Corrie bosses film dress rehearsal as back-up to live show

'Coronation Street' bosses have a back-up plan in case of a technical hitch on tonight's live episode.

With producers battling problems with adverse weather conditions and the issue of troublemakers hoping to sabotage the hour-long extended special - which is being filmed as part of the ITV1 soap's 50th anniversary celebrations - executive producer Phil Collinson has decided to record the dress rehearsal as a precaution in case something goes wrong.

He told the Daily Star newspaper: "We are pre-recording the dress rehearsal so that we have something to switch to in the extremely unlikely event of a terrible technical problem.

"We've got massive security around the site and the police are helping us out. We need that because it's a significant event. But we're not worried. This will be one of the hardest places on Earth to get into."

His comments come as Greater Manchester Police confirmed they have stepped up security for tonight's live show in the wake of a reported terrorist threat.

A spokesman said: "This is a public, high-profile event. The risk is consistent with the UK terror threat, which is currently severe. ITV have taken on a private security firm and our officers will assist them."

Meanwhile, Jennie McAlpine thinks tonight's live episode will be better than its 'EastEnders' counterpart.

The 26-year-old actress – who plays flame-haired Fiz Stape in the ITV1 soap – joked that while her fellow cast members are perfectionists, she is "dreading" appearing live on TV as she is worried Graeme Hawley (John Stape) will play a practical joke on her.

She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "We're pretty damn perfect up here in the north so I don't think we'll be making as many mistakes as that lot on 'EastEnders'. I'm joking, of course we will!

"I've got the worst possible cast list in my section for jokers. Graeme is the biggest wind-up merchant ever and I'm dreading it. They'll probably have some kind of fart machine or something to try and put me off my lines!"

Jennie – who has appeared in 'Coronation Street' since the age of 17 – admitted she is "terrified" about the prospect of slipping up in front of thousands of viewers, and would rather not appear in the live episode at all.

She said: "Thinking thousands of people could be watching me slip up is terrifying.

"I don't actually want to be in it in a way, the nerves and the stress I could really do without, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world."