When is Crossroads coming back

By Katharine MacColl

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How long has it been since Crossroads was on our screen and when is it back

The Midlands motel opens again on 5 March after a break of 13 years.

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Which channel will it be shown on

It is to become ITV's new daytime soap, replacing Home & Away, which has been snapped up by Channel 5

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What's in store for viewers to the new motel

Crossroads, which was panned all those years ago by critics for its dodgy sets and fluffed lines, has been transformed into a plush four-star hotel that boasts executive suites, twin and double bedrooms with en-suites and plush management apartments. The hotel even features a beauty salon and weddings and conferences are big business. The restaurant offers international cuisine and even the grounds have had a make-over.

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Any old favourites making a comeback

Last of the Summer Wine star Kathy Staff returns to her role as laundress Doris Luke. Jane Rossington and Tony Adams return as Jill Harvey and Adam Chance.

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What about newcomers Any well-known faces

Former Coronation Street star Sherrie Hewson comes to the motel as guest-hating receptionist Virginia, Dangerfield's Jane Gurnett is the new owner of Crossroads and James McKenzie Robinson and Toby Sawyer from Hollyoaks have arrived.

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What were the first and last words of the soap

Jane Rossington opened the first episode with the words, 'Crossroads Motel, can I help you ' and when the final show was transmitted on Monday, 4 April 1988,�the end of 4,510 episodes, those immortal words were repeated.

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Where is Crossroads set

It's still set in Birmingham's fictional King's Oak district but the new-look hotel has actually been built at Carlton TV's Nottingham studio. The motel was renamed King's Oak Country Hotel in 1987.

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When did it all start

Crossroads Motel opened first on 2 November, 1964, when Meg Richardson (Noele Gordon) added a modern wing to her small Georgian house in the Midlands, along with 20 chalets. The working title for the soap was The Midland Road, and it was initally seen as a Midlands version of Coronation Street and expected to last about 13 weeks. It celebrated its 20th anniversary and its 4,000th episode in 1984.

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Any celebrity appearances during that time

Ken Dodd and Bob Monkhouse appeared as guests on the show and Larry Grayson acted as chauffeur at Meg and Hugh Mortimer's wedding. Paul McCartney and Wings recorded an electric guitar version of the theme tune in 1975.