“IT is a serious drama where we ask serious questions.

“There is a very sensitive subject matter – it explores the nature of good and bad and evil.”

Anna Maxwell Martin talking to me about her role as Merrily Watkins in chilling new ITV drama Midwinter of the Spirit.

Based on the novels by Phil Rickman, the three-part series begins at 9pm on Wednesday (September 23).

There is a lot to say about what has the potential to be a long running returning drama.

Rovers Trafford Wharf 500

IT was quite a day at the reveal of the new Coronation Street set at Trafford Wharf.

The exterior lot has been upscaled and the Street itself is now wide enough for two cars to pass.

But otherwise it looks exactly the same as the current set at Quay Street in Manchester.

Where the final scene will be filmed just before Christmas.

With cast, crew and production team starting work at Trafford Wharf / Media City UK early in January 2014.

L-R: Kieran, Kym, Mark, Tony, David and Phil

THERE was a lot of love in the room for Coronation Street last night.

A special event at the British Film Institute on London’s South Bank, hosted by both the BFI and BAFTA, to salute the longest running drama serial in the world.

It began with a big screen outing for the first three episodes, originally broadcast half a century ago.

Followed by an hour-long panel discussion featuring Tony Warren – “the father of Coronation Street” – plus current producer Phil Collinson, executive producer Kieran Roberts and cast members Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and David Neilson (Roy Cropper).

Which threw up several interesting stories, including an explantion by Phil of how the axeman does not cometh when a new producer arrives.

With some “terrified” cast members hiding from him when he began the job earlier this year.


A historic day on the Coronation Street cobbles.

The press launch yesterday marking the countdown to the 50th anniversary on December 9, complete with a very special Street Party.

I was among 235 guests who gathered in Studio 12 at ITV Granada in Manchester for the event.

Hosted in some style by Boyzone star Keith Duffy, who plays Rovers barman Ciaran McCarthy.

(Lots of audio / video further down this blog)

Before a party out on the cobbles and tours of the studio sets.