Rovers Return

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson has admitted he made cut-backs on the soap's budget for more than a year so he could use it all on torching the Rovers Return.

The scenes will be Collinson's last before he leaves the ITV serial and he confessed that he wanted to go out with a bang.


"It's as big as the tram crash. It plays out over three episodes. That allowed us to spend a lot of time on the fire," he explained to the Daily Star.

"It cost us a lot of money but it's fantastic and brilliant and vivid. The thing they do really well on Corrie is the colliding of lots of storylines. It's not just the pub going up.

"I'm excited about it. It was arduous to film – it took us four weeks. We had an incredible team who also worked on the tram crash. We squirrelled bits of money away all year because I sort of knew I was leaving and wanted to go out with a bang – that's an awful admission. It cost a lot.

"You can imagine… rebuilding the set, the special effects, the stunt people. Every penny is on screen. I wanted to sign off properly.


"I remember the first Rovers fire in the mid-'80s so vividly."

Collinson, whose new job is developing dramas for ITV, added that he is proud of the work he has done on Corrie.

"I feel it's a job well done. I'm really proud of my time on the show."

Coronation Street airs these scenes tonight at 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson has admitted he made cut-backs on the soap's budget for more than a year so he could use it all on torching the Rovers Return.

The scenes will be Collinson's last before he leaves the ITV serial and he confessed that he wanted to go out with a bang.


"It's as big as the tram crash. It plays out over three episodes. That allowed us to spend a lot of time on the fire," he explained to the Daily Star.

"It cost us a lot of money but it's fantastic and brilliant and vivid. The thing they do really well on Corrie is the colliding of lots of storylines. It's not just the pub going up.

"I'm excited about it. It was arduous to film – it took us four weeks. We had an incredible team who also worked on the tram crash. We squirrelled bits of money away all year because I sort of knew I was leaving and wanted to go out with a bang – that's an awful admission. It cost a lot.

"You can imagine… rebuilding the set, the special effects, the stunt people. Every penny is on screen. I wanted to sign off properly.


"I remember the first Rovers fire in the mid-'80s so vividly."

Collinson, whose new job is developing dramas for ITV, added that he is proud of the work he has done on Corrie.

"I feel it's a job well done. I'm really proud of my time on the show."

Coronation Street airs these scenes tonight at 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

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Originally Posted by Katy

Such a shame, this was the perfect opportunity to put a lot more characters in that fire!! Id be getting rid of half the street,

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Yes Tracey and Stella could be gone with the fire but the writers were stupid only have two deaths and one isn't even a main or secondary character

I thought the fire scenes were badly done also

so who is going to pay for the repairs because insurance wont pay out for arson so will it be dev as sunita gets the blame?

Where did Stella get the 10 grand to pay Owen?

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Originally Posted by lizann

so who is going to pay for the repairs because insurance wont pay out for arson so will it be dev as sunita gets the blame?

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Weren't they divorced? Not Dev's responsibility.

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Originally Posted by lizann

so who is going to pay for the repairs because insurance wont pay out for arson so will it be dev as sunita gets the blame?

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Weren't they divorced? Not Dev's responsibility.

Would Dev be held responsible if they had not divorced? :eek:

i think alan is starting a fund for stella to repair the pub :p

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Originally Posted by lizann

i think alan is starting a fund for stella to repair the pub :p

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Only if they bring back Big Jim Mc Donald

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Originally Posted by lizann

i think alan is starting a fund for stella to repair the pub :p

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Only if they bring back Big Jim Mc Donald

Coronation Street series producer Stuart Blackburn has revealed that Steve McDonald and Michelle Connor could face losing the Rovers Return - to none other than Tracy Barlow.
In a spring preview video released by ITV, Blackburn reveals that Steve's depression has led him to let the pub's finances slide and that this could have devastating consequences.
"The minibus crash is going to have immense consequences for Steve," he said. "It absolutely forces him to admit to his depression. Very quickly he proposes [to Michelle]. We're going to be heading early summer towards a wonderful, very Corrie street wedding."
However, while the couple are celebrating their engagement, Michelle realises that the Rovers is in financial trouble.
"It's not all good news for Steve," Blackburn continued, "because Michelle will realise that in the months where Steve was silently dealing with his depression he wasn't just spending more money than he had. He wasn't paying the bills. It looks like they could lose the Rovers; they haven't got the money.
"Tracy, unfortunately, realises this as she continues her seduction of Tony. She not only sets her sights on him but she sets her sights on the pub as well."
Marsh recently said that she was "delighted" that her character will be marrying Steve.

I doubt if that will happen. Tracey is so poor she was persuaded by Tony to buy half her business.
As much as I`d like to see Me-me-me-chelle thrown out the Rovers on her ear, Liz or Tony will probably find the money from somewhere to pay off their debts.

Does not make sense ... surely as co-owners Liz and Michelle would know that bills have not been paid by now and as Steve has hardly been able to function normally for quite a while, they would have taken care of that side of the business????

