The Sun says that Vicky Entwistle who plays Janice Battersby won't now be leaving the street. Actress Vicky was rumoured to be axed from the soap back in September by former producer Tony Wood but new boss Steve Frost has given her a reprieve.
A Corrie insider told the paper: “Vicky was devastated when she was sacked in September. So she was absolutely delighted when Steve started and told her he loved the character of Janice and had big plans for her.  He has offered her a couple of belting storylines for New Year. She has told pals she’ll be accepting.” 
The paper goes on to say that Vicky had been told Janice had reached the end of the line. The actress had already hit the headlines for bad behaviour. She got a final warning earlier this year after a drunken rant at Sir Ian McKellen during his Corrie leaving party.

Kev blames Sally for Rosie’s behaviour but when they find out that Audrey and Keith knew about it all along, the Websters turn their anger outwards.
Carol pours poison at the Baldwin’s and stirs things up between Jamie and Frankie.  Frankie cancels a date with Nathan to spend a night in with Jamie to talk things over but he walks out on her.
Leanne and Danny get invited to the Battersby-Brown’s for dinner but they’re dreading it so pop into the Rovers for a quick drink before they go to Number 5.  When they’re there it’s clear that Danny enjoys himself more than Leanne does who is perturbed to discover most of the entertainment is at her expense.

10 year old Alice Moore has just received a Child of Courage award - and she will now turn up on an episode of Corrie.  Alice has a rare genetic condition which means she has suffered more than 160 fractures but she has refused to let her brittle bone disorder hold her back and this year started at mainstream school. Manchester Online reports that Alice will now appear on the Street walking behind Nathan Harding as he chats up Frankie Barlow.  Alice had visited the Granada set and was asked by one of the producers to appear as an extra. Alice said: "Coronat ion Street is my favourite, it was really great being filmed. I'm only on for a short time but we had to have lots of goes to get it right for the cameras. I can't wait to see myself on TV. I've told all my friends and they're excited too." After filming Alice posed for photos with Wendi Peters, who plays her favourite character Cilla Battersby.

Heather Mills McCartney has told ContactMusic.com that she wants to make a guest appearance on the cobbles. The ex-model, who is married to ex-Beatle Sir Paulio Macca of the Cartneys, says she's a huge fan of the soap, because it reflects her northern heritage. She tells the website, "I'd love to make an appearance on a British soap. It would have to be Coronation Street, because I'm a northern girl."   
What do you think...  should she be allowed on and if so, as what character?

The Yorkshire Post aren't best pleased with Corrie after the soap dared to suggest there was no such thing as Santa Claus!  The paper says that just four days before Christmas, Coronation Street dared to air the suggestion that Father Christmas didn't exist. Granada TV was inundated with complaints after Eileen Grimshaw doubted the existence of Santa Claus. The conversation took place before 8pm, when thousands of children were watching. Jane Heavey, 36, from Roundhay in Leeds, who watched the show with her eight-year-old daughters, told the paper: "I couldn't believe what I was hearing... I rang Granada and made a complaint and they said they'd had lots of other complaints. I hope Granada make a full apology and reassure children that Santa does indeed exist." Granada refused to comment.

Carol vows to give up booze as her new year’s resolution but is intent on making the most of her last night on the pop. She insists to Jamie that she’s not wrong about Frankie’s feelings for him and as the clock strikes midnight he finds himself giving her a new year kiss that leaves him feeling more confused. Meanwhile, oblivious Frankie is enjoying flirting with Nathan.
With Rosie at Craig’s and Sophie spending the night at Rita’s, Sally and Kev enjoy a bit of freedom. But as the clock counts down to the New Year, Sally decides to enlist Craig’s help in letting in 2006. She is horrified when Craig answers the door in his dressing gown and she realises exactly what he and Rosie have been up to!
Tracy can’t get a babysitter and grumpily faces an evening alone as Ken, Deirdre and Blanche head out on the razzle. But when Charlie asks her to come over to the flat, she can’t resist and, checking Amy is sound asleep in her cot, she leaves the toddler home alone whilst she heads of for a night of passion. Will anyone discover what she has done?

