Soap fans fuming as Coronation Street and EastEnders CLASH

(Image credit: ITV)

Soap fans are being forced to choose between Coronation Street and EastEnders as the two shows go head-to-head in tonight's scheduling...

Tonight's Coronation Street marks a huge milestone as the legendary soap celebrates its 10,000th episode with a hour-long special.

However, soap fans are set to face a tough choice as the celebratory episode airs at 7.30 for an hour on ITV, while EastEnders will remain in its usual Friday night slot of 8pm on BBC One.

Coronation Street spoilers: Corrie marks it’s 1000th episode! — Tonight's special episode of Coronation Street clashes with EastEnders (Picture: ITV)

While tonight's EastEnders will see Karen Taylor making a shocking confession to her daughter Bernadette, and Linda Carter making a horrific discovery as her drinking continues to spiral out of control, there is a huge dollop of nostalgia over in Coronation Street.

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The extra special instalment of Coronation Street tonight will see Rita discover that her former husband Dennis Tanner has passed away, and she is given the task of going to Blackpool to scatter his ashes.

But Rita is left surprised when she realises Jenny has gathered her friends together so they can all take a coach trip to the seaside town with her, and before long half of Weatherfield are boarding the bus.

But as always with Coronation Street, the trip doesn't quite go to plan and by the end of the episode someone will have decided that it is time for them to depart the cobbles.

Coronation Street stars Sally Dynevor, who plays the legendary Sally Metcalfe in the soap, and Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully, appeared on Good Morning Britain bright and early today to reveal some secrets about tonight's milestone episode...

Coronation Street 10,000 episode — Sally Dynevor and Antony Cotton chatted about the 10,000th episode on Good Morning Britain (Picture: ITV)

"There is a bit of a surprise at the end which when I read the script I gasped. I was like, 'Oh my god'," revealed Sally.

"All the WhatsApp groups went mad," added Antony, talking about when the rest of the cast discovered the twist set to air tonight. "There are lots of nods to the past tonight, while also looking to the future."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV, while EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.