Get squawky!
Corrie plot to cull gulls
EEE by gun! Coronation Street bosses have come up with a plot involving the cold-blooded slaughter of screeching birds.
But don't worry. Janice Battersby and Liz McDonald aren't being written out just yet.
The birds in question are seagulls-and it could be their blood raining down on the famous cobbles.
ITV chiefs are considering moving the show from its central Manchester base to waterfront location MediaCityUK at nearby Salford Quays.
But a show source told us: "The problem there is the seagulls that make loads of noise.
Poisoning
"Even one seagull caught on camera would look ridiculous. Weatherfield is supposed to be in Manchester where you mainly get pigeons. The other problem is the costs they could incur. If one flies into the scene they would have to re-shoot, wasting time and money. In meetings there have been some ideas such as poisoning them or hiring a marksman to shoot them."
The source explained why the famous ITV soap was considering the move. "Currently the indoor filming is done in two studios which are around 400 yards apart which causes logistical problems.
"The knicker factory and Rovers are indoors in one set and the other indoor sets are in a separate warehouse. Part of the outside set is also separated by a wall. They would love to use a vast warehouse for indoor scenes and have outdoor scenes on one continuous set."
An ITV spokesman confirmed: "We are continuing to examine the available options regarding ITV's Manchester base."
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This article has 20 comments
i wish a gull would swoop down and take vern away wot a waste of film
By bob shaw. Posted February 14 2009 at 8:13 PM.
What a disgusting and revolting idea. Killing seagulls just so you can film... that's not very nice... This must not happen. I don't know how you can even think of it. It's not seagulls getting in Coronation Streets way it is Coronation Street getting in the seagulls way.... Leave them alone! and film where you do no harm to other living things - is that really too much to ask?
By Lindy. Posted February 9 2009 at 11:49 PM.
I was appalled after reading the artical on an idea that the bosses of coronation street have come up with an idea to cull seagulls so it dosnt interfere with filming.It is disgusting and cruel.This is where these beautiful birds live why should they be killed for living in there natuaral habitat just because of a soap seagulls can live up to thirty years of age what right have these bosses got to cut there lives short.Do they no seagulls are a protected species. Leave them alone!boycott corrie if it goes ahead i certainly will. from an avid seagull lover.
By by mrs edwards. Posted February 9 2009 at 6:26 PM.
It is so disgusting that ITV will even think to do that. It must be stopped. I for one will stop watching Corrie if they actualy get away with doing this. What gives them the right to think they can kill wildlife.
By Julie. Posted February 9 2009 at 10:41 AM.
I have watched Coronation Street for more years than I care to remember but if you lay one hand on those gulls, I will never watch again. Infact, why not just get rid of the show. It has seen better days and quite frankly, I would rather watch the gulls!
By Miss Herbs. Posted February 9 2009 at 9:01 AM.
Leave the gulls alone!
By Paul. Posted February 9 2009 at 2:29 AM.
I have just emailed Granada about this sickening story!!! Hello............filmed in Manchester.........seagulls in Manchester.......what's the problem. I could seriously fall out with corrie here!!!!
By carol thomas. Posted February 8 2009 at 11:33 PM.
surely people cant go around shooting birds willy nilly.
there must be a law against killing seagulls.
and if there isnt a law then there should be.
this must be a joke.
By sylvia. Posted February 8 2009 at 11:05 PM.
I have watched Coronation Street for 40 years,and many people enjoy it.How dare they consider slaughtering birds just because they might get in the way.It is just not on and i do hope enough people complain so loudly that they quickly back down.Or they might just find the number of fans disappearing rapidly,me being one of them.
By Margaret Reed. Posted February 8 2009 at 9:13 PM.
every week i take all my stale bread too copperas field in droylsden manchester and within five minnets there can be 50 or mor seagulls eating it. there are seagulls allover manchester so talking about culling them is stupid
By keith j crockett. Posted February 8 2009 at 6:53 PM.
I will NEVER watch this programme again if they do this!
By Jacsta. Posted February 8 2009 at 4:06 PM.
This will give the ALF another chance to show off. Yawn.
By Medawar. Posted February 8 2009 at 4:36 PM.
One would think that with all the riveting storylines the viewers wouldn't notice the gulls. Oh sorry, I forgot. It's not riveting, is it?
Shame on ITV makers of such gems as Dancing on Ice, Blankety Blank and who could forget Albion Market? (Sarcasm)
I'm sure ITV's sponsors/advertisers will be delighted to be assosciated with a wildlife cull.
The show is long past it's sell by date.
By Juswee. Posted February 8 2009 at 1:44 PM.
SOMEONE SAYS BEAUTIFUL BIRDS,THEY ARE FLYING RATS.GET RID OF THEM.
By gran. Posted February 8 2009 at 11:32 AM.
My family and I will stop watching if the cull goes ahead I do not understand the need to destroy living things.
By delia carpenter. Posted February 8 2009 at 10:03 AM.
With some of the stupid story lines in Coronation Street the move to a new location would be a good idea. I am sure if Alfred Hitchcock were still alive he would use the seagulls to great effect!!!
By John Noel. Posted February 8 2009 at 6:45 AM.
Selfish and I will stop watching the show if they do this.
By Dee. Posted February 8 2009 at 2:32 AM.
ITV is an embarrassmnet of a company. Try showing a full football game. Shooting seagulls? Adding cruelty to the list of shame. Pathetic. Sack all the management and start again.
By dan. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:35 AM.
Why should wildlife suffer because actors want to move the studio why not find another studio more suitable and away from the natural habitat of the gulls.After all dont gulls live near the water and the quays?Im not a lover of gulls but why does man have to destroy everything that gets in their way???I really hope granada gets some stick off their viewers.
By Ace Riley. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:46 AM.
... dump that stupid 60's show and leave those beautiful birds alone - people come back as seagulls ...
By toron stganymede. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:50 AM.