Millions of 'Coronation Street' fans watched the dramatic live episode last night as the soap marked its 50th anniversary with a birth, another death and a marriage.
The cast delivered a near-perfect performance as the hour-long special passed off without any major problems and according to The Mirror, a huge cheer went up on set as the cameras stopped rolling.
Fifteen million fans were confronted with the tragic aftermath of Monday's tram crash as Peter Barlow (actor Chris Gascoyne) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) battled for life.
In heartbreaking scenes, Peter, whose dad Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) is the one remaining character in the soap from the first episode, married fiancée Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) from his hospital bed.
Moments after he gasped his vows, medics intervened to save Peter's life and he was clinging on as the credits rolled.
Nearby, Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine) gave birth to a premature baby girl, Hope, with husband John Stape by her side. He then fled the hospital and headed back to 'Coronation Street' to use the gas explosion and tram crash as his cover for murdering teacher Charlotte.
Molly became the tram disaster's second fatality, following Ashley Peacock's death earlier in the week, after finally confessing to Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor) that her husband Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) was the father of Molly's baby Jack.
In another poignant scene, Ashley (Steve Arnold) was heard in a voicemail message that he left for his wife Claire (Julia Haworth) before he was killed in the crash aftermath.
Show producers pre-recorded a dress rehearsal as back-up in case of a technical emergency and some 65 cast members and a crew of 300 were involved in the production.
Afterwards a spokesman said the episode was transmitted "absolutely live" and there was no need to revert to the recording.
Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw, said: "I'm ecstatic, overwhelmed and proud to be a part of TV history. I'm proud of everyone who was involved."
At least one more character is expected to die when the soap wraps up its week of 50th anniversary specials tonight.
