Corrie Icon Street
Mrs B is staying Eamonn Holmes. Brendan O’Carroll, Langsford Joel Dommett, Ruth ITV bosses plan soap spin-off
has got around lockdown restrictions to film new shows.
ITV is busy pulling together Coronation Street Icons, a four-part series looking back at favourite characters.
Sources say they will focus on Weatherfield legends including Ken Barlow, played by William Roache. Bet Lynch, portrayed by Julie Goodyear, is another name in the frame.
While production is suspended due to the coronavirus crisis, producers have been sifting through the archives for nostalgic footage of Coronation Street favourites.
Following the success of the one-off Coronation Street Icons: Audrey Roberts – 40 Fabulous Years, which looked back at Sue Nicholls’ finest moments last year, bosses have decided to roll out a series. A source says: “During these difficult times, ITV bosses thought, ‘What better to lift the spirits than some of the most memorable moments in Corrie history?’
It also gives them the chance to celebrate their many characters, including Ken Barlow – the longestrunning soap star in the world.
“With filming suspended, this is a way of getting around the current restrictions as a lot can be pulled from archives and interviews at home.”
The series ties in with the soap’s 60th anniversary this year.
Coronation Street halted production on March 23 and cut episodes down to three a week. Bosses hope to air the show until “at least the early summer”.
In the first Coronation Street Icons show, co-stars past and present paid tribute to Audrey Roberts – one of the best-loved characters on the cobbles.
Helen Worth, who plays her onscreen daughter Gail, was among those who appeared.