Coronation Street's most dramatic episode ever had viewers reaching for a cuppa in their thousands.

A power surge hit the National Grid at 9pm, as people were left reeling from the massive gas explosion and tram crash that devastated the street.

Stuart Lark from the National Grid said: "You always get a surge in demand at the end of Corrie but tonight the surge was 800MW - which is equivalent to abut 300,000 kettles turned on at once."

'Jaw-dropping, gripping, this was Corrie at its best' - Deanna Delamotta's review

ITV is pulling out all the stops to mark this week's 50th anniversary of Coronation Street, the longest running TV soap in the world, with seven hours of programmes.

There were two episodes broadcast tonight brimming with drama, intrigue and tears - and culminating in a spectacular explosion which caused a Metrolink tram to veer off the viaduct and slam into the Street.

It has been reported that the tram disaster cost in excess of £1m to stage.

Tonight's two new shows were separated by a broadcast of the first ever episode of Coronation Street on December 9, 1960.

'Jaw-dropping, gripping, this was Corrie at its best' - Deanna Delamotta's review

What did you think of the tram disaster episode? Post your comments below.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Coronation Street with your free copy of the Weatherfield Gazette, inside Wednesday's Manchester Evening News