Coronation Street hits another impressive milestone on Friday (February 7) by airing its 10,000th episode.
ITV has scheduled in an hour-long special to celebrate the latest achievement of the world's longest-running soap, with many of the best-loved and longest-serving characters rightfully taking centre stage.
Many of the exact details on what to expect from the episode are still being kept under wraps, but we've pulled together 8 early teasers to whet your appetite without giving too much away.
1. It's classic Corrie
A big soap milestone usually means death, destruction, screaming matches and slaps – but Corrie bosses have decided to save all of that for the 60th anniversary in December.
Speaking last month, Corrie's producer Iain MacLeod explained that he'd decided to take two completely different approaches when planning Episode 10,000 and the December birthday celebrations.
While the 60th anniversary is expected to include a stunt of some form, the 10,000th episode is being billed as a slower-paced and character-based edition.
What to Read Next
MacLeod told Inside Soap: "We have our 10,000th episode that we are intending to mark with something 'classic Corrie', that has a comedic and character driven vibe. The 60th is likely to be something more explosive."
2. There's a sad death
The main storyline for the episode revolves around Rita Tanner, who is shocked to receive a parcel containing Dennis's ashes. Rita, who tied the knot with Dennis in 2012, is saddened to hear that her ex has passed away.
The unexpected delivery is accompanied by a note for Rita, requesting her to scatter the ashes in Blackpool. Let's just hope Rita stays away from the trams…
3. Sixteen characters are involved
As Rita continues to process the big news, Jenny hijacks the occasion by suggesting that a trip to Blackpool is something that everyone would enjoy.
Rita has already asked Ken to accompany her for the journey, but before long, Amy, Audrey, Carla, Eileen, Emma, Evelyn, Gail, Jenny, Mary, Nina, Sean, Tracy, Sally and Yasmeen are coming along too. The more, the merrier, it seems.
4. The coach driver is a familiar face
Jenny's hastily-put-together plans lead to a coach arriving on the cobbles to take everyone along to Blackpool.
The driver of the coach is played by comedy actor John Henshaw, who's best known for his roles in Early Doors, The Cops and Born and Bred.
5. It's party time on the coach, but tensions rise
Adding to the celebratory tone (hang on, wasn't this supposed to be about mourning Dennis?), the vehicle is a disco coach with drinks flowing for the happy travellers.
Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey, teased the episode on ITV's Lorraine this week by saying: "It's all ladies, apart from dear Ken, Sean and the wonderful bus driver.
"Rita and I, and Ken, sit and talk about life and everything. And in fact, I think the prosecco goes to Audrey's head and she has a bit of a spat with Rita!
"That was nice, and then all the others have stories to tell as you go down the bus, as the hour goes on. It's kind of nice. It's just a little view into the world that was, that still is, and that is to come. There's nobody shot, nobody is pushed out the bus."
6. Geoff continues to hassle Yasmeen
Yasmeen finally spends some time away from her abusive partner Geoff, in the aftermath of the disturbing scenes they've shared this week. Sadly, Geoff still won't leave Yasmeen alone and bombards her with phone calls, not wanting to lose his influence over her.
Shelley King, who plays Yasmeen, recently explained: "We have seen her thinking about what happened and we don't know what she is feeling, but she is out with him and at the last minute decides to go on the coach trip.
"This is Geoff's worst nightmare after what has just happened, the thought of her on that bus with people asking questions, and he rings her often during the trip."
7. The trip starts to go wrong
Although they aren't giving the exact details away, Corrie bosses have revealed that the coach trip is "not without incident". Tensions rise when it starts to look like the group won't make it to Blackpool before nightfall.
Details are hazy on exactly how the journey goes, but we know Corrie filmed some scenes on location at The Royal Arms pub in Tockholes, Lancashire as part of the episode. Drinking at a pub that's not The Rovers? Heaven forbid.
Paparazzi photographers also caught the cast filming on location for scenes which see an ambulance arriving at the party bus. Sue Nicholls has already ruled out a major incident, so what has gone wrong?
8. Someone decides to leave
Proving this isn't just a filler episode, the show has promised big consequences from the coach trip.
The official synopsis has teased that "lives will have changed" by the end of the day – for one resident in particular, who decides the time has come to leave the cobbles for new pastures. Can you guess who?
Coronation Street airs its 10,000th episode on Friday at 7.30pm on ITV.
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our Coronation Street homepage
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest Coronation Street spoilers, as Maria cheats on Gary, and Daniel announces that Bethany is his girlfriend.
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
![The Road to Coronation Street [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1568634215-51d4CaKIrCL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Road to Coronation Street [DVD]")
![The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1568634418-51we2BNTW1yL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]")
ITV The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