Ernie Bishop's killer is back on the Street, says the Daily Mirror. Actor Chris Walker who plays Ed has been seen on the cobbles already when he escorted Emily and Rita home from church last week.  He's also set to fall in love with Eileen in the coming weeks - but Ed will turn out to be Ernie's killer who has been released from jail and has turned up on the Street after tracking down Ernie's widow Emily.   Now then, with my Corrie anorak on and tied tightly, I did check on the names of the two people who killed Ernie Bishop and neither of them were called Ed (but perhaps he's changed his name in prison?).  According to the 40 Years of Coronation Street book,  it was Tommo Jackson and Dave Lester who burst into Baldwin's Casuals and killed mild-mannered Mr B.

Penny goes off to see her sick old mum leaving Mike at the mercy of devious Danny.  Danny finds the engagement ring that Mike forgot he’d bought for Penny and realises he’s not even second best to Adam any more - he’s right at the bottom of Mike’s priorities now.  Danny and Leanne concoct a plan to ensure he gets his share of the Underworld fortune.
Jamie – a boy so sensitive he’s probably allergic to fabric conditioner – foolishly thinks that Frankie fancies him. Worse still, he’s fallen in love with his step-mum.
Artist Hilary asks Jack and Vera if she can paint them both in the nuddy at her life class where the students use a mixture of bodily fluids in their artwork – excretions, secretions and vomit.  Not surprisingly, Vera says no but when Jack finds out there’s a big wad of money involved he has other ideas.

The actress who spoke the very first words in the first episode of Coronation Street 45 years ago was little-known actress Maudie Edwards who played Elsie Lappin - the first ever corner shop keeper back in December 1960. Elsie's first words on Corrie were: “Now the next thing you want to do is get a signwriter in. That thing above the door’ll ’ave to be changed.”  To which Florrie Lindley replied: “It’ll seem funny ’avin me name outside me own shop.” 

Loved and lusted after by both Janice Battersby and Eileen Grimshaw, it was a sad day indeed for the women of the street when Dennis died in a motorcycle accident.  The actor who played Dennis, Charles Dale is back on our telly in Rocket Man but he told the Western Mail and Echo that people still remember him best for the part of Dennis in Corrie.  “People shout out 'Dennis!', but that's not a problem, even four or five years on. It's part and parcel of the job. It goes with the territory and that's fine. I have extremely happy memories of the Street. I see Simon Gregson (who plays Steve McDonald) and various other cast members from time to time.”   

The Observer did a little profile of Bradley Walsh (who plays Danny Baldwin) and his car, a Vauxhall Signum.  Bradley told the paper: "I learnt to drive in 1977 when I was 17 - my nan and granddad lent me the money to get a Mini. I'd souped it up to be like a Mini Cooper, British racing green with red wheels and a racing exhaust.  Cars were a big part of who I was then. I used to love cruising around in it, it was just a part of my life, a fashion accessory with bucket seats - and good for attracting the ladies.  Since then I've probably had about four Vauxhall Cavaliers - workhorses - two Chrysler jeeps, and Jags and Mercs and Saabs. It's the mileage and the tax implications: you put too many miles on them and they won't be worth a tenner when you sell them. You'd be mad to run them into the ground.  All of a sudden I got the job on Coronation Street and you've got to put the mileage in, two or three times a week from the south east to Manchester. You don't need a luxurious car, just to get from A to B in a reliable manner. It's so bloody hectic at this time of year. 

Sally Whittaker who plays Sally Webster, has banned her kids Phoebe and Sam from seeing her kiss other men on screen.  She said: “It might upset them.  Whenever Sally has a love scene, I switch over the TV”.

John Savident who plays Fred Elliot is 'seriously thinking of not signing a new contract next year' according to Christmas Eve's Daily Mirror (though it has been rumoured for some time on various forums.) Apparently John, 66, who is a classical actor, misses the stage and theatre. Since joining the street in 1994 Fred  - so good he says it twice - has become a Corrie institution, in much the same way as Jack and Vera are.

