"Coronation Street" (1960) TV series 1960-????

Directors:

Neil Alderton
Darrol Blake
(more)

Writers:

Cyril Abraham (writer)
Martin Allen (1997)
(more)

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Release Date:

9 December 1960 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The UK's longest-running TV soap, Coronation Street focuses on the everyday lives of working class people in Manchester, England.

Plot Keywords:

Soap | Working Class | Manchester England | Famous Opening Theme | Gray

Awards:

88 wins & 104 nominations

Cast

Helen Worth	...	Gail Platt / ... (939 episodes, 1974-2009)
Simon Gregson	...	Steve McDonald (907 episodes, 1989-2009)
William Roache	...	Ken Barlow / ... (885 episodes, 1960-2009)
Anne Kirkbride	...	Deirdre Barlow / ... (804 episodes, 1972-2009)
Beverley Callard	...	Liz McDonald (795 episodes, 1989-2009)
Sally Whittaker	...	Sally Webster / ... (777 episodes, 1986-2009)
Barbara Knox	...	Rita Sullivan / ... (775 episodes, 1964-2009)
Sue Nicholls	...	Audrey Roberts / ... (766 episodes, 1979-2009)
Michael Le Vell	...	Kevin Webster / ... (716 episodes, 1981-2009)
Eileen Derbyshire	...	Emily Bishop / ... (677 episodes, 1961-2009)
Jennie McAlpine	...	Fiz Brown / ... (614 episodes, 2001-2009)
Antony Cotton	...	Sean Tully (596 episodes, 2003-2009)
Samia Smith	...	Maria Sutherland / ... (565 episodes, 2000-2009)
William Tarmey	...	Jack Duckworth / ... (558 episodes, 1977-2009)
Sue Cleaver	...	Eileen Grimshaw / ... (543 episodes, 1994-2009)
Ryan Thomas	...	Jason Grimshaw (538 episodes, 2000-2009)
Jack P. Shepherd	...	David Platt (535 episodes, 2000-2009)
Malcolm Hebden	...	Norris Cole / ... (492 episodes, 1974-2009)
Elizabeth Dawn	...	Vera Duckworth / ... (472 episodes, 1972-2008)
Kym Marsh	...	Michelle Connor (468 episodes, 2006-2009)
Betty Driver	...	Betty Turpin / ... (466 episodes, 1969-2009)
Vicky Entwistle	...	Janice Battersby (458 episodes, 1997-2009)
Jane Danson	...	Leanne Battersby / ... (456 episodes, 1997-2009)
David Neilson	...	Roy Cropper (445 episodes, 1995-2009)
Alan Halsall	...	Tyrone Dobbs (436 episodes, 1998-2009)
Steven Arnold	...	Ashley Peacock (411 episodes, 1995-2009)
Maggie Jones	...	Blanche Hunt / ... (409 episodes, 1967-2009)
Katherine Kelly	...	Becky Granger / ... (405 episodes, 2006-2009)
Tupele Dorgu	...	Kelly Crabtree (403 episodes, 2004-2009)
Julia Haworth	...	Claire Peacock / ... (396 episodes, 2003-2009)
Johnny Briggs	...	Mike Baldwin / ... (395 episodes, 1974-2006)
Helen Flanagan	...	Rosie Webster (382 episodes, 2000-2009)
Craig Charles	...	Lloyd Mullaney (378 episodes, 2005-2009)

