On April 26th I tweeted I'd just done something, would sit back, wait and think positive thoughts and if it happened all would be revealed.
That day I applied for tickets to the British soap awards even though going to England in May hadn't really been discussed yet. 'Just in case we decide to go in May' I told Al. We had thought about Sept, but were disappointed when we recently found out that time of year would no longer work for us. Besides that April had been a bad month. Our neighbours had a fire in their kitchen, which is attached to our kitchen. We stood outside not knowing if our house would catch on fire too. Luckily it didn't, but it was scarey and makes you realize how fast life can change. It was a month of two funerals as well. We usually like to plan things ahead, but this time we were spontaneous and booked. Two weeks later we were at the airport. Only my one cousin and her husband knew. All my other relatives would be surprised. We arrived in England on May 7th, 2015.
That day I applied for tickets to the British soap awards even though going to England in May hadn't really been discussed yet. 'Just in case we decide to go in May' I told Al. We had thought about Sept, but were disappointed when we recently found out that time of year would no longer work for us. Besides that April had been a bad month. Our neighbours had a fire in their kitchen, which is attached to our kitchen. We stood outside not knowing if our house would catch on fire too. Luckily it didn't, but it was scarey and makes you realize how fast life can change. It was a month of two funerals as well. We usually like to plan things ahead, but this time we were spontaneous and booked. Two weeks later we were at the airport. Only my one cousin and her husband knew. All my other relatives would be surprised. We arrived in England on May 7th, 2015.
We landed in Manchester at 11am and by 1:15pm we were giving hugs to Christine & Eileen our 'Extra' friends at Coronation Street in Salford! They are two of the nicest ladies we know. We only stayed 45 minutes as we were very tired and they had to get back to work. We did see Craig Charles (Lloyd) walk out, but we did not stop him.
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MAY 14th, 2015 - CORONATION STREET, THE TOUR
We usually meet up with friends at Coronation Street where we try and meet cast members. This year we decided to do something different. We decided to do the Coronation Street tour and then go for a meal at our usual spot The Paramount. Eleven friends joined us - Julie, Steph, Stephen, Daz, Karen, Jez, Emma, James, Amy, Graham and Hazel. Al and I had been on the street six times before, but it was different this time going with a group of friends. What a fun time we had. Our tour guide Phil was fabulous!! This will be our last time there as the tours are closing at the end of the year. I'm glad we got to spend the last time with special friends. It is a day we will always remember. A great group of friends and lots of laughs at a very special place. I'll always have lots of wonderful memories from the Coronation Street studios at Quay Street.
We usually meet up with friends at Coronation Street where we try and meet cast members. This year we decided to do something different. We decided to do the Coronation Street tour and then go for a meal at our usual spot The Paramount. Eleven friends joined us - Julie, Steph, Stephen, Daz, Karen, Jez, Emma, James, Amy, Graham and Hazel. Al and I had been on the street six times before, but it was different this time going with a group of friends. What a fun time we had. Our tour guide Phil was fabulous!! This will be our last time there as the tours are closing at the end of the year. I'm glad we got to spend the last time with special friends. It is a day we will always remember. A great group of friends and lots of laughs at a very special place. I'll always have lots of wonderful memories from the Coronation Street studios at Quay Street.
To see more photos from our tour, click here.
During our meal at the Paramount we talked about the British Soap Awards which were in two days. None of us had got tickets. Most of my friends were going to still go hoping to meet cast members. I was undecided what to do. That night after a fabulous day we got back to Stafford about 10pm. I checked my messages and there it was:
E-TICKET 'THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2015’ This ticket is for 4 people in your name on Saturday 16th May 2015. Chuck on your gladrags - it's The British Soap Awards 2015! Once again hosted by Phillip Schofield, this star-studded event promises unequalled glamour as the casts of the most-watched shows on television gather to compete for one of the highest accolades in TV, a British Soap Award!
Happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Corrie Gods were on my side again. Al, my friends Emma and James would be joining me at the Palace Theatre in two days for Soaps biggest night. Two days to book trains, hotel and find something to wear!
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During our meal at the Paramount we talked about the British Soap Awards which were in two days. None of us had got tickets. Most of my friends were going to still go hoping to meet cast members. I was undecided what to do. That night after a fabulous day we got back to Stafford about 10pm. I checked my messages and there it was:
E-TICKET 'THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2015’ This ticket is for 4 people in your name on Saturday 16th May 2015. Chuck on your gladrags - it's The British Soap Awards 2015! Once again hosted by Phillip Schofield, this star-studded event promises unequalled glamour as the casts of the most-watched shows on television gather to compete for one of the highest accolades in TV, a British Soap Award!
Happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Corrie Gods were on my side again. Al, my friends Emma and James would be joining me at the Palace Theatre in two days for Soaps biggest night. Two days to book trains, hotel and find something to wear!
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MAY 16th, 2015 - BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2015
We were told tickets would be handed out between 3 and 5, but line ups could start forming early. Even though you are told you have tickets you are not guaranteed them. They allocate more than they should to make up for the no shows. We were about the 10th ones in line and we started queuing at noon. It didn't take long before the line started to grow. It got really long! They ended up handing them out early and we got our tickets at 2:30pm. After getting our tickets we went to the hotel to get ready. We didn't have to be back till 6pm.
Across the street from the theatre is the Palace Hotel. Inside the hotel is where they had the red carpet, the after party and where a lot of cast stayed. While standing in line for tickets we'd see actors arriving at the hotel. Sometimes we'd run over to get a photo. This made the time in line go by very fast.
