Say I Do...I Do...I Do...I Do...I Do...I Do?

*Spoiler Alert*

The Corrie episode everyone's been waiting for as Sophie and Sian walk down the aisle in beautiful matching dresses has finally arrived, we only wish it would have a happy ending. We know that this is highly unlikely however as Sacha Parkinson is leaving the Soap :-(

The question is, will a guilty Sophie confess her feelings for Amber in front of everyone or will Kevin step in after Sunita told him the other night that she doesn't think Sophie is certain about the wedding?

Breaking with tradition, the girls meet before the ceremony and Sian gives Sophie an engraved bracelet.

As Sophie prepares for her big day. Kevin takes her outside to ask her if she is having second thoughts but Sophie assures him that she is doing the right thing.

Kevin can't help but crack a smile as his beautiful daughter sets off for the church.

Inside the church, Sian reads her vows beautifully but Sophie struggles with her words.

Devastated by Sophie's inability to complete her vows, Sian runs off. Sophie chases after her, but how will this fairytale end?

One thing's for sure, we will all be shedding many tears tonight as the storyline that created the nation's favourite lesbian couple comes to an end. Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson have been inspirational in the way that they have portrayed the young couple, and have changed many people's lives, including my own. The Sophie and Sian storyline has changed not just the way that gay people are shown on television by avoiding stereotypes, but perceptions of the LGBT community in society in general. They've shown that you can't choose who you fall in love with and love is beautiful regardless of your sexual orientation.

It is very doubtful that anyone will be starting a 'Amphie' fan group anytime soon for Amber and Sophie, but memories of Sophie and Sian will certainly carry on with many of the brilliant YouTube videos that have been made for the couple.

Enjoy tonight's episode through your tears, it may be the end of a revolutionary storyline for Coronation Street but it has brought many of us together and has taught audiences so much. Thank you Brooke and Sacha. Thank you Coronation Street.

On Demand Pick of The Week: Lost Christmas

I came across Lost Christmas whilst channel-flicking last night and discovered a real television gem. The story stars Eddie Izzard as Anthony, a strange man with the power to discover what people have lost by touching their hand. Although Anthony has no recollection of who is his or why he has been given such a gift, he soon comes to realise that he is the key to the beginning and end of this Christmas story for troubled young boy Goose.

I won't give away the various twists in this urban fairytale set in Manchester, but will say that the story writing is fantastic and it is a very compelling watch. Eddie Izzard puts in a brilliant performance as Anthony who remains mysterious throughout, and Larry Mills proves to be a great young actor with his portrayal of the young offender. It's a perfect family Christmas story that is a refreshing change from high-budget dramatised epics. Although there are flashbacks and special effects, the heart of Lost Christmas lies with the emotive story which unfolds throughout the drama.



Lost Christmas is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer now.

What the Dickens!

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has to be one of the most popular and well-known Christmas stories (muppets or no muppets) of all time. The 19th century British author shows us that Christmas is a wonderful time to spend with the family; a time to forget our troubles and come together. But, just what was family life like for the Dickens family?

As they say, behind every great man, there's a great woman. This Christmas, Sue Perkins (oh how we love you, Sue Perkins) reveals the true story of the life of Mrs Catherine Dickens, faithful wife to the famous novelist and mother to their ten children, in a new documentary for BBC2 entitled Mrs Dickens' Family Christmas.

Speaking to Dickens experts and visiting the British Library, Sue finds out how the Dickens family lived, from Mrs Dickens' family entertaining to the children's part in performing their father's work. Life wasn't all that sweet however, as Sue reveals, with Charles later wanting to trade his wife in for a younger model!

In an interview with the BBC, Sue Perkins describes the programme as reavealing the 'depths and shallows' in Charles Dickens' personality 'and the intense shabbiness with which he treated his partner.'

Sue continues:

'to see this other side of Charles Dickens was incredible. He was a babyish, coquettish, love-struck kind of guy - he was soppy, basically, and he'd lost the plot a bit. He'd gone doolally because he loved her and it was great to read that.'

Mrs Dickens' Family Christmas airs on Friday 30th December at 9pm.

When asked which Dickens' characters Sue would love to play, she replied 'Miss Havisham. I think I'd do the bitterness perfectly!'

