Coronation Street General News Thread

[alan45]

Daniel O'Donnell has said his 'greatest wish' is to appear on Coronation Street

[Perdita]

Julie Walters has once again spoken of her ambition to appear in Coronation Street.

The BAFTA-winning actress previously revealed that she would like a role in the ITV soap, of which she is a fan.

"I would love to be in Corrie one day," she told What's On TV. "Although not at the moment because I am enjoying a staying-at-home period.

"But one day, it would be lovely to do a short spell on it. I already know Helen Worth, who plays Gail, and I’ve met a few other cast members at the BAFTAs.

She added: "Although whenever I meet Corrie stars I get terribly excited and act like an idiot!"

Coronation Street will mark its 50th birthday with a live episode next Thursday.

[DaVeyWaVey]

I could imagine Julie Walters on the Street. She'd fit in pretty well.

[alan45]

CORONATION STREET star Simon Gregson has launched a campaign to stop drivers speeding outside his home - despite losing his own licence FIVE times.
The 36-year-old actor - who plays cabbie Steve McDonald - labelled the motorists as "idiots".
But road safety campaigners said dad-of-two Gregson should "practise what he preaches".
He has been banned twice for drink-driving and three times for speeding.
Gregson launched the campaign after a motorist ploughed into two cars near his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
He said: "I know I've speeded but driving at 70mph in a residential street with children around is different. I respect speed limits now and think other people should do the same."
Joel Hickman, of road safety group Brake, said last night: "For the sake of credibility, individuals spearheading campaigns should practise what they preach."

[alan45]

EX-Corrie star Ken Morley belched, passed wind and SPAT during an outrageous episode of Come Dine With Me.
Ken, 67, who played BettaBuys boss Reg Holdsworth, insulted fellow Corrie guests, accusing Tupele Dorgu of dressing like a hooker.

Should have held his tongue ... rude Ken Morley
He covered her with spit and dribble in one meal and was in DRAG at another.
Ken, Tupele, Julie Goodyear and Phil Middlemiss entertained each other for a special version of the Channel 4 show to be screened on December 6 to mark Coronation Street's 50th anniversary.
Ken told Tupele, 32, who played Kelly Crabtree in the ITV1 soap: "We thought you were from the escort agency!"
Tupele fumed: "He's dribbled, I've been spat at and he's f**ted. I never thought anybody could be so rude, offensive, insulting or inappropriate as Ken."

Ken described his behaviour as "quite normal". However, a source said: "There's been all sorts of behaviour on Come Dine With Me, but this beats the lot."
Phil, 47, who also wore drag, revealed later told how Ken once performed a dodgy party piece by disguising his manhood as a hot dog while working at Corrie.
He added: "A lot of people would be offended by Ken, but does he care? Not really."

[alan45]

Samia Smith has launched an anti-smoking campaign in Manchester.

The Coronation Street actress launched 'Quit For Quids', which will aim to highlight how much money smokers can save if they quit before Christmas.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Smith - who plays Maria Connor in the ITV soap - wanted to get involved in the campaign following the death of her father from cancer last month. Her mother Patsy, who has smoked for over 20 years, has also vowed to quit.

"I've been really concerned about my mum smoking for years," Smith said. "So I'm really pleased she has decided that it’s time for her to try to stop.

"I am so proud of her and I will be encouraging her and supporting her every step of the way."

She added: "I've grown up seeing the effects of smoking on my dad's health and I know what it's like to lose a family member to a smoking-related disease."

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has reportedly been spotted in a Manchester hotel with The Wanted's Max George.

The actress, who plays Tina McIntyre in the ITV1 soap, was apparently seen waiting for a taxi with the singer following a night out in the city, before returning to the Radisson hotel where the band were staying.

They allegedly talked at the lift for around 15 minutes. An onlooker told the News of the World: "They were giggling and she touched his coat a lot and gently pushed him across the floor with her hands on his back.

"It was like they were trying to make up their minds up over something. I kept expecting her to give him a kiss and go home but all of a sudden they had a quick look at who was about, hit the call button and jumped in the lift."

A friend insisted that they didn't spend the night together, saying: "They are very good friends and very comfortable in each other's company."

[alan45]

Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has admitted that she will always feel privileged to be part of the soap's cast.

The actress made her first appearance in the role of Tina McIntyre in early 2008, and her character is currently among those involved in the show's dramatic 50th anniversary storyline.

On Monday night, an average of 13.74m viewers tuned in as The Joinery bar exploded and caused a tram to crash on the cobbles.

Speaking to the Daily Star about her part in the programme, Keegan commented: "I grew up watching Corrie and I can't believe I now work on the show. That feeling of being overwhelmed every time you step out on the cobbles never goes away.

"So many people can relate to it. There's something warm and comforting about it. After 50 years, it's been through generations now and everyone has a memory of it. Hopefully I'll still be around in 50 years. That would be amazing."

Coronation Street's disaster storyline will run all this week. As the show officially turns 50 tomorrow, an hour-long edition of the soap will be broadcast live from 8pm.

[Katy]

i was reading the weatherfield gazette which was free with the MEN this morning, some interesting articles.

[alan45]

Former Coronation Street star Mark Eden has revealed that fans still travel to visit the spot in Blackpool where his character was killed by a tram in 1989.

The actor played villain Alan Bradley in the ITV1 soap, who chased wife Rita Sullivan to the seaside resort only to get caught in the path of an oncoming tram.

He told the Blackpool Gazette: "I think the tram company were a little bit worried about the storyline. The trams had an unblemished safety record and they were worried about someone getting knocked over and killed.

"But they thought the publicity would be far better than the chance of putting a stain on the character of their trams. When the scenes were filmed, there were hundreds of people watching, and it was terribly difficult.

"Apparently people still come to the Strand Hotel - where they have unveiled a plaque - from as far afield as Canada, just to see where it all started, and to stand by the spot where I was hit and have photos taken."