Conversation Street

Conversation Street Episode 19

On this week's podcast, we talk about the Corrie episodes broadcast in the UK between the 10th and the 14th December 2012. This week's big storyline is the return of Carla and Peter to the cobbles, but do we give them a warm welcome back?  There's plenty of shenanigans going on under the covers at the Rovers, as Jason beds Stella, and is that jingle bells we can hear? No, it's an army of lollipop men - watch out Steve! We have a natter about Carla's time on the Street in the character profile section, take a look at the Corrie Christmas schedules, and get our first ever audio comment in the feedback section!

Conversation Street Episode 18

In this week's show, we discuss the episodes of Coronation Street broadcast in the UK between the 2nd and the 7th December. Is Tommy right to be so annoyed about Tina's part in the surrogacy? Should Dennis have been so ashamed of his job as a lolli.. we mean, traffic management operative? And is Lewis just after Audrey's hand cream? All this and more is answered in episode 18! Plus, we go back in time and find out about Street legend Elsie Tanner in our classic character profile, and go over the week's news and feedback.

Conversation Street Episode 17

This week, we talk about the episodes broadcast in the UK between the 26th and 30th November. We're both battling colds this week, but we soldier on to discuss the latest goings on on the cobbles, including Tyrone's latest beating from Kirsty, Jason's new business venture and Dennis' foray into the world of chip-and-pin. We delve into Jason's twelve years on the street in the character profile section, before finishing off with the usual news and feedback.

Conversation Street Episode 16

On this week's podcast, we talk about the episodes of Coronation Street broadcast in the UK between the 19th and 23rd November. As Kirsty grows more and more paranoid about Tyrone's relationships with other mums, she lashes out at Fiz - will Tyrone finally admit he's better off without her? Meanwhile, Kylie and Eva accidentally push Nick and Leanne closer together, and David longs for a child of his own (whilst sporting a quite hilarious Dick Dastardly-style moustache). In the character profile section, we look back over Fiz's time on the Street, including the infamous John Stape saga. We round the show off with a bit of feedback and some news, including the exciting announcement of a Corrie convention taking place in Manchester in January. If you'd like to make a donation to Brain Tumour Research, in memory of Bill Tarmey, the link mentioned on the show is www.justgiving.com/BillTarmey.

Conversation Street Episode 15

This week on Conversation Street, we discuss the episodes of Corrie broadcast between the  12th and 16th November. Find out about the extent of our hatred towards Rob, our indifference to the majority of Maria's boyfriends, and our ignorance of home pregnancy test etiquette. In the news segment, we catch up with how life in the jungle is treating Helen Flanagan (how do you think?), and we learn about some of our listeners' dedication to the Street in the feedback section.

