On a show like ‘Coronation Street’, with a history spanning across six decades, it’s inevitable that there will be occasional crossed wires and errors in continuity - whether it’s a character forgetting a rather crucial or formative part of their history, or bosses failing to notice a glaring mistake in production, like an errant prop or hairstyle that subtly modifies itself with every change of camera angle.
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The soap launched in 1960, and back then things like continuity weren’t too much of a worry. However, over time, characters’ histories have become more full on screen, and thanks to the invention of on-demand telly and the Internet, it’s becoming more and more difficult to bury a continuity error.
In fact, soap viewers over time are becoming increasingly more eagle-eyed, such as those who spotted a continuity mistake with Kevin Webster recently, when he seemed to have completely forgotten about the death of one of his children.
That isn’t the only mistake to have struck a chord with ‘Corrie’, though, here are eight of the continuity errors that fans have spotted over time...
'Coronation Street' Continuity Errors (LISTICLE)
Tim Metcalfe Can't Read?(01 of06)
When Tim Metcalfe, the biological father of Faye Windass, came on the scene, his new partner, Sally Webster, was shocked to learn later down the line that he couldn’t read. Not as shocked ss some viewers, though, who remembered that Tim first got in contact with Faye over the Internet and via text message, two tools which reading is pretty much fundamental for.This wasn’t the first time Tim stuck out to viewers for the wrong reasons, though, as some fans of the soap noticed that actor Joe Duttine, who plays Tim, had appeared on ‘Corrie’ just three years earlier, as detective Max Carr. (credit:ITV)
Todd Grimshaw's Black Eye(02 of06)
It’s been very difficult to feel anything other than disdain towards Todd Grimshaw ever since he arrived back on the cobbles, but he managed to illicit a bit of sympathy from viewers last November, when his character was attacked by a group of youths in the street.However, the scenes of his attack prompted a negative reaction from some observant ‘Corrie’ fans, who noticed that producers couldn’t seem to make their minds up whether it was Todd’s left or right eye that had been damaged in the fracas. (credit:Rex)
Mike Baldwin's Secret Nephew(03 of06)
When ‘Corrie’ icon Mike Baldwin first arrived in the soap, it was established that he was an only child, so you can imagine viewers’ surprise when suddenly his nephew, Danny Baldwin, came on the scene.Still, it did give us more Bradley Walsh on our screens, which is never a bad thing. (credit:ITV)
Bethany Platt's Accent(04 of06)
Bethany Platt’s return to Weatherfield was much anticipated, not least because of the controversy surrounding her casting, which saw one actress sacked for lying about her age to gain the role.But the question on a lot of viewers’ lips was, if she’d spent practically her entire childhood in Milan, why did she speak with a broad Manchester accent? (credit:ITV)
Ivy Tilsley's Forgotten Husband(05 of06)
Continuity errors aren’t a new phenomenon on the cobbles, though, and back in the 1970s, the show’s ever-growing audience were shocked when Ivy Tilsley’s first husband, Jack, was completely erased from history.In 1979, Ivy’s husband Bert Tilsley was introduced, who viewers were told she’d been married to for over 20 years… yet in 1972, she’d been seen on screen talking about her husband, Jack, who had been unfaithful to her. (credit:ITV/Rex)
The Rovers Return Loos(06 of06)
Arguably the biggest continuity error of all the soaps is the toilets in the Rovers Return. There’s a reason they’re seldom-used or seen on screen, and that’s because, based on the geography of the street, the positioning of the toilet doors would lead directly into Ken Barlow’s kitchen.And that's why Ken prefers it when people try and hold it in... (credit:McPix Ltd/REX)
Stars Who've Switched Soaps
Denise Welch(01 of28)
Denise played Natalie Horrocks in 'Corrie' for 3 years and after brief flirtations with other shows, she returned to the world of soaps with a role in 'Waterloo Road'. (credit:WENN)
Jamie Lomas(02 of28)
Serial switcher Jamie Lomas starred in 'Coronation Street' and 'Hollyoaks', before taking his latest role as Jake Stone in 'EastEnders'. (credit:PA)
Claire King(03 of28)
After ten years as Dale Farm's resident bad girl Kim Tate, Claire left 'Emmerdale' and from 2005, starred as Claire in 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:Ben Stansall via Getty Images)
Ross Kemp(04 of28)
Yes, we all know Ross Kemp as EastEnders' hardman Grant Mitchell, but did you know he also in an episode of 'Emmerdale' in 1986? (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Michelle Collins(05 of28)
