Coronation Street’s finest were out in force for the launch of Alton Towers’ new rollercoaster – Nemesis Reborn.
Weatherfield stalwarts Alison King, Jack P Shepherd and Antony Cotton joined co-stars Mollie Gallagher, Elle Mulvaney and Harriott Bibby at the Staffordshire resort to test at the latest attraction, which sparked four-and-a-half hour queues when it was finally opened to the public on Saturday.
Friday night’s VIP launch was also attended by Love Island All Stars couple Josh Ritchie and Sophie Piper, Bake Off winner Candice Brown, Location, Location, Location host Kirstie Allsopp, model Abbie Quinnen and Waterloo Road actress Hattie Dynevor.
The celebrity guests had the honour of being the first riders of the revamped alien-themed 50mph rollercoaster, which originally opened in 1994 before closing in 2022 ahead of his multimillion pound makeover.
Sophie Piper & Josh Ritchie at the launch of Nemesis Reborn, Alton Towers Resort
Waterloo Road actress Hattie Dynevor and Bake Off winner Candice Brown were also there
Location, Location, Location host Kirstie Allsopp wrote on Instagram: ‘As a mother and stepmother of major thrill seekers, I could not turn down the chance for the boys to be amongst the first to ride Nemesis Reborn.’
The story behind the transformation is that Nemesis is ‘now a predator, seeking vengeance on the shadowy Phalanx organisation that kept it prisoner’.
And the VIPs were greeted with faux protesters and TV news crews stationed at the ride’s entrance, having already attended an ‘ambushed’ news conference, as part of an immersive live experience at the first-look event.
Speaking about the new ride, Corrie star Antony, who plays Sean Tully, said: ‘Nemesis is more exciting than ever and is well worth a visit this summer.’
Jack (David Platt) added: ‘Had the best time at Alton Towers for the Nemesis Reborn launch, thank you.’
And TV host Kirstie said on Instagram: ‘I often say that things I mention on here are brought the normal way, but there are some things you can’t buy, so this is a big thank you to Alton Towers ‘cos as a mother and stepmother of major thrill seekers, I could not turn down the chance for the boys to be amongst the first to ride Nemesis Reborn.’
Rollercoaster superfans had camped out overnight in a bid to avoid the queues on Saturday and be among the first to try the ride.
The entire 716m track has been replaced as riders experienced its four full inversions, ‘hair-raising corkscrews’ and ‘nerve-shredding drops’.
The launch was one of the first public outings for Love Island’s Josh and Sophie since they finished the All Stars series.
The pair, who were coupled up by viewers, looked loved up as they strolled around the park together.
Anthony Cotton swapped the Coronation Street cobbles for life in the fast lane at the weekend
Theme parkgoers can expect speeds of 50mph and G Forces of 3.5 as they enjoy the ride
The rollercoaster’s 250-tonne 716-metre-long white track is now black, with ‘mysterious’ red veins snaking along itÂ
Sophie’s famous sister Rochelle Humes previously told how she was looking forward to meeting the former Ex on the Beach star while discussing their relationship during her hosting segment on This Morning.
Rochelle said: ‘I met my sister’s new boyfriend for the first time.
‘I was kind of like ‘is it serious? How do these things work?’ I can’t talk to her while she’s in the villa. So I’m like ‘yeah, but do you actually like him?’ Then she said ‘can I bring him over on Sunday?’
‘I cooked a roast dinner. He didn’t eat any of it. I’m going to try not to take that as an insult.’
For more information about Nemesis Reborn, resort tickets and hotels stays, visit the Alton Towers website