It’s 1960, I am sitting with my mum Hilda. We were living above our corner Chandler’s shop in West Kirby at the time. The papers were talking about a new TV programme, so we both settled down, turned off the wireless, and switched on our black and white 14” television set to watch a pioneering piece of British television, Coronation Street.

Bursting onto our screen, it portrayed the everyday life of working class people in the fictional Weatherfield. It had a classic cobblestone street, a grey dreary atmosphere, and it captured the grit, and charm, of the time.

In fact, mirroring everything going on in my mum’s shop, and out in the surrounding streets. It resonated with viewers because it brought a sense of authenticity and relatability.

Their depiction of everyday life, with real working class characters dealing with issues that made it feel like a slice of life for many viewers. It was well received by audiences, growing gradually, and over the years many people became attached to the characters and storylines.

Fast forward to 2025 and I am still hooked. Through my work, I now know many of the actors, and still pinch myself every time we talk.

This phenomena is now global. The other week I attended the red carpet press launch for a piece of TV history – Corriedale.

That’s right – a one-off crossover with Emmerdale. Emmerdale started in 1972 and was originally called Emmerdale Farm.

Over time, most of the animals left, and the Yorkshire Dales became modern, and dramatic and brought many contemporary storylines with compelling plots to the village.

I was standing at the red carpet event in Bradford with most of the cast from both soaps, for the preview of the episode, to be aired ITV on January 5 at 9pm.

Thereafter, we have the new schedules, the soap power hour, Emmerdale at 8pm, Coronation Street at 8.30pm, five nights a week.

British press influencers, magazines, and radio stations were all there in force for the event, and after meeting the cast on the red carpet, we sat down for the screening, which blew me away.

It could stand alone as a movie. There was a wedding, lots of fire, car crashes and some storylines coming to a head.

The packed audience gasped, applauded, but there was not many laughs. This powerful piece of TV was six months in the making.

In my photographs I am with some of the cast from both soaps, but will they be in the episode? You will have to watch on January 5 to find out.

Love or hate soap operas, this episode is a one-off piece of history.