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Some funny people live in Coronation Street

with some funny habits, so be warned.

JASON MANFORD: With over 10,000 episodes,

there's not much Coronation Street hasn't covered.

Nothing would make me not want to see you again, Hayley.

This might. What?

I'm a transsexual.

But after all these years,

the show continues to shock and surprise us in equal measure.

Oh! Jack! You'll only do that the once, Dad.

I don't want you calling me that no more, you.

Don't you think I don't know what you two were getting up to there.

I think I need another sherry. I think I need one, too.

Whatever next? You'll have every curtain in Weatherfield twitching.

For a street that has only ten houses, four flats,

a pub, a garage, a salon, a factory and two shops,

Corrie doesn't half create a lot of scandal.

You are telling me you've been having it off

with your son's girlfriend?

The reason why Sarah Louise has put on some weight

is because she's pregnant.

You can say stop...

...whenever you want.

I'm sitting pretty. Nobody can touch me,

and it's all down to good old Mr Barlow.

Trust me, you don't want to know. Oh, I do, mate, come on.

I got Tracy Barlow pregnant, who stalked me

then cancelled my wedding behind my back,

I've got a baby daughter nobody knows about

being looked after by the Croppers. Roy thinks he's the dad

and so does his transsexual partner Hayley.

I thought you said you could handle it?

And if impropriety is your cup of tea,

then you're in for a treat as we join the curtain-twitchers

and take a peek into Coronation Street's scandals.

Coronation Street has never shied away from a controversial storyline.

But the definition has certainly changed over the years.

Back in 1968, controversy was Emily Nugent's dalliance

with Hungarian Miklos Zadic.

Slow dancing in the parlour when they were both unmarried...

I was trying to make you feel at home, that's all.

Home at the moment is having pork sausages with you.

You've succeeded, all right?

Whereas in 2020, Geoff Metcalf fed his girlfriend

her favourite pet chicken for dinner.

But I think it's safe to say that would be controversial at any time.

Not too dry? So tender.

I thought she might be a bit dry, being an older bird.

I'd like to raise a toast to...

Charlotte.

SHE SPLUTTERS

And in the year 2000, the show tackled a very sensitive subject

as it told the story of 13-year-old Sarah Louise Platt's pregnancy.

RETCHING

Dear God, no!

TOILET FLUSHES

What's going on? Nothing.

You've been sick, haven't you?

You make yourself sick? No, I didn't.

Sarah, don't lie to me. Will you stop going on at me?!

I might as well for all the good it does.

In 2000, Britain had one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates

in Europe, and the writers focused on how Sarah Lou's pregnancy

affected her family and her own life as a schoolgirl mother.

Is there anything you'd like to tell us?

No.

The reason why Sarah Louise has put on some weight

is because she's pregnant.

No.

I'm sorry, but it's very clear Sarah Louise is pregnant.

She's 13 years old.

She's never had a proper boyfriend.

Tell... Tell her. Tell her there's a mistake.

Sarah Lou, look at me.

Please...

Please tell me it's not true.

THEY SOB

When it was revealed that the father was schoolboy Neil Fearns,

the enormity of Sarah Lou having to raise the baby on her own

really hit home for her family.

Oh, no. What's up?

Oh, I don't believe it. Do you know him?

SHE SCOFFS Him? Martin?

What? That's him!

That's him what? Him.

This just turns everything upside down.

What does? Seeing him. That child.

I pictured him a bit older than that.

Yeah, you thought he was some older boy

who'd taken advantage of our little girl.

So did I.

Well, maybe it wasn't quite like that.

This was the first time a story of teenage pregnancy

had ever been told like this on a soap.

Producers wanted to take the social issue seriously,

showing how it divided opinion

amongst the Coronation Street residents.

At least now we don't have to worry now about what people are gonna say.

In a few weeks, or even days, you have to make such a big decision.

Whether to keep your baby or not.

I don't know.

OK. Listen to me.

Now, you don't have to make a decision tonight,

but you do have to think about it.

But whatever you decide, we'll love you and support you.

Whatever you want.

I don't know what I want. I just want it all to stop.

Hey.

With the support of her family,

Sarah decided to go through with the birth.

You're nearly there. Yes, Sarah. Now, push for me.

That's it, the head's here now, Sarah. Push.

SHE STRAINS

That's it, one last push for me now, Sarah.

That's it, good girl! BABY CRIES

Your baby's here, Sarah. You've done it, Sarah. It's over.

You've got a daughter.

And on the 4th June 2000, baby Bethany Britney Platt was born.

There we are. Oh!

She's beautiful, Sarah.

And she was raised by Sarah as a single mum.

The plot won the Soap Award for best storyline.

And was even praised by the government for taking

a tough social issue and tackling it head on.

My lickle babba.