David Neilson who plays Roy Cropper revealed the secret behind his infamous old shopping bag. Roy was seldom seen without the trademark bag when he first appeared on the Street.  And it usually had a set of keys taped to the handle. But the secret is out - the bag and keys belonged to David's mother who died just before he took on the role in 1995. David said: "My mum sadly passed away just before I started on the show and I wanted to carry something of hers. I also wanted to add my own props and develop the character. The bag carries nothing more than my script."

Carol’s attempt to poison Jamie’s mind about Frankie’s feelings for him results in Jamie struggling to cope with his relationship with his step-mum. He suddenly sees the woman who has brought him up since he was a youngster in a very different light.
Tracy isn' t best pleased when she finds out about Ronnie and Steve’s holiday. Ever the manipulator, she seizes the opportunity to use Amy as a pawn in her ongoing game with Steve. She persuades Charlie to take her on holiday on the same dates as Steve then asks Steve if he will look after Amy. Steve is torn between his trip with Ronnie and the thought of having his daughter to stay for a fortnight – until he discovers exactly what Tracy’s up to.

The Manchester Evening News reports on a survey that says secretaries from Manchester are the most pampered PAs in the country, leading jetset lifestyles and dining with the rich and famous.  The paper profiles one of the survey’s respondents - Jane McClure, PA to Coronation Street producer Tony Wood. Jane has worked as a PA for 17 years and was headhunted for her current role at Granada. In additional to her secretarial role, Jane helps to organise the cast's parties and says nights out with the stars of the Street are a definite perk. Jane told the paper: "A lot of people say, 'I don't know how you do it', but my hours are stable and if I have to check out a venue for a party, I do that at the weekend. I attend all the award shows for the cast and crew and I work in a great environment where I meet all kinds of fantastic people”.  I wonder if Deirdre’s role as a PA at Weatherfield Council is so exciting?

Dave Browning is the fella  who played trumpet on the original Corrie theme tune, written by Eric Spear. Dave was a former music professor and had no idea the show would be such a hit when he played the eight bars of music 45 years ago - so he accepted a one-off payment of £36. Even Frisky the cat who was hired in 1990 and appeared in the titles for more than 1000 episodes, got a one-off fee of £200!  However, Dave said: “It is gratifying to know the sound of me playing the trumpet is heard around the world every day.”

Cadbury's tie-in with Coronation Street is one of the most valuable programme sponsorship deals in Europe! If you remember the chocolate model of the Street that was shown before, during and after each episode, you may be interested to know that it was built by Aardman Animation, the Oscar winning creators of Wallace and Gromit. A total of nine different sequences were produced featuring a host of characters including a milkman, postman, the famous Cor onation Street cat and even one of Jack Duckworth's pigeons. The first step for Aardman Animation was to go along to the 'real' Coronation Street at Manchester's Granada Studios. Hundreds of measurements were taken and copious notes made on the finer details of the Street in preparation for the construction of the chocolate-look copy back at the Bristol studio. The street mock-up took an eight-strong team five weeks to build, using a variety of materials including plaster, silicone and rubber. The finished set covered 352 square feet, and included a staggering 50,000 bricks, 1,000 paving slabs, 9,000 cobbles and over 12,000 rooftop slates.

In tonight's Corrie Family Album, it looks like Mike's demonstrating to grandson Jamie the quality that makes the Baldwin men so special. Seriously though, those Baldwins really are an incorrigible lot: the shady dealing head of the cockney clan Mike has been married four times and his list of conquests include Bet Lynch, Deirdre Barlow and, it now transpires, his own brother’s wife! And his (newly proclaimed) son Danny isn’t much better having bedded his own son’s girlfriend Leanne – giving the phrase ‘keep it in the family’ a whole new meaning! Coronation Street Family Albums takes a look at the eventful and often complicated lives of The Baldwin family during the last three decades of Coronation Street, from the business affairs and family affairs where the men do their own little bit of overtime, to one of the most tragic losses the Street has ever seen with the death of Alma. And throughout it all, there’s always been a bottle of scotch at hand for the King of Knickers to drown his sorrows in.

