New Coronation Street set includes touching tribute to Manchester terror attack victims
The memorial is part of the soap's expanded set
Last updated 13th Mar 2018
ITV soap Coronation Street have paid tribute to the 22 victims of the 22nd May 2017 terror attack in Manchester by including a memorial bench as part of their expanded set.
During the launch of the new set today, it was revealed a specially commissioned, mosaic covered, memorial bench will have pride of place in the urban garden in memory of Coronation Street superfan Martyn Hett, and all those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bomb in May 2017. Martyn’s family were the first people to see the new set last week during a private visit and were present at the unveiling today.
The plaque on the bench reads, ‘For Martyn and all those who lost their lives on the 22nd of May 2017. We stand together’. It also features bees flying around after the bee became a symbol for solidarity following the attack.
22 people tragically had their lives cut short on the night of 22nd May at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena by a senseless act of terror. 29-year-old Martyn was sadly one of those victims and had just that day featured on the radio to talk about his Deirdre Barlow tattoo. He had previously expressed his love for the soap by blogging about Audrey Roberts and Gail Platt.
Martyn was previously honoured by Coronation Street at Manchester Pride in August last year where they had 'Be More Martyn' emblazoned on their float. Anthony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully on the soap said at the time, "When Martyn left this current world at the Ariana Grande concert none of us ever believed that that could happen. But what we want to say on behalf of the Coronation Street cast and crew is Be. More. Martyn!"
Martyn was one of 22 people whose lives were tragically cut short on 22nd May 2017. The other victims were Alison Howe, Angelika Klis, Chloe Rutherford, Eilidh MacLeod, Elaine McIver, Georgina Callander, Jane Tweddle, John Atkinson, Liam Curry, Lisa Lees, Marcin Klis, Kelly Brewster, Megan Hurley, Michelle Kiss, Nell Jones, Olivia Campbell-Hardy, Saffie Roussos, Sorrell Leczkowski, Wendy Fawell, Courtney Boyle and Philip Tron.