A celebration of 40 years of one of Coronation Street’s most iconic characters, and one of Britain’s most famous faces. From her humble beginnings as an occasional character in 1979, Audrey Roberts, played by Sue Nichols, has become one of the best loved characters in soap. Co-stars past and present recount stories and pay tribute to one of the best loved members of the cast, including interviews with her onscreen daughter Helen Worth and onscreen grandchildren Jack P. Shepherd, and Tina O’Brien. Also Nigel Havers, Rula Lenska and William Roache MBE. We’ll also hear a little about Sue’s career before the cobbles, her brummie accent in Crossroads, what life was like playing Nadia Popov in the hit children’s show Rentaghost - and whether she can still teleport!
William Roache reveals just what life was like for the original cast of Coronation Street and why Violet Carson was the natural leader. He admits his love for an on screen punch up where he always tries to play it as real as possible.
Sally Dynevor tells the story of how she nearly messed up her role on Coronation Street on her very first day. She reveals the real off-screen relationship with her on screen daughters Rosie and Sophie, and speaks frankly about how a hard-hitting breast cancer storyline coincided with her own battle with the illness.
Roy Cropper has become one of the most recognisable and best loved characters on television. In this programme David Neilson, the actor who plays him, reveals how he helped shape Roy’s unique eccentricities, and his on-screen wife Julie Hesmondghalgh shares the inside story of Roy and Hayley’s relationship. The programme reveals David’s first ever appearance on TV in a 1976 episode of police show Z Cars. David reflects on how, at the age of 46, he was preparing to give up acting altogether when he got what he thought was going to be a small part in Coronation Street. Julie Hesmondhalgh and David reveal the inside story of how it felt to play the show’s first transexual storyline when Hayley and Roy paired up and later married. They go on to talk about the emotional scenes when Hayley took her own life after she was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Over 30 years in and out of Coronation Street, actor Beverley Callard has given us great moments of drama and comedy. Her character Liz McDonald has gone from being a military wife, struggling to cope with her tearaway teenage sons, to becoming one of The Rovers most iconic landladies. This special programme charts Liz’s incredible story, and discovers just what Beverley thinks of her character's style icon status, how she helped cast her on screen kids, and the real story behind her fiery on screen relationship with Jim. The programme pays homage to Liz McDonald’s outrageous fashion choices and the cast don’t hold back with their own reviews! The show also reveals how many romantic relationships Liz has had during her time on the street. The grand total currently stands at 21 men including her hubby Jim.
Sally Lindsay narrates a tribute to Coronation Street legend Malcolm Hebden and his character as they both bid farewell to the cobbles after 26 years. Malcolm made his Corrie debut as a Spanish character called Carlos in 1974. Twenty years later he was back as the lovably irritating Norris, who befriended Derek and Mavis Wilton, and eventually became a regular in The Kabin. Narrated by Street veteran Sally Lindsay, the programme features contributions from cast members past and present, including David Neilson (Roy Cropper), Patti Clare (Mary Taylor) and Thelma Barlow (Mavis Wilton).
