Britain's best-loved soap gets back on track for latest love interest story line

Since the sands of time ran out for villainous Alan Bradley here donkeys years ago Blackpool has become synonymous with some of the best story lines on Britain's favourite soap street.
Corrie filming in Blackpool. Johnny Connor (Richard Hawley) strolling along the Prom with Jenny Bradley (Sally Anne Matthews).  Pics by  Dave NelsonCorrie filming in Blackpool. Johnny Connor (Richard Hawley) strolling along the Prom with Jenny Bradley (Sally Anne Matthews).  Pics by  Dave Nelson
Corrie filming in Blackpool. Johnny Connor (Richard Hawley) strolling along the Prom with Jenny Bradley (Sally Anne Matthews). Pics by Dave Nelson

Bradley (played by Mark Eden) died under a tram while chasing Rita. Vera Duckworth had a holiday fling with a lisping bingo caller here. Hayley and Roy Cropper had their last dance here - and it was the reluctant romantic rendezvous for Roy and new love Cathy.

In fact, for countless refugees from Weatherfield Blackpool’s been a home from home, a holiday heaven, haven, and occasional hell.

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And every now and then they even get to switch on Blackpool Illuminations. Some of them even live here.

Coronation Street Filming in Blackpool  Cast Members Richard Hawley and Sally Ann Mathews , were in the Resort. Pics by Dave nelsonCoronation Street Filming in Blackpool  Cast Members Richard Hawley and Sally Ann Mathews , were in the Resort. Pics by Dave nelson
Coronation Street Filming in Blackpool Cast Members Richard Hawley and Sally Ann Mathews , were in the Resort. Pics by Dave nelson

So with key members of the Coronation Street cast spotted out and about filming in Blackpool this week - on the Prom near the Imperial, the Cenotaph and Pleasure beach - residents and visitors have been playing the spoiler guessing game.

Some were thrown off track completely by a sighting of former Corrie star Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby, but he had merely made the most of the chance to catch up with cast and production team between takes with the set virtually on his doorstep at North Pier.

Bruce is playing Fleshcreep in Jack and the Beanstalk panto at the pier from Thursday to Sunday.

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Yes, Les Battersby in panto, with British Summer Time newly upon us, and Easter over.

Coronation Street Filming in Blackpool  Cast Members Richard Hawley and Sally Ann Mathews , were in the Resort , EX CorrieStar Bruce Jones , who is in Panto on North Pier , where filming took place , bumped into Production Staff.  Pics by Dave nelsonCoronation Street Filming in Blackpool  Cast Members Richard Hawley and Sally Ann Mathews , were in the Resort , EX CorrieStar Bruce Jones , who is in Panto on North Pier , where filming took place , bumped into Production Staff.  Pics by Dave nelson
Coronation Street Filming in Blackpool Cast Members Richard Hawley and Sally Ann Mathews , were in the Resort , EX CorrieStar Bruce Jones , who is in Panto on North Pier , where filming took place , bumped into Production Staff. Pics by Dave nelson

We do things differently in Blackpool which is why TV and film companies love us.

Chance sightings of knicker factory (Underworld) chief Johnny Connor (played by Richard Hawley) strolling along the Prom with Jenny Bradley (Sally Anne Matthews) have fanned the flames of a much-rumoured romance between the unlikely couple.

Blackpool seems an even unlikelier town for a tryst for Jenny as the late Alan Bradley’s daughter and Rita Fairclough’s foster daughter - still serving out her apprenticeship as street pariah since kidnapping garage boss Kevin Webster’s son Jack Webster.

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What’s more, Kevin and Sophie Webster (Michael Le Vell and Brooke Vincent)and Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) have also been caught on camera in Blackpool this week.

Coronation Street Filming in Blackpool  Cast Members Joe Duttine Tim Metcalfe", Michael Levell  "Kevin Webster"  and new cast member  Jack Webster Kyran Bowes were in the Resort. Pics by Dave nelsonCoronation Street Filming in Blackpool  Cast Members Joe Duttine Tim Metcalfe", Michael Levell  "Kevin Webster"  and new cast member  Jack Webster Kyran Bowes were in the Resort. Pics by Dave nelson
Coronation Street Filming in Blackpool Cast Members Joe Duttine Tim Metcalfe", Michael Levell "Kevin Webster" and new cast member Jack Webster Kyran Bowes were in the Resort. Pics by Dave nelson

Brooke is set to exit Corrie in summer after finding herself entangled in a lesbian love triangle. Coronation Street Filming in Blackpool In real life she’s returning to theatre to star at the Lowry.

But for one young character the trip to the seaside couldn’t come soon enough as Kyran Bowes, nine, is from Blackpool, along with many of the extras recruited for filming by Scream Management, who have talent spotted some of the biggest names in soap and showbiz today. Check out up and coming Cleveleys star Tom Gregory in The A Word on BBC 1.

And Kyran found himself at the heart of the action in his very own home town playing Jack, son of Kevin and the late Molly Dobbs who died after - you’ve guessed it - a tram derailed from the viaduct onto the Street.

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So just what leaves young Jack in tears in Britain’s favourite resort? Another abduction attempt? A brush too close to the trams? Or has he dropped his icecream? We could spill the beans but that would just spoil the fun and, like Blackpool, we want Corrie to come back...

Coronation Street: 1989 Ep 3002
Alan Bradley (Mark Eden) gets run over by a tram in Blackpool after chasing Rita Fairclough (Barbara Knox).Coronation Street: 1989 Ep 3002
Alan Bradley (Mark Eden) gets run over by a tram in Blackpool after chasing Rita Fairclough (Barbara Knox).
Coronation Street: 1989 Ep 3002 Alan Bradley (Mark Eden) gets run over by a tram in Blackpool after chasing Rita Fairclough (Barbara Knox).

Cobbled history of Street’s days out in Blackpool

Some of Corrie’s most famed storylines of recent years have seen the cast locate to Blackpool. Left, from 1989 Alan Bradley (Mark Eden) gets run over by a tram in Blackpool after chasing Rita Fairclough (Barbara Knox). Right, in 2014 Roy Cropper (David Neilson) was getting increasingly anxious as he prepared to scatter Hayley’s ashes in Blackpool. Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) and Fiz Stape (Jennie Mcalpine) provide emotional support. Above, Corrie romance has blossomed at the seaside before as Cathy (Melanie Hill) and Roy eat ice creams on Blackpool pier. When Cathy mentions the Tower Ballroom, Roy struggles with the reminder of his dance with Hayley.