Havoc in Coronation Street
Half of the TV audience turned to the ITV1 to watch the disaster at the climax of a nail-biting double bill, to kick off the soap's 50th anniversary week.
As the second of the shows reached its end, a massive explosion ripped through new bar,. The Joinery, causing a tram to plunge from the viaduct overhead.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt destroyed Street landmarks The Kabin and the Corner Shop, leaving the lives of much-loved characters in peril.
The dramatic second episode pulled in an average audience of 12.9 million – the largest Weatherfield has drawn for five years.
And viewers peaked at 14.6 million - amounting to 50 per cent of those watching TV at that time.