Eagle-eyed Coronation Street viewers highlighted a ‘brilliant’ Easter Egg – as iconic ITV soap celebrates 65 years on-screens today.
Having first aired on December 9, 1960, there has been countless drama on the cobbles for over six decades.
Writing online, fans noticed the show nodding to its roots in last night’s (December 8) episode – but did you spot it?
Outside The Kabin, a sign reading “Daily Discounts Florizel Street” was shown on display.
Long-time fans will know ‘Florizel Street’ was what Corrie creator Tony Warren originally named the soap.
As the famous story goes, a tea lady at Granada named Agnes said ‘Florizel’ sounded like a disinfectant – prompting the production team to rethink the name.
William Roache, 93, has played the character of Ken Barlow since Coronation Street’s first-ever episode in December 1960 (pictured 2020)
Fan favourites Abi and Kevin Webster, who are played by Sally Carman-Duttine and Michael Le Vell, recently split after a seven year relationship
Eagle-eyed fans spotted this subtle nod to Coronation Street’s beginnings – did you understand the reference?
Reacting to the Easter Egg, one viewer wrote on X: ‘Great to see this little Easter egg tonight for #Corrie’s 65th birthday.’
Another added: ‘Loved that! I thought today’s episode was brilliant… especially because of the birthday references for Corrie… like the Happy Birthday sign being hung above the Rovers sign… HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CORONATION STREET!!!!!!!!!!!! X.’
While a third chimed in: ‘I loved it last week when Eva was like ‘who celebrates their 65th birthday?! 60 or 70, yeah but not 65’.
It comes as a groundbreaking upcoming episode will put the spotlight on Todd Grimshaw and Theo Silverton’s troubling relationship.
The entirety of this powerful instalment will be shown through the point of view of cameras including Todd’s hidden camera, CCTV, dashcam, video doorbell and police bodycams
Viewers have seen Theo (James Cartwright) intensify his domestic abuse towards partner Todd (Gareth Pierce).
Set to air on Monday, December 15, the first-of-its-kind episode will see police arrive on the street following reports of a domestic incident.
But will Theo’s abuse finally be exposed?
Coronation Street Director Matt Hilton revealed: ‘It felt like a really bold idea to show it in this intimate and voyeuristic way that I’d never seen done before and as a fan of the true crime genre I could see how it could work if we did it right, something that would be intriguing for the viewer and make them feel uncomfortable in watching it all take place.’
Gareth Pierce, who plays Todd, explained: ‘We were discovering how to play to that style of filming ‘on the job’, so it felt like an exciting collaborative adventure for all departments.
An upcoming groundbreaking episode will centre on the domestic abuse storyline with Todd and Theo
‘I think I anticipated it might feel like we were watching Corrie characters through a haze, a slight step further back from the action, but it actually has the opposite effect where it feels like it brings us closer, like we’re eavesdropping on our characters and seeing something we shouldn’t.
‘I haven’t seen the full episode yet, but the bits I have seen are very effective and disorientating.’
To ensure accuracy for Todd and Theo’s storyline, the Coronation Street production team have worked closely with charities Stonewall and Galop.
Theo actor James Cartwright shared: ‘Domestic violence is real for a lot of people, it often escalates around Christmas, so there’s a real level of respect on the set.
‘You’ve got to tread that line between drama, storytelling and authenticity. It will be very challenging to watch for anybody who’s been through it, or is going through something similar, but we also have to be careful not to rush it or you run the risk of doing a disservice to people who’ve been through it.’
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
