Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Coroner-ation Street
Weatherfield murders hit 23 but boss insists it’s part of heritage
WEATHERFIELD has become one of the most violent towns in soapland, with the murder count reaching 23.
In the past five years alone, seven Coronation Street residents have been nobbled on the cobbles.
But producer Kate Oates insisted: “There have always been dark murders, even dating back to the 1970s.” Almost 400 viewers complained about the latest killings, of Andy Carver and Vinny Ashford.
Even long-time fan Sir Michael Parkinson, 82, said the ITV soap had become “brutal”, after the two characters were tortured and murdered by Pat Phelan. There was just a handful of killings in the show’s first 15 years.
They included Elsie Tanner’s husband Steve being pushed down the stairs. But for the past 20 years, murders averaged one a year. Ms Oates said: “Passions have run high with it, but I don’t mind that. “I hope viewers will see there is a balance of stories and other characters are giving that traditional warmth.” MOST crooks were glad to see the back of this coat – but the mac worn by TV’S Columbo is now a sought-after item going on sale for £90,000.
The scruffy piece of clothing actually belonged to actor Peter Falk, who played the dogged detective from 1971 to 2003.
Producers had seen him wearing it off-screen and thought it fitted the character perfectly so asked if they could borrow it. Falk agreed and the mac became part of TV folklore. It is being sold at Bonhams in New York on behalf of his estate alongside other clothing worn by the officer, including boots and a brown coat used in later episodes. The actor died in 2011 aged 83. The auction house’s Catherine Williamson said: “It is quality clothing.”
Oh, just one more thing, the items go under the hammer on November 21.