Controversial Storyline for Corries 50th - Contains Spoilers

Coronation Street's upcoming tram crash plot is costing ITV more than £5m, it has been claimed.

According to the News of the World, the logistics of the live show mean that much of the set will be demolished and rebuilt twice, costing £4.23m - making it the most expensive soap storyline ever.

A source said: "We wanted to celebrate our 50th anniversary in style - and doing that doesn't come cheap.

"It'll be the most expensive plot ever screened on British telly. But we reckon our viewers will think it's money well spent and a good way to start our next 50 years."

Meanwhile, £188,000 will be spent on salaries, catering and costumes, experts and stunt co-ordinators will cost £285,000 and a further £187,000 will go on safety precautions. Services from special effects experts have also come to £245,000, making a grand total £5.3m.

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson has said that it was important to come up with an "extraordinary" event to mark the soap's 50th anniversary.

The show's team have created a dramatic disaster storyline for the milestone, which will see an explosion and tram crash change life in Weatherfield forever in next week's episodes.

At a Coronation Street press conference on Friday, Collinson was asked whether soaps now rely on big stunt storylines in order to grab viewers' attention in the current TV climate.

He replied: "I think that television has changed. Programmes like Coronation Street and dramas have to stand up against massive pieces of event television like Strictly, X Factor and the celebrity jungle - events that you just come to because it's special, different and unusual.

"We had to do something like that to mark this [anniversary] really - we had to do something extraordinary. When soaps and drama push the boat out now, it has to push it out really far - you can't hold back anymore. Viewers go to the cinema and they see all kinds of special effects and 3D, which makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the movie.

"I think the days are gone where television drama can sit back and leave it to your imagination - I think that's not what we can do anymore. We have to compete against those great big juggernauts now, and I think that's what we've done."

Seven episodes of the show will air on ITV1 next week, including an hour-long live broadcast on Thursday.

Coronation Street star Bill Roache has promised that the soap's characters will not be overshadowed by stunts in next week's 50th anniversary episodes.

In tomorrow night's double bill of the ITV1 show, a terrible series of events begins as a devastating explosion occurs at the Joinery bar, causing a tram to fall from the viaduct above and onto the cobbles.

As well as causing the deaths of some much-loved characters, the disaster is expected to send a number of current storylines in new directions as the street's residents find their lives changed forever because of the crash.

Speaking at a Coronation Street press conference on Friday, Roache explained: "One thing that impressed me is that often when you have a big event, the event dominates, but with this, it doesn't dominate. The characters are just as strong and everything works together."

The actor - who has played Ken Barlow since the soap's first episode - added: "I can't tell you what a skill it needs from the producer, the writers, the technicians and everybody to get that balance of the individuals and the big event, all merging into one. It's an incredible achievement."

Corrie's producer Phil Collinson explained that, as part of the aim to focus on the characters, there will be a delay before the emergency services arrive on the scene following the tragedy.

He said: "The emergency services arrive in the middle of Tuesday's episode - a little bit later than they ordinarily would do. There is a reason - there's an RTA which stops them getting through for a little while. That was very deliberate, because this is Coronation Street and what we wanted to put at the heart of this was our characters coping with this terrible tragedy."

Coronation Street star Ben Price has admitted that he is glad fans are about to discover the soap's 50th anniversary secrets.

The actor - who plays Nick Tilsley on the ITV1 show - confessed that it has been difficult to keep quiet about the special week of disaster episodes which begin tomorrow night.

Bosses have confirmed that a number of much-loved characters are to lose their lives due to the upcoming Joinery explosion and tram crash, but the identities of the casualties will not be revealed until transmission.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday about the anniversary storyline, Price commented: "It was amazing to film. I feel very privileged to be here for the 50th anniversary.

"We all watched the episodes a few days ago and I can tell you that they're very emotional. Everyone feels very proud. We've all worked so hard and can't wait for fans to see them.

"It will be a massive relief for everyone to finally see who dies as we have had to keep our lips sealed for so long."

Nick will be among the characters left in jeopardy next week as he is in The Joinery when the ferocious explosion takes place.

Transcript of Corrie Press conference

On Friday afternoon, Coronation Street stars Bill Roache (Ken), Michael Le Vell (Kevin), Jennie McAlpine (Fiz) and Antony Cotton (Sean) joined producer Phil Collinson to field questions from the media at a press conference to promote the soap's 50th anniversary storylines. Many of the more interesting snippets from the conference have already appeared in our news section over the past couple of days, but here, Soap Scoop presents the full Q&A. Read on to hear what Bill, Michael, Jennie, Antony and Phil had to say about the tram crash and more.

It's been confirmed that some characters will die next week - when will their identities be revealed on screen?
Phil: "Not until the end of the week, really. We try to wring every ounce of drama and emotion out of it. The whole week takes place in real-time - there isn't a day passing between the episodes, it's literally the next minute. They're just massively action-packed, so we try to hold all of our secrets right to the end of the week."

How did the cast feel when they watched the disaster episodes for the first time?
Michael: "I thought it was amazing. I nearly cried at the end! I thought it was fantastic - just seeing the devastation on the screen, it was quite emotional!"
Bill: "What Michael said was right. I had tears of pride to belong to a team who can produce something like that. I think it's not only one of the best things on Coronation Street ever, I think it's one of the best things on television ever."
Antony: "It's weird watching it! I watch it now as a viewer, because it's all a piece-meal - we all do our little bits in different places, and now it's all together. I'm a fan of the show anyway, but it's watching it as a viewer like everybody else. It's absolutely gobsmackingly amazing."
Jennie: "We were sat - me, Vicky Binns, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Jane Danson was in front of us. Everyone got up but we were sat there for about 15 minutes afterwards - I felt sick! I'm so pleased that the viewers are going to get 24 hours between each one, because watching them all together was quite horrific! Amazing, we were just in shock - just brilliant!"


