Coronation Street, the iconic British soap opera, has been on our screens for almost 63 years, and has aired over 10,000 episodes to date. The show has become an integral part of British culture, and is loved by millions of viewers both in the UK and around the world.
The show was the brainchild of the late Tony Warren, who reportedly came up with the idea for Coronation Street on a train to Manchester late at night. His vision was to create a series about an ordinary Manchester street and the lives of the people who lived there. Initially, his idea was rejected by Granada Television founder Sidney Bernstein, but producer Harry Elton persuaded Bernstein to reconsider, and an initial 13-episode run was commissioned.
Warren wrote all 13 scripts for the first series, and once ITV realized the show was a success, he continued to write it until 1968. He was then involved in various other ways until his death in March 2016.
Initially, the show was titled “Florizel Street,” after Prince Florizel from Sleeping Beauty. However, according to Warren, the name was changed to “Coronation Street” after a tea lady at Granada called Agnes said ‘Florizel’ sounded like a brand of disinfectant. “Coronation Street” was decided upon as the fictional street would have been built just after King Edward VII’s coronation in 1902. In the fictional show history, it was initially called Albert Street and then changed for the 1902 coronation.
“63 Years of Drama: A Look Back at the History of Coronation Street“
The first ever episode of Coronation Street aired on December 9, 1960, in black and white. The first scene saw Florrie Lindley and Elsie Lappin. Florrie had bought the corner shop from Elsie, who was retiring. But Elsie stayed around to warn Florrie about the locals and train her up. We also met a number of the show’s most iconic characters in the first episode. Elsie Tanner (Pat Pheonix) and her son Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie) were seen at Number 11 arguing. Dennis had recently been released from prison, and Elsie wanted him to find work. However, given his stint inside, it wasn’t that easy. He’d been locked up for theft, and Elsie also accused him of stealing from her purse.
Florrie’s first customer at the corner shop was Ena Sharples (Violet Carson), who immediately questioned her about her religion and morals. Ken Barlow, played by William Roache, was seen with his parents, Frank and Ida Barlow, in the second scene of the first episode of Coronation Street. Frank accused his student son of being too snobbish and embarrassed by his working-class family. Ken’s brother, David, soon arrived, and he was more down-to-earth than intelligent Ken, but the brothers got on well. Icon Ken remains on the cobbles today and is therefore the longest-serving soap star in the world!
Ken Barlow visited the Rovers Return during the first episode of Corrie, which was run by Annie Walker at the time. He ordered a pack of cigarettes off her before Dennis arrived and asked for half a pint of mild. As Dennis couldn’t afford cigarettes as well, Ken gave him a pack, much to Annie’s disapproval. Dennis remained on the Street until 1968 before leaving and then returning from 2011 to 2014.
Throughout the 1960s, Ken and his determination to better himself and get away from Weatherfield continued to be central to the show’s first storylines. Ena Sharples and her friends Minnie Caldwell (Margot Bryant) and Martha Longhurst (Lynne Carol) spent much of their time sitting.
There are several interesting aspects to the history of Coronation Street.
Firstly, the fact that the show has been on our screens for almost 63 years and has broadcast over 10,000 episodes is a testament to its enduring popularity and success. It is the world’s longest-running television soap opera, and has become a cultural institution in the UK and around the world.
Secondly, the story of how the show was created is intriguing. Tony Warren, the show’s creator, reportedly came up with the idea while on a train to Manchester late at night. He wanted to create a series about an ordinary Manchester street and the lives of the people who lived there. The initial idea was rejected by Granada Television founder Sidney Bernstein, but producer Harry Elton persuaded Bernstein to reconsider and an initial 13 episode run was commissioned.
Thirdly, the show’s original title, Florizel Street, is a fascinating footnote in the show’s history. According to Warren, the name was changed to Coronation Street after a tea lady at Granada called Agnes said ‘Florizel’ sounded like a brand of disinfectant. Coronation Street was decided upon as the fictional street would have been built just after King Edward VII’s coronation in 1902.
Fourthly, the first episode of the show introduced us to a number of iconic characters who have become household names in the UK and beyond. These include Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix), Ena Sharples (Violet Carson), Ken Barlow (William Roache), and Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie). The fact that these characters have remained part of the show’s fabric for over 60 years is a testament to their popularity and enduring appeal.
Finally, the show’s impact on popular culture and society cannot be overstated. Coronation Street has tackled many important social issues over the years, including racism, homophobia, domestic violence, and mental health. It has also served as a platform for emerging talent and has helped to launch the careers of many actors, writers, and producers. In many ways, the show reflects the changing face of British society and has become a touchstone for generations of viewers.