From a big surprise for Sarah Lou

to a schoolteacher biting off more than he could chew,

as we look at a scandal that ultimately led to John Stape

losing his job, his wife, and eventually his life.

Do you know, I think I laughed more when I was with you

than I have in the rest of my life put together.

That's the thing with us.

We just sort of... got each other didn't we, from the start?

Schoolteacher John was the boyfriend of Fiz Brown.

But in 2007, viewers were shocked when he went behind Fiz's back

and started a scandalous affair,

sleeping with schoolgirl Rosie Webster.

One day, you'll realise how gorgeous you are.

Well, then.

For a short time, John enjoyed the thrill

of the relationship with Rosie.

But he soon began to realise the implications of the affair

and tried to call it off once and for all.

It was sexy earlier, seeing you in action.

All I could think about was being on my own with you.

I've told you, Rosie, it's over.

Then why are you about to kiss me?

I'm not.

Liar.

I'm going straight to hell. I'll see you there.

More willpower, John! It was clear that he was

far from being in control of the situation,

and it was Rosie who was calling the shots.

I want an A.

What? I mean it, John.

There, can you see that's been altered?

A "C" to a "B" is much easier. No, it's fine. I'll see you later.

The affair reached a key stage

when John couldn't do basic gift exchanging,

and Fiz and Rosie ended up with the wrong Christmas presents.

Oh, John. Perhaps they won't notice.

Oh, my God. These are massive.

What the hell have I done?! What are you doing?

I'm going home, now!

I go into my bedroom this morning and I find that under the bed.

Not my size. Not my style. Hidden.

Fiz assumed that Sally, his part-time student,

was the one John was having the affair with.

Boy, were they both in for a big surprise!

Fiz! Fiz!

If John is seeing somebody, Fiz, then I'm sorry,

but it's nobody's business but yours.

He teaches me A-level English, Fiz. We're friends. Nothing more!

Well, if it's not you, then who is it?

No. You?

No, it's not. This is from a friend, it's not from John.

I swear it's not.

Rosie, no-one said it was.

Nutmeg. You said you were buying nutmeg.

Fiz, I'm sorry. John, I didn't tell them.

SCREAMING: Nobody buys nutmeg!

You need to let me explain to you, to all of you,

it was just a mistake.

Kevin! Kevin, don't!

We let you into our home. She's only 16.

You're lucky I don't kill you.

It wasn't my fault.

I kept trying to tell her, but she wouldn't listen to me.

We have kids. It doesn't have to end like this.

Happy Christmas, love.

Nobody buys nutmeg, John. Rookie mistake.

After this, you'd think John would have learnt his lesson.

But in actual fact, it was the beginning of a string of events

that led to his downfall.

Still to come:

The jig is up for Danny and Leanne...

You know if you don't tell him, I will!

Shut up, Carol.

Tell me!

...with affairs aplenty in the Baldwin clan.

What's he...? He's got a key!

Welcome back to Coronation Street Scandals.

I'm pregnant.

I bet Brian's over the moon, in't he?

I'm not sure it's Brian's, Mam.

Well, what else do you want? What I've found.

What's that? Somebody else.

Tragic, in't it?

It's safe to say that M10

is probably the most scandalous postcode in the North of England.

From fraud...

There is no new life in Italy, no job in Tuscany,

and no money left in your bank account.

...to affairs...

Baby Jack's not mine. The baby's not mine, Sal.

...Corrie has it covered.

But if there's one thing that causes the most scandal, it's murder.

And there's been no shortage of those in Weatherfield.

The current homicide count stands at 24 people and one chicken.

And it all started with the off-screen death of Steve Tanner

in 1968, who was pushed down a flight of stairs

by American miscreant Joe Donnelli.

Steve?

Your husband's dead, Mrs Tanner.

And since then, the body count has slowly risen.

Some have been spontaneous...

But part of me was always wondering, was it Rosie?

Stop it. It's not beyond the realms, is it?

I mean, everybody knows he likes a bit of school unif...

...and some premeditated.

PANICKED BREATHING

GUNSHOT

And in 2014,

Weatherfield had a whodunit that involved no less than four suspects.

The "who killed Tina" storyline gets an honourable mention

as it caused scandal on the street,

keeping residents and viewers guessing

as to who pushed Tina...

SHE SCREAMS ...off a balcony.

After it was revealed that Tina McIntyre would be murdered,

the viewers were given four suspects,

each with their own reasons for wanting her dead.

Peter Barlow had been having an affair with Tina

behind fiancee Carla's back,

whereas Tracy Barlow and Rob Donovan's criminal activities

were about to be exposed by her.

But who was behind the murder?

Everyone in the street was pointing the finger.

Your mistress is dead...

...and I know I didn't push her,

so the only other person I can think of that did it...