We were told tickets would be handed out between 3 and 5, but line ups could start forming early. Even though you are told you have tickets you are not guaranteed them. They allocate more than they should to make up for the no shows. We were about the 10th ones in line and we started queuing at noon. It didn't take long before the line started to grow. It got really long! They ended up handing them out early and we got our tickets at 2:30pm. After getting our tickets we went to the hotel to get ready. We didn't have to be back till 6pm.
Across the street from the theatre is the Palace Hotel. Inside the hotel is where they had the red carpet, the after party and where a lot of cast stayed. While standing in line for tickets we'd see actors arriving at the hotel. Sometimes we'd run over to get a photo. This made the time in line go by very fast.
Natalie Anderson tweeted the photo of the audience above from the awards saying 'What a gorgeous audience British Soap Awards.' When zoomed in you can see us - top tier, middle, second row. We were high up, the seats were small, but it didn't matter. We were there to cheer on all our favourites. It was a good night.
We met a number of Coronation Street and Emmerdale cast before and after the show. Yes, I love Emmerdale as well. You can see the Emmerdale photos here.
I was very happy with the Coronation Street actors I met, especially Oliver Farnworth who plays 'Gandy'. He was LOVELY and yes he looked hot!!!! I have a new favourite. :) I was also pleased to meet Colson Smith (Craig)...........who seemed to be enjoying every minute, Debra Stephenson (Frankie Baldwin), John Bowe (Duggie Ferguson).......I was happy to meet everyone! They were all great, very down to earth people. Besides the actors mentioned above, I also met Bruno Langley (Todd) and Tish Merry (Steph) for the first time.
We met a number of Coronation Street and Emmerdale cast before and after the show. Yes, I love Emmerdale as well. You can see the Emmerdale photos here.
I was very happy with the Coronation Street actors I met, especially Oliver Farnworth who plays 'Gandy'. He was LOVELY and yes he looked hot!!!! I have a new favourite. :) I was also pleased to meet Colson Smith (Craig)...........who seemed to be enjoying every minute, Debra Stephenson (Frankie Baldwin), John Bowe (Duggie Ferguson).......I was happy to meet everyone! They were all great, very down to earth people. Besides the actors mentioned above, I also met Bruno Langley (Todd) and Tish Merry (Steph) for the first time.
Coronation Street did not win big like they did in 2013 when we attended the British Soap Awards that year. It was an Eastenders night. However, Sally Dynevor (Sally) won for best comedy performance which I was very happy about. Well deserved. I would have loved to have seen Sally and Tim win for best partnership, but it wasn't meant to be. There was a special lifetime achievement award for Anne Kirkbride (Deirdre). There was a beautiful tribute and her husband accepted the award.
What a wonderful weekend it was spending it with a lot of our friends and seeing our favourite Coronation Street and Emmerdale actors dressed up celebrating the soaps.
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MAY 19th, 2015 - THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE, The Rep Theatre Birmingham starring Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow) & Vicky Entwistle (Janice Battersby)
What a wonderful weekend it was spending it with a lot of our friends and seeing our favourite Coronation Street and Emmerdale actors dressed up celebrating the soaps.
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MAY 19th, 2015 - THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE, The Rep Theatre Birmingham starring Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow) & Vicky Entwistle (Janice Battersby)
We purchased our tickets the morning of the show. It turned out it was press night! We were hoping some of the Corrie cast would be there, but they weren't. There were seats at the back or the front row. We took the front row.
What a fabulous show it was. All of the cast were brilliant. We LOVED every moment and would recommend it to anyone. Two thumbs up!
We met Chris before the show. He was nervous about it being press night, but he still chatted to us for a while. I then got a big hug and a kiss!!!! :)
What a fabulous show it was. All of the cast were brilliant. We LOVED every moment and would recommend it to anyone. Two thumbs up!
We met Chris before the show. He was nervous about it being press night, but he still chatted to us for a while. I then got a big hug and a kiss!!!! :)
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MAY 20th, 2015 - Blackpool
Blackpool was not one of our most enjoyable days. We didn't get to bed till 1am as we'd been in Birmingham the day before. We were up at 6 as it was 2 1/2 hours on the train. It was a very windy, cloudy day. The waves on the water were really bad. We did lots and lots of walking so we were tired, cold and had achy feet. It was a long day. We did enjoy Madame Tussauds though and had lots of fun inside snapping away. Here are some photos from their Coronation Street section which had been redone since we were there in 2002.
Blackpool was not one of our most enjoyable days. We didn't get to bed till 1am as we'd been in Birmingham the day before. We were up at 6 as it was 2 1/2 hours on the train. It was a very windy, cloudy day. The waves on the water were really bad. We did lots and lots of walking so we were tired, cold and had achy feet. It was a long day. We did enjoy Madame Tussauds though and had lots of fun inside snapping away. Here are some photos from their Coronation Street section which had been redone since we were there in 2002.
When we got to the Coronation Street section of the wax museum, I'd forgotten all about Deirdre being there. I walked into the Rovers seeing Bet behind the counter, Ken standing at the bar.............then I spotted Deirdre sitting at the booth. The wax figure was very well done and it took my breath away. I was quite emotional.
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Coronation Street was only a small part of our holiday, but what we did we really enjoyed. We had three wonderful weeks with family and friends. We love it over there and can't wait for our next visit.
Until next time. Tara Chuck.
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Coronation Street was only a small part of our holiday, but what we did we really enjoyed. We had three wonderful weeks with family and friends. We love it over there and can't wait for our next visit.
Until next time. Tara Chuck.