Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow on the long-running soap opera, revealed in a documentary that the show was originally called 'Florizel Street'. The name was changed due to its unappealing sound and similarity to cleaning products.
Coronation Street was almost called something completely different - and it will blow your mind. The beloved ITV soap, created by Tony Warren, has been a staple on screens for over six decades - making its debut back in 1960. Since then, it has kept the nation gripped, thanks to its hard-hitting storylines and iconic characters. Over the years, Coronation Street has introduced 100s of stars to audiences and aired several groundbreaking and compelling plots.
From affairs to murder, it’s rarely a quiet time in Weatherfield. However, it turns out the soap nearly had an entirely different name, according to cobbles legend Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow. Bill has been on the soap for more than 60 years and even holds a Guinness World Record for the longest-running TV soap star. In a 2022 ITV documentary, Happy Birthday Bill, the actor revealed that Coronation Street was called something completely different at the start. Speaking about the original name of the soap he said: “It was called Florizel Street when we started rehearsing and everything. I remember coming in the room and saying Flor-aI-zel and a groan went up.” Bill went on: “Apparently a lot of people had been not liking it and one of the cleaners had said it sounded like a sanitary detergent. “So, the producer came in and said right, ‘I don’t care what name you’ve got, so long as it’s Coronation Street’,” he added. The actor then recalled: “My agent persuaded me to come up and do the pilot. He said, ‘You’re not working, you’ve got nothing on, you might as well do it.’ And this is the contract. Wow, £21.” It is not known who disapproved of the name Florizel Street enough for it to be changed, but it is believed that Granada's tea lady, Agnes, took a strong dislike to it and said it sounded like disinfectant or Izal, a then-popular toilet paper brand. Elsewhere in the documentary, Bill insisted he has no plans to retir
CORONATION STREET SOAP OPERA BILL ROACHE FLORIZEL STREET TELEVISION HISTORY
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Helen Worth: Coronation Street Legend Eyes New Soap Opera ChallengeAfter 50 years on Coronation Street, Helen Worth is reportedly looking for her next role in another soap opera.
Read more »
Coronation Street's Helen Worth Rumored to Join Another Soap OperaAfter 50 years on Coronation Street, Helen Worth, known for her iconic role as Gail Platt, is reportedly seeking new challenges in another soap opera. Fans speculate about her potential move to a competing series.
Read more »
Coronation Street and More Soap Opera News HeadlinesThis article covers a variety of news related to Coronation Street and other British soap operas, including cast updates, health concerns, and resurfaced controversies.
Read more »
Corrie's Jenny star 'makes ITV dig' saying 'I hate it' in bizarre rantSally Ann Matthews plays Jenny Bradley on Coronation Street
Read more »
Kym Marsh addresses ITV Coronation Street in career updateThe mum left the soap in order to pursue new opportunities
Read more »
Major Coronation Street couple to get engaged on Christmas DayCoronation Street Christmas spoilers reveal that one much-loved Weatherfield couple are to be engaged this festive season.
Read more »