Coincidently, a new lavish adaptation of Great Expectations will be on our screens this Christmas. but unfortunately Sue will not be playing the lead!

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

We were asked to take along our favourite poems to my reading group tonight so I thought I'd share one of mine with you, Still I Rise by the inspirational American poet Maya Angelou (I've included a video of her reciting the poem underneath).

Still I Rise By Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

And so, I rise.

TV Pick for Tonight: Angels in America

An impressive cast stars in this award-winning adaptation of Tony Kushner's play Angels in America. Tackling subjects of sexuality, religion and politics, the drama focuses on the interconnected lives of a group of characters dealing with the harsh realities of 1980's New York in the shadow of an AIDS epidemic.

The crux of the story follows Prior Walker (Justin Kirk), a gay man from New York who has recently been diagnosed with AIDS and experiences visions of a decending angel (Emma Thompson) who tells him that he has been chosen as a prophet. Meanwhile, attorney Roy Cohn (Al Pacino) refuses to accept that he has AIDS and is being haunted by the ghost of a woman (Meryl Streep) who he had previously sent to the electric chair. The two main characters are connected by Roy's protege, Joe Pitt (Patrick Wilson), who leaves his wife for Prior's former partner, Louis (Ben Shenkman).

In a time of immense social and political change, when AIDS was claiming lives at a rapid rate and gay men were being branded as 'killers', the drama captures the true essence of what it was like to be gay during the Reagan era, and explores each of the characters' hopes and dreams as well as their fears and uncertainties.

The first part of this insightful drama starts tonight at 9pm on Sky Atlantic.

This week in Soapland, featuring News on the Corrie Musical!

Coronation Street

In Coronation Street this week, Peter makes a life-changing decision but what impact will this have on Leanne? Elsewhere, Karl is furious after discovering Stella and Lloyd's secret, leading to Lloyd saying his final farewell to Wetherfield. Meanwhile, Owen's feud with David and Kylie spirals out of control.

Coronation Street takes to the stage for the live musical event Street of Dreams!

Hosted by popular funny host Paul O'Grady, Street of Dreams will debut in Manchester next March for a spectacular world premiere, starring past and present faces from Coronation Street, including the return of Julie Goodyear as Bet Lynch, Kevin Kennedy as Curly Watts and the one and only William Roache as Ken Barlow.

The show is based upon the critically acclaimed album Coronation Street - Rogues, Angels Heroes & Fools which was released last Christmas for Coronation Street's 50th Anniversary. A 25 piece orchestra, a West End cast and choreography from Olivier award winning Stephen Mear will complete the spectacular production. Don't miss out, Corrie fans, book your tickets today!

Emmerdale

Tensions are high this week in Emmerdale as Cain's condition continues to worsen, will he wake up to reveal his attacker? Meanwhile, Moira worries she might have landed John in trouble, with only Cain to save him, tearaway Sean impresses Belle, and Val is determined to change Amy's mind about the baby.

EastEnders

In EastEnders, Shirley plays detective as she tries to find out who is stalking Phil and is stunned to find out it could be someone much closer to home than she thought. When Phil suspects Jack, he decides to play him at his own game which backfires on Roxy as Jack prevents her from seeing Amy. Meanwhile, Pat and the kids excitedly welcome Ricky home but he doesn't quite have the good news they are hoping for so to cheer them up Pat organises a family trip to Clacton, before going to Janine for help. Elsewhere, Yusef becomes abusive with Zainab, as she desperately tries to seek help, will she get away in time?

Hollyoaks

Warren's attempts to keep Mitzeee on side leave her feeling more frightened than ever as Brendan continues to drip poison. Elsewhere, Tara's return spells trouble for Callum and Maddie's relationship, leading to Maddie going on a mission of self-destruction. Meanwhile, Mercedes struggles with her role as domestic goddess for the Christmas meal she's planned with Riley and calls for back-up from the McQueens, but will her efforts be enough to bring about a reconciliation?

Favourite Glee Moments - 'Hold on to Sixteen'

Just in case you haven't seen it yet, I won't tell you who won Sectionals in Glee last night but I will however share a quote which has to be one of Finn's best lines ever. Yes, last night saw the return of Sam ('Trouty Mouth') who Finn and Rachel managed to locate because according to Finn, 'even homeless people have Facebook.' Classic!

The end of season 3, when many of the much-loved characters will inevitably leave, is getting scarily close but we do have the Christmas episode to look forward to!

Until then, here's a little reminder of one song from the last episode that I STILL can't get out of my head!

TV Pick for Tonight: Without You

Aside from the obvious Corrie and Glee indulgence on a Thursday night, I do like a good thriller! The new three-part thriller Without You is based on the novel What to do When Someone Dies by crime writer Nicci French. The story revolves around teacher Ellie Manning (played by the lovely Anna Friel) who is happily married to accountant Greg until one night when two police officers knock at the door and explain that Greg and an unknown female passenger have been involved in a fatal crash.

As if her grief alone wasn't enough to deal with, Ellie is overwhelmed with uncertainty about her husband as she begins to question whether he was being unfaithful to her. Ellie's best friend, Greg's mate and his boss, all try to help the young widow but she is unable to accept the coroner's ruling of 'accidental death'. Convinced that her husband's death was not an accident, Ellie refuses to even acknowledge that Greg knew the passenger he was found with, businesswoman Milena Livingstone, and goes to great lengths to prove that she was a stranger to him. But, as the mystery around Greg's death deepens, Ellie becomes suspicious of everyone, including herself.

Without You begins tonight on ITV1 at 9pm.

On Demand Pick of the Week: My Transsexual Summer

If you missed the series My Transsexual Summer which finished last week, I would highly recommend a catch-up with this inspirational documentary on 4OD before it's too late; there's only one day left to view the first episode!

Summer to most people is a time to relax in the garden, spend time with the kids or have a change by doing a bit of DIY, but for seven brave individuals last summer was a major turning point in their lives. Channel 4's My Transsexual Summer grouped together seven individuals who identified as the opposite sex and supported them with adjusting to their new genders and also their new lifestyles. The emotional roller coaster felt by the participants not only highlighted the difficult decisions that they had to make, but also encapsulated the viewers on their own ignorance-reducing journey.

The four-part series took a frank and extremely honest look at the transition periods of three female born (Fox, Max and Lewis) and four male born (Sarah, Karen, Drew and Donna) transsexuals as they told family members, contemplated surgery and also searched for a "normal" life, without being stared at down the street. The final episode ended with an emotional look at the long journey each of them had been through in such a short period of time and showed how the seven of them saw each other as a new family, especially for those who had faced such discrimination from their own families that they had been shunned and disowned.

It was not all bleak though, as the programme also highlighted how some family bonds are so strong that their child's gender really did not matter. It was incredibly really touching to see Lewis' dad held a fundraiser to raise money for his transgender operation, and to see Max's grandma defy the generation gap and support him fully, even though his own parents did not.

Channel 4 notoriously supports and advances the eradication of prejudice through its programme-making, such as with Seven Dwarves and Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice, and My Transsexual Summer is no different in its approach to this agenda. Having tweeted along to the programme over the weeks (#transsummer), I noticed how viewers opinions changed once they started to understand each of the individuals. Programme's like this have the fantastic ability to educate the general public on matters that are often hidden from public view, and highlight the power that the media can have over public perceptions.

Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to the Rainbow Tweeters blog. Earlier this year, I started the @RainbowTweeters Twitter account as a way of finding out more about what's going on within the LGBT community and to interact with like-minded people. I have decided to start this blog as I absolutely love talking to people on Twitter who have similar interests to me and want to further this by discussing more things with you that make me laugh, smile and cry (in more than 140 chracters!).

So, a little about me and my blog...I work in TV listings and unsurprisingly love TV! In this blog I shall be featuring all the programmes I love with previews, views and reviews, including all the goings-on in the soaps, Glee (lots of love for Glee!), The L Word, Lip Service (so excited about series 2!) and many more documentaries and dramas that I hear about at work and can't wait to see!

I will also be using this blog space to discuss LGBT news and events, as well as any other news which causes an outburst!

Thank you for reading my blog, I hope you like it.

I look forward to your comments :-D

Sam x