Coronation Street unveil special 60th anniversary cast photo as the soap celebrates huge milestone

Coronation Street have unveiled a special 60th anniversary cast photo to mark the ITV soap’s momentous milestone.  

The photograph brings together actors from various eras of the soap, featuring the seven longest-serving cast members and the seven newest additions to the show.

Adhering to safety guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic, the stars were all photographed separately, before being brought together by Photoshop for the stunning image.

A new era: Coronation Street have unveiled a special 60th anniversary cast photo to mark the ITV soap’s milestone, featuring the seven longest-serving cast members and the seven newest additions to the show

Previous cast photos celebrating the soap’s milestones have seen the entire cast come together for the shot, including the very first black and white picture of the original cast to launch the debut episode.

However, in current times, it was impossible to bring together the 75 plus actors who now feature on screen.

Instead, the portrait was taken over a two-week period, with the actors having their photos taken individually at a Covid-secure studio, before camera trickery gave the illusion of them all being together. 

In a nod to Coronation Street’s history, Hilda Ogden’s iconic flying ducks mural was also featured in the snap, including the ‘wonky middle one’. 

Original: The first cast photo was a black and white picture of the original cast to launch the debut episode

Among the line-up is veteran actor William Roach (Ken Barlow), who has appeared in the soap since the very first episode in 1960, meaning he features in both the original and current cast photo. 

He joins other long-standing stars including Barbara Knox (Rita Tanner), Helen Worth (Gail Platt) and Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts).

While Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster), Sally Ann Matthews (Jenny Connor) and Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalfe) make up the rest of the longest-serving stars.

The way they were: Previous cast photos celebrating the soap’s milestones have seen the entire cast come together for the shot (pictured: the cast in 1985 on the 25th anniversary)

Newcomers posing for the snap include Ryan Russell (Michael Bailey), Lorna Laidlaw (Aggie Bailey) and Jane Hazelgrove (Bernie Winter).

With the likes of Mollie Gallagher (Nina Lucas), Adam Hussain (Aadi Alahan), Tony Maudsley (George Shuttleworth) and Gareth Pierce (Todd Grimshaw) also featuring. 

Coronation Street was first launched by series creator Tony Warren on December 9th 1960.

Since then, fans have gone on to see a whopping 10,000 episodes play out on the  famous cobbles which has seen 57 births, 146 deaths and 131 weddings.

Still going: Among the line-up is veteran actor William Roach (Ken Barlow), who has appeared in the soap since the very first episode in 1960, meaning he features in both the original and current cast photo (pictured: Ken Barlow and Susan Cunningham in 1960)

Remembered: In a nod to Coronation Street’s history, Hilda Ogden’s iconic flying ducks mural was also featured in the snap, including the ‘wonky middle one’

The Guinness World Record breaking soap has also seen its fair share of affairs, murders, secrets and lies in the fictional town of Weatherfield. 

Viewing figures still top 7 million per episode on average, while Coronation Street has been sold to 135 countries worldwide. 

To mark its momentous anniversary, between now and December 9th, the TV favourite will screen special shows, publish an anniversary book, launch new products and reveal unique social media content – all the while delivering non-stop drama from the street. 

The thrilling anniversary week will finally see the conclusion of three storylines – including the Yazmeen and Geoff coercive control plot – while also kicking off a chain of new events which will take the ITV soap into 2021 and beyond. 

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV. 

Iconic: Coronation Street was first launched by series creator Tony Warren on December 9th 1960. Since then, fans have gone on to see a whopping 10,000 episodes play out on the famous cobbles which has seen 57 births, 146 deaths and 131 weddings