What would cast members who have passed away think about the anniversary episodes if they were here today?
Bill: "There's better technology now, you have to accept that. When they did the train crash way back in the 1960s, we didn't have half the impact. I think they would have been proud - like I said I was - and impressed, because it is impressive. They've got the best teams, the best experts in every field, and Phil Collinson masterminded it. I think everybody from the past would have been really proud that we've got to this point."

How has Corrie lasted 50 years? What was in that first script that secured the show's long-lasting success?
Bill: "In 1960, when we came, there was a new realism sweeping through the theatre - I've said this a lot, it's been quoted a lot… Tony Warren was a man of his moment, who produced on television the realistic kitchen-sink drama Coronation Street. It had a colossal impact - never before had ordinary people struggling against adversity been seen in this realistic, gritty way. Tony laid the foundation for that and most [important was] the humour, which I think essentially is a Lancashire thing - to see the humour in serious situations. It's not being funny - it's seeing the humour in serious situations, like Blanche's Alcoholics Anonymous scene. So Tony set the criteria, and as long as we stick with that, it can go on forever."

Was the show's magic obvious from the start?
Bill: "Well, we all realised there was something unusual happening here - there was something really, really good. I mean, I was an arrogant little sod at the time and said, 'I don't want to do it' - I'd just got a lead in a play, things were looking good for me and it was only going to run for six weeks. It was only when it started and we got into it that we realised it was something special and great, and I'm very proud and very lucky to have been in it."


What was it like to film the anniversary episodes?
Bill: "Hard work was the predominant thing! We were working from ten at night until five in the morning for a three-week period, so it was hard work, but you don't mind hard work if it's going to produce something like that. We all knew this year was going to be tough, and it has been. But it has been fruitful and worthwhile."
Antony: "There was a seven-week period where it was predominantly night shoots, and then there was a three-week period where it was all night shoots. Some poor sods were in every single day. I was one of the lucky ones because I was in The Rovers."
Michael: "I was one of those ones who was in most nights, but to break the night up, because the canteen was shut, you'd just treat yourself and get a takeaway and sit round the table with the rest of the cast at midnight. It was a great atmosphere - it was a tremendous atmosphere."
Bill: "There was a tremendous feel that something special was happening."
Phil: "It was an amazing place to be on those three nights when the tram was in position and the buildings were collapsed. Danny Hargreaves did all of our physical effects - all of the flames and explosions and collapsing. Most of the week is all Danny - it's real fires and it's real rubble collapsing on people. So there was an astonishing atmosphere to stand at the end of Coronation Street and see it on fire and ablaze. A couple of the cast said to me that it wasn't difficult to act some of the more emotional sequences, because it felt very real to be standing there."

How are you feeling over the upcoming live episode?
Michael: "It's a continuation of the last seven weeks - it's just carrying on that excitement, because it is exciting. For any of us who've done live theatre, it's like that - but hopefully in front of about 20 million people! That'll be the difference!"
Jennie: "I don't have to move very much, I can tell you that - which is quite good! So I'm lucky - I'm fine! But I think my husband has to move quite extensively."
Phil: "Graeme [Hawley] actually is the actor in more sets than anybody else. We're going to be putting him in a golf buggy and spinning him all over the place! He's all over!"

Could snow affect the live episode?
Phil: "I think that is part of the experience of live. It's why we wanted to do it - and it's why we wanted to do it right in the middle. The first episode [of the week] could have been the live one, actually - it's a brilliant episode, it's beautiful and dramatic with amazing performances. We didn't want to do that - we wanted to put the live episode right in the middle, with fire, explosions, flames, stunts, death and fire engines - just everything we can throw at it. It's amazing, huge and - fingers crossed - astonishing. But you know what, that is what live is all about. If it snows, we'll plough on. If it rains, we'll plough on. If something falls out of the sky, we'll plough on regardless. If any of those things happen, the audience will enjoy it even more. That's the business of live and that's what we're embracing."
Antony: "There'll be so many people on the street, you won't even see snow! There'll be about 700 people and extras!"


Was any research done into real-life accidents?
Phil: "Yeah, we talked extensively with the emergency services. The emergency services arrive in the middle of Tuesday's episode - a little bit later than they ordinarily would do. There is a reason - there's an RTA which stops them getting through for a little while. That was very deliberate, because this is Coronation Street and what we wanted to put at the heart of this was our characters coping with this terrible tragedy. We had fire and police with us throughout the filming, advising us on how they get people out of buildings and how they put fire out. We've also had a massive amount of support from GMPTE, who run the tram system in Manchester. So we've had tremendous support from all over the place."

Monday's first episode opens with a CGI shot showing beyond the viaduct and wider Weatherfield - how did that come about?
Phil: "Obviously the shot develops into, for the first time, a glimpse of Weatherfield and beyond the beginning and end of Coronation Street and Rosamund Street. So when we saw that shot for the first time, it just felt very epic and brilliant, and it just felt like a really lovely way of starting the week - saying to the world, 'Here's a big shot, it's going to be a little bit unusual this week and a bit different'. So that was the reasoning behind that. We didn't originally plan to do that, but when we saw the shot, we thought that'd be a beautiful thing to do."

Is this the first time that we've seen such a shot?
Phil: "It is, I believe so. And then as we go on in the week, we look the other way as well and we see even broader Weatherfield. Careful viewers, if they pause their TV afterwards, will be able to see the Red Rec and all sorts of landmarks that have gone in there. It's been created with a lot of love and reference to a lot of landmarks that we've spoken of for many years."


Molly and baby Jack end up trapped in rubble at the Corner Shop - how did you film those scenes with the baby?
Phil: "Obviously the safety of the baby was absolutely paramount. A lot of the sequences you will see were filmed with a really brilliant, clever, absolutely terrifying doll! It's absolutely, terribly realistic - it moves and everything! Then, any scenes where you see the baby moving in Molly's arms were actually done on a specially-built little section of set. You'll see all of it in close-up - it looks like they're buried in the middle of that, but they're actually not - she's sat very comfortably with the baby. So actually the baby just sits there in her arms. It will look like the baby is buried in the middle of that and he gets quite distressed - very deliberately so, because it has to be realistic, this. The plot is all about Molly and Jack and fighting to get them out of where they're trapped, so we wanted to do it justice. It's sometimes quite difficult to watch, but the baby is very, very safe."

