Coronation Street first episode

The first episode of Coronation Street hit our screens on December 9, 1960 at 7pm on ITV.

Created by young scriptwriter Tony Warren, Coronation Street was produced by Granada Television when it was launched and based on Salford in Greater Manchester.

But what happened in the first episode of Corrie, as it became known to millions of fans? And where was it filmed? Here’s everything you need to know.

Coronation Street first episode – how was it filmed?

Elsie Tanner and Dennis Tanner in Coronation Street — Elsie and Dennis Tanner in the first episode (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Titled ‘Episode 1’, the first episode was filmed in black and white and introduced viewers to some of the show’s most legendary characters.

It was filmed at Granada Studios in Manchester and was predominantly an indoor set. Plywood and pretend bricks were used on the frontage, with scaffolding supporting the set to make it look like a real back street. The show didn’t use an outdoor set until 1967.

The episode was conceived and written by Tony Warren, while the script editor was Harry Kershaw. It was produced by Derek Granger and directed by Derek Bennett.

The synopsis of the episode, as published in TV Times at the time, read: “Every front door hides a story. In this new twice weekly serial there are seven front doors and more than 20 interesting people. Come down to Coronation Street on Wednesdays and Fridays and join the neighbours.”

Here’s what happened in the first ever episode of Coronation Street

The first character to appear on Coronation Street was Florrie Lindley, the new owner of the Corner Shop.

She opened the episode by serving a customer, immediately establishing the shop as a central location on the street.

Florrie took ownership of the shop from Elsie Lappin and was quickly introduced to the neighbourhood and its dynamics.

Elsie, despite not being a major character, has the accolade of saying the show’s very first line of dialogue. This was, “Now the next thing you’ll want to do is get a sign writer in. That thing above the door’ll have to be changed.”

Legendary characters Ken Barlow, Ena Sharples, Elsie Tanner and Annie Walker were all introduced in the first episode. Elsie and Ena actually appeared in the first scene. Ena popped into the shop to see how Florrie was getting on, while Elsie was seen passing by outside, hinting at the street’s social dynamics.

A young Ken Barlow in Coronation Street — Ken Barlow in the first ever episode of Coronation Street (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

The central story was mainly focused around Ken’s conflict with his father Frank and they were the next characters to appear.

Ken was a young university graduate and argued with Frank over his future ambitions, while Ida– Ken’s mother – tried to mediate.

Ken eventually headed to the Rovers Return Inn, where he befriended Elsie’s son Dennis Tanner, who had just been released from prison.

Elsie’s daughter Linda Cheveski also arrived to inform her that she had separated from her husband and was planning a divorce, but refused to explain why.

Overall, the very first episode of Coronation Street was watched by approximately 3.5 million households.

Coronation Street – introducing the street

A fundamental part of the first episode was also to introduce viewers to the street’s layout.

Each key location, such as the Rovers, No.1, No.11 and the Corner Shop, were all shown with their front door and house number.

Through careful dialogue, Tony Warren’s script also helped to build up a picture of the community.

Elsie Lappin warned Florrie about “the Tanners at Number 11” during their handover, while Dennis mentioned Elsie wished he were more like “Kenneth Barlow at Number 3”, and Ena introduced herself while pointing out the Glad Tidings Mission Hall across the street.