No. Mm-hmm. Oh, yeah.

But it wasn't until the night of her death

that the real killer was revealed to be Carla's brother Rob Donovan.

You'll die gobby, too. SHE SCREAMS

Peter Barlow was initially arrested and imprisoned for the murder.

You can't do this! You can't do this.

But Rob couldn't cope with the guilt

and ended up confessing to Carla before going on the run.

Eventually, it was his fiancee

Tracy Barlow who turned him into the police.

Robert Donovan, I am arresting you on suspicion of murder.

You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence

if you do not mention when questioned

something which you will later rely on in court.

Anything you do say may be given in evidence.

I didn't have a choice.

So there we have it. A murder, false imprisonment

and two ruined weddings.

Just another week on the cobbles!

Scandals that could set tongues wagging

have been part of Weatherfield's history ever since those first words

spoken by Elsie Lappin in 1960.

You know how it is when you come to a new street,

you don't know anyone or what to look out for.

Oh, Coronation Street's all right.

Mind, there's some you'll have to watch.

And there was one family we watched, but we could scarcely keep up with.

It was, of course, the Baldwins.

What are you supposed to be doing? Er, unloading.

Then look as if you're unloading!

Since Mike first appeared in Weatherfield in 1976,

the Baldwins have caused more stirs

than an alternative James Bond Martini.

CLAMOURING

But as that old line goes,

"the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children".

To the Baldwin clan.

Well, that's never been more relevant

than with Danny and Jamie Baldwin.

Smooth talker Danny first appeared on the cobbles in 2004

to help his uncle Mike run Underworld.

Right-oh, girls. Knickers down, let's chat.

Never one to shy away from the spotlight,

Danny ruffled a fair few feathers on the street.

Oi, he hit me! It was an accident.

Accident? You shoved me! What?

Look, action replay, you shoved me, I bounced off the car,

spring forward, my fist caught your face, total accident!

This is German steel, mate, it's very springy.

But it was his equally springy affair with his son's girlfriend

Leanne Battersby that sent shockwaves through Weatherfield

and tore his family apart.

PHONE RINGS Your son.

Oh, don't answer it, Leanne, please. Hi, babe.

What am I doing?

Not a lot, really.

To be honest, I'm a little bit bored.

But how do you keep an affair with your son's girlfriend secret?

Short answer - you don't!

As Danny soon discovered when his wife Frankie

picked up Leanne's phone. PHONE RINGS

Oh, I can barely watch!

AS LEANNE: Hiya.

DANNY: 'Oh, good of you to answer, Lea. Thanks a lot, babe.

'I mean, here I am on my own, I've got the champagne on ice,

'I'm ready to rock,

'and I take it from the silent treatment you want me to beg?'

'Well, you know me better than that, don't you?

This ain't Leanne.

It's me.

Although Frankie couldn't forgive Danny,

she agreed to keep the affair from Jamie.

That is until Danny's ex-wife and Jamie's mum turned up

and the masquerade came crashing down quicker than you could say,

"Well, that's not how your father did it."

What's this? I'm trying to run a business here.

You still here, Carol? I'm impressed,

that's quite a hotline you two have got.

Carol! Did you never suspect?

The in-jokes, the excuses.

Why didn't you learn?

You saw what happened to me.

Mum...

Ask your father.

I ain't playing games with you, Carol.

Pack it in! What's going on?

Nothing, nothing. It's all in the past, son.

You don't need to know. Dad.

CAROL: You know, if you don't tell him, I will.

Shut up, Carol! Tell me what?

You just get out, get out!

Tell him!

Tell me!

It was Leanne.

The person I've been seeing's Leanne.

But more was to come, if you can believe it,

as Frankie and Jamie then set out on their own affair.

Yeah, you heard that right. Frankie began an affair with her step-son.

Blimey!

I love you, Frankie. And it's killing me.

Don't, Jamie.

I think it's killing you, too.

The affair really turned the tide of public sympathy against Frankie,

who, in many people's eyes, went from victim to villain.

Especially after Danny caught her and Jamie in bed together. Blimey!

Hope you ain't having a kip, babe,

cos I've got something to cheer you...

Dad!

What was that?

Danny, I'm sorry. This is the last thing I wanted to happen.

We were gonna tell you.

Well, go on, then.

Go on, tell us!

We love each other. No!

You don't tell me that.

You ever tell me that, boy, and I swear...

...I'll kill you.

Needless to say, the story did not have a happy ending for Jamie.

We can't let him win. It's not right.

CAR HORN BLARES

Right...

Go on, then. Go.

If you're going, go.

What are you waiting for?

Every street in Britain has its fair share of scandal.

But after six decades on our screens,

it's beyond doubt that Coronation Street has seen more than most.

And, thankfully, there's sure to be plenty more to come.

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