THE Corrie’s

CORRIE stars got away from Weatherfield for a night out in Manchester at their annual Christmas party. This year’s bash took place at the city’s Principal Hotel on Oxford Road, with plenty of familiar faces. Tina O’Brien, who plays Sarah Platt in the soap, donned a gold wrap dress for the occasion, while Nicola Thorp arrived in elegant red. Nicola confirmed last month that she was returning to the cobbles in the New Year as Nicola Rubinstein.

Jack P Shepherd, aka David Platt, was also spotted on the red carpet - braving the December chills in a floral shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

Veteran Corrie actors Andrew Whyment, Antony Cotton and Alan Halsall - or Kirk Sutherland, Sean Tully and Tyrone Dobbs - joined the fun with their co-stars at the hotel.

Vic Reeves and wife Nancy Sorrell were all smiles as they strolled up the venue’s steps on Oxford Road.

It’s been another rollercoaster year for the residents of Weatherfield, but the real drama is yet to come for the cast - when Coronation Street and EastEnders air their New Year episodes at the same time.

The soaps will each have hour-long specials, both screened - on ITV and BBC One respectively - at 8pm on January 1, according to the channels’ schedules.