Coronation Street Star in Barrow
Last updated at 09:08, Tuesday, 31 March 2009
SHOPPERS flocked to a new store in Barrow on Saturday morning to meet a Coronation Street star.
Andrew Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland in the popular ITV soap, was in town to officially open Poundland in Dalton Road.
Despite his early start to the day, he was also happy to pose for pictures, sign autographs and chat to customers as they reached the front of the queue.
Mr Whyment said: “I live in Atherton, which is just outside of Manchester, so I had to be up at 6.45am to travel up here.
“This is my first ever visit to Barrow.
“It was all A-roads once I got off the motorway. I saw some lovely scenery on my way into the town. Everyone in Barrow has been very welcoming. Everyone I have met has been lovely.
“It was so nice to see people queuing up at 8.30am to meet me – it makes me feel quite proud.”
Mr Whyment gained popularity with TV audiences after playing loveable Darren in hit BBC comedy, The Royle Family.
He joined the Corrie cast in 2000.
Mr Whyment said: “I am lucky really because Kirk is a pretty popular character. Everyone seems to like him. He is more loveable than some of the villains like Tony, although lately Tony has got a bit better.”
Emily King, Zoe Anderson and Emma Curtis, all aged 15 and from Barrow, set their alarms extra early on Saturday to make sure they caught their favourite star of ‘the Street’.
Miss King said: “We’ve all been up since 6.30am. He (Mr Whyment) was so lovely to us. We all got our pictures with him and got a signed picture of him too. He is a really nice lad.”
Donna Flint, of Ormsgill, brought her four-year-old son Alan Little along to meet the star.
She said: “We came because we are fans of Coro. Kirk is one of the best characters in it. He is funny.”
Free sweets and balloons were handed out as part of the official opening.
Andrew Ronaldson, who will manage the Poundland store, which sells all its goods for £1, said: “The opening has gone really well.
“I think the shop will fly in Barrow.”
First published at 13:18, Saturday, 28 March 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
barrow is a dead end town no ambition no decent shops people are living in the 1950s.but they seem to enjoy being years behind everywhere else.perhaps there scared to go past the A590 incase they find other human beings!!!!!
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The town centre is on a decline because of the recession and that's why barrow needs cheap shops. Just because you shop at poundland it doesnt make you a dosser.
Posted by Lawrence on 22 July 2010 at 19:46