:)

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Does not make sense ... surely as co-owners Liz and Michelle would know that bills have not been paid by now and as Steve has hardly been able to function normally for quite a while, they would have taken care of that side of the business????

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you must try to curb that streak of
common-sense & realism Perdita!
It will spoil all the storylines

Sorry :o :p

Looks like the operation to" improve Michelle's viewer popularity rating" is well under way. Tracy as mein host at t'Rovers ,well that's a turn up for sure ?

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Does not make sense ... surely as co-owners Liz and Michelle would know that bills have not been paid by now and as Steve has hardly been able to function normally for quite a while, they would have taken care of that side of the business????

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Isn't Steve and Liz the co owners not Michelle

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Originally Posted by TaintedLove

Me-me-me-chelle

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BRILLIANT!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Does not make sense ... surely as co-owners Liz and Michelle would know that bills have not been paid by now and as Steve has hardly been able to function normally for quite a while, they would have taken care of that side of the business????

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Originally Posted by tammyy2j

Isn't Steve and Liz the co owners not Michelle

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I thought Steve actually owned the pub although the Licence is in Elizabeth's name so it is because yer man Steve has a Criminal record so he has

As I understand Steve and Liz are co- owners. Steves criminal record expired, Steve and Michelle became joint licensees with Liz as manager.

tracy should hire beth for the bar

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Originally Posted by Glen1

As I understand Steve and Liz are co- owners. Steves criminal record expired, Steve and Michelle became joint licensees with Liz as manager.

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Steve McDonald purchased the pub from Stella in October 2013, after she decided that the place held too many painful memories for her. Steve enlisted his mother, Liz's help, as he couldn't afford to buy the pub outright. Liz gave him 50% of the money, intending on helping him run the pub. Steve bought the pub in secret, in order to surprise Michelle and intended on making her landlady. On 14 October 2013, just two days after Steve and Michelle took over the reigns from Stella, a fight broke out in the pub between Kylie and Tina . During the action, Liz returned and resumed her place as landlady,



from wikipedia so it must be true:D

Good old wiki bit lengthy but clears it up "Liz returns to the street again in October 2013. It transpires that both Steve and Liz have bought back The Rovers Return from former landlady, Stella Price (Michelle Collins), owning 45% each. Liz is stunned when she walks into The Rovers and finds Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) and Kylie Platt (Paula Lane) sharing a catfight in front of the bar. Liz and Kylie's friend Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) attempt to step in, but Liz watches in horror as Kylie accidentally slaps Eva. After throwing both Kylie and Tina out of the pub, Liz discovers that Steve hasn't told his girlfriend Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) that she was co-owner. She is further surprised to learn that Michelle is co-landlady and owns 10% of the pub. Following a confrontation with Steve, Michelle resumes her friendship with Liz. Lloyd and Eileen ask how Liz's life was while living in Spain, and Liz replies that it was actually a holiday, although she did own a health spa and a villa whilst there but sold the health spa to buy back The Rovers "

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Originally Posted by Glen1

She is further surprised to learn that Michelle is co-landlady and owns 10% of the pub.

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Well you learn something new every day. How did I miss that? Thanks Glen! :)

Same here must have missed that part. Wonder if the Rovers is placed into receivership. Can't see LIz agreeing voluntarily to sell to Tracy, unless Steve's and Michelle's combined 55% stake forces the sale ?:) Where does that leave Liz ?

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Originally Posted by Glen1

Same here must have missed that part. Wonder if the Rovers is placed into receivership. Can't see LIz agreeing voluntarily to sell to Tracy, unless Steve's and Michelle's combined 55% stake forces the sale ?:) Where does that leave Liz ?

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With 45% still.

Of course we have to feature into the equation that Liz's lover Tony is also Tracyluvs lover so he could be a winner either way. If Tracyluv takes over T'Rovers then he would not even have to move his toothbrush from the bathroom cabinet. Much better than the floor of Barlows Bargains.

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Originally Posted by alan45

Of course we have to feature into the equation that Liz's lover Tony is also Tracyluvs lover so he could be a winner either way. If Tracyluv takes over T'Rovers then he would not even have to move his toothbrush from the bathroom cabinet. Much better than the floor of Barlows Bargains.

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I hadn't thought of it like that! :D

Maybe Liz's friend Erica could buy the pub or Leanne with her divorce pay out

:angry:

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Does not make sense ... surely as co-owners Liz and Michelle would know that bills have not been paid by now and as Steve has hardly been able to function normally for quite a while, they would have taken care of that side of the business????

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That is what would happen in the real world Perdita. In Silly Soapland anything is allowed to happen, however far fetched. Killer Tracey swanning around when she should still be locked up is a prime example. :angry:

going on the market for sale again

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/cor...return-future/

Coronation Street has confirmed the long-term future of the Rovers Return following fears that it could shut down for good.