Series Directed by
Mervyn Cumming		(102 episodes, 1990-2001)
Daniel Wilson		(35 episodes, 2003-2005)
John Anderson		(25 episodes, 2000-2009)
Tim Hopewell		(23 episodes, 2004-2006)
Pip Short		(18 episodes, 2006-2009)
David Kester		(16 episodes, 2000-2009)
Alan Wareing		(14 episodes, 2002-2009)
Tim Dowd		(13 episodes, 2000-2009)
Tony Prescott		(11 episodes, 2000-2009)
Illy		(11 episodes, 2007-2008)
Brian Mills		(10 episodes, 1976-2000)
Michael Kerrigan		(10 episodes, 1998-2007)
Ian Bevitt		(10 episodes, 2000-2009)
Piotr Szkopiak		(10 episodes, 2006)
Duncan Foster		(9 episodes, 2004-2009)
Mike Adams		(7 episodes, 1998-2007)
Howard Baker		(6 episodes, 1961-1988)
Stuart Davids		(6 episodes, 2009)
Ian White		(5 episodes, 1989-1990)
Terry Dyddgen-Jones		(5 episodes, 1997-2008)
Tracey Rooney		(5 episodes, 2002-2005)
Kay Patrick		(5 episodes, 2004)
Stephen Moore		(5 episodes, 2007)
Christopher McMaster		(4 episodes, 1962-1964)
Les Chatfield		(4 episodes, 1967-1970)
Eric Prytherch		(4 episodes, 1969-1972)
Colin Cant		(4 episodes, 1971-2004)
Jason Beresford		(4 episodes, 2008)
Pauline Shaw		(3 episodes, 1961-1965)
Michael Scott		(3 episodes, 1961)
Michael Apted		(3 episodes, 1966-1967)
Joe Boyer		(3 episodes, 1969-1973)
Bill Gilmour		(3 episodes, 1973-1977)
Oliver Horsbrugh		(3 episodes, 1977-1990)
Richard Holthouse		(3 episodes, 1987-1989)
Will Brenton		(3 episodes, 1998)
Tim O'Mara		(3 episodes, 2002)
Tessa Hoffe		(3 episodes, 2005-2006)
Sean Crotty		(3 episodes, 2006)
Derek Bennett		(2 episodes, 1960)
Vivian Milroy		(2 episodes, 1961)
Richard Everitt		(2 episodes, 1962-1964)
Richard Doubleday		(2 episodes, 1967)
Tim Jones		(2 episodes, 1968)
Ken Grieve		(2 episodes, 1974-1975)
Quentin Lawrence		(2 episodes, 1974)
Jeremy Summers		(2 episodes, 1979-1990)
Spencer Campbell		(2 episodes, 1990)
Alan Marsden		(2 episodes, 1990)
John Darnell		(2 episodes, 1991)
Noreen Kershaw		(2 episodes, 1997-1998)
Garth Tucker		(2 episodes, 1997)
Diana Patrick		(2 episodes, 2004)
Graeme Harper		(2 episodes, 2005)
Charles Lauder		(2 episodes, 2005)
June Howson		(1 episode, 1968-1990)
Stephen Butcher		(1 episode, 1973-1999)
Graham Wetherell		(1 episode, 2000-2001)
Mike Newell		(unknown episodes, 1966)
Eugene Ferguson		(unknown episodes, 1981-1996)
Paul Bernard		(unknown episodes, 1987)
Mary McMurray		(unknown episodes, 1987)
Richard Signy		(unknown episodes, 1990)
Sarah Harding		(unknown episodes, 1991)
Jim Loach		(unknown episodes, 2000)
Anne Ross Muir		(unknown episodes, 2000)
Philip Wood		(unknown episodes, 2000)
Neil Alderton		(unknown episodes)
Darrol Blake		(unknown episodes)
Gerald Blake		(unknown episodes)
Alan Bromly		(unknown episodes)
David Carson		(unknown episodes)
Julian Farino		(unknown episodes)
Nicholas Ferguson		(unknown episodes)
Roland Joffé		(unknown episodes)
Brian Lennane		(unknown episodes)
Craig Lines		(unknown episodes)
Kenny McBain		(unknown episodes)
Gerry Mill		(unknown episodes)
Laurence Moody		(unknown episodes)
John Michael Phillips		(unknown episodes)
Matthew Robinson		(unknown episodes)
Tim Sullivan		(unknown episodes)
Baz Taylor		(unknown episodes)
Malcolm Taylor		(unknown episodes)
Tony Wharmby		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Stephen Mallatratt		(48 episodes, 1987-1999)
Harry Driver		(27 episodes, 1961-1973)
Esther Rose		(23 episodes, 1968-1981)
Mark Wadlow		(22 episodes, 1999-2009)
Joe Turner		(22 episodes, 2000-2009)
Leslie Duxbury		(21 episodes, 1966-1991)
Jonathan Harvey		(20 episodes, 2004-2009)
John Fay		(18 episodes, 2003-2007)
Peter Tonkinson		(16 episodes, 1973-1981)
Bob Mason		(15 episodes, 1981-1987)
Peter Whalley		(11 episodes, 1980-2009)
Martin Allen		(11 episodes, 1997-2009)
David Lane		(11 episodes, 1999-2009)
Tony Warren		(10 episodes, 1960-1969)
Adele Rose		(9 episodes, 1961-1997)
Catherine Hayes		(9 episodes, 1997-2006)
H.V. Kershaw		(8 episodes, 1961-1988)
John Finch		(8 episodes, 1961-1970)
Di Burrows		(8 episodes, 1998-2000)
Jack Rosenthal		(7 episodes, 1961-1969)
Brian Finch		(7 episodes, 1970-1977)
Paul Abbott		(7 episodes, 1987-1989)
Mariam Vossough		(7 episodes, 1998-2001)
Nick West		(7 episodes, 1998-2001)
Jayne Hollinson		(7 episodes, 2002-2009)
George Reed		(6 episodes, 1964-1965)
Susan Pleat		(6 episodes, 1967-1970)
Malcolm Lynch		(6 episodes, 1969-1971)
Tom Eliott		(6 episodes, 1987-1991)
Daran Little		(6 episodes, 2000-2009)
Darren Fairhurst		(5 episodes, 2000-2001)
Kathleen Beedles		(5 episodes, 2000)
Chris Fewtrell		(5 episodes, 2004-2009)
Stephen Russell		(5 episodes, 2009)
