What was Coronation Street originally called

A. The show was the braindchild of Tony Warren, a 23-year-old actor and writer who was being paid 30 a week by Granada Television to write scripts. He was working on the Biggles adventures when he had the idea for a Northern serial. He wrote the first episode overnight, and Granada loved it, but he had to alter the title of "Florizel Street". The story goes that Agnes the Granada tea-lady said it sounded like disinfectant. He then thought of Jubilee but there was already a series with that name, so he came up with Coronation STreet.

Q. When did the first episode go out

A. The first episode was transmitted live at 7pm on Friday December 9, 1960. It was not nationally networked until the following spring when transmission days were changed from Wednesdays and Fridays to Mondays and Wednesdays where it has remained ever since. (Friday and Sunday night shows have only recently been added).

Q. Which regulars were in the original episode

A. Only Ken Barlow is still going strong today. The original episode featured stalwarts such as Albert Tatlock, Ena Sharples, Annie Walker and Elsie Tanner and her son Dennis and long-forgotten characters such as Elsie Lappin, who sold the corner shop tpo Florrie Lindley, Elsie Tanner's daughter Linda Cheveski and Susan Cunningham, young Ken Barlow's posh girlfriend.

Q. Why did it prove so popular

A. It was snubbed by critics originally. One wrote: "The programme is doomed...with its dreary signature tune and grim scene of a row of terraced houses and smoking chimneys." However, it took off to such an extent that by the time Elsie Tanner got married to an American army sergeant Steve Tanner in 1967, some 20 million viewers tuned in - the sort of audiences then reserved for royal weddings. The cast became celebrities overnight - when Pat Phoenix, Doris Speed (Annie Walker) and Arthur leslie (Jack Walker) toured Australia 20,000 fans were waiting to greet them.

Harold WIlson, then PM, gave the cast a sherry party at No. 10 the year it was launched, and Jim Callaghan dubbed Pat Phoenix "the sexiest woman on TV". Other famous fans ranged from Lord Olivier to John Betjeman, the Poet Laureate. Betjeman, Russell Harty, Michael Parkinson and playwright Willis Hall later formed the British League for Hilda Ogden.

Q. What about worldwide recognition

A. Granada have profited extremely well from Coronation Street over the years. It is their most watched television programme, regularly attracting in excess of 12 million viewers, and it has extended its airings to four nights a week. In the 60s, the soap was sold all over the world - even to the Polynesia island of Oahu where Hawaii Five-O was made. The locals apparently preferred Ena Sharples to Steve McGarrett. The Street was bought by Australia in 1963 and was shown five times a week, although it has never really made it in the United States. The show last year celebrated its 40th anniversary and has become a major profit-making programme Granada with trips to the Street and spin-off merchandise.

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By Katharine MacColl