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.