Issue #0021

We’re Back!

Blighty’s Corrie Fan Newsletter took a break over the Christmas holiday period, but now we’re back with more great news from the stars of the Street. We also have some contest winners to announce. Let’s go straight to the podium to see who our winners are from issue #0019 and issue #0020.

In issue #0019 we asked who would you like to see back on the show. We offered a prize for the best suggestion received before 15th December 2009. And we told you that you will have to convince us why the character you suggest should be brought back into the story.

We received several entries worthy of the prize and we thank everyone who pitched in for their fave character. As always, it is hard to pick a winner but the entry from Christine Warren gets the prize this time around. Christine’s entry was:

I would love to see Tricia Hopkins return to the cobbles. She used to be a good friend of Gail’s, and Lord knows, Gail could use a female confidante, as Sally is as much use to her as a chocolate teapot!

Tricia used to be quite feisty in her younger days, and was quite man mad. We could find out whether she has grown older gracefully, or whether she could team up with a couple of ‘ladies of a certain age’, and raise some havoc.

For those who haven’t been watching that long. Tricia first moved into the flat above the Corner Shop in 1973, and persuaded Gordon Clegg to rent the shop to her family, Welsh Granny Megan, her under-mother’s-thumb son (Tricia’s father), Idris, and his long suffering wife Vera, played by the wonderful Kathy Staff (later Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine).

The family did a moonlight flit leaving rent owing in 1975, but Tricia stayed on until 1976, sharing a flat with Gail. Apart from Gail, Blanche Hunt would certainly remember her, as she had a few run-ins with her, and so would Ken & Deirdre.

Best reason of all to bring her back is because I know her personally, and she has expressed a desire to return to the cobbles on a short term basis!

Take a look at the comments to issue #0020 for other notable entries to the contest.

Young Ken Barlow

In issue #0019 we began our mystery picture contest series with a really easy one. We managed to confuse some people, but most guessed correctly that the mystery character was Ken Barlow played by Bill Roache. The randomly selected winner was Denise Dickey of Calgary, Alberta.

Tricky Picture Contest Answer

Moving on to issue #0020, we challenged readers once again to unravel the mystery in our picture contest. Just who was it doing batting practice using a car instead of a ball? Lots of readers picked up on the challenge and most got it dead right. Yes, it was crazy man David Platt played by Jack Shepherd. The randomly chosen winner was Andrea Chantree-King from Ontario.

How to Claim Your Prize

Congratulations to all our winners. You have won a shopping credit of $20 from Blightys online shopping website and Blighty’s will pay the shipping! If you would like to order extra items at the same time we’ll ship your whole order FREE. Please note that we cannot ship food or candy outside of Canada. To claim your prize simply contact us using the comment form at the bottom of this newsletter and tell us what you would like.

There is another mystery picture contest in this issue of Blighty’s Corrie Fan Newsletter. If you are a true fan you’ll find it easy. Give it your best shot and see if you can be a winner!

Old McDonald Had a Charm

“What is it that you ladies like about Steve McDonald?” we asked in issue #0020. You responded with the following comments:

Jan Matwey from Woodstock, Ontario wrote:

Hi John,
Had to comment on why we like Steve! It’s partly because of those lovely blue eyes and partly because of his wry sense of humour. Who out there doesn’t think they can reform Steve into a good husband and father? Vicky, Fiona, Karen, Tracy, Ronnie, Michelle, Becky … and even Liz have tried and failed! – John.

Cathy Edwards wrote:

I love Steve MacDonald for his innocence and nail biting habit. He does all kinds of things and he doesn’t mean to hurt anyone. And his look on his face, shows he doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. Just love him to death.    Isn’t it about time he grew up? How many more broken hearts will he leave behind him before he gets wise to all the hurt he is causing to the poor innocent young women of the Street? – John

Mara Wray wrote:

Steve is a loveable rogue. But the reason I love him is because of the way he delivers his lines, and the expressions on his face. I enjoyed watching him the most when he was with Karen; they had the best lines. It was great fun to watch them loving and fighting with each other. They had amazing chemistry on set – not the same dynamics with Michelle or Becky.    I agree. Sadly we probably won’t be seeing Karen again. – John

Tammy wrote:

Well, Steve definately has dreamy eyes! I think part of the appeal is that he still has that little boy innocence about him. I know he seems like a momma’s boy, but I like the fact that he loves his mom above all else.   You got that dead right Tammy. Lloyd has a sore chin to prove it! – John

Mary Wrote:

I like the character Steve especially his humour and I would like to see Corrie develop some dramatic story lines for him. He is and will become a true Corrie character.   What? Hasn’t he broken enough poor innocent young girls’ hearts already? – John

Greta Willis said it best:

Can’t stand Steve MacDonald – sorry.      No need to apologize here Greta! – John.

Watch Out – Tracy’s Coming Back!

Opinion among all the editorial staff here at Blighty’s Corrie Fan Newsletter headquarters in Orangeville, Ontario (well, alright; it’s just me, John) is that Tracy Barlow should have been given a medal for slugging Charlie Stubbs on the back of the head and sending him to the great builder’s yard in the sky. Instead she got 15 years in the big house for murder.

But, she’s coming back! Details of the story haven’t been revealed yet but she will make an initial comeback for a few weeks in a plot that involves “another well-loved Corrie character” then become a mainstream character again in time for Corrie’s big birthday this December. Actress Kate Ford has signed on the dotted line with Granada bosses and will be re-appearing on UK screens this spring. Watch out for the fireworks!

Here’s a chance to have your say just for fun!

Question: Should Steve dump Becky and marry Tracy?

Let’s face it; Steve and Becky are a match made in hell. There just isn’t any chemistry between them. Becky knows it; Steve is too naive to realize it. Steve and Tracy got along like a box of matches and a can of gasoline; put the two together and stand well back!

But Steve fathered Amy with Tracy. Despite all his fleeting dalliances with the innocent young maidens of Weatherfield, Steve has always maintained his dedication to two people: his mother Liz and his daughter Amy. Wouldn’t it prove, once and for all, that there is a solid side to his character if he married Tracy and the pair brought Amy up in a stable family environment?

On the other hand, maybe Tracy would be less tolerant of Steve’s wandering trousers and knock him on the back of the head too. What do you think? Use the “Leave a Reply” comment box at the bottom of this newsletter to share your thoughts with the newsletter and Corrie’s Canadian fans.

Nick’s Nipping Back

Gail Platt’s son Nick Tilsley is headed back to Weatherfield. You may not recognize Nick when his face first appears on Canadian screens though. Nick moved on in one of those “maybe he’ll be back; maybe he won’t” storylines in 2004 after receiving unwanted sexual advances from gay Todd Grimshaw.

The reason you may not recognize Nick is because actor Adam Rickitt has left the cast and newbie Ben Price has taken over. Price has promised to give the character a more self-confident edge and has indicated he will be exerting a considerable influence on the Street. A clash with half-brother David Platt is expected. Yes, go for it Nick!

Open Very Carefully!

Blighty’s Tuck Store almost sold out of Coronation Street coffee mugs during the Christmas shopping rush. One customer came into the store a couple of weeks before “Chrimbo” (as they say on the Street) and loaded up with Corrie fan souvenirs. One of the lady’s purchases was a  Jack Duckworth coffee mug. As I put the mug inside a box for her I suggested that she tell the gift recipient to open it very carefully. “Why is that” she asked. “Because it’s a Jack-in-the-box” I replied. She laughed, took out a pen and wrote on the box:  “Open very carefully”.

Snow Covered Cobbles

Filming at Granada TV studios in Manchester, England was interrupted this week due to the unusually heavy snowfalls that the UK has been experiencing. Granada was restricted to filming indoor shots only. The show is filmed in advance so the snow would have been a dead giveaway. That’s rather amusing actually. If this were a Canadian show there wouldn’t have been a problem – our lovely white stuff lasts for months!

Good Golly … What’s Going On Here?

Who is swarthy Kevin Webster enjoying an adult beverage with in this picture? Is it Sally? Is it heck! (as they say in Weatherfield). Look carefully and you can see a wedding ring on the finger of the lady with whom our Kevin is warming the sheets. We are not going to spoil things for those who like to wait until the storyline unfolds in Canada. Of course, if you just can’t wait, you can visit our spoilers page to find out more.

Blighty’s Corrie Fan Newsletter likes to tease so let’s just say that saucy Kevin will be … er … um … parking his purple Porsche in the wrong parking lot in the near future. It is a storyline with a heartbreaking twist that will keep you glued to your CBC TV screen later this year.

Ryan and Tina Call it Quits

It was one of those fairy tale on-screen/off-screen romances. Jason Grimshaw and wife Sarah Platt were a perfect couple on the big cobbled TV street … until the screenwriters decided to split them apart. Off-screen, actors Ryan Thomas and Tina O’Brien were a perfect couple. Then, in one of those “life imitates art” scenarios the happy couple split. But not before they had become parents to a beautiful little girl called Scarlett.

Police responded to reports of a disturbance at their home before Christmas and Ryan Thomas was detained for questioning in connection with an alleged assault. He was later released and denies having assaulted Tina. The couple were involved in a dispute over access to daughter Scarlett.

Mystery Picture Contest

Okay fans, whose face should fill that pink void in this picture? The scene has aired on Canadian screens so, once again, no spoilers are involved.

Actually, Blighty’s Corrie Fan Newsletter thought this was one of the most hilarious scenes ever to have been seen on the show. The walls were shaking with raucous laughter in our house.

Use the “Leave a Reply” comment box at the end of this newsletter to send us your entry. Your comment will not be published until after the contest closes on 20th January.

The winner, chosen at random, will receive a $20 credit plus free shipping at Blighty’s online shopping website. Good luck!