Soaps

Best Coronation Street quotes of the decade

Pithy putdowns, heartbreaking revelations and more sauce than a Prima Doner kebab

Throughout its 59 year history Coronation Street’s best loved characters have come out with some great lines.

Some leave you helpless with laughter, others can move you to tears. Best of all, there are people on the street who are capable of delivering both.

Mary Cole, with her autobiographical rolling news, is one gift for Corrie writers that keeps on giving. Carla Connor has a tongue that can lash with the very best of them.

So here are our favourite quotes of the past 10 years.

1. Deirdre Barlow gives Tracy a lecture on grief

ITV
The much missed Anne Kirkbride as Deirdre dealing with Tracy (Kate Ford) (Credit: ITV)

“I don’t see your gran, because she died. You don’t see your daughter because you hit Charlie Stubbs over the head with an ornament.”

2. Becky McDonald heads off to Barbados

ITV/Rex/Shutterstock
Becky (Katherine Kelly) sinks Steve and Tracy’s wedding (Credit: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“Regrets are for people what stop on the ground. We’re heading for the stars.”

3. Hayley Cropper’s final heart-breaking farewell to Roy

ITV
Hayley’s exit won awards for Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Neilson (Credit: ITV)

“I’m so sorry I have to go.”

4. Tina McIntyre’s heartless murder by Rob Donovan

Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) kills fan favourite Tina (Michelle Keegan) (Credit: ITV)

“I was born gobby.”
“Yeah, and you’ll die gobby too.”

5. Michelle couldn’t bear husband Steve’s betrayal

More rows between Michelle and Steve
Michelle (Kym Marsh) never forgave Steve (Simon Gregson) for his baby with Leanne (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“I always knew you were an idiot, but you were my idiot.”

6. Rita Tanner’s worldly wise advice

Rita gives advice
Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) knows how to live (Credit: ITV)

“When life gives you lemons, stick ‘em in a G&T.”

7. No one can keep Gemma Winter down

Gemma keeps it real
Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) has won everyone over with her resilience (Credit: ITV)

“I’ve got more bounce back than a pig on a trampoline.”

8. Carla can’t resist having a dig at Peter Barlow

Carla and Peter get cosy
She loves him, she loves him not (Credit: ITV)

“Peter running a pub is like putting a cat in charge of an aquarium.”

9. Alya fights for Underworld

Alya lets rip at Carla
Alya (Sair Khan) battles the boss (Credit: ITV)

“Carla doesn’t scare me. Now she’s all kidneyed up she just wants her money back plain and simple.”

Read more: Sair Khan reveals the adrenaline rush of taking on Carla

10. Abi hides her light inside a bottle

Abi Franklin at the bar
Abi Franklin (Sally Carman) tells it as it is (Credit: ITV)

“I’ve always been wise. I’ve just mostly been too wasted for anyone to realise.”

11. A super-sized Hollywood tribute to the McDonalds

Legends Liz and Jim McDonald
New landlady Jenny Connor on Jim and her love rival Liz (Credit: ITV)

“Like Burton and Taylor in a terrace.”

12. An announcement that would put anyone off their tea

Tracy and Mary reveal all
Hilarious unlikely double act Mary and Tracy (Credit: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“Mary found a downstairs hair in the tagine.”

13. Tim’s unholy eating habits revealed

Tim Metcalfe
Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) surprised viewers with his diet (Credit: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“I could eat a nun’s bum through a convent gate.”

14. Daniel’s middling appraisal of dad Ken

Daniel Barlow face off Ken
Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) versus legend Ken (William Roache) (Credit: ITV)

“He’s not Melvyn Bragg. He’s a moderately well-read know-it-all who lives down the road.”

15. Nick Tilsley gets a sample of landlady Jenny’s quick wit

Nick (Ben Price) and Jenny (Sally Ann Matthews) spar at the bar (Credit: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“Have you got a dry Sancerre?”
“No, it’s just the way I’m stood.”

16. Mum Gail tries to reach out to son David after his rape revelation

David Platt tells Gail
David (Jack P Shepherd) opens up to Gail (Helen Worth) (Credit: ITV)

“Can I at least give you a hug?”

17. Mary tries to be open-minded about hen nights

Mary Cole does Nandos
Mary Cole (Patti Clare) tries to convince Adam (Sam Robertson) (Credit: ITV)

“I’m not a snob, Adam. I’ve been to Nando’s.”

18. Mary’s devastating plea to try to save Bethany

Mary tries to save Bethany
Mary does everything she can to rescue Bethany (Lucy Fallon) (Credit: ITV)

“Bethany, listen to me, please. When I got pregnant I convinced myself for quite a long time that romance was involved. He must have felt something for me, elsewise why did he choose me? Because he chose me.

“But the truth is he was an opportunist. And what he saw wasn’t somebody that he loved. Or someone that he even liked very much. It was someone who didn’t think much of herself. Someone who could be manipulated. There was no love, Bethany. It was rape.”

19. Emma Brooker, from the mouth of babes

Emma Brooker superstar
Alexandra Mardell joins as Emma and a new Street star is born (Credit: ITV)

“Sounds omnious.”

20. Phelan’s biblical multiple murder confession

Phelan at the lighthouse
Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre) won’t let Eileen get a word in (Credit: ITV)

“Four. Four, Eileen. There were four bodies. Four souls. And I bore witness over all of them. You really want to know what I am? That. I’m the darkness and the light. I’m a creator and a destroyer. I’m the accuser. I’m the prosecutor. I’m the Lord of Hosts. I’m the layer in wait. I’m the worst thing you can imagine.”

21. Anna Windass has the last word

The end of Pat Phelan
Anna (Debbie Rush) ends her tormentor with a knife (Credit: ITV)

“I win.”

What’s your favourite Coronation Street quote of the decade? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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