Does this week of episodes set the benchmark for future episodes?
Phil: "I hope so, that would be nice. I think the viewers will have to tell us, really. I mean, Coronation Street has always done big stunts - they collapsed a house right back in 1965, and then in '67 a train came off the viaduct. A lorry ran into The Rovers, The Rovers has burned down - there's a million and one stunts. It's always had that in its DNA - it's always had times where it's event television. I think it's a fantastic week of television. I hope it's a benchmark - we're not doing it again! [laughs] Someone else can do it!"
Bill: "One thing that impressed me is that often when you have a big event, the event dominates, but with this, it doesn't dominate. The characters are just as strong and everything works together. I can't tell you what a skill it needs from the producer, the writers, the technicians and everybody to get that balance of the individuals and the big event, all merging into one. It's an incredible achievement."


How much did it cost to film the tram crash?
Phil: "It cost a lot of money… We had to ask ITV for an awful lot of money, and they said yes. When they said yes, I wished I'd asked for more! [laughs] But there you go, I'll learn next time! Not that there'll be a next time!"

Do soaps need big events like this to capture the public's attention in the current TV climate?
Phil: "I think that television has changed. Programmes like Coronation Street and dramas have to stand up against massive pieces of event television like Strictly, X Factor and the celebrity jungle - events that you just come to because it's special, different and unusual. We had to do something like that to mark this [anniversary] really - we had to do something extraordinary. When soaps and drama push the boat out now, it has to push it out really far - you can't hold back anymore. Viewers go to the cinema and they see all kinds of special effects and 3D, which makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the movie. I think the days are gone where television drama can sit back and leave it to your imagination - I think that's not what we can do anymore. We have to compete against those great big juggernauts now, and I think that's what we've done."

As the soap first announced its 50th anniversary disaster on July 7, there's been five long months of intense speculation surrounding this massive storyline - so there was definitely an air of excitement in the room as the lights dimmed and the events that everyone's been talking about started to play out on screen.

Many of you will already know that there's a special twist to proceedings from the very beginning of tonight's first episode, as it starts off with a stunning shot showing life beyond the viaduct and wider Weatherfield.

The special shot certainly makes for a beautiful opening and it's fantastic to see the street in context after so long - cementing the idea that this is just an ordinary street with ordinary people, which looks to be all-important for this 50th anniversary week as it'll be the human touches which take centre stage despite the disaster.

Tonight's first episode is very much a continuation of the build-up we've been seeing over the past few weeks as many of the soap's ongoing storylines are coming to a head, although the pace ramps up more than a few gears as the episode progresses, coupled with the sense of foreboding as we know what's coming.


Despite being excited to see the tram crash - which occurs in episode two - it's important to say that there's no sense of impatience as we wait for the big event to take place. The storylines that the Corrie team have set up have been so gripping that I was as interested to see where those were going as I was to see the crash itself. It's a real credit to the writers that, with the biggest soap stunt ever about to occur, our attention can still be captured by the characters that we care so much about and tune in each night to see.

The classic Corrie humour is also present in the episodes as Leanne's hen night leads to some funny moments and lines at The Rovers. It's clear throughout that the producers are respecting the show's heritage with this - yes, there's a big stunt on the way, but we're not suddenly seeing a whole new Corrie on the show's 50th anniversary. It's bigger and better in terms of stunts and visual effects, but it's not at the expense of familiarity and won't alienate any long-term viewers.

I don't want to give too much more away about what we saw on screen, as part of the magic of watching tonight's two episodes was seeing the moments that we haven't heard about in spoilers, or those that play out a little bit differently than we might expect.


However, it's no secret that Molly and Tyrone's story will be one of those to reach a climax tonight and Alan Halsall gives a standout performance as his heartbreak turns to anger after Molly drops a bombshell.

Although less prominent tonight, Jane Danson and Alison King are as brilliant as ever in their respective portrayals of the love-torn Leanne and always-complex Carla.

Graeme Hawley and Becky Hindley continue to impress in the twisted tale of John and Charlotte, and fans may also be struck by Ben Price's performance as we see more of that elusive softer side to Nick Tilsley.


The stunt itself is also something that's best to see for yourself than read too much about beforehand, but it more than lives up to the hype - so credit must also go to special effects supervisor Danny Hargreaves, his team at Real SFX, as well as visual effects company The Mill, who worked on the CGI.

One thing I will say is that the stunt isn't just one moment. As producer Phil Collinson recently said that Corrie will "wring every ounce of drama and emotion" out of the disaster's aftermath, the team do the same with the bar explosion and the crash - it's certainly not all over in a flash!

Once the screening of tonight's two episodes were over, we were also treated to the first look at the stunning video montage of the entire week. While there was a round of applause after the episodes were screened, the montage was greeted by more of a stunned silence at first! It really is an amazing video.

All in all, it looks like fans are in for a fitting tribute to 50 years of Coronation Street. I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of the week…

Coronation Street's 50th anniversary week begins with a bang tonight as an explosion destroys The Joinery bar and causes a tram to career from the viaduct above, leading to a night of terror and tragedy on the cobbles. During the early stages of planning for the spectacular episodes, producer Phil Collinson recruited expert Danny Hargreaves and his team to create a number of real special effects for the occasion, as fire, explosions and other stunts will leave some much-loved characters in jeopardy. DS recently spoke to Danny about his work on the milestone block of episodes.

When were you first approached to take on this role for Corrie's 50th anniversary?
"It was mid-way through the summer - I know Phil Collinson from working on Doctor Who with him, so he contacted me directly and told me about this project. He didn't reveal too much at the time, but I came up for a meeting along with [visual effects company] The Mill, who were responsible for the CGI, and Phil sat down and he explained what he wanted to do. That was the point when I realised it would be quite a task! It took roughly two or three months to put it together before we started filming and a lot of meetings. It was a long process, but before we knew it, we were getting ready to set fire to things!"

