Corrie wins international TV award

'Coronation Street' stars Simon Gregson and Katherine Kelly are to pick up an award recognising half a century of soap success at an international television festival next week.

The long-running show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will get a special award at the Rose d’Or Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

The actors, who play husband and wife Steve and Becky McDonald, will be joined by executive producer Kieran Roberts to pick up the award.

Festival director Rolf Probala said it was a unanimous decision to present the show, which documents life in a Manchester back street, with the Rose d’Or Golden Jubilee Award.

He said: “Over its entire run, the series has shown originality, creativity and innovation, all the qualities which are the foundation of our awards.

“A further testimony is that the programme, 50 years after its first transmission, is as popular as ever and is still a huge ratings hit in the UK.

“Furthermore, Coronation Street is regarded as the gold standard by other similar programmes outside Britain.”

The first episode of the show was transmitted on Friday, December 9, 1960.

Originally only 13 episodes were made but the response from viewers was so strong that it has kept going and, more than 7,400 episodes later, is still watched by millions.

The show has seen 88 weddings, 39 births, 114 deaths and 51 different barmaids pulling pints at the Rovers Return since it began.