Our Kids Up Shops Sketch | Leigh Lambert

As life on the cobbles races towards celebrating its sixth decade, ITV Studios is proud to reveal Newcastle artist Leigh Lambert’s iconic artwork illustrating life ‘On the Cobbles’ over the decades. The main image sees Coronation Street recreated in Leigh’s signature style and dusted with ghosts of the past alongside figures of the present. Nods to well-loved characters are identifiable amidst the infamous cobbles and smoky chimneys, both showing the beating heart of Tony Warren’s idea about a ‘little back street in Salford’ which became the longest running continuing drama in the world.The three sketches which accompany the collection also give hint to perhaps the greatest ‘Love Story’ the street has ever known, the most famous pigeons (‘They Always Come Home’) and of course the opening scene of the first ever episode (Our Kid’s Up Shop).Reflecting on creating the images Leigh says: "It was a real honour to be invited to produce such a momentous tribute. Visiting the set earlier this year I got to experience the real sense of history these iconic buildings and cobbles have and it’s obvious how the endless list of characters who have ‘lived’ in them and walked on them are permanently in the great British psyche. Being part of ‘Corrie’s 60th is really exciting and a true honour, I hope everybody enjoys seeing the pictures as much as I have creating them”. Steve Watling, Controller of Operations for Games, Live and Merchandising at ITV said;"We're delighted to collaborate with Leigh on these fabulous works of art which I am sure will be hugely popular with all our Coronation Street fans. Leigh’s an incredibly collectable artist and we’re excited to see this celebration of ‘Corrie’s 60th become a part of art history - as well as giving fans of the show the chance to own a little part of Corrie history”.