What were the early discussions with Phil like?
"He basically asked us how we would crash a tram off the viaduct, and there was many different ways we could have done it. We could have put a real tram in there and forced it into the set by firing it down, but we decided to go to the CGI option for that particular part. But I wanted to have a physical aspect to it as well, and the viewers will see that. We had the front end of a tram crashing into the Corner Shop, and the tram was specially built for the show. So it was a combination between the two - the CGI and the physical. Hopefully it works well! There'll be so many effects and stunts in the episodes."

Do you feel like you've been able to put your own stamp on the episodes?
"Yes, definitely. I work a lot with action and like to have lots of stuff going on - lots of explosions and stuff. So I'm very used to creating disasters - it's very normal for me! I wanted to make sure we had those real, physical effects and had the characters at the heart of the action."

What were the Corrie cast like to work with when you were creating these episodes?
"They were great. It can be very, very challenging for the cast to get involved with something like this, but there wasn't anyone who had any problems. Everyone was great and really got stuck in. I was very impressed. Like I said, I've worked on a lot of TV dramas and the cast here were brilliant - really, really good."

Is it true that we can expect some live special effects in Thursday's live episode?
"Yeah, but I'm not quite sure how that's going to be done yet! I've just started back at work to concentrate on the live episode, and I've got a team working on it at the moment. It's all coming together - it's a big, big task, but it's going to be pretty immense."

Having special effects and stunts in a live episode sounds like it could be very challenging - would that be a big feat if all goes to plan?
"Yeah, it would be. We are doing physical effects for the live episode. Most of the big stuff that we've done was all filmed weeks ago and appears in the other episodes in the week. But there is still a physical effect that's going to be used on the live as well, so I'm just trying to put that together at the moment."

Did you feel a lot of pressure as you took charge of this massive occasion for Corrie?
"Oh, incredibly - this is a massive show! It's played out in so many households - and whether you're a fan or not, everyone knows it. It's great to be involved at any point, but particularly in the 50th anniversary. I'm really excited, very lucky and very happy about that!"

There's been so much hype and anticipation surrounding these episodes - do you think they can live up to people's expectations?
"You'll have to tell me! But these episodes definitely kept me busy in the weeks that we were filming - I haven't been this busy on a drama for a long time. I hope it pays off."

Has this been the most challenging project of your career?
"I think it's been challenging in the sense that it's such a high-profile project. Like I said earlier, everyone knows Corrie and the media interest has been huge - quite rightly so, as it's a great show! So there has been a pressure to make sure that this is delivered correctly and that everything looks real. How people respond to it remains to be seen, but I'm very proud of it."

Have you been a Corrie fan yourself over the years?
"Unfortunately, working in television means that I don't always get a chance to watch television, but I do watch some of it and I know all of the characters. I've grown up with the show and it's quite funny working on the street that you've grown up with! It was great fun."

How does this compare to working on Doctor Who?
"I think with Doctor Who, there is that feeling that you can get away with things, as the setting will be a spaceship or something! But with this, it had to look real and that was the main thing. Because of that need for attention to detail, everyone has worked really hard - from my department, from the CGI department and from the art department here at Coronation Street. The art department have worked really hard to make this look as real as possible, and all credit to them. It's been an amazing task!"

Was there anything you'd hoped to do with the episodes but couldn't because there were restrictions?
"Not really, to be honest. I've been heavily involved in the whole design of it and there isn't anything that we haven't been able to do. We've just gone with it. I've worked closely with The Mill and I also worked with them on Doctor Who, so we have a very good working relationship - they know what they can achieve and I know what I can achieve. It comes together beautifully."

I just hope with all the hype and money spent on this week that we are not disappointed

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Originally Posted by alan45

I just hope with all the hype and money spent on this week that we are not disappointed

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I don't think we will be (hopefully!)

Pity the identities of the cast killed weren't kept under closer wraps like who killed archie, but it should stil be good.

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Originally Posted by Rain_

Pity the identities of the cast killed weren't kept under closer wraps like who killed archie, but it should stil be good.

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I'm hoping for a shock death! Does that sound awful? haha

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chris_2k10

I'm hoping for a shock death! Does that sound awful? haha

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no.. I was hoping someone was going to die in the vic fire... that is what Soaps are suppose to be about.. some shocks and cliff hangers

I think it will be Molly, Ashley, Rita and that weird women who John is 'seeing' who die.

I can't see them killing Rita off, you never know though!

I'll be glad to see the back of Molly tbh.

I dont think Reet will die either

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chris_2k10

I'm hoping for a shock death! Does that sound awful? haha

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Me too a few shock deaths

I think a child dies also one of Dev's twins or little Max maybe

Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell has admitted that he felt emotional when filming the soap's 50th anniversary episodes.

The ITV1 show is marking its milestone with a huge disaster storyline beginning in tonight's double bill, which features an explosion at The Joinery and a devastating tram crash.

In an interview with Sky News, Le Vell confessed that shooting the episodes could sometimes be difficult due to the huge implications of the event.

The actor - who plays Kevin Webster - explained: "[It was seeing] Coronation Street up in flames and all the devastation, all the characters' faces and thinking how it's going to affect everybody's lives now."

He added: "Seeing a good friend of mine doing some of his final scenes also brought a tear to my eye."

Corrie bosses have been promoting this week's episodes with the tagline "four funerals and a wedding".

The moment that Coronation Street fans have been waiting five months for arrives tonight as The Joinery explodes and a tram crashes onto the cobbles in a dramatic double bill of the ITV1 soap. Created to mark the show's 50th anniversary, the shock disaster will see the drama lose some much-loved characters over the coming days, send existing storylines in new directions and also spark some new plots which are expected to start the New Year with a bang.

Join DS here from 7.30pm as we provide live updates from tonight's episodes on the night that Weatherfield changes forever. As the episode airs and afterwards, don't forget to use the form at the bottom of the page to have your say!