Michelle spent the best part of 10 years as 'EastEnders' character Cindy Beale. She later switched sides, moving to ITV's 'Coronation Street' to play barmaid Stella Price. (credit:Getty Images)
Angela Griffin (06 of28)
Angela Griffin is well-known for playing Corrie's Fiona Middleton in the '90s, but before that she made a brief appearance in 'Emmerdale', starring in two episodes. (credit:WENN)
Daniella Westbrook(07 of28)
Daniella Westbrook found fame as Walford's Sam Mitchell and in 2013, she signed up for a stint on 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:Getty Images)
Ben Hull(08 of28)
'Hollyoaks' actor Ben Hull has also appeared in one episode of 'Corrie' and four episodes of the now-defunct 'Brookside'. (credit:Myung Jung Kim/PA Archive)
Gillian Taylforth(09 of28)
Gillian Taylforth spent 15 years as Kathy Beale in 'EastEnders', though 'Hollyoaks' fans will recognise her as Sandy Roscoe. (credit:Getty Images)
Chris Bisson(10 of28)
Chris Bisson has been starring in 'Emmerdale' since 2009 but until 2002, he was known as Vikram Desai in 'Corrie'. (credit:Shirlaine Forrest via Getty Images)
Sherrie Hewson(11 of28)
Sherrie Hewson was Corrie's Maureen Naylor until 1997, when she left to star in the 2001 revival of daytime soap 'Crossroads'. (credit:WENN)
Anthony Quinlan (12 of28)
Anthony Quinlan was Hollyoaks' Gilly Roach for 6 years before leaving and, two years later, joining 'Emmerdale'. (credit:PA)
Sue Nicholls(13 of28)
Sue Nicholls spent four years in 'Crossroad' before joining 'Coronation Street' in 1979. (credit:Doug Peters)
Nicola Stapleton(14 of28)
Nicola Stapleton has appeared in 'Doctors', 'Emmerdale' and 'EastEnders' - we can only assume a role in 'Corrie' is up next... (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Johnny Briggs (15 of28)
Johnny Briggs starred as Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin from 1976 to 2006, before leaving for pastures new.He then appeared in the short-lived ITV soap 'Echo Beach'. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Gaynor Faye(16 of28)
Gaynor Faye, who is currently starring in 'Emmerdale' as Megan Macey, played Corrie's Judy Mallett for 4 years in the '90s. (credit:WENN)
David Neilson(17 of28)
David Neilson is the instantly recognisable actor who plays Roy Cropper in 'Coronation Street' but soap superfans will know that he also made one brief appearance 'EastEnders'. (credit:Anna Gowthorpe/PA Archive)
Nikki Sanderson(18 of28)
Nikki Sanderson found fame as a teen in 'Corrie', and she can currently be seen playing Maxine Minniver in 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:WENN)
James Sutton(19 of28)
James Sutton recently returned as the only McQueen brother on 'Hollyoaks', but during his time away from the Channel 4 soap he spent two years in 'Emmerdale'. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Denise Black(20 of28)
Denise Black was best-known as Corrie's Denise Osbourne until 2007. After a stint treading the boards, she returned to Soapworld with a role in 'Emmerdale'. (credit:ITV)
Chris Fountain(21 of28)
Chris Fountain had been starring on the small screen for just 3 years when he landed a role in 'Hollyoaks'. Years later he turned up in 'Corrie' as Tommy Duckworth. before leaving in 2013. (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
Zoe Lucker (22 of28)
Zoe Lucker many be best-known for her roles in 'Footballer's Wives', 'Bad Girls' and 'EastEnders', but she also made a brief appearance in the daytime soap 'Doctors' in 2000. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Dan O'Connor (23 of28)
Aussie star Dan O'Connor was a 'Neighbours' staple before jetting over to Blighty, where he starred as Ally Connor in 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Gemma Bissix(24 of28)
Gemma Bissix won plenty of awards as Hollyoaks' Claire, before channel-hopping across to 'EastEnders' to play a character with the same first name. (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
Sheree Murphy(25 of28)
Sheree Murphy received a lot of love in 'Emmerdale' and she's since jetted off to Australia, where she now appears in 'Neighbours'. She also played Eva Price in 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:AP/Invision)
Meg Johnson (26 of28)
Meg Johnson is a fan favourite as Pearl in 'Emmerdale', but she's more famous for playing Eunice Gee in 'Corrie' until 1999. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Gary Lucy (27 of28)
Gary Lucy went from from 'Hollyoaks' to 'EastEnders', via 'The Bill' and 'Footballer's Wives'. (credit:PA)
Emily Symons(28 of28)
Aussie actress Emily Symons became famous in 'Home and Away', before swapping Ramsey Street for 'Emmerdale'. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)