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Coronation Street is set for more violence - despite viewers'
calls for an end to brutality. Last week Sunday Mirror readers
voted 2,189 to 119 votes to stop the savagery. Our poll followed
news that Mike Baldwin was going to be attacked by crazed cabbie
Don Brennan.
But the violence goes on. And now bookie Des Barnes, played
by Phil Middlemiss, is to be the next casualty - victim of a revenge
attack by his girlfriend's ex-husband. A set insider said: "The
scenes will be a great talking point for viewers. But some people
on the show think it's gratuitous."
Not content with extra doses of violence, the Street is adding
more SEX, too... for the golden oldies. Alec Gilroy is to set
up a dating agency for Weatherfield's OAPs. The insider said:
"We are hoping for tasteful outcomes - but who knows these
days!"
Street Chris quits to be a pop star 12 October 1997 Coronation Street's
hottest new star is quitting the show - to become a pop singer.
Matthew Marsden, who plays mechanic Chris Collins, plans to leave
when his latest six-month contract runs out at Easter.
The news will come as a blow to Street bosses, as only last
week the 23-year-old heart-throb was voted Most Popular Newcomer
at the National TV Awards. A friend said "Matt was brought
into Coronation Street because of his looks. They wanted to build
him up to get the heart-throb vote... and he's certainly done
that. But he doesn't want to become typecast, and that is why
he will make a pop career his priority in 1998."
Columbia Records confirmed that they have signed up Matthew
for 'singles and an album deal.' Last night Matthew, who lives
in a £100,000 bachelor pad near Granada's Manchester studios,
was coy about his latest career move. "All I can say is I've
signed my latest Street contract and I will be working hard to
fulfil that" he said.
Love Sizzles for Kevin and Sally 2 November 1997 Ruthless Coronation
Street boss Brian Park has come over all romantic in the run up
to the season of goodwill. And he has ordered scriptwriters to
pull a real cracker with one of the most emotional Christmas Day
episodes ever.
The feuding Websters - cheating mechanic Kevin (Michael Le
Vell) and his devastated wife Sally (played by Sally Whittaker)
- are set to kiss-and-make-up on the big day, ending it with a
sizzling bedroom romp.
A Street source said: "It's an old cliche, but you can
bet there won't be a dry eye in the house. Brian says he's done
his job if people talk about the show. And you can bet that everybody
will be gripped by Kevin and Sally's Christmas reunion."
Producer Park has been at the centre of controversy over his new-look
Coronation Street.
But since his whirlwind arrival and the sackings of several
Street favourites, he has got the show back to the top of the
ratings. Ironically one of the topics many viewers have complained
about was Kevin and Sally's love-split, which saw the wayward
husband moving in with maneater Natalie Horrocks (Denise Welch).
The source said: "The story has run and run, but now the
time has come for a reunion."
So the Christmas Day episode will see Kevin back home in Coronation
Street to give his kids Rosie and Sophie their presents. The insider
said: "Sally and Kevin reminisce about the good times as
the children play happily." Then Sally cracks open a bottle
of wine and the two of them are like a couple of smitten teenagers
again.
"There's a real look of love in their eyes as they kiss,"
adds the insider. "We reckon there'll be cheers across the
country as Kevin and Sally wander upstairs together." The
source added: "As usual with Brian the possibilities are
endless. Can you imagine how Natalie is going to feel? It's got
to be a case of Natalie v Sally in another punch-up!"
Behind You ! 30 November 1997
Yes it's nearly panto time and today the Sunday Mirror tells
us where all those ex-soap stars will be spending the festive
season.
Geoff Hinsliff and Peter Baldwin are both playing Baron Hardup
in Cinderella. Geoff is at Bradford Alhambra and Peter is at the
Theatre Royal in Nottingham.
Julie Goodyear is playing Widow Twanky at the Royal Court Theatre
in Liverpool. Sherrie Hewson is The Good Fairy in Mother Goose
at the Festival Theatre, Chichester. And Chloe Newsome is in Peter
Pan at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth.
Liz MacDonald and Dreary Rachid are typecast as the Hideous
Sisters in Steven King's X-rated horror version of Cinderella
at the Alhambra Weatherfield (carpet courtesy E Yates Esq).
