Monday 29 November 2010

Coronation Street: First pictures of terrifying fireball which rips through Weatherfield and leaves THREE main characters dead

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Fireball: Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) is seen walking away from a huge explosion which throws other characters to the ground

It's the soap scene everyone is talking about - the tram crash in Weatherfield which leaves THREE main Coronation Street characters dead.

But it's not just the crash which claims victims, as these terrifying new pictures of a huge fireball ripping through the town show.

In one shot, a desperate Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) attempts to protect baby Jack from the fire and shattered glass in Dev's corner shop, while in another, Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) is seen thrown to the floor by the force of the explosion.

Death and destruction: The explosion, the result of a tram crash, is expected to kill three main characters

The scenes, which have apparently cost over £1million to film, are to mark the 50th anniversary of the show, and will be screened next Monday night.

And while it is speculated that three of the main characters will die, it is not known which of the stars it will be.

According to some reports, Kabin owner Rita Sullivan, played by Barbara Knox, 77, and Norris Cole, played by Malcolm Hedben, 70, are missing after the crash.

Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson, 33, is left buried under the rubble while Sunita Alahan, played by Shobna Gulati, 44, is left fighting for her life after becoming trapped in her shop.

Terrifying: Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) is seen trying to protect baby Jack as the fireball rips through the town

Violent: Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) is thrown backwards by the sheer force of the explosion

Stunt doubles, pyrotechnics specialists, special effects experts and computer generated imagery are all being used to ensure the event is the most spectacular in the show's 50 year history.

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson said earlier this year: 'All last week we filmed the exciting and explosive moments that lead to the tram crashing from the viaduct.

'The early scenes are wonderful and everyone is pulling together through the night to bring the brilliant scripts to life.

Realistic: A previous publicity shot shows the tram stuck in the Kabin post office in between takes

'Now with the tram in situ, it is time to start filming the dramatic scenes that explore the immediate aftermath of this terrible accident. Weatherfield will definitely never be the same again!'

In the dramatic scenes the tram is seen falling from the viaduct after a massive explosion at The Joinery bar, with the front of the vehicle causing damage to the Alahans' Corner Shop, while the second carriage hits Norris Cole's general store.

Collinson revealed he had to ask ITV bigwigs for more money to shoot the scenes.
He said: 'We've had a significant amount of extra money from ITV for this stunt.

It's the most money we've ever spent in the show's history; it's going to be a spectacular set of episodes.'

source: dailymail