Coronation Street cast were told just 30 minutes before queen arrived in bid to keep visit top secret

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THE cast of Coronation Street were told the Queen was set to visit just 30 minutes before she arrived today.

The gobsmacked stars had been warned to dress smartly but had no idea it was for a royal visit – until the very last minute as bosses tried to keep the trip as top secret as possible.

The cast found out the Queen was visiting just 30 minutes before she arrived

A source told HOAR: “The cast knew something was going on because they had been told to be on set today and there would be no filming, but they could never have guessed why.

“Luckily they had been asked to dress nicely so they all looked spot on for the surprise visit.

“There was a real buzz when they were finally told and they couldn’t quite believe it!

The Queen was on the set of Coronation Street for 40 minutes

“Bosses didn’t want everyone to find out so thought it was best to keep it on the down low until they really had to.”

Earlier today the Monarch dropped by the set of the world’s longest-running soap, which is celebrating more than 60 years on our screen- for a 40 minute visit.

Her Majesty, 95, met crew and cast before being escorted by Dame Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV, into the Rovers Return, at Media City in Manchester.

Her Majesty dropped by at the soap’s pub as she visited cast and crew

Stars from the long-running soap, including William Roache, 89, who plays Ken Barlow – and Barbara Knox, 87, who plays Rita Tanner, lined up to greet the monarch.

Sue Nicholls, 77, who played Audrey Roberts, and Helen Worth, 70 – better known as Gail Platt – were also on hand to welcome The Queen.

William told the Queen he had first seen her when she visited Jamaica in 1963, when he was serving as an officer with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

The Queen arrived to red-carpet reception at the set of the long-running soap opera today

He added: “Thank you so much for coming today.”

Barbara told the Queen when she first arrived: “Good morning, your majesty, you have brought the sunshine.

“You know you are like a ray of sunshine.

Her Majesty was greeted by cast and crew at the Salford set today

“And you’ve given us all such a lift (with) you coming, thank you very very much indeed.

“We all absolutely adore you, the world adores you.”

The Queen, who asked how they had managed to keep filming during the pandemic, replied: “It’s really marvellous you’ve been able to carry on”.

The Queen was all smiles as she visited the Coronation Street set today

William replied to laughter: “Well, ma’am, you’re the one who has carried on.”

The Queen was seen inside the studio where the interior of the Rovers Return is filmed as she met members of the production team.

HOAR has contacted Corrie for comment.

 

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