August 15th 2024.
Next week marks the start of the highly anticipated celebrations in Manchester. However, fans of the beloved soap opera, Coronation Street, may be disappointed to hear that the show will not be participating in this year's Manchester Pride Parade. According to reports, this decision was made due to cost-cutting measures at ITV, the network that airs the show.
This will be the first time in the past ten years that Coronation Street will not be making an appearance at the annual festivities. The show, which was created by gay screenwriter Tony Warren, has become a British and Mancunian institution. Over the years, it has featured a diverse and impactful representation of LGBTQ+ actors and characters on its famous cobbled streets.
It has become a tradition for both the stars of the show and the behind-the-scenes crew to join in on the Saturday parade. The parade, which stretches from Deansgate to Fairfield Street, is a vibrant display of floats and marchers and culminates in Manchester's gay village. Last year, viewers even saw the show incorporate the parade into its storyline, as Paul Foreman brought three drag queens back to the Rovers to continue the party.
The Manchester Pride Parade is just one event in a weekend-long celebration, which officially began in 1985 after receiving council funding. In previous years, Coronation Street has made its mark with its own colorful float, often with a specific theme. From a circus-inspired float to one based on traditional fairytales, the show's contributions have always been a highlight of the parade.
However, in recent years, the show's involvement has been scaled back. In 2022, an ITV Pride-branded bus drove through the streets, and in 2023, a walking entry followed a Newton and Ridley van. This year, the decision has reportedly been made due to cost-cutting measures across the network.
In 2010, the show's float celebrated its 50th anniversary with drag queens dressing up as iconic characters. At the time, ITV stated that they wanted to be environmentally conscious and reduce emissions. However, this reasoning was questioned when the reality show The Real Housewives of Cheshire featured a float in an episode.
According to a source from the Manchester Evening News, this decision is a result of ITV's cost controls on expenses, entertainment, and paid attendance at events. However, some cast members, such as Barbara Knox and Sue Devaney, who play Rita Tanner and Debbie Webster, will still be participating in a personal capacity. They will be appearing on stage during Your Manchester Live on Sunday, August 25th.
On Friday, August 23rd, fans can also catch Gemma Winter-Brown actress Dolly-Rose Campbell on stage at Bar Pop. A spokesperson for ITV confirmed that the network will still have a presence at Manchester Pride, but there will not be a formal entry this year. The network remains committed to celebrating and supporting its LGBTQ+ colleagues and viewers, as seen through their on-air campaign starring Alan Carr, titled "This Living Room is a Proud One."
While Manchester Pride declined to comment on the matter, The Agency reached out to ITV for further clarification. If you have any soap or TV stories, videos, or pictures, you can share them by emailing us. Join the community by leaving a comment below, and don't forget to stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
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