ITV has announced three new series featuring vintage moments from Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Both soaps are currently down from six episodes a week to just three due to complications caused by the coronavirus shutdown - and it is likely to be at least a few months before they are in a position to start ramping back up their episode counts.
The new special spinoff shows will air alongside the new episodes of the soaps, although exact scheduling details have yet to be revealed.
The first is Coronation Street Memorable Moments, an eight-episode clip show narrated by comedian Jason Manford. The eight themes are confirmed as Weddings, Villains, Stories That Gripped The Nation, Battle Axes, Scandals, Partnerships, Famous Faces and High Days & Holidays.
Coronation Street Icons, a four-part series voiced by Sally Lindsay, will profile four of the soap's best-loved characters via vintage clips and talking heads from cast members past and present. The four characters are confirmed as Ken Barlow (Bill Roache), Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor), Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard) and Roy Cropper (David Neilson).
The final series is Emmerdale Family Trees, a four-parter narrated by Gaynor Faye looking back at the generations of three iconic families: The Sugdens, The Tates and The Dingles (two episodes).
"Not only will new episodes of the soaps continue in the schedules, we now have these new specials to join them and entertain viewers," said Katie Rawcliffe, ITV's head of commissioning.
"Both soaps have a rich history and we've delved into the archives with these new programmes to celebrate that."
Meanwhile, BBC soap EastEnders will start airing classic episodes in full from next week after being forced to take a three-month break due to coronavirus.
Neil Wilkes
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