Cops have thrown a ring of steel around tonight's live episode of Coronation Street amidst fears the long-running TV soap opera could be targeted by Al-Qaeda.
Tonight's live episode is part of the soap's 50th anniversary celebrations this week and cops have been tipped off that it could be hit by a terror strike.
Corrie stars will undergo full body searches with cast and crew passing through airport-style scanners before being frisked in security checks at the show's studios.
Extra officers are also to be sent to guard the nation's favourite soap, which is the longest-running TV soap in the world.
To mark the show's 50th birthday, which is today,the second of Monday night's two episodes of Corrie, set in the fictional Weatherfield area of Salford near Manchester, had a tram crashing off the viaduct at the end of the street after an explosion in The Joinery bar during a stag party, with one carriage crashing on top of The Kabin shop and another into Dev's corner shop. Three characters are to be killed.
Around 14 million people tuned in to watch the tram crash episode on Monday, and 15 million are expected to watch tonight's hour long live episode.
A Corrie source said: "Al-Qaeda are desperate to pull off a 'spectacular' in Britain. The police clearly are acting on fears that a strike on the Corrie studios is a very real possibility."
Several of the cast have spoken of their nervousness on appearing in the live episode tonight because, amongst other mishaps, they could forget their lines in front of millions of viewers.
Al-Qaeda threatens Coronation Street
By GUY PATRICK
9th December 2010
The Sun
Terror alert ... Coronation Street set shows aftermath of the tram crash
Zen Pix
COPS are throwing a ring of steel around tonight's live episode of Coronation Street over fears it has been targeted by AL-QAEDA.
They were tipped off that the ITV1 soap's historic 50th anniversary broadcast from Manchester could be hit by a terror strike.
Corrie stars will undergo full body searches with cast and crew passing through airport-style scanners before being frisked in security checks at the show's studios.
TV grief ... Rita Sullivan, played by Barbara Knox
Granada Television
Disaster show ... Ken Barlow, played by Bill Roache
PLANET PHOTOS
Anti-terror police acting on intelligence are sending extra officers to guard the nation's favourite soap - which has already hired an army of private security staff.
A source on the show - whose millions of fans are on tenterhooks after Weatherfield was hit by an explosion and tram disaster - said last night: "It's a nightmare scenario.
Tram sickener ... Leanne Battersby, played by Jane Danson
PLANET PHOTOS
Soap shock ... Kevin Webster, played by Michael Le Vell
Wenn
"For Corrie bosses there is the possibility of this tragic episode turning into a real-life tragedy."
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were taking the intelligence seriously. A spokesman said grimly: "This is a public, high-profile event. The risk is consistent with the UK terror threat, which is currently severe.
"ITV have taken on a private security firm and our officers will assist them."
The show source said: "More than 15 million are expected to watch the show and the fact it's going out live makes it an obvious target for maximum impact.
"Al-Qaeda are desperate to pull off a 'spectacular' in Britain. The police clearly are acting on fears that a strike on the Corrie studios is a very real possibility."
Carnage ... Coronation Street's tram catastrophe
The biggest TV audience of the year is poised to tune into the soap tonight as a string of characters are revealed to have died in the fictional disaster that brought mayhem to the famous cobbles.
The source confirmed: "Everybody involved in the show - from cast to runners - will have to pass through a load of rigorous security checks. They'll be individually body-searched and will have to pass through airport-style metal detectors."
Powerful scenes ... Coronation Street characters react to fictional disaster
Among stars in tonight's episode are veterans Bill Roache, 78, who plays Ken, and Barbara Knox, 77 - alias Rita.
Disaster scenes - also starring Jane Danson, 32, and Michael Le Vell, 45 (Leanne and Kevin) - have been seen this week.
The source said: "The bosses have spent tens of thousands on security for the safety of everyone on the show. Cast members have been told the live broadcast is a potential terror target.
"But they've all vowed, 'The show must go on'.
"Everyone is on edge anyway because it's so rare to film Corrie live. This has only heightened the air of tension around Weatherfield."
