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”.
Always in our thoughts ?#WeStandTogether #Corrie pic.twitter.com/wmOps3hzXY
— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) May 20, 2022
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”.
Not watching live tonight as I’m working but just went into the loo to watch this and sobbed. 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 https://t.co/G3QQVA2kCg
— Russell ? (@RussellHayward) May 20, 2022
“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.”
So grateful to the team at @itvcorrie – a massive Thank You.??? https://t.co/ZndPsw0Fmi
— Figen Murray OBE (@FigenMurray) May 20, 2022
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).
With love from everyone at Coronation Street.
We remember.
We stand together. pic.twitter.com/8XBReY6js4— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) May 22, 2022
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