Corrie’s birthday to go with a bang

We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, but you ain’t see nothing yet!

ON December 9, “Coronation Street” will celebrate its 50th birthday and go down in TV history as the world’s longest-running serial drama.

Over the last half century, viewers have seen 39 births, 114 deaths and 88 weddings and more than 7,500 episodes.

We’ve laughed and cried as we shared the highs and lows of characters brought into life in our front rooms. Storylines on the Street have dominated national newspapers and the show has launched the careers of some of the country’s most famous faces.

This year, Coronation Street was achieved the Guinness world record for the longest-running TV soap opera in the world.

Veteran actor William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, also became the world’s longest serving soap actor.

As we move towards the landmark anniversary, storylines are hotting up in the run up to an action-packed live episode which will feature a dramatic tram crash.

Viewers will see the Kevin/Molly/Tyrone love triangle come to a head as Kevin demands a DNA test to see who the father of baby Jack really is.

Carla and Peter realise they have more in common than they thought as Leanne and Nick struggle to fight their attraction.

John Stape’s web of lies comes back to haunt him as staff members start to ask questions about the real Colin Fishwick and his relationship with blackmailer Charlotte reaches a dramatic conclusion.

Jack Duckworth is paid a visit by an old flame as he battles a serious illness.

And the relationship between best friends Graeme Proctor and David Platt turns sour — when one of them is arrested for trying to murder the other!

Speaking about the 50th anniversary celebrations, producer Phil Collinson said: “We wanted to produce a week of TV that people will remember forever.

“It will contain tragedy and destruction on a previously unseen scale.”


:: TO mark the Street’s 50th anniversary, the Chronicle has delved into the lives and backgrounds of the local actors who make up the cast.

And over the next three weeks, you can find out more about some of the Oldham-born actors who play a big part in the ITV soap — plus there’s the chance for Chronicle buyers and E-Chron readers to enter some tasty competitions.

First up, on Monday, you can get to know the Kabin’s owner Rita Sullivan (played by Barbara Knox) and the long-suffering Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati).



Street stats



In the beginning



“Coronation Street” began at 7pm on December 9, 1960. Young scriptwriter Tony Warren created the series — originally titled “Florizel Street”. The first episode was written in 24 hours and 13 episodes were commissioned.




World audience



The show is now screened in more than 40 countries around the world including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Taiwan and Estonia




Archie Street



The original title sequence was filmed in Archie Street, Salford The theme tune was written by Eric Spear, who died in 1966.




Cobbles in colour



Viewers were given their first glimpse of Coronation Street in colour on November 3, 1969. The 1,000th episode was transmitted on August 24, 1970




All 11,000 of them



There are close to 11,000 cobbles on the specially-built Coronation Street set.




Lucky puss



A ginger cat called Marmaduke sits on the top of the interior set, acting as a good luck charm for cast and crew.




Just the two



There have been two episodes broadcast featuring just two characters, Curly and Raquel’s reunion in January, 2000 and Tracy’s murder confession to Deidre in 2007.




280 make it work



Around 280 people are needed each week to make the filming of Coronation Street run smoothly.




Cast of 5,000



Over the last 50 years, more than 5,000 characters have appeared on the soap with Ken Barlow the only original character