Return
of the Big Blonde Wig 30 November 1997 by Lorraine Kelly
When Julie Goodyear left CS where she'd reigned supreme behind
the bar of the Rovers Return as Bet Lynch/Gilroy, I thought she'd
regret it. A spin-off series, Bet's Bar, set in the Canary Islands,
failed to materialise and her chat show was shelved. A play was
to have been written for her by Band of Gold creator Key Mellor
- but again this came to nothing.
However, Julie has eventually found a safe haven - in the world
of panto. She's playing Widow Twankey in Liverpool and she popped
into the studio last week to tell us how it was going. She's a
changed woman.
The last time she was on GMTV was just after she'd quit the
Street. She terrified the life out of all of us - from the boss
to the runner who gave her a cup of tea with a very shaky hand.
Despite our no smoking policy, she puffed away in the make up
room, leaving our man with powder puff on the verge of hysterics
as he tried to avoid setting her big wig alight. Her entourage
demanded star treatment - a slap up meal, a posh hotel, a Rolls
Royce to ferry her to the studio, and pink champagne.
But it was oh so different this time. Julie was relaxed and
philosophical about the fact that none of her dream projects had
materialised. She's been busy doing up her home, joining the National
Farmers Union and mucking out her livestock. She was a pleasure
to talk to, looks better than she has for years and she hasn't
closed the door on a return to the Street. I reckon Bet is the
only one who could possibly deal with the appalling Battersbys,
would sort out Alex's little schemes, and would have spotted that
Deirdre's Jon was a fake after about 30 seconds. Here's hoping
she comes back to Weatherfield sooner rather than later.
Kevin & Sally - a reconciliation? From Granada TV Christmas publicity
From the moment that Kevin dumped Sally for Street vamp Natalie
Horrocks, there has been a distinctly frosty atmosphere in the
Webster household. While the mechanic settled down in his love
nest, Sally sought solace in the surprising shape of Kevin's work
mate, Chris Collins. And as the winter months set in, it seemed
that there was more chance of hell freezing over than the warring
Websters patching up their rocky marriage.
But with the season of goodwill almost upon us, there are signs
that things are starting to warm up between the pair. Michael
Le Vell (Kevin) and Sally Whittaker (Sally) have both offered
their thoughts on whether the couple can ever hope for a reconciliation.
Michael says: "Deep down, I don't think Kevin has ever
been fully able to break away from Sally and the kids. Sure, he's
got Natalie and he seems happy with his lot but, no matter what
Natalie has to offer, she isn't the mother of his children. He
still misses all of them and Christmas is a very testing time
for anyone in his position.
"Kevin is sure to find himself between a rock and a hard
place, as he struggles to decide who is most important to him.
And at this time of year, more than any other, the pull back home
will be stronger than ever. People tend to be quite vulnerable
at Christmas and their thoughts naturally turn towards their families.
Whether or not this could be the start of a thawing in relations
between Sally and Kevin, is a complete unknown at the moment.
But it would be immensely difficult for Kevin to convince Sally,
that she should trust him again, even if he wants to. There is
also the added complication that he has already walked away from
one woman - would he dare do it again to another?'
And that sentiment is echoed by Michael's screen wife, who
says: "Sally was utterly shattered when Kevin not only walked
out on her but even said he didn't love her anymore.
"I believe that Sally might conceivably be prepared to
give it another go, but it would take a huge amount of hard work
and things would have to be very different. Kevin declared his
love for Natalie and that was a real blow for Sal, who would need
a lot of convincing to risk giving it another try. The balance
of power has shifted and she holds all the aces. Whether Kevin
can repair the damage he's done, is the big question; and I'm
not sure she could ever trust him enough for it to work.
"But if there is any point when it is going to be easier
for him to make a good impression, it's at Christmas. Families
should be together at Christmas and I think Sally's natural instinct
will be to gather hers around her. They call it the season of
goodwill, but I think that it is going to take more than that
for the pair of them to ever work things out.
"But maybe Christmas could just be the sort of opportunity
that Kevin needs. We'll have to wait and see!'
Corrie Christmas schedules 7 December 1997
Monday December 22nd
Chris tells Sally that Kevin really loves her. Judy believes
that she will never see Katie again.
Tuesday December 23rd
Sally has an important decision to make.
Wednesday December 24th
The residents of the Street look forward to the big day. Things
start to look up for Sally and Kevin.
Thursday December 25th
The big day is usually a mix of happiness and sadness in the
Street. Is there the best present in the world in store for Kevin
and Sally's children?
