That Corrie magic
Street’s NI stars on why the soap still captivates after 60 years
CORONATION Street star Kerri Quinn says the hit soap still hasn’t lost its magic, 60 years after it first appeared on our TV screens.
The Belfast actress was speaking as the world’s longest-running TV soap celebrates its landmark anniversary in style with a week of explosive storylines.
Kerri (37) played vengeful Vicky Jefferies for more than a year and filmed her final scenes last autumn which saw her team up with Kym Marsh’s character Michelle Connor in a plot to frame cheating Robert Preston for her murder.
In the end, Robert himself was shot dead by a crazed gunman.
While there have been conversations of a possible way back on to the cobbles for Vicky, Kerri told the Belfast Telegraph she’s still very proud to have played a small part in the show.
“The show has always had the perfect balance of heart and humour. As the years have went on, it has tackled hard-hitting story lines on issues like mental health or sexuality alongside normal day-to-day friendships, which is what makes it so relatable.”
Kerri says the recent storyline involving the death of toddler Oliver Battersby after being diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease really struck a chord with her own family.
Her older brother Kevin died when he was three — he had a hole in his heart and didn’t pull through the operation.
“While my mum Cathy has been a Corrie fan for years this was a storyline that she just couldn’t watch because it was too close to home, but it was so tastefully and beautifully done.
“That’s why it’s the soap that touches people’s hearts over so many years and it still hasn’t lost its magic,” Kerri added.
Meanwhile, Enniskillen-born actor Charlie Lawson who played tough-talking legend Jim McDonald said the soap has always led the way and shown those which have come after “how it’s done”.
“Although they have fearlessly grasped every subject that needs to be tackled they also tell stories and tell them well as well as being blessed with a great cast,” Charlie said.
The 61-year-old has starred in Coronation Street on and off since 1989 playing Liz Mcdonald’s hellraiser husband and a gig back on the cobbles can’t be ruled out.
“I have been back on the show nine times and while I’ve been very lucky I might wake up tomorrow and find out in the newspapers that the character is dead.
“So far he’s still alive and you never know but we’ll wait and see what happens,” Charlie added.
To celebrate Corrie’s anniversary week, two images — a bird’seye view of its current home at Mediacityuk and a picture of where it all started 60 years ago have been released.
The older snap features Studio 2 at Granada Television, where one wooden set represented the street and the cobbles were painted on to the studio floor.