Coronation Street fans gather in Halifax to see British soap opera stars

Hundreds of Coronation Street fans gathered at a Halifax high school Friday as two stars of the show made an appearance.

Friends and new acquaintances attending the event enthusiastically chatted about their beloved British soap opera. 

Dawn Sloane, a former municipal councillor, has been a fan of the soap opera for 40 years.

"You feel at home," Sloane said. "I was just outside and this lady … walked by. The next thing you know, we're talking about the people on the show, what's coming up on the show, who did what. Is Lauren actually dead? There's a lot in common." 

Halifax marked the final stop of an eastern Canadian tour. Mollie Gallagher and Lisa George, who play characters Nina and Beth on the soap, have spent the past week meeting fans of a program that started in 1960, and that first appeared on Canadian TV screens in 1981. 

The tour is facilitated by Stroll Promotions, which is headed by Andrew Stuckless, a longtime fan of the show. There have been many tours over the years that have brought stars of the show to stages in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Ontario. 

Stuckless says there is something distinctive about the soap opera that particularly resonates with Nova Scotians. 

"You need strong … women and it resonates, whether it's a conscious thing or not.… That's why people like it and it's been on since the '60s," said Stuckless. 

'Gab session'

Neville MacKay, who owns My Mother's Bloomers, has MCed several of these events and turned Friday night's stage into a "gab session" among friends and fans. 

"Coronation Street is based on a bunch of strong northern British women and they talk about it just as a common northern town, which it isn't … it's got the highest amount of deaths and murders," said MacKay. "Everybody's doing something they shouldn't do on the show, which makes it kind of fun and interesting." 

Fans attending the event were delighted to hear about what happens behind the scenes. Laughter ensued from the stars, MacKay and the audience amid stories about wardrobe choices, the old and new sets and mention of other characters. 

Gallagher and George said they are appreciative of Nova Scotia's passion for the show.

"Oh, the most loyal fans, honestly, we all really appreciate it. Honestly, you're all amazing," Gallagher exclaimed while fans lined up to meet them. 

"If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here," said George, talking about the loyal Halifax fan base. 

Sloane said these events bring happiness, something that is needed now more than ever.

"It's so fascinating that they can come over here at least once or twice a year and give us a little bit of joy, and I think we need more of it," she said.