Julian Roach		(4 episodes, 1969-1977)
Barry Hill		(4 episodes, 1970-1989)
John Stevenson		(4 episodes, 1976-2005)
Trevor Suthers		(4 episodes, 1989-1991)
Lucy Gannon		(4 episodes, 2009)
John Kerr		(4 episodes, 2009)
Damon Rochefort		(4 episodes, 2009)
Vince Powell		(3 episodes, 1961-1967)
Geoffrey Lancashire		(3 episodes, 1964-1971)
Anthea Ingham		(3 episodes, 1969)
John Temple		(3 episodes, 1970-1971)
Steve Hughes		(3 episodes, 1998-2000)
Tony Hammond		(3 episodes, 2000)
Jan McVerry		(3 episodes, 2002-2006)
Mark Burt		(3 episodes, 2009)
Simon Crowther		(3 episodes, 2009)
Julie Jones		(3 episodes, 2009)
Jim Allen		(2 episodes, 1965-1967)
Andrew Mayer		(2 episodes, 1968)
Tony Perrin		(2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Diane Culverhouse		(2 episodes, 1989)
Phil Woods		(2 episodes, 1991-1998)
Stephen Lowe		(2 episodes, 1996-2004)
David Millard		(2 episodes, 1997-2003)
Gareth Roberts		(2 episodes, 1997-1998)
Peter Mills		(2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Pamela Woods		(2 episodes, 1998-1999)
Gareth Philips		(2 episodes, 2001-2003)
Julie Gearey		(2 episodes, 2001)
Debbie Oates		(2 episodes, 2009)
John Pennington		(1 episode, 1961-1964)
Peter Eckersley		(1 episode, 1962-1969)
Phil Ford		(1 episode, 1997-2002)
Johnny Whyte		(unknown episodes, 1961-1962)
John Allridge		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Barbara Clegg		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Wyn Davies		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Michael Dines		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Douglas Enefer		(unknown episodes, 1961)
John O'Toole		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Allan Prior		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Dennis Spooner		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Joseph Taggart		(unknown episodes, 1961)
John Teddington		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Charles Vites		(unknown episodes, 1961)
Ray Dunbobbin		(unknown episodes, 1962-1963)
Robert Holles		(unknown episodes, 1962-1963)
Clifford Buttrey		(unknown episodes, 1962)
Alec Travis		(unknown episodes, 1962)
Keith Watson		(unknown episodes, 1962)
Paula Milne		(unknown episodes, 1976)
Frank Cottrell Boyce		(unknown episodes, 1991)
Patrea Smallacombe		(unknown episodes, 1992)
John Sullivan		(unknown episodes, 1997)
Sue Mooney		(unknown episodes, 2003)
Cyril Abraham		(unknown episodes)
Bernard Aspen		(unknown episodes)
Ken Blakeson		(unknown episodes)
Nazrin Choudhury		(unknown episodes)
Paul Cornell		(unknown episodes)
Gerry Davis		(unknown episodes)
Harry Duffin		(unknown episodes)
Kenneth Eastaugh		(unknown episodes)
Jim Hitchmough		(unknown episodes)
Matt Jones		(unknown episodes)
Kay McManus		(unknown episodes)
Janey Preger		(unknown episodes)
James Robson		(unknown episodes)
Ben Steed		(unknown episodes)
Susan Wilkins		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Gavin Blyth	....	assistant producer (544 episodes, 2006-2008)
Kim Moore	....	producer (53 episodes, 2008)
Sue Pritchard	....	producer (42 episodes, 1994-1997)
H.V. Kershaw	....	producer / executive producer (21 episodes, 1962-1972)
Bill Podmore	....	producer (11 episodes, 1976-1988)
Stuart Latham	....	producer (6 episodes, 1960-1961)
Derek Granger	....	producer (6 episodes, 1961-1962)
Eric Prytherch	....	producer / co-producer (6 episodes, 1972-1974)
David Liddiment	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 1988-1992)
Mervyn Watson	....	producer (6 episodes, 1989-1991)
Jane Macnaught	....	producer / executive producer (6 episodes, 1999-2002)
Susi Hush	....	producer / co-producer (5 episodes, 1974-1975)
Carolyn Reynolds	....	executive producer (5 episodes, 1991-2004)
Tim Aspinall	....	producer (3 episodes, 1964)
Jack Rosenthal	....	producer (3 episodes, 1967)
Brian Park	....	producer (3 episodes, 1997-1998)
Kieran Roberts	....	producer / executive producer (3 episodes, 2001-2009)
Antony Wood	....	producer (3 episodes, 2004-2006)
Howard Baker	....	producer (2 episodes, 1965)
Richard Doubleday	....	producer (2 episodes, 1968)
David Hanson	....	producer (2 episodes, 1998-1999)
Don Trafford	....	production executive (2 episodes, 1998-1999)
Wayne Henry	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1998)
Di Burrows	....	story producer (2 episodes, 2000-2001)
Steve Frost	....	producer (unknown episodes, 2005)
Leslie Duxbury	....	producer (unknown episodes)
John G. Temple	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Eric Spear		(1 episode, 1996)

