ITV has announced that Coronation Street is set to air a run of darker, post-watershed episodes at the later time of 9pm next week.
The long-running soap – which is set in the fictional Manchester-based suburb of Weatherfield – usually airs its episodes 7.30pm and 8.30pm episodes throughout the year, but during the Half Term week, things are known to turn a little darker.
Typically, the post-watershed episodes coincide with when the hit talent competition show, Britain’s Got Talent, airs its live semi-finals and final – but BGT was cancelled due to execution difficulties amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and so will be replaced by a Masked Singer spin-off, Masked Dancer, which is airing every day apart from Wednesday.
On Wednesday, ITV will air England playing its World Cup Qualifying match against Austria in the same slot.
So, what storylines can Corrie fans expect to get their teeth stuck into next week then?
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According to ITV, the dramatic run of episodes sees a brutal shootout involving Gary Windass, as he manages to uncover the truth behind Sam’s kidnapping.
Jenny is horrified to discover Sharon’s involvement in Sam’s kidnap / Credit: ITV
Jenny is also onto Sharon Bentley – who was involved in organising Sam’s kidnap for her nephew Harvey, played by Will Mellor – but Sharon is aware that Jenny is onto them and realises that she needs to up her game, and so begin to quiz Toyah about Leanne’s latest visit.
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Meanwhile, Natasha ends up confronting Gary as she accuses him of being the one to hire the man with a van who kidnapped Sam, but Jenny is intrigued to find out that it was Sharon who hired it, and when Jenny voices her suspicions to Ronnie, he reveals that he overheard Sharon speaking to Toyah about Leanne.
Things take a turn for the worse when Jenny becomes worried and immediately tells Toyah and Imran that she suspects Sharon was involved in Sam’s kidnap.
Gary tries to hunt down Sharon / Credit: ITV
The events begin to materialise further and come to a head when Gary spots the van used for the kidnap outside the Kabin and forces it open, demanding that Rita phone the police as he goes after Sharon.
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Yet, the driver pulls out a gun and a shot is fired.
You can tune in to find out Gary’s fate next Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9pm on ITV.
Featured Image – ITV
TV & Showbiz
Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? named biggest UK studio album EVER by Official Charts
Danny Jones
You’re damn right: Oasis continue to be MASSIVE as new figures from the Official Charts Company have confirmed that (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? has clocked in as the biggest UK studio album of all time.
The Britpop icons and history go hand in hand.
Yes, according to the latest numbers by our domestic chart-crunchers, only two other albums surpassed Oasis‘ second LP – and they’re both greatest hits collections.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 22 July, just over a whole year on from those reunion world tour shows at Heaton Park. How fitting.
Starting off by channelling Liam Gallagher energy and quipping that “Oasis vibes are in the area”, they go on to explain the colossal cumulative record.
“Oasis claim one of the biggest honours in British music history, they write, “as (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is named the UK’s Official biggest studio album of all time, according to new Official Charts Company data.”
Combining UK sales of the record – both physical and digital over the years – along with modern streaming statistics, the sophomore outing from the Britpop giants has amassed approximately 6.2 million UK chart units. Staggering stuff.
Last year’s Live ’25 shows have no doubt helped give an added boost to their metrics, but it’s still gargantuan stuff from the local band.
Yet another incredible stat not just for the Burnage boys but the Manchester music scene as a whole.
2026 looks to be just as big a comeback, by the looks of things.
In case you were wondering who beat them out in the race for the top spot, they were pipped to the post by Queen’s Greatest Hits and the same again from ABBA, two worthy opponents to take third place after.
You can see the rest of the list in full right HERE.
Oh, and Definitely Maybe also made the list, too, coming in at number 39 – making that two in the top 50 even amongst all the compilations.
It feels like last July all over again, doesn’t it? And if now isn’t the perfect time to stick on the title track, we don’t know what is.
Actually, sod it – we’re sticking the full thing on…
Channel 4 needs adult virgins with ‘intimacy issues’ for next series of hit reality show
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before.
First hitting screens back in 2024 and having run for two successful seasons now, Virgin Island follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
Emily Sergeant -
26th May 2021 
