We’ve seen in a previous Corrie storyline that Roy Cropper’s mum Sylvia (Stephanie Cole) is a tad prone to addiction, and in that former plotline, that propensity manifested itself as the pensioner became hooked on gambling…

However, in episodes that we’ll see next week, a livid Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) brands Sylvia a “drug dealer” after she learns that her husband Dennis (Phillip Lowrie) has been buying Sylvia’s ‘special’ cakes which are laced with cannabis!

The drama began when Sylvia became hooked on her friend Stan’s homemade baked goods, which left her baked in more ways than one…

So in the episode that airs on April 1, we’ll see that Sylvia has decided to knock up a few brownies of her own, however, café assistant Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) will unwittingly sell some of the cakes to Rita. Read more & comment »

When new Coronation Street boss, Stuart Blackburn, revealed that there were exciting storylines coming up for the Cropper family, he wasn’t kidding!

And we are happy to report that, amidst all the doom and gloom all the other Weatherfield storylines are offering (apart from Flash the tortoise of course) this one is set to have you laughing so hard that tea will come out of your nose!

Sylvia Goodwin (Stephanie Cole), the ever-so-slightly eccentric and former gambling addict senile-delinquent mother of cafe owner, Roy Cropper (David Neilson), is about to embark on a new mission to cure all her friends’ ailments, by serving them cakes baked with cannabis!
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With the wedding of the year drawing ever closer, we have come across some spoiler pictures that suggest that, as in any soap wedding, the nuptials of Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) and Dennis Tanner (Philip Lowrie) will face a few trials before the couple can even think about saying I do in Coronation Street.
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Yesterday, Coronation Street’s executive producer, Phil Collinson, dropped lots of hints about forthcoming storylines, including one in which Rita Sullivan will be kidnapped on her wedding day, and another which will see Stella Price battling to keep the Rovers…

Collinson also confirmed that Royle Family star Sue Johnston will join the cast as Stella’s (Michelle Collins) mother, Gloria.

Of the character, Collinson said, “She’s a terrifying, domineering, overbearing mother, so there’s going to be some real sparks flying.”

And of the storyline which could see Stella forced to leave the pub, that begins with Betty Williams’ funeral which will air next month… Read more & comment »

Corrie sources have today hinted that Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) is set to become the new Mrs Tanner on the Street this summer when she weds her sweetheart Dennis Tanner, who is of course played by Phillip Lowrie.

Phillip starred in the show right from the first episode, in which he played the role of Elsie Tanner’s son Dennis. He came back to reprise the role last year.

Elsie was of course a stalwart on the Street, and was played by the late Pat Phoenix. EastEnders star Jessie Wallace played the role of Pat in last year’s docu-drama about the show’s early days, The Road To Coronation Street.

However, getting back to the story that Rita and Dennis are to marry, a show insider told the Daily Mirror, “Don’t rule out a summer wedding!”

And it seems that Rita and Dennis’s on-screen relationship may be extending to the lives of the actors who play them… Read more & comment »

Corrie’s executive producer, Phil Collinson – who was dubbed ‘Phil Cullinson’ after making sweeping cuts to cast members when he took over the role of producer – has teased that there’s heartbreak ahead for two of Corrie’s couples.

However, he also revealed that he’d love to see Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) finding marital bliss at last with Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie).

Collinson made his remarks about the two conflicting storylines in a recent interview with Inside Soap magazine, in which he first revealed that in the run up to Christmas on the cobbles, Peter Barlow and wife Leanne are to be torn apart by Peter’s love for Carla.

And in addition, Stella Price’s partner Karl Munro will push her loyalty to the limit when he develops a gambling addiction. Read more & comment »

Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) has had her share of bad ‘uns when it comes to men. Her one time fella Alan Bradley (Mark Eden) tried to kill her, and her ex-hubby Len Fairclough (Peter Adamson) cheated on her…

However, there’s a chance that love could once again be in the air for Rita with Weatherfield returnee Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie).

In fact, it was as a friend of Dennis’s that we first met Rita back in 1964. She was an “exotic dancer” then, and had her eye on a romance with Ken Barlow (William Roache), but when that wasn’t forthcoming, she married Len.

Phillip, who made it into the Guinness Book of World Records this year for the longest gap between TV appearances in the same show – after returning to Corrie in May this year following a 43 year absence – has been talking to Inside Soap about the chances of Dennis and Rita sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G…

Mind you, they probably shouldn’t sit in a tree kissing. A fall from that height could shatter their hips… Read more & comment »

Coronation Street star Philip Lowrie has broken the world record for the longest gap between TV appearances in the same show.

BBC News reports that Lowrie, who first appeared as Dennis Tanner in the soap’s first ever episode back in 1960 and stayed until 1968, reprised the role in May this year after 43 years.

He said, “I’ve always been proud to have been a member of the original cast of Coronation Street.

“Now I’m doubly proud to be honoured in the Guinness World Records book.”

The BBC adds, “Other entries which will appear in the Guinness World Records 2012 edition include three new records set by singer-songwriter Adele, including first female to have two singles and two albums in the UK top five simultaneously.” Read more & comment »

Coronation Street bad boy Dennis Tanner is to make his return.

Elsie Tanner’s rebel son appeared in the first episode of the ITV soap fifty years ago. He moved in with his mum after being released from prison and lived at 11 Coronation Street on and off between 1942 and 1968, when he married Jenny Sutton and moved to Bristol. Original actor Philip Lowrie, 75 will step back onto the cobbles later this year, after signing a six month contract with ITV.

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