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Gay Pride News: A dozen men dressed as soap legend Hilda Ogden will lead the Parade at Manchester Pride.
By: Nigel Robinson
"Gay icon" Hilda Ogden
"Gay icon" Hilda Ogden
"Hilda Ogden" to return for Manchester Pride
According to a report in the Sun, the men will be the centrepiece of the Coronation Street float at this year’s Manchester Pride.
The float will lead the Parade through Manchester and will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Manchester-based soap.
According to a show insider, Hilda Ogden, played by actress Jean Alexander, who last appeared in the soap in 1987, “was a massive gay icon – so it’s a tribute to her enduring appeal that ‘she’ will be centre stage on the float.”
It is thought that joining the float will be actor Anthony Cotton who plays gay character Sean Tully, and Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson, who play lesbian lovers Sally Webster and Sian Powers.
The soap has featured several gay themes in the past, and will shortly be running a controversial storyline about homophobia featuring character Ken Barlow’s long-lost son.
Jackie Crozier, festival director of Manchester Pride, said: “We're delighted they're teaming up with Manchester Pride in this, their fiftieth anniversary year.
“Through characters like Sean Tully, Hayley Cropper, Todd Grimshaw and, most recently, Sophie Webster, they have helped to raise awareness of the issues facing the LGBT community to millions of loyal viewers.”
Manchester Pride takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend 27 – 30 August
For a comprehensive list of all the UK’s Gay Prides visit the Pride Life
