Coronation Street has reclaimed its crown as the longest running TV soap in the world – despite the fact that it was only supposed to air for 13 weeks.
Cast members Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine collected the updated certificate from Guinness World Records on behalf of the record-breaking ITV1 soap, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary on December 9.
Corrie actor William Roache even received his own unique record as the longest serving TV soap star in the world, having debuted as Ken Barlow in the very first episode.
Record-breaking: Coronation Street has reclaimed its crown as the longest running TV soap opera in the world at 60 years old (above, cast members Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine)
The TV star, 88, was presented with his certificate during a filming break and humorously posed in front of a mock ‘Corriewood’ poster.
Sally, 57, who stars as Sally Webster, posed with the show’s framed award in the entrance to the recognisable store The Kabin on set.
She was joined by co-star Joe, 50, who plays Tim Metcalfe, on Coronation Street’s famous cobbled streets as the pair celebrated the Guinness World Records acclaim.
William expressed his thanks for his personal award, saying: ‘I would like to thank Guinness World Records for this new award.
Wow! Corrie actor William Roache even received his own unique record as the longest serving TV soap star in the world, having debuted as Ken Barlow in the very first episode
‘I have been very fortunate to have been in this wonderful programme, Coronation Street, which has carried me into this world record and a lifetime of wonderful memories.’
William has celebrated other huge landmarks with the series, including starring in its 10,000th episode earlier this year.
Producer Iain MacLeod has revealed that Ken will be at the centre of the 60th anniversary episode, airing on December 9.
Paying tribute to William, Iain said: ‘Ken Barlow, played by the record-breaking William Roache, who was in episode one, had a starring role in episode 10,000 earlier this year, and will be at the centre of on-screen events for our 60th anniversary episode on December 9th.
Congratulations Corrie! Sally, 57, who stars as Sally Webster, posed with the framed award in the entrance to the recognisable store The Kabin on set
‘Bill’s is a singular, spectacular accomplishment and I heartily congratulate him for his peerless professionalism, unstinting commitment to the show and ongoing brilliance as an actor.’
Iain also described Coronation Street, created by Tony Warren in 1960, as ‘groundbreaking and visionary’ and expressed his pride at the ‘incredible achievement.
He said that even although the series was not predicted to ‘last more than three weeks’, it has defied the odds and proved that ‘prediction staggeringly wrong’.
He continued: ‘When Coronation Street, Tony Warren’s groundbreaking, visionary project, launched in 1960, a columnist in a national newspaper predicted it wouldn’t last more than three weeks.
William, 88, starred in the series’ 10,000th episode earlier this year (pictured with Rula Lenska and Sally-Ann Matthews) – despite the fact that it was only supposed to air for 13 weeks
’60 years later, I can safely say the many hundreds of people that have worked tirelessly and dedicatedly on the show have proved that prediction staggeringly wrong.
‘It is an incredible achievement, a testament to Tony’s instincts as a dramatist and proof that the characters and narrative universe he designed are still as relevant today as they were then.’
Guinness World Records Editor in Chief Craig Glenday sent his wishes to the cast and crew of the soap opera while handing over the certificates.
He said: ‘On behalf of myself and all the team here in London we send you our congratulations on sixty incredibly entertaining years, at sixty years young you are officially amazing!’