Coronation Street at 60: Bradford's links to the cobbles

It has been a TV staple for generations of Brits since it began on December 9, 1960, but despite being set in the fictional town of Weatherfield in Manchester, the soap has connections to Bradford.

Let's go back in time over the last 60 years to see Bradford links to the serial drama, including some of its actors who hail from the city.

Tricia Armstrong - Tracy Brabin (Batley and Spen MP)

It has been quite the career change for Ms Brabin; from playing a cleaner in Corrie in the 1990s to MP for Batley and Spen since 2016.

Brabin starred on the Street between March 1994 and May 1997, alongside her son on the show, Jamie.

After financial problems and a spell in prison, Tricia had a baby son with bad boy Terry Duckworth.

Tricia left Corrie in 1997 with her love interest, decorator Ray Thorpe.

Johnny Connor - Richard Hawley

Alongside wife Jenny, Johnny, played by Bradford-born Hawley, runs the iconic Rovers Return.

He entered the soap in 2015 as dad to Carla and also Aidan, played by pop star Shayne Ward.

Johnny's five years on the Street so far have included him being diagnosed with MS in 2016 and Aidan taking his own life in 2018.

Alex Warner - Liam Bairstow

Alex has been a popular character on the soap over the last five years.

Mr Bairstow's, who has Down's Syndrome, path to fame started when he was one of two actors from Bradford theatre company Mind The Gap selected for a ‘breakthrough talent day’ in Salford, close to where Coronation Street is filmed.

He impressed the show’s producers so much that he was offered a part and joined the cast as a nephew of Roy Cropper’s friend Cathy Matthews, played by actress Melanie Hill, in 2015.

Alf Roberts - Bryan Mosley

Shopkeeper Alf Roberts was a Coronation Street regular from 1961 to New Year's Eve 1998 when the character died in his sleep in a special farewell episode.

Ill health was behind producers' decision to retire him from the programme.

Alf was married to Audrey, who is still in the soap now, and he even became Mayor of Weatherfield.

Bryan, 67, collapsed and died in Shipley town centre in February 1999.

Eddie Windass - Steve Huison

Shipley actor Huison played Windass in the show between November 2008 and April 2011.

Eddie was a loveable rogue who worked for a time as a taxi driver at Streetcars.

This was Huison's second role in the soap; he previously played criminal Andy Morgan in 2003.

Mary Tamm pictured in a film with Jon Voight

Polly Ogden - Mary Tamm

The Bradford-born actress appeared in Corrie as two different characters.

She appeared in December 1973 as Polly Ogden, wife of Trevor and daughter-in-law of Stan and Hilda Ogden. She returned in October 2002 as Diana Black.

Mary died of cancer in July 2012. She was 62.

Tommy Duckworth - Chris Fountain

Fountain, from Wibsey, played Terry Duckworth's long-lost son Tommy on the soap.

Corrie bad boy Terry returned to the famous cobbles in 2012, and punched Tommy.

Chris was fired from Coronation Street in 2013 after rapping online about rape.

He had his contract terminated because of “unacceptable comments”.

Fountain was suspended from the show after his online alter-ego The Phantom was revealed.

In a statement, Fountain said: “I completely understand that ITV had no choice but to terminate my contract.

"I have had two wonderful years playing Tommy Duckworth with only happy memories of my time on Coronation Street.

“I am mortified that I have brought so much embarrassment to my colleagues and employers these last few days.

"My biggest regret however is not to do with losing my job, but that I have hurt and let down so many people including those in a vulnerable situation and I am so very deeply ashamed of this.

“Once again to everyone who I have let down and hurt. I am deeply sorry.”

Lap dancer Cherry - Abi Uttley

Bradford actress Abi Uttley made her Coronation Street debut as a lap-dancer in 2012, causing quite a stir in the Rovers Return.

Abi played a dancer called Cherry who arrived in Weatherfield seeking work in Terry Duckworth’s new lap dancing club. When she mistakes the Rover’s for the venue, she performs a raunchy lap dance – to the horror of the Street’s busybody Norris Cole.

Speaking at the time, Abi said: “It’s all a bit of a mix-up, as Cherry is unaware that she’s in the wrong place. All she’s bothered about is whether she nailed the audition,” said Abi.

“It was the best day’s work I have ever done, and all the cast were extremely friendly.”

Alongside Marc Otway, she now performs in Bradford band Issimo.

David Platt - Jack P Shepherd

Jack P Shepherd, of Pudsey, joined Coronation Street in 2000 at the age of 12 while he was a pupil at Stage 84 in Idle.

One of his biggest storylines was a male rape in 2018. David Platt, drinking in a bar with mechanic Josh Tucker. The pair had a heart-to-heart conversation about their families, and when David went to the toilet Josh spiked his drink and later took him to his home.

David was later traumatised at the realisation that he had been raped, and struggled to cope when Josh arrived at his house, taunting him.

One of Jack's earliest roles, as a child, was in Oliver at Bradford’s Alhambra theatre.

He became Young Persons' Patron for West Yorkshire Playhouse's First Floor project.

Yana Lumb - Jayne Tunnicliffe

Yana, played by Bingley actress Jayne, was Cilla Battersby-Brown's best friend and her partner in crime in many funny storylines.

She worked with Cilla in Wong's Chippy on Rosamund Street until its closure in 2007.

Yana also went on Cilla's honeymoon with her instead of Cilla's husband Les Battersby, who annoyed Cilla for trashing all the wedding presents at their reception.

Jayne appeared in 53 episodes of the soap between 2004 and 2007.

Natasha Blakeman - Rachel Leskovac

The Bradford actress’ character, Natasha Blakeman, returned to the soap last month after 10 years away.

Rachel first appeared in Corrie 10 years ago as Nick’s girlfriend. She left a heartbroken Nick behind in Weatherfield - but a chance encounter with him last month on the show put extra strain on his already fragile relationship with Leanne Battersby.

Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine (AJ Dean/ITV Studios)

Tim Metcalfe - Joe Duttine

Bradford actor Joe Duttine, who plays Tim Metcalfe in Corrie, has been in the soap since January 2013.

He originally appeared on the cobbles as the dad of Faye Windass and has since become a much-loved character, marrying long-time star Sally.

Eric Babbage - Timothy West

Bradford-born actor West only made seven appearances in the soap in a week during February 2013.

He played Babbage, a rich carpet salesman who became only the third person to die in the Rovers Return.

Erica Holroyd - Claire King

She may be best known for her role as Kim Tate in rival soap Emmerdale, but King has also starred in the Street.

The Bradford-born actress played Erica Holroyd in Weatherfield between 2014 and 2017.

Erica was a friend of Liz McDonald in the show and had a colourful love life on the cobbles, being linked to Kevin Webster, shop owner Dev Alahan among others.

She left in 2017 as Erica went back to Spain.