Author(s): Tim Randall

Film, TV & Theatre

From the moment The Rovers Return opened its doors to television viewers more than fifty years ago, the iconic public house has witnessed everything from births, deaths, brawls and break-ups, to weddings, wakes and even its own ghost, all under the watchful eye of legendary landladies such as Annie Walker, Bet Gilroy and Liz McDonald. From its early days with the Walkers at the helm and Stan Ogden propping up the bar, to 2013's devastating fire and the subsequent renovations and revelations, this is the story of the many dramas that have played out both in the bar and the back-room through the decades. Central to so many of these dramas have been the pub's barmaids, pot-men and even its cleaners. Queen of them all was Betty Williams, Newton & Ridley's longest serving barmaid who, along with the hotpot that bore her name, was a mainstay of the Rovers for over forty years. The Rovers Return is the hub of Coronation Street and this picture-filled volume is sure to remind fans of many memorable moments. A phoenix rising from the flames - what better time to celebrate more than five decades of tears and laughter inside our favourite backstreet boozer...