Corrie fans are in for a festive treat tonight when they see much loved street residents as never before. Favourites from the soap will star as classic pantomime characters as a fitting finale to ITV’s 50th anniversary. The show of pantomime anarchy will combine a selection of the nation’s favourite pantomimes, rolled into an hour long special fairy tale. Forlorn Frankie Baldwin (Debra Stephenson) will take the lead as Cinderella, with estranged husband Danny Baldwin (Bradley Walsh) to star as her dashing Prince Charming.  Buttons (Rupert Hill), The Ugly Sisters (Malcolm Hebden / David Neilson), Baron Hardup (William Tarmey), Widow Twankey (Maggie Jones), Fairy Godmother (Susie Blake), The Demon King (Bruce Jones) and Aladdin are some of the roles to be filled on your telly tonight.  Oh yes they are!

TWO EPISODES TONIGHT AT 7.30 AND 8.30
Penny and Adam struggle to come to terms with Mike’s odd behaviour. Penny is convinced he is seriously ill and Adam tries to put a brave face on it but has to admit that he’s worried too. Adam suggests that Mike take things easier at the factory, but Mike sees red and refuses to accept there is anything wrong with him. Mike’s health is the topic of the day at Leanne and Danny’s too – Danny is concerned about the business – but Leanne soon manages to take his mind off things!
Jamie and Frankie have other things on their mind when they discover Carol’s disappeared.
Like a bad penny she arrives back at the house, drunk. Jamie starts to feel extremely uncomfortable when Carol insinuates that Frankie has an unhealthy interest in him.

1 HOUR - 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM TONIGHT!
Christmas Day dawns in Weatherfield as an excited Ashley and Claire wait for Josh to open his presents. Claire has an extra special present for Ashley when she tells him she’s expecting a baby Peacock.
Penny puts her worries about Mike’s health to one side to enjoy the day. But as the rest of the Baldwins gather at the Clock for Christmas dinner, Mike makes a massive mistake which leaves everyone wondering just what’s wrong with him. Even Mike realises that something’s not right and tearfully confesses to Jamie that he’s really worried.
Also at the Clock, Carol has agreed to spend the day with Eric the bookie but as she watches Danny  and Leanne she starts drinking and it isn’t long before she causes a disturbance and the waiter asks her to leave.

Battersby Family Album - tonight at 8.30pm
In 1997 something very strange happened to Coronation Street – The Battersbys arrived! The cobbles were rocked with their brash, boisterous and brazen ways as upstanding residents looked on with horror at their new neighbours from hell. In Coronation Street Family Album the colourful and chaotic Battersby family come under the spotlight and actors Bruce Jones (Les), Vicky Entwistle (Janice), Jane Danson (Leanne), Georgia Taylor (Toyah) and Wendi Peters (Cilla) reveal what it’s like to play characters that are truly larger than life. Over the years we’ve witnessed many a scam from lying Les, marvelled that Leanne’s short-lived marriage to Nicky Platt actually lasted so long, and watched Janice’s affair with Dennis end in tragedy. Now with the next Mrs Battersby ‘Cod Cilla’ joining the clan along with cheeky but cute son Chesney, the next generation of Battersbys are certainly a force to be reckoned with.

  Mike’s in a good mood and buys Penny an engagement ring. He’s admiring the sparkler when Penny arrives and he manages to hide the ring before Penny spots it. Unaware of Mike’s plans, Penny is upset when she witnesses Mike forget what he’s doing when he attempts to sort out the Christmas wages. Later at the pub, Mike realises he’s left the engagement ring back at the factory and heads off to retrieve it. But will another bout of forgetfulness mean that Mike again forgets the ring?
Festive fever takes hold at Underworld when the factory girls get the afternoon off to go for Christmas drinks.
Steve’s annoyed at Tracy’s refusal to allow him to see Amy on Christmas day so he decides to enlist Ken and Deirdre’s help in changing Tracy’s mind. Ken is horrified by Tracy’s attitude and heads off with Steve to the Rovers to confront his daughter. Tracy initially sticks to her guns but when Charlie challenges her, will she back down and allow Steve access on Christmas day?

Coronation Street has won the media award at a national disability organisation's annual award night. The soap won the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation's award for the best portrayal of the lives or viewpoints of disabled people on TV. 
Apart from Emily’s deaf niece and wheelchair-bound Maude Grimes, can anyone think of any other disabled people who’ve been in Corrie?