[Scarlett.]

Here is the article from the other thread

National Television Award bosses have defended Coronation Street's win at Wednesday night's ceremony, denying accusations of 'bias' and insisting that the soap had a "significant gain over the other contenders" throughout voting.

The awards, held at London's O2 arena, saw the commercial broadcaster's flagship soap triumph in the 'Most Popular Serial Drama' category following a public phone vote that remained open throughout the two-and-a-half hour show.

BBC sources today expressed their displeasure at the producers' decision to include a speech by Weatherfield veteran William Roache to mark the show's 50th anniversary, prior to a three-minute promo reel showcasing its upcoming storylines. The BBC allegedly felt that both the speech and clip package influenced votes.

EastEnders, meanwhile, was afforded a 'Who Killed Archie?' camera pan across the actors who play the potential murder suspects, as well as praise from award host Dermot O'Leary over the soap's current form. Walford icon Barbara Windsor subsequently presented the 'Newcomer' trophy to Corrie's Craig Gazey. Lacey Turner also collected the 'Serial Drama Performance' going for her portrayal of Stacey Slater.

However, Digital Spy this afternoon learned that Coronation Street remained at the head of the phone vote from the start of the show, through the promo reel and until the end of the show when X Factor winner Joe McElderry announced the result.

Speaking on behalf of the National Television Awards, a spokesperson for independent adjudicators PromoVeritas told DS: "With regards to the specifics of the live phone vote, Coronation Street had a significant gain over the other contenders from the start of the voting period until the end and for every monitored period within."

They added: "We do not believe that any editorial content would have had a material impact on the live phone voting or on the final result."

However, when asked to release the percentage shares, ITV upheld its policy not to release any voting figures due to their "commercially sensitive" nature.

Sources at the show also maintained that they treated the soaps "fairly" and "impartially" throughout. They explained that each year, one public vote category remains open throughout the programme and this year was the turn of the soaps.

Meanwhile, an Ofcom spokesperson confirmed: "Ofcom has received complaints about the National TV Awards but we are not currently investigating the show."

Following the programme, hundreds of Digital Spy forum users voiced their concern, with 'Lummo' commenting that it was "blatantly unfair because of the huge preview they had of Corrie while phone lines were still open". A number of other readers noted that Emmerdale and Hollyoaks received no special treatment at all.

However, user 'norbitonite' said: "I would be very surprised if a significant proportion of voters decided to vote at the last minute because of a compilation that was run during the awards."

Digital Spy

[flemin]

Thanks for that Chewy. I don't know why it's so unplausable that Corrie would lead the voting anyway, it's not as if they haven't won it beofore.

[Scarlett.]

CORONATION Street has cast its first full-time disabled character - months after rival soap EastEnders did the same thing.

Wheelchair user Cherylee Houston, 35, starts filming next month following David Proud's arrival in Walford as Adam Best in September.

Street fans have seen disabled actors briefly appear in the soap before.

Ryan Connor's mate Phil was played by wheelchair user Richard Sargent and Emily's niece Freda was played by deaf actress Ali Briggs.

Cherylee, who suffers a degenerative tissue disorder, will star as new girl Izzy, a love interest for loafer Kirk Sutherland.

The pair meet through an internet dating service but bosses hinted it won't be love at first sight.

The actress has previously appeared in Holby City, The Bill, Little Britain and Emmerdale.

She told TV Biz: "I grew up with Coronation Street and can't wait to start on the show."

A Corrie spokesman added: "Izzy is a real firebrand who wastes no time in taking on some of the Street's feistiest females.

"However, the people she slams so savagely are usually the ones who end up liking and respecting her the most."

The Sun

Glad it doesnt sound like the main focus will be the chair (PS, I know the first full time disabled character is actually Freda, but I couldnt fit wheelchair user into the title)

[BigSister]

aww for kirk

[flemin]

Thanks for the info.

[sooty]

Originally Posted by Chewy

[center]The pair meet through an internet dating

Jack and Vera was involved with video dating agency as well.
Jack, slim then, wore a white John Travolta type of suit for the video.


Oh I hope we like Izzy.

[Scarlett.]

haha I've seen clips of that! xD

and me too

[Smithy]

Beverley Callard has revealed things will liven up when Tracy Barlow returns to Coronation Street.

The troubled single mum, played by Kate Ford, will be back for good this spring, and Beverley Callard - who portrays sparring rival Liz McDonald - reckons sparks will fly between the two when Tracy returns to the ITV1 soap.

Asked if there might be a catfight or two she said: "Yes, I'm not telling you any more than that - but it's not boring, that's for sure."

"It's never smooth though, is it, with the women of Coronation Street?"

Bev revealed she's thrilled about Kate's comeback.

"I can't wait. We've worked a lot together and we're very good friends in real life," she said.

"I think you'll see the McDonald women and the Barlow women have lots of fun together as we normally do."

[sooty]

Vicky and Tracy,,,.

I can not wait

[Scarlett.]

Cant wait for Tracy to return

[MrGaryy]

first? wasnt Maura Grimes [i think that was her name] in a wheelchair?

[Scarlett.]

Actually..yeah she was, now you mention it

It said in the news articles she was the first :s

[Mrluvaluva]

I hope Izzy has a bit of a comedy role.

[Scarlett.]

I bet she will 'specially being paired with Kirk

[Mrluvaluva]

I was glad Graham won the best newcomer award. They should get him a girlfriend actually. He should have more airtime.

[sooty]

Smithy

Happy 17th Birthday.

[BigSister]

Graham is going to get a relationship this year baz and its someone whos already on the show not a new character

[Chantel]

Originally Posted by BigSister

Graham is going to get a relationship this year baz and its someone whos already on the show not a new character

Wonder if it'll be Rosie

[Scarlett.]

I hope so

[sooty]

Oh Rosie will break his heart. I can not bear it.
I hope it is not her.

Any nice girl in a factory? No I do not think anybody in there.

Then nice girl could be boring,,

[Beastie]

Graham and Sophie <3

[BigSister]

Chewy Molly is going to fall pregnant *pulls face* because Kevin was on the alan titchmarsh show and he said . I know we said something a few months ago but didnt know if it was true or not. I really really hope its Tys though

[sooty]

Oh things are going to be complicated, then.

[BigSister]

im afraid so

[sooty]

It is not Thursday yet?