Series Film Editing by
Phill Lees		(15 episodes, 2008)
Janey Walklin		(6 episodes, 2009)
Ben Drury		(5 episodes, 2007)
David Mercer		(5 episodes, 2009)
David Williams		(3 episodes, 2007)
Dave Deakin		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Judi Hayfield		(9 episodes, 1997-2000)
June West		(8 episodes, 1997-2003)
James Bain		(1 episode, 1987-1995)

Series Production Design by
Denis Parkin		(18 episodes, 1960-1965)
Julian Perkins		(9 episodes, 1998-2003)
Knowles Bentley		(6 episodes, 1967-1975)
Ed Buziak		(6 episodes, 1972-1974)
Peter Caldwell		(5 episodes, 1963-1964)
Stephen Graham		(5 episodes, 1989)
Tim Farmer		(4 episodes, 1969-1970)
Eric Deakins		(4 episodes, 1977)
Roy Graham		(3 episodes, 1969-1987)
Eugene Ferguson		(3 episodes, 1970-1972)
Christopher Walker		(3 episodes, 1996-1998)
Colin Rees		(2 episodes, 1968)
Ann Swarbrick		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Paul Rowan		(2 episodes, 1991-1998)
Tim Wilding		(unknown episodes, 1987)
Chris Truelove		(unknown episodes, 1990)

