Coronation Street

Coronation Street is Britain's longest-running television soap opera, and the UK's consistently highest-rated show. It was created by Tony Warren and first broadcast on the ITV network on Friday December 9, 1960. The working title of the show was Florizel Street, but Agnes, a tea lady at Granada Television, Manchester, (where Coronation Street is produced) remarked that "Florizel" sounded too much like a disinfectant. Jubilee Street was another option considered.

Trivia

• The show's most famous fan is Queen Elizabeth II. Other famous fans include Prince Charles, Ian McKellen (who have guested in the series), the late Laurence Olivier (who was supposed to have a guest appearance but scheduling problems got in the way), and numerous prime ministers.
• Frasier star Jane Leeves (Daphne Moon) once commented that the only downside of living in the United States was that she was unable to see Coronation Street.
• Between 1989 and 1999, the Granada Studios Tour allowed members of the public actually had the opportunity to take a stroll down the cobbles of Coronation Street. During this period, the "set" remained closed to the public on Mondays since this was the day when exterior scenes for the series were filmed.
• Only twice have any celebrities been allowed to play themselves on Coronation Street: the first occasion was when HRH Prince Charles made an appearance on the show's 40th Anniversary episode (2000), and was seen shaking hands with character Audrey Roberts.

The second occasion featured Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt of the British rock band Status Quo (the band itself also being a national institution). The band's drummer, Matt Letley, also made a cameo in the episodes. (2005) Appearing in four episodes, Rossi and Parfitt call into the Rovers Return and Rossi attacks character Les Battersby (who is played by actor Bruce Jones, himself a massive fan of the group) as Battersby had perviously caused him a grievous neck injury. The matter later gets resolved, and the band agree to play at Battersby's upcoming wedding.

Related Topics:
Francis Rossi - Rick Parfitt - Rock band - Status Quo - Matt Letley - 2005 - Bruce Jones - Neck

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