Coronation Street stars flock to show creator Tony Warren’s funeral

Olivia WaringPublished Mar 18, 2016, 4:00pm|Updated Dec 11, 2019, 2:55pm

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Coronation Street actors carry the coffin for the funeral of Coronation Street scriptwriter Tony Warren at Manchester Cathedral on March 18, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) — MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Coronation Street actors carry the coffin for the funeral of Coronation Street scriptwriter Tony Warren at Manchester Cathedral on March 18, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

Stars of Coronation Street have turned out for the funeral of the show’s creator Tony Warren, who died at 79 two weeks ago.

The pioneering soap writer was laid to rest in Manchester in a service attended at 2pm today by all manner of soap royalty, as well as members of the public.

Among the mourners was Bet Lynch’ legendary 73-year-old alter-ego Julie Goodyear – who last appeared in the soap in 2003 – and recent star Les Dennis, who was sporting a moustache.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Coronation Street actor Julie Goodyear (R) arrives for the funeral of Coronation Street scriptwriter Tony Warren at Manchester Cathedral on March 18, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) — Corrie legend Julie Goodyear arrives (Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Coronation Street actor Les Dennis (R) and his wife Claire Nicholson arrive for the funeral of Coronation Street scriptwriter Tony Warren at Manchester Cathedral on March 18, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) — Les Dennis was sporting a moustache (Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Coronation Street actors Barbara Knox (R) and William Roache arrive for the funeral of Coronation Street scriptwriter Tony Warren at Manchester Cathedral on March 18, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) — Barbara Knox and the soaps original star William Roache arrive (Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

The funeral of Coronation Street creator, Tony Warren MBE will take place today at Manchester Cathedral at 2.00pm. All welcome.

— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) March 18, 2016

Bill Roach and Barbara Knox, who play two of Weatherfield’s oldest residents Ken and Rita, were among the first to arrive.

On-screen mother and son Sue Cleaver, who played Eileen, and Bruno Langley, who plays Todd, followed before most of the stars began to appear.

Some held each other’s hands for support or wore dark glasses hiding their eyes.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Coronation Street actors Kym Marsh (R) and Alison King arrive for the funeral of Coronation Street scriptwriter Tony Warren at Manchester Cathedral on March 18, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) — Alison King, left, holds on to Kym Marsh, right for support (Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

The Funeral Of Tony Warren. Scriptwriter best know for creating Coronation Street is laid to rest. Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Featuring: Brooke Vincent, Lisa George Where: Manchester, United Kingdom When: 18 Mar 2016 Credit: Steve Searle/WENN.com — Brooke Vincent, Colson Smith, Lisa George and Lucy Fallon arrived together (Picture: Steve Searle/WENN.com)

18 Mar 2016 - Manchester - UK Ryan Thomas Scriptwriter, Tony Warren, best known for creating ITV's Coronation Street is laid to rest at Manchester Cathedral! BYLINE MUST READ : XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM ***UK CLIENTS - PICTURES CONTAINING CHILDREN PLEASE PIXELATE FACE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION *** **UK CLIENTS MUST CALL PRIOR TO TV OR ONLINE USAGE PLEASE TELEPHONE 44 208 344 2007 ** — Ryan Thomas makes an entrance with Jimmi Harkishin behind him (Picture: XPosure)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Fraser/REX/Shutterstock (5616828w) Tina O'Brien Funeral of Tony Warren, Manchester, Britain - 18 Mar 2016 — Tina OBrien showed up alone (Picture: John Fraser/REX/Shutterstock)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Coronation Street actor Sally Dynevor (R) arrives for the funeral of Coronation Street scriptwriter Tony Warren at Manchester Cathedral on March 18, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) — Sally Dynevor looked solemn as she arrived (Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

Andrew Whyment (left) and Alan Halsall arrive at Manchester Cathedral for the funeral of Coronation Street creator and writer Tony Warren. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 18, 2016. See PA story FUNERAL Warren. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire — Andrew Whyment, left, accompanies Alan Halsall, right, into the church (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell (L) arrives for the funeral of Coronation Street scriptwriter Tony Warren at Manchester Cathedral on March 18, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) — Michael Le Vell was joined by a mystery woman (Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

Michael Le Vell, who plays Kevin, led the charge of male stars, also including Ryan Thomas, Sean Tully, Jimmi Harkishin, Andrew Whyment, Jack P. Shepherd, Colson Smith, Sam Aston and Alan Halsall.

Present and past female stars showed up in their droves, including the likes of Tina O’Brien, Alison King, Kym Marsh, Brooke Vincent, Lisa George, Lucy Fallon, Jane Danson, Jennie McAlpine, Samia Ghadie and Sally Dynevor.

Sally, who plays a character of the same name on Corrie, previously paid tribute and thanked Tony for all she had done for her.

Tony wrote the first episodes of Corrie when he was just 24 and has been praised for his pioneering approach to LGBT issues.