Coronation Street General News Thread

[Perdita]

Coronation Street has landed Compare The Market as its new sponsor.

The ITV soap will pair with the price comparison site, known for its viral marketing creation Aleksandr Orlov and the spoof website Compare The Meerkat, for the next three years, ousting Harveys furniture.

"We are delighted to be working with Compare The Market as a partner for Coronation Street," said Simon Daglish, Group Commercial Director of ITV.

"This is a long-term commitment from both parties around two of the most exciting and loved brands in the UK, which we believe will become the benchmark for partnerships going forward."

Paul Galligan, Managing Director of Compare The Market, added: "Coronation Street is one of Britain's most entertaining and best loved TV shows and so we are delighted to be partnering with such a prestigious programme.

"We will be working closely with ITV to ensure this is a model partnership, utilising both on and off-air opportunities to take our brands to customers in new and exciting ways."

The fully-comprehensive sponsorship package, negotiated by ITV Commercial and Newcast, ZenithOptimedia's sponsorship and content division, includes broadcast, online, mobile and licensing elements.

[Perdita]

Michelle Keegan has reportedly laid out her intention to renew her contract with Coronation Street.

According to The Mirror, the Tina McIntyre actress is regarded as one of the ITV soap's stalwarts.

Speculation circulated at the beginning of the week over whether Keegan would take a break from Weatherfield to appear on Strictly Come Dancing this autumn.

However, a source said: "We don't let our stars just sidestep away from their commitments here on the cobbles to go on Strictly, especially someone like Michelle who we value so highly.

"She is going nowhere and her current deal, which runs out towards the end of the year, will be renewed soon."

Meanwhile, a Strictly insider indicated that the performer was on producers' original shortlist.

"Michelle was one of a number of big names we were looking at. This year we only want huge stars," the informant claimed.

The star's agent denied the Strictly rumour on Wednesday, July 11.

Keegan, 25, has held her Corrie role since 2008.

[Dennis tanner]

Michelle Keegan has reportedly laid out her intention to renew her contract with Coronation Street.

According to The Mirror, the Tina McIntyre actress is regarded as one of the ITV soap's stalwarts.

Speculation circulated at the beginning of the week over whether Keegan would take a break from Weatherfield to appear on Strictly Come Dancing this autumn.

However, a source said: "We don't let our stars just sidestep away from their commitments here on the cobbles to go on Strictly, especially someone like Michelle who we value so highly.

"She is going nowhere and her current deal, which runs out towards the end of the year, will be renewed soon."

Meanwhile, a Strictly insider indicated that the performer was on producers' original shortlist.

"Michelle was one of a number of big names we were looking at. This year we only want huge stars," the informant claimed.

The star's agent denied the Strictly rumour on Wednesday, July 11.

Keegan, 25, has held her Corrie role since 2008.

Sounds like a sensible girl

[Perdita]

Coronation Street actress Brooke Vincent has said that co-star Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) must be "going mad" over the interest in her relationship with Max George.

Keegan was forced to deny rumours of her separation from the Wanted singer earlier this year, but speculation about their relationship intensified after they called off their engagement in April.

"I think sometimes it does get to her," Vincent - who plays Sophie Webster on the ITV soap - told Heat.

"As much as everyone wants to know what's going on, that's her relationship, her feelings and her thoughts, so I think it must do her head in."

She continued: "Michelle is a very strong person. She's very clever - I'd be going mad if that was me. I hate the fact that people think they can get involved in your relationship.

"Because Max and Michelle got together in the public eye, people think they're okay to talk about it or alright to comment on it, but you never know the truth."

Keegan is said to be on the verge of renewing her Coronation Street contract.

Claims that she would take a break from the show to appear on Strictly Come Dancing were denied earlier this week.

[Perdita]

Michelle Collins has admitted that she hopes her daughter finds a career away from acting.

The Coronation Street star, Weatherfield's Stella Price, believes that the industry is becoming "harder and harder" to flourish in.

"I'd much rather she didn't become an actress because it is a very tough life and I think it is going to get harder and harder," she told the Daily Record of her only child Maia.

"But she's quite good at it and was in a school play recently," she added.

"There is a lot of pressure to do well at exams. So she is really focused and now we are looking at universities."

Of the split between her career and family commitments, Collins revealed: "I go up to Manchester on a Sunday and travel home on a Friday. It is not an ideal situation but it works. It has to because I'm a single parent."

Collins added: "There is no man in my life but I'm hoping there will be. I'm enjoying being 50. I've got a great job and I'm healthy. So I'm feeling good

[Dennis tanner]

Michelle Collins has admitted that she hopes her daughter finds a career away from acting.

The Coronation Street star, Weatherfield's Stella Price, believes that the industry is becoming "harder and harder" to flourish in.

"I'd much rather she didn't become an actress because it is a very tough life and I think it is going to get harder and harder," she told the Daily Record of her only child Maia.

"But she's quite good at it and was in a school play recently," she added.

"There is a lot of pressure to do well at exams. So she is really focused and now we are looking at universities."

Of the split between her career and family commitments, Collins revealed: "I go up to Manchester on a Sunday and travel home on a Friday. It is not an ideal situation but it works. It has to because I'm a single parent."

Collins added: "There is no man in my life but I'm hoping there will be. I'm enjoying being 50. I've got a great job and I'm healthy. So I'm feeling good

If her daughter was good enough for the school play, she should apply for EastEnders

[flappinfanny]

If her daughter was good enough for the school play, she should apply for EastEnders

or perhaps a northern pantomine.

[alan45]

If her daughter was good enough for the school play, she should apply for EastEnders

Pity Michelle wasnt as good an actor

[Perdita]

Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas has been approached for I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

The actor, who plays Jason Grimshaw on the soap, is considering an offer to take part in the jungle-based reality show, The Sun reports.

His Coronation Street co-star Antony Cotton took part in I'm a Celebrity last year.

"Ryan was really pleased to be approached," a friend of Thomas said. "He watched Antony in the jungle last year and talked to him about it afterwards.

"It's a great opportunity for someone like Ryan who gets on with most people and isn't afraid of a challenge. But it is a big decision so at the moment he is weighing up his options before taking things any further."

An ITV insider added: "Ryan is good looking, charismatic and popular with viewers, so he would be a fantastic signing for the jungle."

The source also claimed that if Thomas commits to I'm a Celebrity, the show's production team would "definitely be on the hunt for some girls that he might have some good chemistry with".

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is due to return to ITV1 later this year.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas has been approached for I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

The actor, who plays Jason Grimshaw on the soap, is considering an offer to take part in the jungle-based reality show, The Sun reports.

His Coronation Street co-star Antony Cotton took part in I'm a Celebrity last year.

"Ryan was really pleased to be approached," a friend of Thomas said. "He watched Antony in the jungle last year and talked to him about it afterwards.

"It's a great opportunity for someone like Ryan who gets on with most people and isn't afraid of a challenge. But it is a big decision so at the moment he is weighing up his options before taking things any further."

An ITV insider added: "Ryan is good looking, charismatic and popular with viewers, so he would be a fantastic signing for the jungle."

The source also claimed that if Thomas commits to I'm a Celebrity, the show's production team would "definitely be on the hunt for some girls that he might have some good chemistry with".

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is due to return to ITV1 later this year.