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CORRIE 7 NIGHT SPECIAL!

Coronation Street is to go out 7 nights a week for the week leading up to the soaps 40th birthday on December 9th. The week will feature two weddings, Curly and Emma along with Liz and Jim.

Corrie merchandise is also set to make a fortune for Granada Media. Everything from signed photographs of the cast to keyrings will be for sale this Christmas. A book from Daran Little charting the 40 year history of Weatherfield is expected to be a best seller. There will also be a special Monopoly edition of Coronation Street brought out.

NEW FACES SET TO FRESHEN STREET

Producer Jane MacNaught has revealed plans for new characters to make their first appearances in the upcoming months.

Newcomers include Stephen Beckett as dishy doctor Matt Ramsden alongside Claire McGinn who will play his wife and teacher Charlie and Jacqueline Kingston as nurse Molly Hardcastle. Beckett has appeared in the Bill while McGinn might be best known for her role in BBC drama The Cops.

There will be a shock in store for Ken Barlow when his son Peter Baldwin (Chris Gascoyne) makes a surprise return after 20 years at sea. He will be quite a ladies man.

Taxi rank operator Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) will set up home with her two teenage children.

All in all an entertaining few months ahead in Weatherfield!

NATALIE TO QUIT

Denise Welch is to leave Coronation Street when her contract expires in December. The actress who plays Rovers landlady Natalie Barnes is leaving to spend more time with her family. She recently announced that she was pregnant with her second child.

News has emerged that her exit will be dramatic but she will not be killed off. Her replacement could well be the returning Beverley Callard (Liz McDonald) who has signed a 31/2 month contract. Many would like to see Bet Lynch return.

MARRIAGE FOR CURLY

CORONATION Street's Curly Watts is set for a real Christmas cracker by walking up the aisle on December 24. The lovelorn star, played by Kevin Kennedy, will wed attractive police sergeant Emma Taylor. Bosses hope the tear-jerking episode will prove a winner in the festive ratings war. A highly-placed production source said: "Everyone loves a wedding and a marriage at Christmas should be a sure-fire hit with viewers.

"They love Curly and the fact that he marries in a church, despite being divorced, will add to the occasion". Emma, played by Angela Lonsdale, helped Curly mend his broken heart after he split from first wife Raquel. Viewers will see the pair discussing wedding plans in December. Curly returns one day to tell her that he can't find a church until the summer. When Emma looks close to tears romantic Curly tells her he's only joking and that their big day is all set for Christmas Eve.

Curly proved a ratings winner last New Year when 18 million fans saw Raquel return from France to tell him he was a father. But she dashed his hopes for a reconciliation by returning to their daughter Alice and her new life. The latest storyline is a terrific boost for 38-year-old Kevin, who has battled a personal booze problem. The actor went for treatment at a private clinic but has since convinced bosses he is fine. The Street source added: "Curly's love life has led to laughs and tears. We see no reason for a change

HAYLEY'S ADOPTION DRAMA

The plot thickens for actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Hayley Cropper, this week, when she tells Roy that she wants to adopt a child. 'Adoption is a complicated procedure at the best of times but for Hayley and Roy it's going to be a huge struggle if they do decide to go ahead,' says Julie, who is thrilled to be back with a strong storyline after a relatively quiet summer. 'I've had a real break over the last few months which has been brilliant. I did a lot of travelling and spent some time at my London flat, but it's great to back in the thick of it again.'

GAYS ALLOWED TO MARRY IN CORONATION STREET

Granada Studios will open its gates to allow gay people to be blessed on Britain's most famous street. The decision was announced by Granada to coincide with Manchester's GayFest 2000.

They will receive a blessing because in England gay people are allowed to legally get married. While some people might be surprised to hear this news it is important to remember that Corrie's creator Tony Warren was gay.

Coronation Street is the only soap which has never had a resident gay character and many of its fans hopes that it stays this way.

LATE NIGHT EPISODE TO FEATURE ARMED ROBBERY

Corrie producer Jane MacNaught recently announced that there would be a special late night episode of Coronation Street in the autumn.

Reports have suggested that there will be an armed robbery at Freshco's supermarket where Curly Watts, Alma Halliwell, Fred Elliot will be held at gunpoint.

Please remember that some of these articles may be based on unofficial sources.