10 fascinating facts about Coronation Street every fan should know

Coronation Street is not just a simple soap opera, it is a cultural institution. Since its release, this soap opera has woven intricate plotlines of everyday lives that have kept the viewers hooked. The fictional town has delivered decades of laughter and tears as well.

Coronation Street captures the essence of ordinary people making it much more relatable than many other soap operas. Even within the tight-knit community, it has reflected change of times, social issues, and struggles. Apart from the intriguing storylines, Coronation Street also has achieved numerous historical milestones and fascinating trivia that the viewers have loved to be a part of.

Though it had humble beginnings it quickly became a record-breaking soap opera that has inspired many other shows. It has become a beloved show for generations and a source of entertainment for viewers. So, let’s delve into the 10 fascinating facts about Coronation Street every fan should know.

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1) Roy’s Rolls

It is undeniable that Coronation Street has been a significant part of the lives of soap opera watchers. Roy’s Rolls is an iconic part of the show. Roy's Rolls has been a staple for the show for years and has become synonymous with the show.

In the early days, the food used by Roy’s Rolls was not real food. However, after 2010, real food started to be used. This added a layer of realism to the show, which the viewers enjoyed. It is a well-known fact that soap operas often use fake food for their shows. However, not every show is as detailed as Coronation Street.

2) Ken Barlow’s relationships

Ken Barlow is an iconic character of Coronation Street. He has been a part of this long-term running show since the beginning of it. He has been a source of drama and the main aspect of it is the romantic relationships he had. Over the years Ken had numerous relationships, marriages, and flings.

His relationships have been a rich source of major storylines for the series. His relationships have ranged from stable ones to fleeting affairs. They revealed his vulnerabilities, his flaws, and his ability to love. Throughout his presence, he had as many as 28 relationships.

3) Royal visits

Coronation Street has given the viewers numerous cameos and special appearances. It has also had its fair share of royal visits that have made the show fun to watch. In 1982, Queen Elizabeth II visited Coronation Street for the very first time, which surprised viewers.

In 2000, King Charles, before his ascension to the throne, visited the sets of Coronation Street and met with many of the long-time cast members. In the year 2010, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall visited Coronation Street. The royal visits highlighted the special place Coronation Street has in British culture.

4) Two Christmas episodes making history

Coronation Street is all about setting new examples for the world of soap operas. Throughout the years there have been several occasions when Coronation Street has brought forth a unique approach for the viewers to keep them engaged.

In 1991, Coronation Street started a new tradition by airing two episodes on Christmas Day. This was a notable change. It signaled an increased focus on making the show a key part for the viewers. The move reflected the show's ability to deliver high-stakes drama filled with heartwarming moments for the viewers.

5) The total number of deaths

This iconic soap opera has given the viewers numerous storylines that have featured deaths. Among other soap operas, Coronation Street does have a higher number of deaths.

Throughout the years, the show has had more than 240 deaths in total. The causes of the deaths vary. From natural deaths to accidents to murders, Coronation Street has it all. It has reflected the reality of life in a dramatic form.

The sheer amount of stories that have been told has included pivotal moments that have kept the viewers hooked. It has been the driving factor of the narratives and created emotional impact.

6) The first episode of Coronation Street

The first episode of Coronation Street aired in the year 1960. Since the release of the first episode, the show has gained immense popularity. The very first episode achieved more than 7.7 million viewers. It is undoubtedly a massive number. If considered the year, this number proves the show’s quality that was hard to ignore. It was not any casual success.

We are talking about a time when capturing this many viewers was a testament to a show’s appeal. It was not a time of flashy special effects or high-profile celebrities. It was popular because it was relatable and showed everyday stories that resonated with the viewers.

The creators of the show had a vision to depict reality. The initial success of Coronation Street was in no way a fluke. To this day it has the same hold on the viewers.

7) William Roache

It is undeniable that William Roache is a television icon. He plays the role of Ken Barlow in Coronation Street. He has been a part of the soap opera since its release. It makes him one of the longest-cast members of the show. Did you know he also holds a Guinness World Record for the longest-serving television actor in a continuous role?

It can be said that he has grown with this show. With several generations continuously watching the show, he has been a continuous presence on Coronation Street. He has been a part of numerous storylines. His dedication to the craft has made him truly a treasure in television history.

8) Famous fans of Coronation Street

As the longest-running British soap opera, it is undeniable that Coronation Street has a huge fanbase. To have a huge fanbase, a show needs to have many key ingredients. These make it worth watching for decades. It is quite interesting to know that the huge fanbase of Coronation Street features some of the most famous artists in the world.

Coronation Street has managed to transcend geographical borders. Its appeal is from the enduring storylines and relatable characters. Among the many famous celebrities, Snoop Dogg has shown his fondness for Coronation Street. This shows the cultural impact Coronation Street has on the viewers.

9) Most-viewed episode

Though the figures for highest watched episode change with time some moments remain a memorable part of the show. In Coronation Street, the episode of Hilda Ogden’s departure in the year 1987 has remained one of the most viewed episodes of all time.

It has about 27000000 viewers which is a stellar number. Though television habits have changed over the years this episode has remained a popular choice. Apart from this other episodes of Coronation Street also receive good viewership.

10) The beloved pets of Coronation Street

Coronation Street is not just about the drama revolving around the people. There have been numerous pets throughout the episodes of Coronation Street that have given the viewers a source of entertainment and drama. Though the pets play a background role, they are part of the family.

They offer comfort to our favorite characters during tough times. They also offer a sense of comic relief. Throughout the years Coronation Street has seen numerous pets. Viewers have witnessed over 70 pets. They have added warmth, humor, and even a bit of chaos at times.

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