Why is tonight’s Corrie starting later than usual?

Coronation Street fans will have to wait a little longer for their latest trip to Weatherfield tonight, as ITV1 makes room for a very special festive treat.

The popular ITV soap is on tonight, but its start time has been pushed back to accommodate the launch of Waitrose’s brand-new Christmas advert, which is airing on ITV1 at 8pm.

And this isn’t just any ordinary Christmas commercial. The full-length version of the advert runs for an impressive six minutes, bringing viewers a festive romantic comedy starring Keira Knightley, Joe Wilkinson and Alex Hassell.

Why is Coronation Street starting later tonight?

The reason for tonight’s schedule change is the eagerly anticipated Waitrose Christmas advert, titled The Perfect Gift 2.

The six-minute festive film is the sequel to last year’s successful Christmas campaign and promises another helping of romance, comedy, food and festive chaos.

With the advert taking centre stage at 8pm, Coronation Street will be starting later than its usual time.

So, while Corrie fans might be keen to find out what’s happening on the cobbles, they’ll first be treated to a rather unusual love story involving a runaway bride, a rival groom and one very special beef Wellington.

What happens in Coronation Street tonight?

There is plenty of drama waiting in Weatherfield, with several characters facing some potentially life-changing developments.

Sarah is left shocked by Kit’s vulnerability, as a different side to him begins to emerge.

Meanwhile, Christina spins a tale in a bid to win Richie’s trust. But will her story have the desired effect, or could she find herself caught up in an even bigger web of lies?

Elsewhere, Tracy and Debbie announce some major business changes, potentially setting the stage for a new chapter for the pair.

And Brody turns up the pressure by threatening to expose Idris. Could his threat have serious consequences?

With secrets, surprises and business shake-ups on the agenda, it looks set to be another eventful night in Weatherfield.

What’s happening in the Waitrose Christmas advert?

This year’s Waitrose Christmas advert is called The Perfect Gift 2, and it picks up the story of an unlikely romance first sparked over the supermarket’s cheese counter.

Keira Knightley returns as herself, alongside Joe Wilkinson as Phil ‘Phil Phil’, the lovelorn everyman who captured her heart in last year’s festive film.

But there’s trouble in paradise.

Keira is getting married at three o’clock – unfortunately for Phil, she isn’t marrying him.

Instead, she is preparing to walk down the aisle with Hugo Bunty-Griffin, played by Alex Hassell, a suave new love rival with impeccable tailoring and plenty of confidence.

There’s just one problem: Hugo appears rather more interested in his own reflection than his bride-to-be.

As Keira prepares for her big day, Phil is left heartbroken. His beard has grown to tragic proportions, his dressing gown has become his entire wardrobe, and his only companions are a pack of Waitrose No.1 Handmade Polar Bear Bao Buns.

However, his friends aren’t prepared to let him give up just yet.

Arriving with Waitrose shopping bags and a rather ambitious plan, they encourage Phil to make one last attempt to win Keira back.

And what better way to do that than with food?

Phil sets about creating the beef Wellington of his life, hoping that the perfect homemade meal might just save the romance.

But getting it to Keira before the wedding ceremony is no easy task.

A flat tyre, a dog with an appetite for his creation and a stately home full of seemingly endless corridors and stairs all threaten to derail his mission.

In what becomes a frantic race against time, Phil finally bursts through the wedding venue doors, clutching his precious creation.

Unfortunately, things don’t quite go to plan.

His lovingly prepared beef Wellington slides down the aisle and lands at Keira’s feet, followed by one final romantic gesture: a jar of homemade sauce bearing the message ‘Marry Me Instead?’

Hugo is furious at being upstaged, Keira is left speechless, and Phil is promptly ushered out into the cold.

But this is a Christmas love story, after all, and there is still a happy ending to come.

In a final twist, Keira decides that the man she really wants is the one she first met in the Waitrose aisle.

She swaps the wedding aisle for Phil, gets down on one knee and presents him with a cheeseboard ring, using his ‘Marry Me Instead’ jar as the diamond.

Because, as the advert reminds us, a true food match really is the perfect gift – and handmade beats handsome every time.

What time is the Waitrose Christmas advert on ITV1?

The full six-minute version of The Perfect Gift 2 is scheduled to air on ITV1 at 8pm tonight.

With Keira Knightley returning, Joe Wilkinson bringing his trademark comedy and a rather spectacular beef Wellington at the centre of the story, Waitrose is hoping to serve up another festive favourite.

And once the Christmas romance has played out, Coronation Street fans can settle in for the latest drama from Weatherfield – just a little later than usual!

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