Still topping the ratings after five decades onscreen, we had to honour Coronation Street with a special award to commemorate its outstanding contribution to British TV. Former characters like Annie, Ena, Elsie, Hilda and Bet have gone down in history as soap icons, and in Bill Roache the show boasts soap’s longest-serving star. Now fans are eagerly awaiting the treats instore, as new producer Phil Collinson prepares to stun fans with a spectacular tram crash, as the show celebrates its 50th birthday in December.
'I think the main thing that the Street has is its ability to extract humour from normal situations. It’s an honest show. It tries to portray people who are fighting the difficulties in life as best they can, and people identify with that,' says William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow.
'And after being on so long you can draw on your own history, and I’ve got my own illegitimate children coming up!'
TV Choice Awards Winners 2010
Outstanding Contribution Award - Coronation Street