Series Costume Design by
Lynne Gibson		(1 episode, 2000)

Series Makeup Department
Andrea Dowdall	....	makeup artist (151 episodes, 2009)
Clare Golds	....	make up (2 episodes, 2000)

Series Production Management
Winston Azzopardi	....	production manager: Malta (3 episodes, 2007)
Christine Watt-Walker	....	production manager (2 episodes, 2000)
Anne Wilkie-Millar	....	production manager (unknown episodes, 1997)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Andy Gradwell	....	third assistant director (6 episodes, 2006)
Suey Ross	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 2003-2009)
Philip Lewis	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Billie Williams	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Mike Fallon	....	production buyer (2 episodes, 1997)
John Eccles	....	production buyer (2 episodes, 2000)
Kay Brown	....	stand-by art director (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Tim Cockerill	....	sound editor (79 episodes, 2008-2009)
John Whitworth	....	dubbing mixer / film dubbing (4 episodes, 1976-1979)
Phil Smith	....	film sound (3 episodes, 1969-1974)
Frank H. Griffiths	....	dubbing mixer (3 episodes, 1972-1974)
Martyn Whitley	....	audio dubbing (2 episodes, 2000-2004)

Series Special Effects by
Steve Tomkow	....	special effects (1 episode, 2000)
Graham Aikman	....	special effects technician (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Andy Bradford	....	fight arranger (2 episodes, 1998-1999)
Steve Griffin	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)
Renny Krupinski	....	fight arranger (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Tony Blackmore	....	camera operator (8 episodes, 2008-2009)
David Wood	....	film camera (3 episodes, 1969-1977)
Ray Goode	....	film camera (3 episodes, 1969-1974)
George Jesse Turner	....	film camera (2 episodes, 1973-1977)
Jim Robson	....	lighting director (2 episodes, 2000-2003)
Marc Tempest	....	key grip (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Mavis Formosa	....	casting coordinator (3 episodes, 2007)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sandi Hill	....	costume (1 episode, 2000)

Series Editorial Department
Don Kelly	....	film editor (2 episodes, 1969-1974)
Bob Morton	....	film editor (2 episodes, 1973-1976)
Jon Felix	....	film editor (2 episodes, 1984)
Paul Walker	....	vision mixer (2 episodes, 2000)