Tonight's live episode is part of the soap's 50th anniversary celebrations this week and cops have been tipped off that it could be hit by a terror strike.
Corrie stars will undergo full body searches with cast and crew passing through airport-style scanners before being frisked in security checks at the show's studios.
Extra officers are also to be sent to guard the nation's favourite soap, which is the longest-running TV soap in the world.
To mark the show's 50th birthday, which is today,the second of Monday night's two episodes of Corrie, set in the fictional Weatherfield area of Salford near Manchester, had a tram crashing off the viaduct at the end of the street after an explosion in The Joinery bar during a stag party, with one carriage crashing on top of The Kabin shop and another into Dev's corner shop. Three characters are to be killed.
Around 14 million people tuned in to watch the tram crash episode on Monday, and 15 million are expected to watch tonight's hour long live episode.
A Corrie source said: "Al-Qaeda are desperate to pull off a 'spectacular' in Britain. The police clearly are acting on fears that a strike on the Corrie studios is a very real possibility."
Several of the cast have spoken of their nervousness on appearing in the live episode tonight because, amongst other mishaps, they could forget their lines in front of millions of viewers.
Al-Qaeda threatens Coronation Street
By GUY PATRICK
9th December 2010
The Sun
Terror alert ... Coronation Street set shows aftermath of the tram crash
Zen Pix
COPS are throwing a ring of steel around tonight's live episode of Coronation Street over fears it has been targeted by AL-QAEDA.
They were tipped off that the ITV1 soap's historic 50th anniversary broadcast from Manchester could be hit by a terror strike.
Corrie stars will undergo full body searches with cast and crew passing through airport-style scanners before being frisked in security checks at the show's studios.
TV grief ... Rita Sullivan, played by Barbara Knox
Granada Television
Disaster show ... Ken Barlow, played by Bill Roache
PLANET PHOTOS
Anti-terror police acting on intelligence are sending extra officers to guard the nation's favourite soap - which has already hired an army of private security staff.
A source on the show - whose millions of fans are on tenterhooks after Weatherfield was hit by an explosion and tram disaster - said last night: "It's a nightmare scenario.
Tram sickener ... Leanne Battersby, played by Jane Danson
PLANET PHOTOS
Soap shock ... Kevin Webster, played by Michael Le Vell
Wenn
"For Corrie bosses there is the possibility of this tragic episode turning into a real-life tragedy."
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were taking the intelligence seriously. A spokesman said grimly: "This is a public, high-profile event. The risk is consistent with the UK terror threat, which is currently severe.
"ITV have taken on a private security firm and our officers will assist them."
The show source said: "More than 15 million are expected to watch the show and the fact it's going out live makes it an obvious target for maximum impact.
"Al-Qaeda are desperate to pull off a 'spectacular' in Britain. The police clearly are acting on fears that a strike on the Corrie studios is a very real possibility."
Carnage ... Coronation Street's tram catastrophe
The biggest TV audience of the year is poised to tune into the soap tonight as a string of characters are revealed to have died in the fictional disaster that brought mayhem to the famous cobbles.
The source confirmed: "Everybody involved in the show - from cast to runners - will have to pass through a load of rigorous security checks. They'll be individually body-searched and will have to pass through airport-style metal detectors."
Powerful scenes ... Coronation Street characters react to fictional disaster
Among stars in tonight's episode are veterans Bill Roache, 78, who plays Ken, and Barbara Knox, 77 - alias Rita.
Disaster scenes - also starring Jane Danson, 32, and Michael Le Vell, 45 (Leanne and Kevin) - have been seen this week.
The source said: "The bosses have spent tens of thousands on security for the safety of everyone on the show. Cast members have been told the live broadcast is a potential terror target.
"But they've all vowed, 'The show must go on'.
"Everyone is on edge anyway because it's so rare to film Corrie live. This has only heightened the air of tension around Weatherfield."
g.patrick@the-sun.co.uk
thesun.co.uk
thesun.co.uk
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