7.30pm: Janice approaches Ken on the street and reminds him that they're about to be related as the camera pans up and we see a glimpse above the viaduct and of wider Weatherfield.

7.32pm: Molly is on the phone to her father and says that she'll be catching the tram and will see him later. Tyrone is unhappy and firmly warns that he's not going to let her leave.

7.33pm: At The Kabin, Norris chastises Becky for letting Max wander off from the pub, but Rita warns him to mind his own business. At the bookies, Peter and Leanne flirt as they discuss their upcoming marriage - but as Leanne leaves, it's clear that she still has doubts about their future.

7.34pm: Sally bumps into Tyrone at the Corner Shop and hassles him about Christmas arrangements. Tyrone loses his temper and reveals that Molly plans to leave tonight and take the baby with her. Sally is shocked as Tyrone admits that Molly no longer loves him.

7.35pm: At The Joinery, Ciaran complains about problems with the gas supply, so Nick tells him that he'll have to serve up cold food instead.

7.36pm: In the back room at The Joinery, Leanne tells Nick that she plans to stay with Peter, leaving him crushed. She then heads over The Rovers for her hen night celebrations, where Tina is having her first night behind the bar.

7.37pm: Janice admits that she's fed up with being alone, while Eileen insists that she's alone by choice. Meanwhile, Tina tells Julie that Graeme is having a quiet night in at the flat.


7.38pm: Sally has told the Websters about the problems between Tyrone and Molly. Sally wants to get involved and head over there, but Kevin furiously warns her to stay away - saying that the last thing they need is an audience. At the Dobbs house, Tyrone tells Molly that she's "not right in the head" and angrily throws her clothes out of her suitcase, saying that she's not leaving.

7.39pm: Tyrone is becoming increasingly distraught as the thought of life without Molly and Jack sinks in. At his lowest ebb, he begs Molly to stay and says that she can carry on having her affair as long as he can keep living with the baby. As he asks his wife to take pity on him, Molly deals Tyrone a new blow by declaring that this is exactly what she has been doing…

7.40pm: John is trying to hang up a Christmas wreath on his front door, and Fiz offers to get him a hammer. Chesney and Katy tell the pair what they have planned for the evening, while Peter and Carla have a friendly chat on the cobbles and Ashley bids Claire farewell as he heads off to the stag night.

7.41pm: John receives a phone call from Charlotte, who is keeping an eye on proceedings outside. After she quizzes him about whether he's told Fiz the truth yet, Fiz heads out to the hen night and Charlotte watches with a sinister look on her face as they affectionately part company…

7.46pm: Back from an advert break, and it's all getting a bit rowdy at the stag night, while Lloyd teases Steve about his history of weddings.


7.47pm: At The Rovers, Norris asks Tina how she's enjoying her new job and confesses that he'll be leaving soon due to all the rowdy women at the hen night.

7.48pm: Julie admits that she'd love to be married - even if it was just for a day so she'd know what it's like! Leanne tells the others that she wants to be with Peter for the rest of her life, but Carla can't keep her mouth shut and makes a barbed comment, to Leanne's frustration.

7.49pm: Ken ponders whether he's done the right thing with regard to Leanne, as he and Deirdre head off to the respective parties. At The Joinery, Chris is giving Cheryl grief about getting a babysitter rather than letting him look after his own son. Lloyd steps in and things get heated, while Ken turns up at the bar.

7.50pm: A depressed Nick knocks back the booze at The Joinery, before heading off purposefully.

7.51pm: Nick turns up at the pub and takes Leanne outside. He says that Leanne knows in her heart that she's doing the wrong thing and could still run away with him. Leanne is shocked by the suggestion, but it's clear that she's tempted.

7.52pm: Both Nick and Leanne are now in tears. Nick tells Leanne that he won't let her marry Peter, but Leanne insists that the wedding will be going ahead. Nick hints that the truth could come out, but Leanne says that Peter won't hear it from her and storms off. Will Nick reveal all?

7.53pm: Back inside, scheming Carla can't resist sticking her oar in and encourages Nick to return to The Joinery and tell Peter the truth. At the Dobbs residence, Tyrone stands in Molly's way to stop her from leaving.


7.54pm: Tyrone finally agrees that Molly can leave, but says she must leave Jack behind. Meanwhile, Maria arrives at The Rovers and Becky panics as Max has gone missing again. She heads out onto the street. Meanwhile, Charlotte knocks furiously on John's door…

7.55pm: A panicked John brings Charlotte inside the house. At the Dobbs house, Tyrone insists that he won't let Molly leave with his flesh and blood. Pushed to the edge, Molly admits that Jack isn't Tyrone's flesh and blood at all - he's somebody else's child...

7.56pm: Shocked to the core, Tyrone demands to know who the father is. We're then treated to a preview of what's in store in half an hour's time - that tram is coming down…

7.57pm: Our live updates will resume when Corrie continues at 8.30pm! In the meantime, ITV1 will be re-airing the show's historic first episode...

8.29pm: We're back, and the ITV announcer promises an event that's going to change the lives of Weatherfield's residents forever.

8.30pm: Tyrone demands answers from Molly and claims that she must be lying, so Molly explains that she had a long affair last year and even came close to leaving him at Christmas. She apologises for everything and says that Tyrone deserves better.

8.31pm: Tyrone angrily declares that Molly should have never returned to him. Meanwhile, Rita's plans for the evening have changed following a phone call from her friend, so she tells Nick that she's facing another night in front of the telly.

8.32pm: After trying to get a kiss from John under the mistletoe, Charlotte demands that John call Fiz and tell her to return home so he can tell her the truth. At the Dobbs residence, Tyrone brands Molly "a cheating liar". She tries to make him feel better by saying that he can keep the house, but a tearful Tyrone is unimpressed, shouting that she's ripped his life to shreds.

8.33pm: Tyrone shouts "I hate you - you're an evil slag!" as Molly makes her exit. At the hen night, Leanne is looking miserable while Sean frets about Max's disappearance. Dr. Carter arrives at the pub - he may come in handy later…

8.34pm: Molly waits outside on the street and tries to call Kevin, but at the Websters', he chooses not to answer his phone. Meanwhile, Sally says that they should get some dessert from the Corner Shop.

