EastEnders vs Coronation Street: Which is *really* the best soap?

Are you a Corrie lover… or an Enders fan? It’s time to decide which soap is better, once and for all!

Danny Dyer vs Shayne Ward

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Some people profess to love both shows equally, but, on the whole, there’s a BIG divide between EastEnders and Corrie fans.

And, if you ever check out Twitter, there’s always a lot of big talk about whether the BBC One soap or the ITV soap is better.

But which one is the actual BEST?

It’s time to find out, once and for all…

EastEnders vs Coronation Street: Which is better?

1) EastEnders has Janine

There’s no denying that she truly is the spawn of satan and, whenever she appears in Walford, we’re guaranteed some seriously good telly.

Sure, she’s in Paris now… but she’s probably poised and ready to come back at ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

That’s the Janine way.

2) But, then again, Coronation Street has Tracy…

And Tracy is seriously twisted too - possibly even more so than Janine. Possibly.

Not sure why she’s so fun to watch?

Think blackmail, arson, affairs, murder, and general mayhem. All hail Tracy Barlow!

3) EastEnders has the Queen Vic

If we’re talking pubs at the centre of the universe, the Queen Vic DEFINITELY fits the bill.

This is where Den served Angie those divorce papers, and was later murdered by Chrissie. This is the very same pub that Phil Mitchell burned to the ground in a drug-induced rage, and where Mick discovered that his sister, Shirley, was actually his mum.

Plus let’s not forget all those slaps, wedding receptions, funerals, and revelations.

You can never have a quiet pint at the Vic, you know.

4) … but Coronation Street has the Rovers Return

And, if we’re being honest, a LOT of shizzle has gone down in that sleepy little pub.

Here’s just a taster of what you can expect to see as you enjoy a pint of bitter…

Yup, slaps galore, cheating revelations, and drinks in faces are just the tip of the iceberg. The pub has also had a lorry crash into it, been burnt to a crisp in an electrical fire, and hosted a LOT of weddings and funerals over the years.

5) EastEnders has murders galore

Remember the big ol’ Lucy Beale whodunnit? Remember the mystery around Archie Mitchell’s murder? Remember when Steve killed Saskia? Remember poor Fatboy’s untimely demise?!!

They’re all about keeping us guessing, right up until the very last moment…

6) … but so does Coronation Street

Richard Hillman’s serial killer tendencies had us all hooked, and Callum Logan’s evil ways were definitely good entertainment - not to mention Tina McIntyre’s tragic death.

Murder most foul in Manchester, eh?

7) EastEnders tackles serious and controversial issues

Euthanasia, eating disorders, drugs, religion, underage sex, HIV, domestic abuse, homosexuality, rape, teenage pregnancy, child abuse, postnatal depression, mental illness… the list just goes on.

EastEnders has NEVER been afraid to tackle controversial issues head on - just another reason to love the BBC One soap.

8) … but so does Coronation Street

They had Hayley, the first transsexual character of any soap opera, and they’ve also tackled illegal immigration, human trafficking, gun crime, teen pregnancy, LGBT issues, and false imprisonment.

Way to go, Corrie!

9) EastEnders is all about strong and powerful women

Seriously, think about it; this is a show about women - and their men.

We’ve had Lou Beale, Pauline Fowler, Shabnam Masood, Peggy Mitchell, Pat Butcher, Dot Branning, Kathy Beale, Zainab Masood, and Carol Jackson. Nowadays we’ve got Ronnie Mitchell, Linda Carter, Lauren Branning, Jane Beale, Sharon Mitchell, Kat Moon, Stacey Slater, Aunt Babe, Nancy Carter, Roxy Mitchell, Abi Branning, and MORE!!!

All hail the loud, proud, and awesome women of Walford!

10) … but guess what? So does Corrie.

Deirdre Barlow, Tina McIntyre, Carla Connor, Tracy Cropper, Leanne Battersby, Kylie Platt, Sophie Webster, Fiz Brown, Rita Sullivan, Eileen Grimshaw, Audrey Robers, Hilda Ogden, Sunita Alahan, Karen McDonald, Vera Duckworth, Liz McDonald, Blanche… the list goes on and on.

Looks like the women of Weatherfield are a force to be reckoned with too, eh?

11) EastEnders brings the laughs

That’s right, it MAY be miserable in Walford - but it can also be downright hilarious, too.

Don’t believe us? Think Mick Carter, Zainab Masood, Heather Trott, Fatboy, Kim Fox, Kevin Wicks and Alfie Moon, if you need an idea of who dishes out the comic relief to EastEnders.

12) … and Corrie is a laugh riot, too

Two words?

Steve McDonald.

Plus, y’know, Norris. And Dev. And everyone.

13) In EastEnders, no beloved character is safe

You learn to appreciate them all that much more because their days are numbered. Remember Jamie? And Tiffany? And Heather? And Fatboy? And Dennis? And Nana Moon?

AND EVERYONE WE’VE EVER LOVED?!?!

Thank goodness there’s always the chance the can pop back up, alive and well, years later, eh?

14) … but Corrie sure do like bumping people off as well

Seriously it’s a downright sobfest.

Rest in peace, all you beloved Corrie characters.

15) EastEnders always throws a good wedding

Almost 60 of them, in fact - and only FIVE of those have been Ian Beale’s!

And they’ve all been wonderfully memorable, emotional, and (often) violent. Although there’s no denying that Mick in a pink dressing gown at his wedding to Linda was a BIG high point!

Plus, you know, we like looking at soapstars in wedding dresses. So sue us.

16) … annnnnnnnnnd so do Corrie

Tracy’s wedding was a humdinger, wasn’t it? And let’s not forget Steve and Becky McDonald’s ill-fated nuptials.

We’ve actually got a white wedding to look forward to in the form of Carla and Nick - and it’s GUARANTEED to go horribly wrong, especially with Tracy Barlow blackmailing poor Ms Connor over her recent one night stand.

BRING IT ON!!!

17) EastEnders has an array of terrifying evil child stars

Nothing scarier than a scary child.

What did we tell you?

18) Guess what? Corrie do too.

Proof?

Terrifying.

19) EastEnders has the BEST theme tune ever

Let’s all sing along now, shall we?

BANGING TUNE, THAT ONE!!!!

20) … but Corrie’s theme tune is equally epic

Spin that s--t, DJ!

That instrumental gives us tingles.

In short, there’s no clear answer to this argument.

EastEnders is awesome, Coronation Street is brilliant, and we love them both equally.

But, then again, 'Enders does have an extra-special card up their sleeve…

It’s Danny Dyer, y’know?

Actual Danny Dyer. Miaow!

But then we guess Corrie have their own secret sexy weapon in the form of…

… yup, actual Shayne Ward of X Factor fame.

Oh god - it’s too tough to call!!!

Which is your favourite - Corrie or EastEnders?

Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.

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