A LEGENDARY soaps writer has revealed why Corrie bosses didn’t go ahead with a huge stunt.
The scribe has written multiple episodes of Coronation Street and its BBC rival EastEnders.
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On X, BAFTA-winning writer Daran Little replied to a fan who’d discussed a tram crash that had been planned for 2005.
Daren revealed historic plans for a major stunt and why it didn’t see the light of day.
He wrote: “You wanna blow your mind further?
“At one stage we planned to flood the street – like a massive flood that killed people and had everyone sat on their roofs.”
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The writer added: “But it was way too expensive.”
Although the flood storyline never happened, fans got a similar experience back in 2021.
Following a huge storm, a sinkhole collapse saw people fall into the Victorian sewers located under the cobbles.
Notably, this included the death of show regular Johnny Connor (Richard Hawley).
Introduced in 2015, he was later revealed to be Carla Connor’s (Alison King) biological father.
Heartbreaking scenes saw the businessman die from hypothermia and drowning after he climbed into the Platts’ sinkhole.
Coronation Street tragedy as Johnny Connor drowns after hearing the voice of dead son Aidan
Johnny had been trying to save his wife Jenny (Sally Ann Matthews), who he married in 2017.
As he died, viewers watched as Johnny heard the voice of Aidan (Shayne Ward), his late son, calling out.
Aidan died in emotional scenes three years earlier, tragically taking his own life.
Soon after, however, Johnny slipped under the water and was swept away.
Biggest soap stunts
By Conor O’Brien
Soaps are no stranger to dramatic stunts in the storylines. Not only do these moments create a spectacle for viewers, they also fundamentally change characters’ lives.
Here is a look at some of the biggest soap stunts from over the years.
CORONATION STREET
- Tram crash (2010): The ITV soap marked its 50th anniversary with a intense tram crash – and live episode to boot. Overall, the crash and its effects were broadcast across a week in December 2010. Its resulting chaos saw regular characters Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) die.
- Richard Hillman tries to kill the Platts (2003): Of all the men unlucky-in-love Gail tied the knot with, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) is probably the one she regrets most in hindsight. In 2003, murderer Richard tried to kill his step-family: first by gassing them with car fumes and then driving Gail (Helen Worth), Sarah (Tina O’Brien), David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Bethany (Amy and Emily Walton) into a canal.
EASTENDERS
- Queen Vic fire (2010): In September 2010, EastEnders bid farewell to matriarch Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) as a permanent fixture on the soap – she returned as a guest before the character’s death in 2016. In the build-up to her initial exit, Peggy had trapped crack cocaine-addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) in the Queen Vic. However, he escaped and set the boozer on fire.
- Bus crash (2017): In April 2017, a total of 11 Albert Square residents had their lives at risk in a terrifying bus crash. The stunt saw a double decker bus – the 764 to Barking – lose control and crash through the Albert Square market before hitting a low-level bridge. Notable passengers at the time included Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper).
EMMERDALE
- James Barton’s death (2016): Interestingly about James’ (Bill Ward) death was that it came in a spiral of events. After wife Emma (Gillian Kearney) locked James up in a jealous rage, he escaped and they tussled on a bridge over the bypass. Emma pushed him and James fell into traffic, in turn causing a 12-vehicle pile up, As well as James dying, key characters including Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) were injured.
Another high-profile stunt came in 2010 with the now infamous tram crash.
It caused destruction to several homes and businesses across the Street.
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Two regular characters died in the chaos – Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns).
Coronation Street airs on ITV and is available to watch on ITVX.
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