8.35pm: Becky scours the street for Max. Meanwhile, at the Stapes', John tries to buy more time by sending Charlotte away. However, Charlotte isn't having any of it - she says they love each other and should be together forever.

8.36pm: At the stag night, everyone complains about Ciaran's cold food. He explains the problem with the gas. Meanwhile, the men share some banter as they name the one thing in life they can't live without. A drunken Ashley admits that he couldn't live without Claire, while the other men also declare their love for their partners - although Ciaran isn't impressed by their soppiness.

8.37pm: Nick tells Ken that he's planning to tell Peter the truth, leaving Ken stunned. Meanwhile, at John's, Charlotte complaints about her arch-rival "Fizzy Wizzy"!

8.38pm: John finally tells Charlotte that he'll never love her and the whole farce has to stop. But a distressed Charlotte says that his relationship with Fiz is based on a lie.

8.39pm: Charlotte seems more crazed than ever and insists that she's about to go over to The Rovers to tell Fiz everything. John tries to stop her from leaving, so Charlotte asks whether he's about to add violence against a woman to his growing list of crimes. Picking up a hammer, swings it wildly, but John grabs it off her. As Charlotte goes to leave, promising to tell Fiz "the dirty truth about John Stape", John violently plunges the hammer into Charlotte. The force of his shock attack knocks her against the front door - causing the Christmas wreath to fall outside...

8.44pm: Back from an advert break, and Charlotte checks for Charlotte's pulse, but his hands end up covered in blood. Tyrone turns up at the Websters' and tells Sally the shocking truth about Jack. Kevin has gone out for pudding.

8.45pm: Tension between Lloyd and Chris is continuing to develop. Meanwhile, Nick lies to Peter, saying that Leanne is on the phone in the office. Peter is confused but follows him in. At the Corner Shop, Molly says goodbye to Sunita and admits that she won't be back.

8.46pm: Kevin turns up at the shop looking for pudding, leading to an awkward moment between him and Molly. Jack smiles at Kevin, making him feel even worse. As Sunita heads into the back, Molly admits that she's left Tyrone and that he's crushed. She also reveals that she's told him the truth about Jack but remained discreet about Kevin's involvement.

8.47pm: Molly suggests to Kevin that he should leave with her, but Kevin refuses. Molly tells him that he'll have to say goodbye to his son in that case - and she's not coming back… Meanwhile, Becky continues the search for Max, asking Claire if she's seen him.

8.48pm: Dr. Carter vows to have one more drink before leaving The Rovers. At the pub, Ken tells Leanne about Nick's intentions. Leanne says that she can't do anything about it, making Ken wonder whether she wants him to tell Peter the truth.

8.49pm: John tries to move Charlotte's dead body. Steve knocks on his door to tell him about the wreath and ask about Max, but John gets rid of him. Grabbing his phone, John wonders whether to dial 999. At The Kabin, Rita reaches up for some sweets.

Was the tram empty?

I expected all transport cancelled in the snow

lol. Im not sure. All I saw was the driver though.

How is John going to get Charlotte's body out of the house without anyone seeing him. Is he going to go down the back alleyway?

CORRIE bosses will record a BACK-UP of Thursday's historic live 50th anniversary episode.

Banks of technical experts have been called in to oversee the hour-long special. But show chief Phil Collinson has ordered a full dress-rehearsal for all 65 cast, which will be filmed.

A source said: "It's an expensive insurance policy but worth it."

Stars like Michelle Keegan have told of their nerves over the show.

The Sun

SHOW bosses have teamed up with ITN news to broadcast a special report live from the cobbles.

The bulletins will be anchored by Alastair Stewart, 58, who will link to a reporter on Coronation Street.

Caroline Whitmore will bring viewers all the action in the aftermath of the tram crash, including exclusive interviews with some of the residents caught up in the disaster.

Builder Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas, 26) will be just one resident giving an eye-witness account of the horrors unfolding.

The dramatic news reports will be uploaded onto the show’s official website after every episode this week.

Rolling news footage is just the beginning of online activity around the 50th anniversary.

There will also be exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, including first-ever access to Coronation Street’s story conference and the making of the historic tram crash episode.

Craig Charles, 46, will also front a special documentary on spectacular stunts from over the years, Ken Barlow (William Roache, 79) will reminisce on times gone by with grandson Simon (Alex Bain) and there will be a special goodbye video from one of the characters to perish in the tragedy.


Daily Star

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lizann

Was the tram empty?

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Guess so, otherwise there'd be a lot more than four funerals! Talking of which, is the driver one of them?

Nope apparently the driver survives!

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Originally Posted by Chris_2k10

Nope apparently the driver survives!

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So it's not like Star Trek then, where the "extra" gets it!?

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Originally Posted by parkerman

So it's not like Star Trek then, where the "extra" gets it!?

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was he wearing a red shirt???

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson has revealed that the soap's tram driver survived last night's crash and will feature in more scenes this week.

Yesterday, fans saw the driver make a failed attempt to avoid disaster by slamming on the brakes as his vehicle approached the destroyed viaduct above The Joinery following an explosion at the bar.

However, tragically, he was unable to stop the tram from crashing onto the cobbles, where it destroyed some of the street's buildings and left lives in jeopardy.

As Collinson fielded viewer questions on Coronation Street Uncovered: Live last night, one fan jokingly asked whether the storyline was influenced by "a really bad experience on a Manchester tram".

The show boss replied: "I have to say that Manchester trams are the safest trams in the entire world. It's impossible for them to crash.

"As you'll find out as the week goes on, the tram is actually the safest place to be - because the tram driver survives!"

Tom Burroughs - who plays the driver - has previously said that he was 'honoured' to take on such a significant role on the show.

Here's some pictures showing the collaboration between Coronation Street and ITN which is running all week for the soap's 50th anniversary.

