Tony Warren wanted Coronation Street to end after 13 episodes

 

Tony Warren, the creator of ITV soap Coronation Street, wanted the series to end after its original 13 episode contract.

 

Tony Warren, the creator of ITV soap Coronation Street, wanted the series to end after its original 13 episode contract. When Granada finally commissioned Coronation Street they originally ordered just 13 episodes and creator Tony Warren wanted the drama to end after that initial run – even going as far as wishing to blow the street up so it couldn’t return.

 

“His vision was that, on the 13th episode, the Street would blow up, or something like that, and it would end. But after the fourth episode it was obvious how much people liked it. They didn’t know how long it would carry on, but he couldn’t write it all. What he perhaps wasn’t ready for was the idea of other writers working on what had been his baby. Tony, within two years, had left. I’m not sure why” – Daran Little quoted in The Sun

Coronation Street – despite the reservations of Granada bosses – became a success and lived well beyond its original 13 episodes. Although Warren left the soap very early on producers still consult him over the storylines even to this day. Later this year the soap will mark 50 years on-air with another live episode and a dramatic tram crash. For the soaps 40th anniversary it aired a 60 minute live episode while in its early days the soap actually went out live. Corrie also featured a tram crash in the 1960s.

Last week fans of the soap got an extra special treat thanks to BBC Four which showed a brand new drama charting the creation of the soap. It was seen by over 900,000 viewers and starred Jessie Wallace, Lynda Baron and Celia Imrie.