Coronation Street marks 65 years on air this December, and Mirror readers have had their say on their favourite storylines and characters, as well as standout moments on the ITV soap
20:00, 12 Dec 2025Updated 20:13, 12 Dec 2025
Coronation Street marks 65 years on air this December(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Viewers of Coronation Street have spoken, sharing their favourite moments on the ITV soap from the past six and a half decades.
Corrie celebrated 65 years on air this December, and so Mirror asked soap fans for their most memorable moments and their most iconic characters. It’s safe to say some big twists from the show’s past came up time and time again, loved by fans.
From moments in the 90s and the 00s, to more recent times, there’s also reference of happenings from way back when. We asked fans to share their favourite moments with us, and they did not disappoint.
One stunt that sprung to mind for multiple fans was the epic 2010 tram crash, including a live episode. Fans dubbed it “iconic” and “truly epic”. It seems 2010 featured many big moments that were a hit with viewers, as one fan told us: “Siege week and the tram crash for the 50th were iconic episodes that I think about often,” as another added: “Love love loved 2010!
READ MORE: Coronation Street icon shares toll of killer storyline as he ‘couldn’t leave house’READ MORE: Coronation Street’s most iconic moments revealed by cast – best villains to epic stunts
From moments in the 90s and the 00s, to more recent times, there’s also reference of happenings from way back when(Image: ITV)
“From the factory siege to the tram crash, it was truly epic and the drama continued not only into 2011 but 2012 too. Was truly a golden Corrie era.” A fan added: “Siege week was the first few episodes I watched and I’ve loved Carla ever since!”
Another moment that could not be ignored when discussing iconic storylines, was the moment killer Richard Hillman tried to murder the Platts in a terrifying canal plunge. Of course it brought an end to the villain but his soap legacy lives on.
Many fans named this as their most iconic moment or storyline, with one fan saying: “You can’t underestimate the hold that the Richard Hillman saga had on the nation.” Another fan added: “Richard Hillman and his reign of terror ranks highly not only for the sheer brilliance of those involved, but it’s loved and remembered by those that came later such as Calum Lill who played Joel Deering.”
Mirror readers have had their say on their favourite storylines and characters(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Similarly, Pat Phelan’s reign of terror got some mentions, with many fans dubbing him the best Corrie villain of all time. And who could forget Jim McDonald, with fans sharing memories of him causing chaos, and also killing baddie Jez.
Other standout moments shared by fans included the horrifying freezer death of Anne Malone in the 90s, the Who Killed Tina? plot after Tina McIntyre’s murder, and Carla Connor’s psychosis. Aidan Connor’s heartbreaking suicide storyline also had an impact on viewers, with one fan saying: “A sad one, but Aidan’s suicide was very impactful and unexpected.”
A viewer agreed: “Aidan Connor’s suicide was hugely important, I think that speech Gail gave at the window is one of my favourite Corrie moments of all time!” Some classic scenes from decades ago were also given a shoutout, including some emotional twists featuring fan favourites. One fan noted: “Hilda crying over Stan’s glasses when he died has stuck in my mind all these years later.”
Corrie celebrates 65 years on air this December, and so Mirror asked soap fans for their most memorable moments (Image: ITV)
Another viewer shared: “Jack Duckworth’s death where Vera brought back at his last moment,” as another wrote: “My favourite storyline was Brian Tilsley’s death and the Alan Bradley storyline.”
The arrival of the Battersby clan was also a favourite, as was the shocking moment Tracy Barlow murdered her partner Charlie Stubbs. The iconic love triangle between Deirdre Barlow, Ken Barlow and Mike Baldwin also has to be mentioned, while, as already mentioned, the brutal stabbing of Brian Tilsley and Alan Bradley being hit by a tram in tense scenes with Rita are also some of the most memorable moments ever.
Viewers of Coronation Street have spoken, sharing their favourite moments on the ITV soap(Image: ITV)
Corrie has also aired important plots over the years, with many fans sharing how they “related to” storylines. Sian Powers and Sophie Webster’s relationship and the friends coming to terms with their sexuality was praised by fans now just as it was when it aired around 15 years ago. A fan commented: “Sophie and Sian’s relationship was huge for me, that was the first queer relationship I’d seen on screen and was so important for me as a young queer person.”
Another moving post shared with us by a fan said: “The most impactful was the Sophie & Sian storyline. As a teenager looking for something I’d recognise myself in, I came across their story on YouTube. It drew me in immediately. It gave me the courage to come out, which was BIG!”
Similarly, Todd Grimshaw’s own coming out storyline and his kiss with Nick Tilsley “paved the way for many LGBT stories and couples on the cobbles” according to one fan. Similarly, the more recent storyline involving Lisa Swain and Carla Connor, AKA Swarla, has been praised by viewer, with something so recent being deemed a favourite.
Sarah Platt’s controversial teen pregnancy storyline is also remembered(Image: Granada Television)
One fan said: “Has to be Swarla getting together as that was the storyline that made me fall in love with the show.” Another moment etched in viewers’ minds forever no doubt is the classic scene, where Les and Cilla fell through the ceiling in the bathtub, thanks to naughty pooch Schmeichel diving in.
Amid the humour, some emotional scenes also spring to mind. Deaths on the soap including Hayley Cropper, who ended her own life after a terminal cancer diagnosis, and more recently Paul Foreman’s death after a motor neurone disease diagnosis, have stuck with viewers for a long time after they aired.
Sarah Platt’s controversial teen pregnancy storyline is also remembered. One fan shared: “Sarah’s teenage pregnancy. It was the first ‘big issue’ storyline I can clearly remember, as well as the scandal that the show was covering the topic but everyone involved, especially Tina O’Brien, did it so well as it was grounded in character, family and community.”
We asked fans on X to share their favourite moments with us, and they did not disappoint(Image: ITV)
Now it’s time to celebrate the characters, and fans have shared an array of favourites. From icons including Bet Lynch, Audrey Roberts, Ivy Tilsley, Elsie Tanner and Hilda Ogden, to the newer icons including Carla, Becky McDonald and Michelle Connor, there’s so many.
One fan shared: “One character (and actress) that has been life-changing and extremely inspiring to me is the one I call the queen, Carla Connor,” adding she saw so much of herself in Carla, and how the character inspired her to keep going in life. Legends Ken Barlow and Roy Cropper are still on the show and have been for years, while past residents fans remembered including Deirdre, Fred Elliot and one of the most memorable, Blanche Hunt.
One fan shared: “Blanche’s one liners and sarcastic comebacks – the AA meeting.” Another agreed: “The AA meeting was TV gold,” as a third said: “Blanche will always be my favourite because she was so hilarious and obviously Ken & Deirdre were iconic.”
Amid the humour, some emotional scenes also spring to mind(Image: ITV)
David Platt is another current favourite, while Hayley and Roy’s love story was something fans labelled as “beautiful” and a standout moment, calling it “ahead of its time”. Some final mentions “surreal” characters, including Eddie, the Duckworths, Rita, Mavis, the Ogdens, and some newer names including Mary and Brian. Reg and Curly, Alf, Betty, Alec and Norris were also named.
Many viewers shared how watching Corrie has always been a moment of family time for them, even through difficult times. Do you agree, or are there any other moments or characters worth a mention? Do let us know in the comments below – and Happy Birthday Coronation Street!
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .