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Soaps

Coronation Street: Sally and Kevin spin-off scrapped by soap bosses

ITV bosses decided on a different soap instead

Coronation Street fans have been robbed of a truly great soap spin-off.

Telly bosses had plans to use Sally and Kevin Webster to launch an early-evening soap spin-off down south – but chickened out at the last minute.

Sally and Kevin were one of the soap’s most popular couples in the 90s (Credit: ITV/Shuttershock)

Writer Russell T Davies has revealed that 12 scripts were written for the 90s spin-off before bosses pulled the plug.

Called Mario’s, the two characters were given fake names as the scripts were developed so nothing leaked.

But alas it was not to be.

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He revealed on Instagram: “For six months, Patrea Smallacombe (who worked on Cell Block H when she was 18 and has such stories to tell) and I were locked in an office to develop and write MARIO’S, a spin-off soap for Sally & Kevin Webster @sallydynevor.

“Planned for 5 days a week, ITV at 5.30. They’d inherit some money, so Kevin opened a garage down south.

“They had neighbours like a boozy housewife in her negligee (sorry, it was the 90s), a Mrs Mangel-type woman and, on the corner, a pizzeria, Mario’s, with a boisterous Italian family.

Coronation Street: 8th October 1986 (Sally and Kevin's wedding)

Coronation Street spin-off for Sally and Kevin

“12 scripts or so were written. I think Kevin & Sally were called Paul & Linda so no one knew our secret. But ITV said no. Hey ho.

“We marched onwards! Next!”

Corrie star Jane Danson commented: “This is brilliant! Made me laugh out loud.”

Sally is now married to taxi boss Tim Metcalfe (Credit: ITV)

Another fan added: “Absolutely loving this bonkers wander down memory lane.”

And award-winning screenwriter Jonathan Harvey revealed he too was developing a spin-off at the same time.

He commented: “And while you were developing your Kevin and Sally soap I was doing my Big Smoke one, to which ITV also said no.

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“The inhabitants of a west London tower block. We even shot a pilot with Ashley Walters and Jane Hazelgrove!”

Jonathan also revealed what replaced the two shows – a revival of Crossroads.

He added: “Crossroads beat us all!”

Would you have liked a Coronation Street spin-off with Kevin and Sally? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know!