We can’t imagine the UK without Coronation Street so it’s not hard to get our heads around that the staple of our TV diet is about to reach the milestone of 60 years in December – and show boss Iain MacLeod has assured Metro.co.uk that there are big plans in place, despite changes having to be made due to the coronavirus pandemic which shut down production.
The soap is still working under strict social distancing measures which means that ambitious plans for a spectacle have been altered – but the show producer has insisted that this takes nothing away from the storylines and the elements of Corrie that are most important to celebrate with such a birthday.
He told us: ‘We had planned before the pandemic to do something production intensive. It would have involved elaborate design builds and then discovered we can’t do it socially distanced.
‘It would have taken too long to get done. What we still have are all the stories that would have generated the set pieces. The consequences are much more human – love, loss, tragedy, triumph and the stories broadly will be exactly the same.
‘I don’t think losing the set piece has diminished it. There’s a fashion to go Hollywood and I do love a bit of that and viewers do but really what we really love about Corrie are the love stories, the human impact. There is a little stunty component but it’s more grounded. We scaled it back visually but I don’t think it’s damaged the week.’
And while he was at it, he confirmed that show favourites would be back in time for the pinnacle episodes, which is a relief. But he doesn’t have his eye on any fleeting cameos.
Iain explained: ‘Ken, Rita and Audrey will be back for the 60th. That’s good news for everyone. Other returns, the answer to that is no – I love our cast – we have an incredible bunch of legends. I don’t want a revolving door of cameos, it feels like a cheap trick. Our current cast is fabulous – I didn’t want to add more.’
We know, however, some current characters who will be central to the action – as Carla Connor (Alison King) will face a huge test with Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) as he supports troubled Abi Franklin (Sally Carman).
The show boss teased: ‘Carla and Peter, perennial favourites – Peter and Abi’s chemistry performance wise means that Peter will be involved in her story. I have always thought it was an interesting common ground with dealing with substance abuse issues.
‘They will grow closer and that will blow up in an explosive way – it’s not an affair, it won’t be what you think. But their entanglement will have a massive impact on the 60th.’
Roll on December!
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