Bill Tarmey: 1941 - 2012

Bill Tarmey was born William Piddington on 4 April, 1941, in Ardwick, Manchester. After he left school at 15, he became an apprentice asphalt spreader for his step father, until the age of 26. In later interviews, Bill would blame this early career for his later breathing difficulties – which would later form a major part of his decision to leave the street – although, he was also a lifelong smoker. In 1968, Bill quit his job in construction to work as a nightclub singer. His first love was singing, but he had to take additional work as an extra in shows like Corrie and other ITV dramas. His stage name, Bill Tarmey, was created by staff putting on a charity event at the Stockport Bus Club. Bill Piddington was too long for the chalkboard, so they renamed him Tarmey – a misappropriation of the surname of American crooner Mel Tormé. As the response to his act that night was so good, Bill stuck with it ever since! In his autobiography, Jack Duckworth and Me, he discusses being offered a permanent contract for the role of Jack. “I was concerned I might make a fool of myself and be an embarrassment to my family…” he said. He was terrified of letting people down. “They’d put a lot of faith in me, but I was no actor. I didn’t have any formal training; I’d picked it up as I went along. What had I let myself in for?” His health problems dogged him even before he began his role as Jack Duckworth, as he had a serious heart attack in 1976, and a stroke in 1977. Luckily for Bill, and the viewing public, he soon became a firm fixture on the Street, and a beloved cast member, playing off of Liz Dawn as the married couple who love to hate one another. His real-life wife was Alma, whom he had met in the local youth club in 1955. In 1959, when Bill was 18, they had been dating for three years and were discussing marriage. Bill did things the old fashioned way, and asked Ali’s father for her hand in marriage. He bought Ali a diamond ring from a gift catalogue, and paid the £17 in weekly instalments. Alma often found herself swept to one side by Bill’s fans, who had no idea who she was, and often spoke to Bill as though he were really Jack Duckworth. Liz Dawn had similar experiences with her husband, Don Ibbetson, and it only got worse when the four of them were at an event together, as the spouses would be swept to one side to make way for the onscreen couple! In 1992, Bill was featured on This Is Your Life, the biography show hosted by Michael Aspel. “I’d told Ali in the past that I never wanted to be the subject of the programme. I said it would be hugely embarrassing. I’m pleased she had the good sense to ignore me, because it was the greatest honour to be chosen and it became one of the highlights of my life.” For the climax of the show, Bill sang Wind Beneath My Wings for Ali. Bill credits this performance as the starting point for his success in the recording business, which kicked off in 1993. The father of an executive at EMI had seen the show, and suggested he sign Bill up – when he received the letter in the post from composer, arranger and conductor Derek Wadsworth, suggesting they make an album together, he thought it was a hoax. A Gift of Love, his first album for EMI, sold 180,000 copies. Four months following, his second album, Time for Love, sold the same amount, earning him two gold discs. Of his third album, After Hours, in 1996, Bill isn’t so positive, stating: “I don’t want to get involved in any mud-slinging here: let’s just say things didn’t work out.” But, he says, “I’m sorry it ended on a sour note, but I’ll always be grateful I had my moment in the sun.” In his last years on the street, Bill found his breathing difficulties, along with sleep apnea and heart problems, prevented him from taking part in the simplest of scenes – and much like Liz Dawn, he was very often restricted in his movement when filming. Although his fellow actors attempted to help modify scenes to accommodate Bill’s ill health, he eventually decided to quit the show – although was convinced by his wife Ali, and the show’s producers, to remain on the Street until the 50th anniversary of the show. On the morning of 9 November 2012, almost exactly two years after his onscreen counterpart died, Bill passed away whilst on holiday in Tenerife, aged 71.  His family released a statement: 'The family of Bill Tarmey have confirmed that he sadly passed away this morning in Tenerife. They have respectfully asked the media for privacy as they grieve for a wonderful husband, father and brother.'

Conversation Street Episode 14 - A Tribute to Bill Tarmey and Jack Duckworth

In this special episode of the podcast, we pay tribute to the late Bill Tarmey, the actor who portrayed fan-favourite character Jack Duckworth on the show. We explore Bill's journey from asphalt spreader to lounge singer to actor, and reminisce about some of our favourite storylines featuring Jack and his long-suffering wife, Vera.

Conversation Street Episode 13

In this week's Conversation Street, we chat about the episodes of Corrie broadcast between the 5th and the 9th November in the UK. There have been quite a few goodbyes this week - Gloria and Aidan leave in the back of a taxi, while Ken shows where his true allegiences lie and sends a snivelling Wendy packing. Come back in a few days as we say our own goodbye to Street legend Bill Tarmey, who sadly passed away on Friday. If you'd like us to read any of your tributes to Bill, or share some of your memories of Jack Duckworth, let us know via email, Facebook or the comments section below.

Conversation Street Episode 12

In this week's podcast, we talk about the episodes of Coronation Street broadcast in the UK between the 26th October and the 2nd November. Following her accident last week, Sophie is left wondering whether she'll ever walk again... before quickly being told the next episode she'll be fine eventually. Meanwhile, the conman becomes the conned, as Gail and Gloria test Lewis' faithfulness to Audrey. Also this week, Ken comes to regret spending so much time with Wendy, and Roy's return to Weatherfield brings an abrupt halt to Mary's theme nights. In the second half of the podcast, we look back over Sophie Webster's troubled teenage years, and run down some of the top Corrie news stories of the past seven days.

Conversation Street Episode 11

In this week's slightly earlier than usual podcast, we discuss the episodes of Coronation Street shown in the UK between the 22nd and 24th October.  As we were trying to keep the timing down, we do not have a news or character profile this week, just Street Talk and a Facebook special feedback section. Apologies for the crackling over the audio track  - we'll do our best to get to the bottom of it in time for next week!