Coronation Street fans are in for a treat as ITV airs a special episode titled 'Coronation Street Icons' on Monday, September 13. The episode pays tribute to Malcolm Hebden and his character Norris Cole, who depart the soap after 26 years. Sally Lindsay, known for playing Shelley Unwin from 2001 to 2006, narrates the special.
As the world's longest-running soap, Coronation Street has become a staple of British television. The first episode aired on December 9, 1960, and since then over 10,420 episodes have been broadcast. The show's 60th anniversary last year saw the original black-and-white episode re-aired on ITV.
The debut episode introduced Florrie Lindley (Betty Alberge) taking over the Corner Shop from Elsie Lappin (Maudie Edwards). At No. 11, Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix) confronted her son Dennis Tanner (Philip Lowrie), recently released from prison for theft. Meanwhile, at No. 3, Frank Barlow (Frank Pemberton) accused his son Ken Barlow (William Roache) of snobbery, leading Ken to the Rovers Return Inn where he befriended Dennis.
The original cast included William Roache as Ken Barlow and Pat Phoenix as Elsie Tanner. Over the years, many famous faces have come and gone, including Ken and Deirdre Barlow, Gail Platt, and Steve McDonald.
