Following quickly on the cobbles of its unique street party to celebrate the countdown to the show’s 50th anniversary on Friday, Coronation Street has announced that it has officially made it into the Guinness Book of Records. Not once, but twice.
The soon-to-be-tram-totalled drama is now officially the longest running TV soap in the world, while, in a double whammy, actor William Roache (Ken Barlow) has also become the world’s longest serving soap actor.
The soon-to-be-tram-totalled drama is now officially the longest running TV soap in the world, while, in a double whammy, actor William Roache (Ken Barlow) has also become the world’s longest serving soap actor.
Corrie picked up the accolades as a result of previous record holder, American soap ‘As the World Turns’ (CBS), being cancelled by its network this month.
The street is currently nearing its 7,500th episode.
Executive Producer, Kieran Roberts, said of the achievement: “These days it’s rare for any drama to run for more than a few years. In fact, back in 1960, Coronation Street was originally commissioned for just 13 episodes.
“Therefore it truly is an extraordinary achievement, that fifty years later, the show which first aired just after The Beatles were formed remains hugely popular in Britain and around the world.”
He said of Roache: “William Roache has played Ken Barlow since episode one.
“His character has had 27 girlfriends, three wives, numerous scandals, accidents and memorable stories and he’s still at the heart of our now 60-strong cast”.