Over the next few days, Corrie's official website is hosting specially-filmed news bulletins featuring anchor Alistair Stewart and reporter Caroline Whitmore as they cover the breaking story of the devastating explosion and tram crash on the cobbles.

Appearing each night after the latest episode of Corrie airs, the news bulletins will feature eye-witness accounts from local residents and updates on the ongoing rescue work.

Other material appearing online this week will include access to a Coronation Street story conference, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the tram crash, a documentary fronted by Craig Charles exploring memorable Weatherfield stunts from over the years, and a special goodbye VT from one of the characters who perishes in the tragedy.

ITV.com's editor Ben Freeman commented: "The expansion of digital activity for ITV.com is hugely important, and we're really excited about the potential for top storylines to spin out onto other platforms - we know fans expect Corrie to be strong online.

"We're working with the scriptwriters, cast and crew on this and we're sure fans will love getting deeper insight into storylines and characters in new and exciting ways."

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Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson kept tight-lipped over the fate of bunny boiler Charlotte Hoyle last night.

In yesterday's double bill of the ITV1 soap, the twisted schoolteacher appeared to become the first casualty of the show's 50th anniversary week as John Stape (Graeme Hawley) furiously attacked her with a hammer.

After Charlotte turned up on his doorstep and vowed to tell Fiz the truth about Colin Fishwick's death as they argued, a shock scene saw John strike her with the weapon in one ferocious blow.

Although Charlotte appeared to have passed away on screen, Collinson and the Corrie cast continued to preserve the show's anniversary secrets last night by refusing to confirm whether she really had been killed.

Appearing on ITV2's Coronation Street Uncovered: Live, Antony Cotton - who plays Sean Tully - commented: "What about this for a theory - is she dead?"

Seeming to rule out the possibility that Charlotte could still be alive, Collinson replied: "Is she dead? She got a hammer over the head, what are you talking about?"

However, he went on to confess that he could have been misleading fans, saying: "That could be a double red herring!"

Charlotte - played by Becky Hindley - made her first appearance in the soap back in April and has been tormenting John on screen for weeks.


Personally I would be delighted if John hadnt killed Charlotte. John isnt really a bad person. He is mor a fool who thinks he can sort things out. He just doesnt want to hurt anyone. If he is made a killer then that would be the end of him as a character.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alan45

Personally I would be delighted if John hadnt killed Charlotte. John isnt really a bad person. He is mor a fool who thinks he can sort things out. He just doesnt want to hurt anyone. If he is made a killer then that would be the end of him as a character.

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I don't think there's much doubt that Charlotte is dead. I don't think it will be the end of John as a character - there's still plenty of life in him yet. After all, if anyone could drive someone to murder it was Charlotte.

I think that John will forget about Charlotte and try his best to help Fizz and the other victims of the explosion. I can't believe he managed to kill Charlotte!

The writer of Coronation Street's tram crash episode has admitted that he only saw the dramatic edition for the first time last night.

Joe Turner penned the second instalment of yesterday evening's double bill, which saw an explosion rock The Joinery and a tram crash onto the cobbles.

In an interview with BBC Radio Wales, Turner confessed that he was not given an advance copy of the episode because the secrecy surrounding the storyline was so strict.

He explained: "I was in the odd position of not having seen it before. Normally we get DVDs in advance, but because they were trying to keep as much secrecy as possible about it, I actually had the thrill of sitting with my family last night with a very nice bottle of wine and enjoying it as it went out!"

Discussing how the shock storyline came about, Turner continued: "We've been planning the 50th anniversary for about a year, and some of us on the writing team were more keen to actually do it low key, and to have very quiet kind of stories, and maybe just Ken doing a little speech in the pub or something like that.

"But our producer, bless him, persuaded us that what we should do, and what we have done, and what we will see from now on, is that we have actually taken three very big stories and built them to a series of climaxes. Then we have dropped a tram and a massive explosion on the street."

An average of 13.74m viewers tuned in to see the crash last night.

Forgive me for this; but whats the third major story?
We have Peter/Nick/Leanne triangle which has been built over the last few weeks.
Then Molly/Kevin/Tyrone & baby jack which has been going on for ever.
Whats the third?

Unless its the one, in my eyes which is boring & horrible, with fizz/john/charlotte

Yeh i think that's it. I dont like the John stuff at the moment with Charlotte. But I feel like its progressing now with Fiz having the baby. I want to see how they deal with being a proper family and everything surrounding whether she is going to survive or not 'Hope' very apt name :(

Liz Dawn has said that Coronation Street veteran William Roache should receive a knighthood for his services to the soap.

Speaking to This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Mark Durden-Smith, the actress, who portrayed Vera Duckworth for 33 years until 2007, said that Roache had contributed a great deal to the soap's history.

"He should be knighted, that man," Dawn said. "Fifty years in a popular show and all that work he's done over the years."

Talking about her time on the cobbles, Dawn joked: "Jack and Vera got that popular we were asked to open shops and I opened everything but a toilet - and I'd have opened that if the money had been right! It was amazing how it changed your life."

Dawn also praised the efforts of the show's current cast in this week's special 50th anniversary episodes.

"I nearly died watching last night's episode - I thought my bottom teeth had dropped out [I had my mouth open so wide]!" she said.

"They must've worked really hard, all the cast and crew."

Coronation Street's 50th anniversary commemoration continues all this week on ITV1, with a special live episode on Thursday.

These pictures show the latest dramatic developments for Coronation Street's Peter Barlow, Nick Tilsley and Ashley Peacock as the soap's 50th anniversary week continues.

Following the ferocious explosion which ripped through The Joinery on Peter's stag night, all three men remain trapped amid the debris of the destroyed bar.

As the wait for the emergency crews continues and it becomes clear that Peter's injuries are life-threatening, Nick and Ashley decide to mount a rescue mission of their own before it's too late.

However, just as the pair try to move Peter, The Joinery starts to collapse - leaving it uncertain whether any of the three men will make it out alive…

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IT was a £1million spectacular bringing death and destruction to Corrie's famous cobbles.
But hundreds of fans branded Monday's 50th anniversary tram crash laughable.

