Coronation Street brought out some of its famous humour in tonight’s episode as it took an hilarious jab at itself – but did you spot what it was?
Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) was causing absolute chaos for poor Ollie Driscoll (Raphael Akuwudike) as she tried to decide on what cake she wanted for her 65th birthday in the coming days.
Though Ollie had promised to make the cake, it soon became more trouble than it was worth as Maggie repeatedly changed her mind about what she wanted.
It was clear that Maggie was determined to go all out for her special day – something that Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) couldn’t get her head around.
After listening to Maggie drive Ollie mad with her requests, Eva admitted to sister Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and barmaid Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) that she didn’t think 65 was an age to make a fuss about.
She argued that she could understand throwing a big party and making a big deal out of milestone birthdays like 60 or 70, but she didn’t think 65 warranted much celebrating.
However, we don’t think that it was Maggie’s birthday Eva was talking about!
Fans will know that next week marks the 65th anniversary of Corrie’s first episode.
In previous years, Corrie has gone all out to celebrate. Who can forget the tram crash for the 50th anniversary?
Not only did a tram crash into the street and claim four lives, but it was all done live!
This year, it seems that Corrie is trying to subtly manage our expectations for their anniversary celebrations with Eva’s comments.
We can hardly blame them for not going all out for their 65th anniversary considering everything that is coming up!
In January, we are set to witness ITV soap history as Coronation Street and Emmerdale cross paths for the first time in the epic Corriedale crossover.
From what we’ve seen so far, we can expect some explosive drama – literally!
And that’s not to say that there won’t be drama next week, as we know that Maggie wants to go all out for her own 65th birthday.
‘It is going to be a very big birthday. She’s 65, which is a nod to the show’s anniversary. The whole birthday thing is kind of a “Happy Birthday to the show” element too,’ actress Pauline McLynn teased.
‘When it comes to events, Maggie, we discover, is like anybody who’s the head of the family, as she sees it. You put on your game face every day, you go out, and you do what you have to; you put on a performance, I think.
‘What we’ll find out during the birthday is we get to know a little bit more of the personal Maggie, whether she likes it or not.’
During Maggie’s birthday celebrations, viewers will be treated to a flashback to the matriarch’s younger days, as we learn about events that made Maggie the woman she is today.
‘They’re always a kind of red letter day, and because it’s a landmark birthday, it’s inevitable that you would think about the past: what got you to where you are, and people that aren’t around anymore, things that have happened. You literally see her prepare for it,’ Pauline said.
‘We’ve seen her put on a show on theme nights in the pub already, like during the cocktail night that was going wrong. But you see her almost exhausted before the big 65th, just going, “Right, it’s showtime,” and she literally says it to herself, puts on the lipstick, and goes out there.
‘As all the merriment is going on around her, she remembers when they were growing up—she has two sons, one lives in America. We finally find out a bit more about her husband.’
