Coronation Street fans are in for a treat as ITV have confirmed that a special series celebrating the soap’s most iconic characters will air ahead of the show’s 60th anniversary.
The four-part series, narrated by former Corrie star Sally Lindsay, will look back at some of the most-loved characters who have walked the cobbles over the years.
Viewers will be able to chart their favourite character’s journey and find out what the stars themselves think of their time on the street.
The four iconic characters celebrated in the special series are Ken Barlow, Sally Metcalfe, Roy Cropper and Liz McDonald.
Each of the nostalgia-filled episodes will contain archive footage and new interviews by cast members past and present.
William Roache has played Ken Barlow in Coronation Street for almost 60 years (Image: ITV)
William Roache, who has played Weatherfield lathario Ken Barlow since the show began airing on 9 December 1960, reveals just what life was like for the original cast of Coronation Street and why Violet Carson was the natural leader.
Bill, 88, admits his love for an on-screen punch up where he always tries to play it as real as possible.
He also likens his current role as the head of the Barlow family as that of a mafia boss, surrounded by his henchman.
Sally Metcalfe actress Sally Dynevor tells the story of how she nearly messed up her role on Coronation Street on her very first day.
David Neilson lifts the lid on how his own mother influenced Roy Cropper’s mannerisms (Image: ITV)
The soap legend, who joined the Corrie cast in 1986, reveals the real off-screen relationship with her on screen daughters Rosie and Sophie, and speaks frankly about how a hard-hitting breast cancer storyline coincided with her own battle with the illness.
Beverley Callard, who has played Liz McDonald since 1984, reveals her character’s racy wardrobe secrets and how she often buys some of the more outrageous outfits herself.
The actress, who is leaving the show later this year, also talks about the off-screen mother/son relationship that she has with Simon Gregson, who plays her on screen son Steve McDonald.
David Neilson, who joined the soap in 1995, opens up about how his own mother influenced Roy Cropper’s mannerisms, and how a conversation at a party turned into one of his most memorable storylines when Tracy Barlow lured Roy into bed for a bet.
Sally Dynevor tells the story of how she nearly messed up her role on Coronation Street on her very first day on the special show (Image: ITV)
As well taking a sneak-peak into the lives of the show’s iconic characters, Coronation Street fans will also be able to look back at the soaps most memorable moments as comedian Jason Manford looks back over 60 years of the show in a second special show.
It’s not just Coronation Street fans that can take a trip down memory lane as ITV have also commissioned an Emmerdale soap special which will revisit three generations of the show’s most popular families, the Sugdens, the Tates and the Dingles.
Former Emmerdale star Gaynor Faye will take fans of the Yorkshire Dales soap for a trip down memory lane in four special episodes.
The three special programmes will air alongside new episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale which air on ITV across the summer months.
Beverley Callard reveals her character Liz McDonald’s racy wardrobe secrets during the nostalgia-filled programme (Image: ITV)
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Head of Entertainment Commissioning said “Not only will new episodes of the soaps continue in the schedules, we now have these new specials to join them and entertain viewers.
“Both soaps have a rich history and we’ve delved into the archives with these new programmes to celebrate that.”
Tom McLennan, Director of ITV Studios Entertainment North added: “It has been a joy and a privilege to delve into the archives of the nation’s favourite soaps.
“The characters and storylines are as gripping today as they were then and it is the perfect opportunity to celebrate them.”
Coronation Street continues on ITV tonight at 7.30pm
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
