Soap fans can now use pictures of their favourite characters to deliver gossip to friends – after Royal Mail created 12 stamps to mark the 60th anniversary of Coronation Street.
Eight of them show famous double-acts such as Vera and Jack Duckworth, Ena Sharples and Elsie Tanner, Rita Sull-ivan and Norris Cole, Stan and Hilda Ogden and Deirdre and Ken Barlow.
Each of the images is complemented with a quote that conveys the essence of the couple’s relationship.
Rita Tanner - played by Barbara Knox - is well known for being a busy body, and says in her quote somewhat ironically: “I can’t abide to see people gossiping”.
Jack Duckworth, played by Bill Tarmey is quoted saying to his wife “Vera, my little swamp duck”.
A further four stamps are presented in a miniature sheet and celebrate the colourful characters who have worked behind the bar at the iconic Rovers Return: Bet Lynch; Raquel Watts; Liz McDonald; and Gemma Winter.
Iain MacLeod, Series Producer, Coronation Street, said: “In our historic 60th year, it is an honour to have the show immortalised in this fashion.
Coronation Street has had many iconic double acts down the years.
Indeed, it’s a defining feature of the show. I hope fans will agree that the ones we’ve chosen, after much heated debate, are among the best of the bunch.
This fun idea is a great way to pay homage to the nation’s best loved soap and give lovers of Coronation Street a little smile when an envelope pops through their letterbox and they see their favourite characters looking up at them.”
There has now been more than 10,000 episodes of Coronation Street. Of the 5 0000 characters that have walked the cobbles only one original member – Ken Barlow, played by William Roache – is still in the cast today.
He appears on a first class stamp in the collection alongside Deidre Barlow, who was played by the late Anne Kirkbride.
The other stamps range from second class to £1.63 in price.
Philip Parker, Royal Mail, said: “For six decades Coronation Street’s fans have witnessed the unfolding lives of its residents, and shared their sorrows and laughter."
He added: "We celebrate the nation’s best-known street with stamps showing some of its unforgettable characters.”
Stamps sets are on sale from May 28 at £14.20.
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