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Coronation Street celebrates the incredible 60 years on screen and we feel nostalgic.
We all know that Corrie broke the mold, invented the modern soap opera and provided some unforgettable moments, but what are the most important events in her history that have come to define the show?
to allow RadioTimes.com to take you down a cobbled path of memory through Coronation Street’s six decades was aired, picking up an important moment from each that marked its evolution to become one of the most iconic TV shows ever made …
1960s: episode one (1960)
Tony Warren’s vision came to life when the first episode was broadcast live from Manchester at 7pm on Friday 9 December 1960 in the ITV region of North West Granada (it was networked across the UK three months later. ). It is the depiction of working-class life that seemed revolutionary in the early days of the medium, largely offering light entertainment quiz formats and adventurous drama about cops and cowboys that had no relation to real life.
The first episode introduced us to the Barlows, the Tanners, Annie Walker and Ena Sharples, among others. The street felt like a real place that had always been there, filled with recognizable characters and situations conveyed with wit and warmth. Despite the Daily Mirror’s unfavorable review claiming it was “ doomed, ” viewers were thrilled and TV had changed forever, a whole genre and style of drama born from that time.
The 10,000th episode of February 2020 began with a recreation of the opening scene from the first edition, with a group of children playing outside the corner shop. This slice of northern life felt as natural and natural as on the first day.
1970s: The assassination of Ernest Bishop (1978)
In the second decade Corrie was a cultural institution with a fiercely loyal audience. When the soap’s most violent death occurred in the winter of 1978, hearts broke for longtime resident Emily Bishop when her husband was shot dead in a raid and Corrie explored the darker side of life, proving that was in step with the times.
The kind, God-fearing Emily was married to a mild-mannered photographer / preacher Ernie, but their happiness was devastatingly cut short when he was shot and killed at the Baldwin’s Casuals factory (an early version of Underworld) by two armed thugs robbing the office. It was one of the most shocking and action-packed incidents to have occurred on the cobblestones and set the scene for many subsequent sieges.
1980s: Alan Bradley killed by a tram (1989)
This dramatic epilogue to evil businessman Alan Bradley’s reign of terror set the model for Corrie’s future villains. Terrified of the abusive ex Alan, Rita fled to Blackpool to escape his abusive behavior, but he tracked her down. A chase through a busy street ensued and Bradley’s bully ran straight into the path of an oncoming tram and met a gruesome end.
It struck a huge chord with audiences and formed a familiar story arc that we have seen repeated numerous times since: The strong, but vulnerable woman is targeted by a sociopathic and seemingly charming man who destroys her life from within. when she discovers her true toxic colors, before our heroine finds the strength to oppose her tormentor and get back to her rhythm. Richard Hillman, Pat Phelan, Geoff Metcalfe – they all have a vile debt to Mr Bradley.
1990s: Free Deirdre (1998)
Deirdre Rachid, recently widowed, was wiped out by the charming pilot Jon Lindsay, except he was a con man who worked in a tie shop and was framing her for fraud. Gullible Deirdre found herself blasted for Jon’s crimes, sparking a national protest that launched a campaign to “Free Weatherfield One”.
Notoriously, then Prime Minister Tony Blair got involved and demanded that the mistrial be resolved, possibly the first time a soap opera plot had been discussed in parliament.
The ‘oos: Mike Baldwin dies in the arms of Ken Barlow (2006)
The street’s most famous rivalry reached a touching climax when Mike Baldwin died in the arms of Ken Barlow. The conceited cockney legend Mike had been the thorn in the side of Kenneth’s loyal supporter since the 1970s, and the couple have spent decades squabbling over everything, mostly over Deirdre’s affections.
By this point the couple had gone from foes to best friends, and Ken supported his former nemesis as he suffered from dementia in his later years. Cradling his confused friend as he suffered a fatal heart attack on the step of his beloved factory, Ken wept when his sparring partner died. Truly the end of an era …
1910s: the tram crash (2010)
A decade ago Corrie was celebrating 50 glorious years and went out of her way to deliver their most ambitious moment ever. At the opening of The Joinery restaurant (now Ray’s bistro) a fire broke out that damaged the tracks of the viaduct above, crashing a tram into the street and creating massive devastation.
CGI, special effects, explosions – it was huge. As always, the tradition of strong characters and stories has remained at the heart of the modern show, with three shock deaths, life-changing events for the Barlows, Websters and Dobbs clans, Fiz giving birth and Rita buried under bon-bons like the Kabin collapsed. And part of it was live, just like the first episode.
Visit our dedicated Coronation Street page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out ours TV Guide.
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