Tony Warren 8th July 1936-1st March 2016
'The first Coronation Street writing team contained some of the biggest homophobes I've ever met. I remember getting on my feet in a story conference and saying "Gentlemen, I have sat here for two-and-a-half hours and listened to three poof jokes, a storyline dismissed as poofy, and an actor described as 'useless as he's a poof'. As a matter of fact he isn't! but I would like to point out that I am, and without a poof none of you would be in work today." So reflected the writer & television dramatist Tony Warren on his early uphill, but routine struggle with homophobia of late 1950s Britain. It was a brave and brazen stance given that homosexuality was still illegal. He also stated later that "the outsider sees more, hears more, and has to remember more to survive" and that in those days if...
'The first Coronation Street writing team contained some of the biggest homophobes I've ever met. I remember getting on my feet in a story conference and saying "Gentlemen, I have sat here for two-and-a-half hours and listened to three poof jokes, a storyline dismissed as poofy, and an actor described as 'useless as he's a poof'. As a matter of fact he isn't! but I would like to point out that I am, and without a poof none of you would be in work today." So reflected the writer & television dramatist Tony Warren on his early uphill, but routine struggle with homophobia of late 1950s Britain. It was a brave and brazen stance given that homosexuality was still illegal. He also stated later that "the outsider sees more, hears more, and has to remember more to survive" and that in those days if...
- 3/5/2016
- by robert cochrane
- www.culturecatch.com
Coronation Street's Betty Williams will be revealed as the rightful owner of Rovers Return. The late barmaid - who was played by Betty Driver for 42 years until her death in October 2011 - was left the pub in snobbish landlady Annie Walker's (Doris Speed) will in the 1980s, but the hotpot-making cook kept it hidden from everyone. Betty's secret will be uncovered when her friends start clearing out her house after her on-screen funeral, but the ''bombshell'' could pose a problem for current landlady Stella Price (Michelle Collins). Producer Phil Collinson explained: ''We've waited a respectful while to say good...
- 4/3/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
Doc Martin star Stephanie Cole is to join the cast of Coronation Street, taking on the role of Roy Cropper's mother Sylvie, it has been announced. The actress - also known for her parts in Tenko and Waiting for God - will begin filming with the soap in the New Year and make her first appearance on screen in March, when Sylvie turns up in Weatherfield to stay with Roy and Hayley. According to Corrie's official website, Sylvie has an outspoken attitude and soon makes her mark on the street following her arrival. Speaking of her casting, Cole commented: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining. In any great drama - be it on television or on the stage - the writing comes first, and Coronation Street is brilliantly written. "When I worked at Granada Television a lot in the 1980s, I used to play bridge with Doris Speed...
- 12/17/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
BBC Four has announced an all-star cast for its Coronation Street 'origins' drama. EastEnders returnee Jessie Wallace takes on the role of Pat Phoenix, who became tart-with-a-heart Elsie Tanner, while Open All Hours star Lynda Baron will play Violet Carson, who landed the role of harridan-in-a-hairnet Ena Sharples. Renowned actress Celia Imrie, meanwhile, has signed to appear as Annie Walker performer Doris Speed and William Roache's real-life son James will portray a younger version of his father. The one-off drama is to tell the story of how ITV soap Coronation Street was born and how the show's creator Tony Warren - a younger version of whom will be played by David Dawson - brought Salford to life on television screens around the world. Then-Granada casting director Margaret Morris will be portrayed by Jane Horrocks, and (more)...
- 6/28/2010
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
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