ITV 60th to air a live Corrie

[Perdita]

Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn has revealed that the show's upcoming live episode is unlikely to revolve around a huge stunt.

As announced late last year, the soap will go live again in September 2015 to mark the 60th birthday of its broadcaster ITV.

Corrie last aired a live episode in December 2010, which explored the dramatic aftermath of the Street's tram crash disaster.

Speaking at a Coronation Street press event this week, Blackburn admitted that he is keen for the next live episode to take a different approach.

He explained: "Bear in mind that I'm the guy who told Michelle Keegan that we wouldn't be killing her off, but right now I'm thinking that a big spectacular would be the wrong way to go as it'll feel like we're copying the tram crash, so we're looking to focus on real storytelling.

"There are still a few weeks until we do the long term planning which will cover that, so who knows? If someone comes up with something brilliant that completely goes against that, then we'll run with it!"

Blackburn previously led the Emmerdale team as they worked on the show's 40th anniversary live special in 2012, which saw Carl King killed off at the hands of Cameron Murray.

[swmc66]

i don't need to see a live episode what a waste of money... and pressure on actors

[Cheetah]

i don't need to see a live episode what a waste of money... and pressure on actors

I don't see it like that - I think it gives the actors a chance to show how good they can be .............

[Cheetah]

Dup

[Perdita]

Coronation Street's executive producer Kieran Roberts has promised that the soap has an "unmissable" six months of storylines planned in the build-up to its next live episode.

Corrie will go live again in September to help celebrate ITV's 60 years on air. It will be the first live episode to be produced from the show's new set in Trafford.

The programme's team are still finalising their exact plans for the live episode itself, but a number of dramatic plots are expected to reach a climax in the special broadcast.

Speaking to Digital Spy this week, Roberts commented: "What I can say without being able to give very much away is that we have an absolute rollercoaster of stories ahead. They're absolutely non-stop for the next six months, leading up to the live in September.

"For the live itself, we're not 100% sure what we're doing but certainly in the coming months there are several stories that are colliding. In the next six months or so, there's going to be some fantastic stuff for the Platts so definitely keep a close eye on that. There's lots of drama for them with Bethany and Sarah returning.

"Steve and Michelle will be at the heart of things with a really beautiful love story, and we've also got a wonderful story developing for Roy."

Teasing one particularly big story, he continued: "Tracy and Carla's rivalry is also going to kick off again very soon. It was temporarily buried, but I don't think Tracy has ever quite got over what happened with Rob on her wedding day!

"There's a big story coming along with Carla and Tracy that is going to collide with another big story. It's a bit far off, as I'm talking two or three months into the future, but I will say that it's going to be explosive."

Roberts conceded that rival soap EastEnders had set the bar high with its recent 30th anniversary Live Week, which saw the 'Who Killed Lucy Beale?' mystery finally resolved.

He explained: "There's a lot of talk about the rivalry between soaps and of course it's there, but we know the people who make the other shows and we have great respect for them. I think what EastEnders has been doing recently has been very good. I watched some of their Live Week and I think they did a great job.

"I think it's good that soap in general is in great health because Emmerdale are doing amazing things as well. There's no question that it puts us on our toes and it's a great incentive for us to absolutely fire on all cylinders. We don't spend our time looking at what EastEnders are doing - we do what we do and we focus on our characters and our stories.

"We do know roughly what we're doing all the way into September, all the way up to our live and beyond of course. What I can absolutely promise fans of Coronation Street is that the next six months are going to be absolutely unmissable."

Roberts was chatting to DS at a press preview for the Coronation Street Tour, which has this week been updated to include The Kabin, Websters' Auto Centre and kebab shop Prima Doner.

[DaVeyWaVey]

It's hard to know what they'll come up with for the live episode. At the moment, Corrie seems quiet on the storyline front. I'm enjoying it at the moment, but there doesn't seem to be anything building up at the moment. Still there are 6 months left to go, so maybe the seeds will start to be planted in the next month or two for a big storyline that will explode for the live episode.

I do think they need to do something spectacular, as it's going to be live. I'm looking forward to Carla and Tracy battling each other again!

[DaVeyWaVey]

It's hard to know what they'll come up with for the live episode. At the moment, Corrie seems quiet on the storyline front. I'm enjoying it at the moment, but there doesn't seem to be anything building up at the moment. Still there are 6 months left to go, so maybe the seeds will start to be planted in the next month or two for a big storyline that will explode for the live episode.

I do think they need to do something spectacular, as it's going to be live. I'm looking forward to Carla and Tracy battling each other again!

[Dazzle]

I find it strange that the live episode hasn't been planned down to the last detail already. It doesn't fill me with confidence...

[Perdita]

It might be planned in much more detail than he cares to admit to ...???

[Perdita]

Having said that ... maybe they are also considering actor's wishes ... time off for maternity/paternity leave, ordinary leave requested a long time ago, indications that an actor wishes to leave .... so much can happen in 6 months ..