Friday December 26th
What sort of state will the Webster marriage be in after Christmas
Day?
Sunday December 28th
The Sunday episodes still seem to have usually been quiet affairs.
But at Christmas time we can expect a bit more action. Judy is
still agonising over Katie.
Monday December 29th
Jon's been amazingly successful at keeping two homes going and
keeping Deidre and his wife in the dark.
Wednesday December 31st
Deidre's done some daft things in her time, but this affair with
Jon has taken the biscuit. Millions of fans have been screaming
that he's a conman.
Friday January 2nd
How many New Year resolutions will have been broken by now?
How I saved the Street 21 December 1997
Brian Park reveals how he has breathed
new life into Wetherfield
The man who has been likened to Freddy Kruger was hated and
feared not just by the Street's terrified cast, but by millions
of viewers who believed he was destroying the cosy institution
they believed to be their own.
But this week, Park went from devil to demi-God as Coronation
Street attracted nearly 16 million viewers on one night while
Eastenders pulled in less than five million. Of his early sackings
he says: "I know I'm hurting people and in some cases ending
a livelihood that has existed for 20 years. My job is to secure
the future of the Street and if that means having to get rid of
some people, then so be it."
Park says the decision to fire Derek, played by Peter Baldwin,
had been talked about before he came on board. "The feeling
was that Derek and Mavis had had their day" he says.
"It was difficult telling Peter that I was letting him
go, especially as I had to do it on my first day in the job and
because he genuinely didn't know it was going to happen. He was
terribly upset, visibly so, and he wanted to know what he had
done wrong, But he hadn't done anything wrong. Peter is a fine
actor. I know he has said that he died when his character did.
But he wasn't sacked because he was a bad actor. He was sacked
because there was nowhere else for Derek to go."
Park moved onto the cobbled set guns blazing and within weeks
the ratings had started to race back up. And now, a year on, his
bully-boy strategy has paid off - and how. "I won't pretend
I'm not proud of what I've done this year," he says. "I
think the fact that the show is back on top shows that I was right
to do what I did. "Of course there were times when I was
worried that maybe I'd got it wrong because the criticism was
so fierce. But I had to hold on to my gut instinct. And I'm glad
I did because now Coronation Street is back where it blongs."
So does he take credit for the new storylines....? "There's
no real authorship. I sit down with the scriptwriters and we work
them out together. We just ping-pong ideas around until we come
up with something exciting." But even though Park is riding
high he says there's no room for complacency. "This time
last year everyone was saying Eastenders was the best thing ever.
Look at it now. The Street is a voracious machine. It eats up
storylines so when one ends we've got to have another fantastic
one to replace it."
But with a whole host of exciting new characters, Park says
it's unlikely that he'll ever bring back any of the old ones -
not even Julie Goodyear, who played Bet Gilroy. "I never
say never, but bringing back Bet is not on the cards. It's wrong
to go back. I'd feel I'd failed if I had to do that."
Park says it's sometimes hard for him to believe he's doing
the job he is: "I used to watch the Street with my granny
in Arbroath when I was a little boy. It was when Ena Sharples,
Minnie Caldwell and Martha Longhurst were in their heyday. "Even
when I first started working at Granada I'd see Doris Speed, who
played Annie Walker and Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner) in the canteen.
It's a strange feeling being in charge of a show that had such
a big impact on the lives of me and my family. "Even now,
I get feedback from the Peterhead British Legion Club where my
Mum and Dad are members. They ring every week to tell me what
the club members like and don't like about the Street.
"I'm proud of what I've achieved here. I think my granny
would have been too. And Coronation Street never had a bigger
fan than my granny."
Brain Park also talked about forthcoming storylines:
On New Year's Eve Deidre will finally find out about her cheating
lover's double life. "I can't say too much about it,"
says Park. "But there's going to be a startling development.
"And there will be massive repercussions. I mean you've
seen how Deidre's been spending on that credit card. I'll leave
you to speculate on what happens to her. But I can promise you
this story is nowhere near over."
There will also be more men for Natalie Horrocks (Denise Welch)
who Park says is set to be the 90's Elsie Tanner. "Let's
just say there are a lot of men left on the Street for her to
get her hooks into. She's definitely going to create trouble.
There's also a hilarious storyline involving the Battersbys and
a live turkey."
So will Gary and Judy Mallet's surrogate baby story end happily?
"How can it?" says Park. "They did something wrong.
