PERHAPS we didn’t really appreciate Coronation Street creator and writer Tony Warren fully during his lifetime.
He was 24 when he wrote the gritty Northern series in 1960. Until then, no-one had really looked at ordinary life like this and the programme certainly had its early detractors. It swiftly grew, though, from an initial seven episodes to become part of the nation’s culture.
His death at 79 has been widely covered and gave us a chance to re-evaluate his influence. As well as creating Corrie, Tony also wrote successful books and was a consummate storyteller.
He was born in Swinton and lived there all his life. In fact, I interviewed him several times at his house overlooking the park.
A big man physically and very warm-hearted, he obviously admired women although was openly gay. Pat Phoenix, Elsie Tanner in the soap, always felt it was indecent how much Tony understood women. But his empathy for the Northerners around him shone through in all his writing and is a remarkable legacy.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here