Gallery talk on TV’s Corrie

CORONATION Street fans can celebrate the soap’s 50th birthday at Gallery Oldham.

A free lunch-time talk at the gallery will take fans through the show’s history from Tony Warren’s original idea for a drama about ordinary people to the world-wide success the show now enjoys.

Local writer and Corrie tour guide Mark Llewellin will host the event on Thursday, April 15, from 1pm.

He said: “It all started when I was working at the Coliseum Theatre. I wrote a book about the stars that had appeared there over the years, many of whom were Corrie cast members.

“I was asked to do an after-dinner talk for a Canadian group who were over here on holiday. Then, a year later, they asked if I would take over the whole 10-day visit. I’ve done that ever since and I now get asked to look after other groups too.

“I get to take them into the studios and we visit locations used for filming some of the big story-lines.

“Raquel and Curly’s wedding was filmed at Chadderton Town Hall for example and JW Lees brewery was used as the home of Newton and Ridleys.

“In fact, lots of the bricks which the street set is built from came from Oldham demolition sites so a bit of Oldham is seen in every episode.”

l Mark will be giving the free talk on April 15 between 1 and 2pm. There is no need to book. The event is organised by Oldham Council.