They shouldn't have bought Zoe's baby and there will be a price
to pay."
New Year Wedding for Nicky 21 December 1997 The Street is
set for a sensational teenage wedding in the New Year. Young lovers
Nicky Platt and Leanne Battersby cause outrage by running off
and getting wed in secret.
Street newcomer Adam Rickett, who plays Nicky, has been a huge
hit with teenage viewers. Now bosses have rewarded the handsome
actor with a powerful storyline.
Millions of fans have been spellbound by the steamy relationship
between Nicky and Leanne, who is played by Jane Danson. Fresh-faced
Nicky lost his virginity to her and has been head-over-heels in
love ever since. His screen mum Gail (Helen Worth) is at her wits
end and has tried to scupper the relationship.
An insider said "You can imagine what will happen when
Gail finds out her son has got married to the girl she sees as
a scummy neighbour. It paves the way for some terrific scenes
in the New Year."
Nicky and Leanne will be seen supposedly heading off for a
pop concert - but instead they go to a register office. The source
said: "It's a brilliant scenario and viewers will be the
only ones to know what's happened...but it can only be a matter
of time before the secret's out. To say there will be fireworks
is an understatement."
Producer Brian Park wanted Nicky Platt to become sexier when
he took over the show. They even recast him because Park felt
teenager Warren Jackson, who played Nicky all his life, didn't
have the right ingredients for the part. So in came Adam - and
Nicky hasn't stood still since.
How Naughty Natalie beds brawling Jim 21 December 1997 In the new-look
Coronation Street these days, you just can't keep a good man-eater
down. Naughty Natalie Horrocks, the Weatherfield siren, has been
sleeping alone since wimpy mechanic Kevin Webster walked out on
her. Now the blonde divorcee has her sights set on another man
- and it's none other than boozing, brawling Jim McDonald.
The unlikely couple will fall into each other's arms as both
try to make their ex-lovers jealous. But a casual flirtation soon
turns into the real thing and they end up between the sheets.
The romance is set for some rocky times as, true to form, Jim's
ugly temper rears its head - and it isn't long before Natalie
becomes a victim of his drunken rages.
Actress Denise Welch is no stranger to controversial story
lines. Her adulterous relationship with Kevin has kept viewers
transfixed. Amazingly, many women have turned to the star for
support. She has become an agony aunt to hordes of secret mistresses.
Denise, 38, who is married to Auf Wiedersehen Pet actor Tim
Healey says: "I appear to have become something of a heroine
amongst mistresses across the country. Dozens of letters have
arrived asking for advice on how to handle an affair. Obviously
I'm not in a position to write back and offer advice to these
people, but the letters still come. I've had letters from mistresses
spelling out all the details of their affairs with married men.
They write to tell me they are scared that, like Natalie, they
are losing their man and he is about to go back to his wife and
ask what they should do."
"I've even had women come up to me and introduce themselves
as mistresses while I'm out and about doing my everyday things.
On one occasion I was in a club and five of them came up to me
at the same time and said 'We bloody love you!'. It transpired
that they were all mistresses on a night out together with their
men. I think they must have been some sort of mistresses convention!"
The latest twist in Natalie's love life is sure to have viewers
glued to their sets. She and Jim will get together soon after
Christmas as they console one another over their shattered affairs.
While sad Natalie faces a lonely festive season, Jim is still
smitten with hairdresser Fiona Middleton, whose wedding day he
wrecked by revealing their fling.
Over the next few weeks, fans will see him chat up Natalie
as she pulls pints at the Rovers Return. A Coronation Street insider
revealed there are some exciting scenes ahead. He said: "Natalie
is absolutely devastated that Kevin has left and sets about making
him jealous. Jim is in the same boat and he hopes that chatting
her up will have Fiona running back to him. But a genuine attraction
starts between Natalie and Jim and before long they are in bed
together."
"Trouble is they won't stay happy for long. Jim will start
drinking a lot and starts knocking Natalie about. But if he thinks
he can bully her he might find he has met his match. There will
certainly be fireworks."
As for Denise, she believes that bitchy Natalie has had her
just desserts - even though she can't help feeling sorry for her
character. "People will say that she deserves everything
she gets and to some degree I go along with that." says the
former Soldier Soldier star. "But I have always flown the
flag for her and I must admit that I even quite like her. I think
that if people give her a chance they will see that she can be
human and not just some super-bitch."
