Tony Blackburn, the 81-year-old radio DJ, has expressed fury after Coronation Street was replaced by FA Cup football on ITV1. He took to X to vent, stating: "This is now beyond a joke for all us Coronation Street fans. More football this evening on BBC and ITV which means no Corrie."
Blackburn suggested that schedulers should move the soap to ITV2 or ITV4 when football matches air on the main channel. He wrote: "Why can't they put football on other channels and leave us Coronation Street fans alone or put Coronation Street on say ITV2 we will follow it anywhere !!!"
His comments drew a delighted response from Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Billy Mayhew in the soap. Brocklebank replied: "This has made my night! I grew up listening to you. I love it that you love us."
Other Coronation Street fans also criticised the scheduling. One wrote: "Absolutely disgusting I was just getting ready to watch #corrie. Stuff footfall." Another added: "Totally agree with you I'm sick of football on the main channels BBC as 3 channels and itv as 4 put it somewhere else."
The FA Cup matches on Tuesday night (28 February 2024) saw Liverpool beat Southampton 3-0 on ITV1, while BBC One aired Manchester United's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, and ITV4 showed Chelsea's 3-2 victory against Leeds United.
