Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons and MP for Chorley extended an invitation to the casts of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale to the Commons to commemorate and celebrate more than 110 years of drama from the North of the UK. Directors, writers, and crew from the shows were also invited. Emmerdale marked an amazing 50 years in October, and Coronation Street will celebrate 63 years in December.
Close to forty actors visited Parliament, including a number of household names such as William Roache, Dame Maureen Lipman and Chris Bisson who has, through his career, appeared in both programmes.
Following the event, Dean said, “Both Coronation Street and Emmerdale are two of the most popular soaps proudly based and produced in our great country. The writing teams tackle a number of very sensitive storylines which the viewers can relate to and often learn from. I have often spoken of the importance of filming and production to Watford, and for this reason it is an industry I champion. It is fantastic that these two shows have provided not just entertainment for viewers, but so many different employment opportunities within their communities.
"Both casts were really engaging, and they spent time with a number of colleagues having conversations and photographs. I am certain that the shows will continue to go from strength to strength over the coming decades.”
Photos from left to right: William Roache (Ken Barlow), Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan), Martin Hancock (Geoffrey "Spider" Nugent), Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalfe), Trevor Michael Georges (Edison Bailey), Chris Chittel (Eric Pollard), Joe Duttine (Tim Metcalfe), Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby).
Notes for the Editor
Coronation Street and Emmerdale have been mentioned in Parliament more than 320 times which indicates the continuing relevance and importance of them to day to day life.
Last year the Speaker brought his counterpart, Nancy Pelosi – Speaker of the US House of Representatives – to the Rovers Return pub on the Coronation Street set in Salford during the G7 Speakers' Conference.
