Controversial Storyline for Corries 50th - Contains Spoilers

[Chloe O'brien]

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?

[Perdita]

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

[Perdita]

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

[parkerman]

Was the tram empty?

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

[Chris_2k11]

Nope apparently the driver survives!

[parkerman]

Nope apparently the driver survives!

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

[Siobhan]

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

was he wearing a red shirt???

[alan45]

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.

[alan45]

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."

[alan45]

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.