They flooded internet forums labelling the scenes "hilariously bad" and a "total laughfest".


That's despite soap bosses drafting in special effects experts and pyrotechnics pros.

And yesterday The Sun managed to recreate the explosive footage for just under a hundred pounds - purely for the purpose of criticism and review!

The ITV1 show's episode - watched by almost 15million people - saw Weatherfield's new bar The Joinery explode after a gas leak, destroying the tram tracks.

In computer-generated scenes a tram approached and the driver looked horrified as it plunged into the Kabin and corner shop.

TRejas said: "I thought it was hilariously bad - the acting, the CGI, the stunt, it was all so bad!!!"

MC Ricken added: "The explosion part was really good but the close-up with the tram driver and the crash was naff beyond words."
Corrie bosses employed experts from Doctor Who to create the scenes but we managed to recreate the historic footage with a quick trip to a London model shop.

We spent just £99.50 - buying models of houses (£21), people (£21), train track (£13) bridge (£10) cobblestones (£9), arches (£14), tram (£10) and Blu-Tack (£1.50).

Back at our studio assistant Joel Fox recreated the moment the tram plunges off the viaduct with the aid of a kitchen blowtorch - wobbling the table to capture the moment the Kabin collapses.

All that was missing from our diddy dramatics were the screams of Ken Barlow, Janice Battersby and Molly Dobbs

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Sorry Sun you really shouldnt believe all you read on Digital Sh!te. The Corrie Tram Crash was a spectacular stunt

CORRIE actors have been slapped with a booze ban ahead of tomorrow night's special live episode.
Bosses insist that no alcohol must be drunk in the 24 hours before cameras roll - and won't even allow anyone a nip to steady their nerves.

Producer Phil Collinson wants his stars to get as much rest as possible tonight to cut the chances of them making howlers.

The cast will be rewarded for their abstinence on Friday at a lavish champagne celebration bash sanctioned by Collison as a thank-you for their hard work.

A source said: "Phil feels it's only right that everyone stays off the booze and keeps a clear head.

"Everyone is putting all their energy into making this week a huge success - and then crowning it with the mother of all parties."

The live show will mark the end of the ITV1 soap's 50th anniversary celebrations and comes as well-known characters are killed off by the tram crash.

The live scenes will be shot in the street and the Rovers Return, focusing on how the locals lean on each other for support.

Executives have also banned the cast having bets on who will fluff their lines first.

They fear it could put more stress on the older stars.

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As Coronation Street's 50th anniversary week continues, Fiz Stape is among the many characters facing a traumatic time following the shock disaster on the cobbles. In the aftermath of the tram crash tragedy, Fiz is currently in premature labour and needs urgent medical attention. Additionally, unbeknown to Fiz, her husband John has just furiously attacked his tormentor Charlotte Hoyle with a hammer - adding one more sinister secret to a long list which could blow their marriage apart. DS recently caught up with Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz, to hear her take on this week's episodes and Corrie's birthday.

What's it been like to take such a central role in this massive milestone for Corrie?
"Honestly, it's so special. I love Corrie and I'm a massive soap fan. Corrie's my favourite and to be part of this as the show turns 50 years old is just brilliant - really brilliant!"

What have you made of the John and Charlotte storyline?
"It's terrible to laugh at it, but it really is funny! I think it's because you're incredulous - you just can't believe that it's happening and I think that's what makes people laugh. What's lovely is that I haven't really been involved in much of the John and Charlotte storyline, because obviously Fiz doesn't know what's been going on. So when I watch their scenes, it's really good and I'm thinking, 'I can't believe she's saying that about me!'"

Is there any particular scene of theirs that you've enjoyed?
"I loved it the other day when Charlotte said that Fiz was as thick as a plank. She said, 'Why do you want to be with her? She's as thick as a plank!' I loved that!"

Fiz and Charlotte haven't really shared any scenes since their confrontation at Charlotte's house a while ago - would you have liked those two to have interacted more?
"Oh, I really would have! Becky Hindley is ace - really ace. She's a really great girl and plays a brilliant character. I think she didn't know that the character would be so big. I don't know whether anyone did, really - well, they probably did, but they didn't tell us! I would have really loved to have done more with her, because that scene with Fiz and Charlotte at the house was the last time that I really did any big scenes with her. Then I'd only ever really see her in the green room!"

If Charlotte really is dead, it looks like a lot of fans will be sad to see her go…
"We'll have to wait and see what happens, but it's always the way! When you have big characters who leave, they very often have a sad demise. Our favourite characters are often the baddies, but those characters usually end up going!"

How's everything going with the rehearsals for the live episode?
"It's going alright, I think! We started out rehearsing individually - everyone rehearsing their individual scenes - but now we're moving on to all of us running through the whole thing. We just have to carry on regardless - no matter what happens! Even if the whole building falls down, we've just got to keep saying the lines and carry on!"

Do you know exactly what's happening with the live episode, or could there be some surprises that even the cast don't know about yet?
"I actually don't know! I keep hearing that there's going to be new drafts of scripts, so I don't know! Maybe there's going to be a big surprise! But I honestly don't know."

Fiz and John are certainly at the centre of drama this week - where do they go from here?
"I really can't say anything at this point! But I don't think it's going to end happily, put it that way…"

Have you enjoyed working with Phil Collinson since he took over as producer?
"Phil really has brought the best of his skills to Corrie. I think that's clear when you see the episodes on screen - especially this week's episodes. Also, not only is he really skilled, but he's a lovely man, so it's been a really nice atmosphere on set. The results have just been brilliant - he's been fabulous. And he loves Corrie too, which you can really see!"

Finally, can you name any highlights from your time at Coronation Street so far?
"I think it probably has to be this - the 50th anniversary! This week is definitely up there as the stuff we've filmed has been brilliant. I think the live episode will also probably be the highlight - although we've not done it yet, so ask me on Friday! But this tram crash storyline has been so spectacular and because it's 50 years, I know I'm never going to be in this position again, so it's really special."