Coronation Street stars were showing their Manchester Pride - heading out on the huge parade in celebration of LGBTQ+ culture through the streets of the city on Saturday. A host of famous faces from the soap headed on to an ITV open-top bus to wave to the thousands of cheering crowds lining the streets of the city.
Among stars heading on to the Pride-branded double decker were the soap's Daniel Brocklebank, Jodie Prenger, Peter Gunn, Antony Cotton, Dolly-Rose Campbell and Jane Hazelgrove. They were joined by soap newcomer Robert Shaw Cameron who plays dentist Laurence Reeves and is set to be a new love interest for Corrie stalwart Sean Tully played by Antony.
It was the first time at Manchester Pride for Peter Gunn, who plays the soap's Brian Packham, although he was getting fully into the swing with glitter adorning his face. But while he admitted he was a "Manchester Pride virgin" he has been a long-standing supporter of Pride events across the UK.
Read more : Manchester Pride Parade 2022 - see all the pics and watch all the highlights
Peter said: "This is my first Manchester Pride, but I've been to many Pride events this year already. The first one I went to this year was Blackburn Pride which was actually the first Blackburn Pride ever and it was brilliant.
"I go to Brighton Pride, I've been to everyone there for the past 25 years." Showing off his glitter face paint, Peter joked that "I have to take it off for work purposes."
The soap's Jane Hazelgrove, who plays Bernie Winter, quipped back that he "wears it all the time." Now, Peter said it's about time Corrie gets it's OWN Pride event after co-star Robert mooted the idea on board the bus.
Peter said: "We should have a Weatherfield Pride, I quite agree."
West End star Jodie Prenger may have only recently joined Coronation Street, as Glenda, the sister of George Shuttleworth, but says it already feels like home. She was joined on the ITV bus by fellow soap newbie Robert Shaw Cameron.
She said: "We are absolutely loving it. It's a home from home for us already." Jodie also hailed Coronation Street creator Tony Warren saying: "His legacy will always live on and on."
Corrie's Dolly-Rose Campbell, who plays the soap's Gemma Winter was in dazzling form in a silver sequinned mini dress and rainbow plaits. She performed an energetic dash down Deansgate with her rainbow flag.
She was pictured at the start of the parade following the ITV bus with her co-stars. Following the bus was a classic "Newton and Ridley" van - the fictional brewer that supplies the iconic Rover's Return in the ITV show.
Meanwhile Jodie's soap brother George, played by actor Tony Maudsley almost stole the show on the bus in his outfit - wearing a brilliant rippling muscle t-shirt and sailor hat.
The soap's Antony Cotton, a long-standing patron of Manchester Pride, walked out in front of the ITV bus on Saturday afternoon. He was wearing a t-shirt with the pictures of acclaimed cabaret artists Kiki and Herb.
Corrie's Daniel Brocklebank, who plays vicar Billy, has been a regular at Manchester Pride in recent years and said it was great to have the return of the parade this year after two years away.
He said: "After all the b*****s we've been through in the past few years it's a really good opportunity for people to get together and have a good time. The whole reason Pride exists, we all know but it's turned into more of a carnival."
Meanwhile elsewhere on the Pride Parade former Coronation Street favourite Katie McGlynn was joining the celebrations with her best friend Lee Bennett. The pals were on board the colourful Menagerie bus which had a pink theme for the day.
Hollyoaks star Katie took that as her outfit inspiration wearing a fabulous pink cropped jacket and skirt with pretty lace bra and white boots. Katie said the message of Pride was more important than ever.
"I think Pride is so important because it's celebrating whoever you want to be. I am me, I'm going to wear pink or I'm going to wear whatever I want, you can be whoever you are.
"Who cares who you want to sleep with? Nobody cares. Just be who you are, be unique, and feel free to do that, it's a simple human right and no one should tell you otherwise."
PR boss Lee added: "Manchester especially it's such a diverse city and such a buzzing scene with so much culture it's just amazing to get everyone together to celebrate all different people, different shapes and sizes all together. Just love who you love."
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