‘Coronation Street’ Creator Tony Warren Dies At 79

Broadcaster ITV said Warren died Tuesday night, “surrounded by his loving friends,” after a short illness.

Warren was a 24-year-old actor when he had the idea for a television series set in a working-class street in northwestern England, where he had grown up. He wrote the initial 13-episode run of what was originally called “Florizel Street” — renamed before it was first broadcast in December 1960.

The blend of workaday setting, memorable characters, dramatic story-lines and tart northern humor was a hit. “Corrie” marked its 55th anniversary last year.

Warren wrote for the show for many years, and ITV said he remained a consultant on the series until the day he died.