The Street's iconic pub was recently closed by its new owners, who ordered a major refurbishment and sacked the existing staff members.

Since the Rovers closed its doors, we've seen it play host to some of Stephen Reid's final moments, as his dramatic last episode saw him terrorise Jenny Connor and Sarah Barlow in the empty building.

Since then, there have been few updates on the business' future or a possible reopening date.

Speaking to Digital Spy and other media in a recent press call, Coronation Street's producer Iain MacLeod admitted: "We don't want the Rovers shut for too long because it's almost like a character in its own right.

"Closing it felt almost like a death ? it's almost as big a deal for me as any of the people that might have met their sticky end at the hands of Stephen Reid. The idea that the pub is boarded up was horrifying ? and even walking up the lot and seeing that, it's like a dagger to the heart.

"So it's not going to stay closed for that long. In fact, it reopens on New Year's Eve, but the interesting thing is that the circumstances of it becoming open again are all tied up with Stephen's legacy.

"Somebody will do something that is at best, naughty, at worst, slightly criminal to get their hands on the keys to the pub and reopen it. So it will reopen, but the reopening of it will be based on this slightly shaky foundation of a criminal act."

He continued: "I suppose the viewers will be wondering: 'Well, okay, so the pub is open, but what disaster will befall the person that's allowed that to happen, because it's all based on this misdeed that they've committed?'

"We didn't want it to just open up again and it was like nothing had ever happened. We wanted it to open up with this kind of buried bomb underneath it that we will explode later in [2024]."

MacLeod also assured viewers that, despite recent on-screen talk of a big refurbishment, the pub won't look too different when it opens its doors again.

He said: "It's not going to look radically different. With certain sets, I'm not saying they should never change, but I'd certainly feel like I don't want it to be modernised and gastropub-ified or turned into a chain pub ? in the same way I feel weirdly protective of Deirdre's wallpaper at number one.

"I do feel like the Rovers decor is going to be updated a touch. But for the most part, I really like the look and feel of it at the moment. So it's going to reopen looking quite similar, but the circumstances of its ownership are going to be much more fraught."

ig Coronation Street plot accidentally leaked in star?s Instagram post
Coronation Street viewers have been left wondering what the future holds for the beloved Rovers Return Inn, after it was taken over by Waterford?s, but a new Instagram post by actress Claire Sweeney has revealed that the pub will be left in safe hands.
Claire, who plays Cassie Plummer in the ITV soap, is set to compete in the new series of Dancing on Ice, and recently announced who is set to be her partner on the ice.
However, the picture didn?t just confirm that Claire will be partnered with professional skater Colin Grafton, as eagle-eyed fans will have realised.
In the back of the snap, Jenny Connor?s (Sally Ann Matthews) name can be seen above the door, confirming that she is still the licensee of the pub when it reopens.
On screen, the pub is still boarded up as it undergoes a renovation, but producer Iain MacLeod has confirmed that it will reopen over New Year.
?It?s not going to stay closed for that long. In fact, it reopens on New Year?s Eve I think, but the interesting thing about it is the circumstances of it becoming open again, are all tied up with Stephen?s legacy and somebody will do something that is at best, naughty, at worst, slightly criminal to get their hands on the keys to the pub and reopen it.
?So it will reopen but the reopening of it will be based on this slightly shaky foundation of a criminal act, shall we say?
?So I suppose the viewers will be wondering well, okay, so the pubs are open, but what disaster will befall the person that?s allowed that to happen because it?s all based on this misdeed that they?ve committed towards the end of the year.
?So we didn?t want it I suppose to just open up again and it was like nothing had ever happened. We wanted it to open up with this kind of buried bomb underneath it that we will explode later in the year.
Not only will the Rover?s be under the same management, but the interior isn?t set to look drastically different after the refurb either.
?It?s not going to look radically different either because I don?t know about you guys but I think certain sets and I?m not saying they should never change but I?d certainly feel like I don?t want it to be modernised and gastropub-ified or turned into a chain pub, you know, so much like I feel weirdly protective of Deirdre?s wallpaper at number one.
?I do feel like the Rover?s decor is going to be updated a touch. But for the most part, I really like the look and feel of it at the moment. So it?s going to reopen, looking quite similar, but the circumstances of its ownership are going to be much more fraught??

was that the first time we saw the kitchen, very modern when it doesn't serve many dishes, it should have a chef with more dishes than hotpot

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Originally Posted by lizann

was that the first time we saw the kitchen, very modern when it doesn't serve many dishes, it should have a chef with more dishes than hotpot

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I thought it looked too big to fit in the Rovers!

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Originally Posted by Ruffed_lemur

I thought it looked too big to fit in the Rovers!

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more a hotel kitchen

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Originally Posted by lizann

more a hotel kitchen

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It's all those hotpots.

The odd cheese and ham sandwich has been served in the past ... :cool: