Live Corrie episode leaves fans on tenterhooks
A live hour-long episode of Manchester-based soap Coronation Street marking its 50th anniversary passed smoothly as the cast acted out the aftermath of a dramatic tram crash.
Sixty-five actors and actresses and a crew of 300 were involved in Thursday night's highly-anticipated production, which featured a death, a birth and a wedding.
Molly Dobbs, played by Vicky Binns, became the second victim of this week's tram disaster after finally confessing to Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor) that her husband, Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) was the father of her baby, Jack.
Viewers also saw Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine) give birth to a premature baby girl and a seriously-injured Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) marry Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) from his hospital bed before flatlining, leaving fans to wonder if he would survive.
The transmission came after months of feverish speculation about who would die when an explosion rocked the Joinery and caused a tram to career on to the cobbles in the soap's anniversary week.
It appeared to go smoothly, with barely a fluffed line from the cast, but fans on Twitter wondered whether they had spotted disabled Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston) standing up from her wheelchair.
Programme-makers pre-recorded a dress rehearsal as a back-up in case of a technical emergency, and police were drafted in to make sure the event was secure.
A show spokesman said the episode was transmitted "absolutely live" and there was no need to revert to the pre-recorded run-through.
After the closing credits rolled, Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw, said: "I'm ecstatic, overwhelmed and proud to be a part of TV history. I'm proud of everyone who was involved."
Coronation Street wraps up its special week of programming on Friday night, when at least one more death is expected.