Coronation Street, the world’s longest-running soap opera, first aired on 9th December, 1960. But only 13 episodes had been commissioned by Granada, following a torturous development process. Boss Sidney Bernstein remained far from convinced that the show would attract either audiences or advertisers for ITV.

Created by 24 year-old Tony Warren, the new serial aimed to portray real lives on a suburban street in Salford. In his quest for authenticity, Warren intended to cast only Northern actors, and borrowed names for characters from gravestones he’d spotted in a Mancunian cemetery.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider why TV critics from the left-wing papers slated the show; reveal how Warren’s past as a child actor informed the casting of some iconic Corrie characters; and revisit the real street where the iconic opening sequence was initially filmed…

Further Reading:

• ‘Coronation Street used to depict a world that was already dying in 1960’ (The Independent, 2016): https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/coronation-street-used-to-depict-a-world-that-was-already-dying-in-1960-a6914521.html

• ‘Coronation Street at 60: The real story of the Salford neighbourhoods that inspired the famous cobbles’ (Manchester Evening News, 2020): https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/coronation-street-anniversary-itv-history-19325571

• ‘Coronation Street, Episode One’ (Granada, 1960): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq-qudJGYPI

But wait, there’s more! 🌴 CLUB RETROSPECTORS 🌴members can hear an EXTRA five minutes of chat about this legendary soap, just sign up to unlock this, Sunday episodes, and bonus content every single week 👇

#TV #60s #UK #Manchester

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022. 

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