and quickly signed on the dotted line. Everyone is thrilled he's committed to the show."

Gazey's wage is rumoured to have increased from £90,000 to £150,000 a year.

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Originally Posted by Crimbo Cracker

Gazey's wage is rumoured to have increased from £90,000 to £150,000 a year.

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:eek: No wonder he's decided to stay. I don't like him that much personally and wouldn't mind if he left.

Samia Smith, who plays Maria Connor, and husband Matthew have announced they are separating.

The couple, who tied the knot in September 2005, have a one-year-old daughter, Freya.

They appealed for privacy today, insisting their split was mutual and there was no one else involved.

A statement issued on their behalf read: "Coronation Street actress Samia Smith and her husband Matthew have today announced that they have decided to separate after five years of marriage.

"This is a mutual decision and there is no one else involved. Samia and Matthew ask that their privacy be respected at this time for the sake of their daughter Freya."

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Originally Posted by Crimbo Cracker

Craig Gazey has signed a new deal to stay at Coronation Street, according to The Mirror.

The actor - who plays butcher Graeme Proctor - had been rumoured to quit the soap when his current contract ran out in the spring, with a possible move to theatre.

However, Gazey has reportedly changed his mind following an offer of a pay rise and a promise of bigger storylines.

A source said: "Craig is a highly valued member of the team, but it was touch and go as to whether he stayed. Craig's desire to leave was genuine. He wanted to branch out and do more theatre, especially Shakespeare, to broaden his range of acting experience.

"But Corrie were determined to keep him. They consider him one of their shining stars and they can be very persuasive.

"They said his character Graeme would become one of the main players and *promised some bumper stories. Craig admired their enthusiasm and vision and quickly signed on the dotted line. Everyone is thrilled he's committed to the show."

Gazey's wage is rumoured to have increased from £90,000 to £150,000 a year.

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Craig Gazey has announced that he is leaving Coronation Street.

The actor, who has played Graeme Proctor since April 2008, will bow out from the ITV soap in May but will appear on-screen until July, the serial's official website confirmed. It had recently been claimed that the actor had signed a new deal to remain with the show.

"When I first joined the cast I had no idea just how much I would enjoy being part of such an amazing team," Gazey said. "But I became an actor for the diversity of work and the opportunity to play different roles, I also really miss working in theatre. I feel this is the right time for me to leave after two and a half fantastic years playing a unique and brilliantly written character.

He continued: "I don't know what the future holds but I hope I will be given the opportunity to show my versatility as an actor and work on different projects."

Producer Phil Collinson commended the actor, adding: "Craig very quickly created a brilliant and memorable character and we are very sad to see him go. But we wish him well and all hope this isn’t the last we see of Graeme."

Introduced as a friend of David Platt's from a young offender's institution, Graeme - currently dating Tina McIntyre - went on to develop a close relationship with Ashley Peacock during his time working in the butchers.

Gazey was named 'Best Newcomer' at the 2010 National Television Awards.


DS

Samia Smith is being comforted by her Coronation Street co-star Will Thorp following her marriage split, it has been claimed.

The actress, who plays Maria Connor in the ITV soap, announced her separation from husband of five years Matthew earlier this week.

Samia, 28, is believed to have formed a strong bond with Thorp, who portrays her new love interest Chris Gray in the Weatherfield serial.

An insider told The Sun that the actor has been "a tower of strength and support" for Samia.

Thorp's wife and two kids are reportedly based 200 miles from the programme's Manchester set in Somerset.

Samia and Matthew have a 15-month-old daughter, Freya.

Talk about the media stirring things up. If you were Thorp's wife and you read the last post what would you think? This could be totally innocent and I'm sure Samia is getting support from all of the cast members, but how must Wil wife be feeling.