Coronation Street has revealed the lineup of cast members you’ll be able to meet if you go on one its famous ‘Stars Tours’ this summer.
Unfamiliar with what ITV‘s ‘Stars Tours’ are all about?
Well, they’re basically everything you know and love about the original Coronation Street set tours, but only this time with a more famous flare, as the unique concept sees mystery cast members from the iconic show join selected afternoon visits every weekend.
The famous Corrie faces add an extra layer of star quality to the already-popular guided tours of the UK’s most recognisable TV set.
Thousands of visitors to Greater Manchester have already been on ‘Star Tours’ this year, and Corrie royalty like Maureen Lipman, Colson Smith, Andy Whyment, and Samia Longchambon have joined in on the fun, and have posed for photos, signed autographs, and even spent time chatting to loyal fans.
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Coronation Street has revealed its lineup of famous faces you could meet on ‘Stars Tours’ this summer / Credit: Coronation Street Experience
While it’s not to say that those famous faces won’t be reappearing on an upcoming tour over the next couple of weeks, so keep your fingers crossed if you’re a big Kirk or Maria fan, but the Coronation Street Experience has now revealed that absolute Corrie legend Sue Cleaver will definitely be among the mystery guests to appear this summer.
Fans will get to take a guided 90-minute journey around iconic Coronation Street locations on these exciting star-studded tours.
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The Rovers Return, The Kabin, and Roy’s Rolls are just some of the locations you’ll get to see the outside of with your own eyes, while you can actually go inside interior sets like Prima Doner too, and even walk along the entire length of Coronation Street, as well as adjacent streets that are featured in the show.
Fans get to meet legends as they take a guided 90-minute journey around iconic Coronation Street locations / Credit: Continuum Attractions (via ITV)
“We know our guests want to get as close to the show as possible, and our Star Tours are the ultimate way to do just that,” explained Kristian Johnson, who is the General Manager of the Coronation Street Experience.
“Coronation Street has incredibly loyal fans, and we are so fortunate that the stars of the show want to repay their loyalty.
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“They love spending time with our guests to fulfil their bucket list wishes and give them a day to remember. Seeing their excitement when they come face-to-face with their favourite cast members like Sue, Maureen, or Colson is undoubtedly one of the best parts of my job.”
Find out more about the Coronation Street Experience, and book your place on one of the popular ‘Stars Tours’ here.
Featured Image – Continuum Attractions (via ITV)
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The ENTIRE Manchester Village Pride lineup cost £20k less to book than ONE headliner last year
Daisy Jackson
Bosses behind Manchester Village Pride have revealed that the entire lineup has cost significantly less than the amount spent on just one headliner last year.
In a statement promising transparency, organisers said that the entire weekend of artists has cost less than one single headliner from 2025.
And by some margin – £20,000.
The announcement comes less than a year after the previous Manchester Pride organisation entered voluntary liquidation amid rising costs, declining ticket sales and an ‘ambitious refresh’ of the festival format.
That refresh included moving the main music portion of the annual LGBTQ+ celebration away from the Gay Village itself, and over to Depot Mayfield.
The collapse of Manchester Pride followed reports that performers from the 2025 event were still waiting to be paid, with entertainment union Equity later saying its members were more than £70,000 out of pocket.
Manchester Village Pride was subsequently established as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, with organisers promising a more community-focused approach and greater transparency around finances.
The 2026 event is being delivered with unpaid directors, while organisers have also signed an Equity agreement guaranteeing fair pay and professional standards for performers – the first UK union agreement of its kind for a Pride event.
Performing at Manchester Village Pride this year are major artists like Nadine Coyle, Danny Beard, Gareth Gates, Kate Nash, Cascada, and Rowetta.
They’re joined by a lineup of fantastic home-grown talent, including artists, DJs, and drag queens, taking our city’s Pride celebrations back to their roots, and keeping things firmly in the Gay Village.
In their statement, Manchester Village Pride said: “Transparency time! Booking this entire weekend of fabulous artists cost us £20k UNDER what was spent on a single headliner last year. This is what community Pride looks like!”
Manchester Village Pride will once again take place over the August bank holiday weekend, with the party running for four days from Friday to Monday.
The celebrations will culminate in the moving candlelit vigil in Sackville Gardens.
Ticket prices this year, even with just over a week to go, are only £40 for the full three-day festival, or £25 for one day. Monday will be free to attend.
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and tickets are already on sale… genuinely.
Sure, it’s literally the middle of August, and we’ve still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of a bank holiday weekend, Halloween, and Bonfire Night to get through first, but East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is already looking ahead to the most magical time of year.
The iconic heritage railway has announced that its hugely-popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam trains are back once again from late November.
The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West.
Santa Specials are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make ‘enchanted memories’ that last a lifetime.
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)
The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station, and first get to meet some old favourites and new characters – including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess – all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears.
The festive fun then continues on the Santa Special steam trains themselves – with an 80-minute ‘enchanting voyage’ through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
And, of course, you can expect a special visit from Santa while you’re on board.
After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipples, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.
Emily Sergeant -
16th July 2024 