Series Transportation Department
Buddy Hunter	....	transportation location captain (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Gareth Philips	....	series editor (490 episodes, 2004-2006)
Gavin Blyth	....	story associate / story editor (194 episodes, 2005-2006)
Faisal A. Qureshi	....	researcher (90 episodes, 2008)
Carly Ferguson	....	desk runner (34 episodes, 2004)
Leslie Duxbury	....	script editor (4 episodes, 1974-1977)
Malcolm Lynch	....	script editor (3 episodes, 1968-1972)
Trina Fraser	....	head of production (3 episodes, 2001-2004)
Oliver Crocker	....	production office runner (3 episodes, 2007)
H.V. Kershaw	....	serial editor (2 episodes, 1961)
Karen Guy	....	production accountant (2 episodes, 2000)
Daran Little	....	program associate (2 episodes, 2000)
Alison Sinclair	....	publicist (2 episodes, 2000)
Christine Watt-Walker	....	location manager / production manager (2 episodes, 2000)
Lyn Papadopoulos	....	story associate (2 episodes, 2003-2005)
Jon Older	....	floor manager (unknown episodes, 1980)
Tom Elliot	....	story associate / story editor (unknown episodes, 1990)
Paul Abbott	....	story editor (unknown episodes, 1991)
Jim Capper	....	location manager (unknown episodes, 1996-1998)
Gillian Cresswell	....	story associate (unknown episodes, 1997)
Ann McManus	....	deputy story editor / story associate (unknown episodes, 1997)
David Millard	....	story associate (unknown episodes, 1997)
Jim O'Hanlan	....	story associate (unknown episodes, 1997)
Gareth Roberts	....	story associate (unknown episodes, 1997)
Matthew Westwood	....	story associate (unknown episodes, 1997)
Andrew Wightman	....	story associate (unknown episodes, 1997)
Steve Hughes	....	story associate (unknown episodes, 1998-2000)
Kathleen Beedles	....	story associate (unknown episodes, 1999-2001)
Angela Sinden	....	script editor (unknown episodes, 2006)
Josie Burne	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Di Burrows	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Graham Carlisle	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Darren Fairhurst	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Rupert Laight	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Elizabeth Malpas	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Jan McVerry	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Brian B. Thompson	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Mariam Vossough	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Jane Woodrow	....	story associate (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Therese Meek	....	in loving memory of (1 episode, 2009)

Production Companies

• Granada Television

Distributors

• Granada Sky Broadcasting (19??) (worldwide) (TV) (distributor)
• Independent Television (ITV) (1960-) (UK) (TV) (original airing)
• Independent Television (ITV) (200?) (UK) (TV) (repeats)
• UKTV Gold (199?) (UK) (TV) (syndication)
• Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) (19??) (Canada) (TV)
• TCN Nine (1963-197?) (Australia) (TV) (Sydney area)
• GTV 9 (1963-197?) (Australia) (TV) (Melbourne area)
• NWS 9 (1963-197?) (Australia) (TV) (Adelaide area)
• Nine Network Australia (1994-1995) (UK) (TV)
• Arena (1996-????) (Australia) (TV)
• UK.TV (????-) (Australia) (TV)
• Bright Vision Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (the best of 1960-1969)
• Vitaya (????) (Belgium) (TV)

Special Effects

• Red Frog (computer graphics)

Other Companies

• EuroKids & Adults International Casting and Model Agency  extras casting

Also Known As:

Corrie (UK) (informal title)
Florizel Street (UK) (working title)
The Street (UK) (informal title)
Where No Bird Sings (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (including commercials)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White (1960-1969 and 1970-1971) | Colour (1969-1970 and 1971-)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (1960-1989) | Stereo (1990-)

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Canada:PG | UK:PG | USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

Granada Studios, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company:

Granada Television

Trivia:

Only twice have any celebrities been allowed to play themselves on Coronation Street: the first occasion was when HRH Prince Charles made an appearance on the show's 40th Anniversary episode (2000), and was seen shaking hands with character Audrey Roberts. The second occasion featured Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt of the British rock band Status Quo (the band itself also being a national institution). The band's drummer, Matt Lettley, also made a cameo in the episodes. (2005) Appearing in four episodes, Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt call into the Rovers Return, and Francis Rossi attacks character Les Battersby (who is played by actor Bruce Jones, himself a massive fan of the group), as Battersby had previously caused him a grievous neck injury. The matter later gets resolved, and the band agree to play at Battersby's upcoming wedding.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the episode after Katie kills Tommy, the expression on Tommy's face keeps changing throughout the episode.

Quotes:

[Sally hands Kevin a leaflet]
Kevin Webster: "Websters' Auto Centre"?
Sally Seddon: Yeah, re-branding they call it. All the big firms are doing it. It's all about image these days. Now, the thing about flyers is it's all about the artwork and the larger the print run, the cheaper they are. You can claim it back on tax as an employment expense. I've had 10,000 run.
Kevin Webster: Sal! We are working flat out to try and get work done and you're wasting money!
Sally Seddon: Do you know what you sound like? You sound like a parent whose kids go to Weatherfield High, a parent with no ambition. But us, me and you, we are Oak Hill parents...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Footballers' Wives: (#3.7)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

I am, I feel

Corrie on regardless

TV is a fickle business and never more so than in one of its dramatic mainstays - the humble soap.

Getting the balance between comedy and drama can be a tricky affair, not to mention having (and keeping) a cast of likeable characters who make you want to tune in for more week after week.

While Eldorado and Albion Market failed to capture the imagination of the nation, there are others that manage to shrug off the birth pangs, cope with a difficult adolesence and settle down while seizing the heart of the nation.

In case you didn't know it, Corrie is 40 this year and as one of the world's longest running soaps it has earned its place in the record books.

It began not with a bang but with a whimper.

The opening scenes are still etched in the mind of creator Tony Warren, who developed the show while still a mere slip of a lad. Mrs Lappin slipped a coin into a bubblegum machine outside her corner shop, and Ena Sharples, scowling like a bulldog beneath THAT hairnet, demanded: "Are those fancies today's? I'll take half a dozen - and no eclairs. NO eclairs."

Lest we forget, the show gave rise to some of the best actors and writers in the business, including Joanna Lumley, Ben Kingsley and The Royle Family's much loved mate, Twiggy (Geoffrey Hughes).

Scriptwriters like Jack Rosenthal (Yentl, London's Burning) and Frank Cottrell Boyce (Jude, Hillary and Jackie) gave us dialogue and scenes that went above and beyond the realms of most shows while it enlivened many a dull night's TV by its very presence alone.

Over the years, we have relished the clashes between Ena (Violet Carson) and Elsie (Pat Phoenix), thrown soft furnishings at the TV while dithery Derek (Peter Baldwin) and Mavis (Thelma Barlow) tested the patience of saints and wept buckets as Judy Mallett (Gaynor Faye), Des Barnes (Phil Middlemiss) and most of Ken Barlow's (William Roache) wives became another statistic in the suspiciously high list of Weatherfield residents who met their maker far too early.

This year has been as unmissable as any in its four decade history with the Tony Horrocks murder and the 'Martn' (Sean Wilson) and Rebecca (Jill Halfpenny) affair coming to a head, not to mention Jez (the excellent Lee Boardman) and Alison (Naomi Radcliffe) reaching a sticky end as polar opposite characters both cut short by some brutal scripting.

The Street has become so ingrained in people's hearts that, over the years, many have lost sight of that thin line between fact and fiction.

When Elsie Tanner was lying unidentified in a London hospital after being knocked down by a taxi, viewers wrote to her husband to tell him where she was.

Dozens of women took up their knitting needles to make dustman Eddie Yates a new woolly hat when his own was shredded in the washing machine, and when Ena lost her post as secretary of the Glad Tidings mission, the job offers flooded in.

People have even tried to book Christmas parties at the Rovers Return and rent the houses which become vacant in Britain's most celebrated terraced street. Former producer Bill Podmore once said: 'All over the country, old terraces like Coronation Street are disappearing, but a change in the Street could destroy the roots of the programme, because the architecture is as much a part of its character as the people.'

But it was regular script writer Harry Kershaw who summed up it's enduring popularity and extraordinary success both at home and abroad. 'Coronation Street is about life,' he said, 'and life has its universal situations, its problems and laughter; therefore it has an international appeal.'

We have laughed, cried and run screaming by the sight of hamster-faced Gail (Helen Worth) and the haircut from Hell, poodle-haired Liz (Beverley Callard) dressing like a woman half her age and Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs) working his way through the Street's female residents. How long can all this go on?

Well, as long as Granada keep hiring some of the best cast and crew in the business while putting a fresh spin on age old stories of love, lust, infidelity and, in Fred Elliott's case, fine meat products, let's hope it never ends.