Coronation Street pays tribute to Martyn Hett and Manchester Arena bombing victims

The attack occurred on 22 May 2017, with the perpetrator killing 22 people, and injuring hundreds of others.

Top News . Written by Alice Linehan.

Coronation Street's tribute bench for Martyn Hett and other Manchester bombing victims.
Image: Twitter: @itvcorrie

Sunday, 22 May 2022, marked the five-year anniversary of the tragic Manchester Arena bombing that occurred during an Ariana Grande concert in 2017. Popular soap opera Coronation Street paid a moving tribute to the victims of the attack, including gay superfan and ex-winner of Come Dine With Me Martyn Hett.

The episode which aired on Friday night saw characters Gail Rodwell and Eileen Grimshaw come together in an urban garden in the fictional town of Weatherfield, Manchester, which houses a memorial bench dedicated to the victims of the tragedy. The pair brought bouquets of flowers to the spot, and a plaque was shown onscreen which reads: “For Martyn and all those who lost their lives on the 22nd of May 2017. We stand together.”

The characters dialogue back in forth with Gail saying: “It’s a lovely bench isn’t it?”

“It is, it’s just a crying shame it even has to be here,” Eileen replies.

The Twitter account of the show also tweeted the scene, accompanied by the caption “Always in our thoughts”.

Show writer Jonathan Harvey added, “I knew and adored Martyn so this was a particular honour for me to write”.

Some of Hett’s nearest and dearest also responded to the moving tribute, with his partner before he died saying it was an “Achingly perfect scene”.

“Thank you @itvcorrie – you have always looked out for us and been so respectful. It doesn’t go unnoticed. I like to think he is out there somewhere watching,” he added.

Figen Murray, Hett’s mother, also expressed: “So grateful to the team at @itvcorrie – a massive Thank You.”

The Manchester Arena bombing carried out by 22-year-old Salman Abedi killed 22 people including 6 children, and injured hundreds more. Those who died were Saffie-Rose Roussos (8), Sorrell Leczkowski (14), Eilidh MacLeod (14), Nell Jones (14), Olivia Campbell-Hardy (15), Megan Hurley (15), Chloe Rutherford (17), Georgina Callander (18), Liam Curry (19), Courtney Boyle (19), John Atkinson (28), Martyn Hett (29), Kelly Brewster (32), Philip Tron (32), Angelika Klis (39), Marcin Klis (42), Elaine McIver (43), Lisa Lees (43), Alison Howe (44), Michelle Kiss (45), Wendy Fawell (50), and Jane Tweedle (51).

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