Episode 5251 (17th April 2002)

Plot
Ashley agrees to go with Maxine to collect the baby. Gail receives an early phone call telling her Matt has left for good. Sally is sulking about how everything always goes wrong for her. Rita tells her to use this as a chance to make a fresh start. Eve receives a mystery phone call and when Fred questions her she says it was the brewery. Richard is regretting the offer of letting Martin stay. Peter asks Sally if the fire was an insurance scam - this angers both Sally and Kevin. Ken is told that Charlie has resigned and beams when he is asked if he would like to stay. Ashley won't hold the baby when they go to collect him. The insurance assessor talks to Sally about the stock. Tensions mount at the Platt's house, so Kevin invites Martin to stay at his flat. Maxine decides to choose the baby's name from Fred's family tree. Ashley storms out angry with Maxine saying the name doesn't make the baby his. Sally tells Rita she was right and it is time to make a new start. Ashley tells Maxine that he wants a paternity test.

Regular cast

 * Maxine Peacock - Tracy Shaw
 * Fred Elliott - John Savident
 * Ashley Peacock - Steven Arnold
 * Gail Platt - Helen Worth
 * Martin Platt - Sean Wilson
 * David Platt - Jack P. Shepherd
 * Sarah Platt - Tina O'Brien
 * Richard Hillman - Brian Capron
 * Sally Webster - Sally Whittaker
 * Rita Sullivan - Barbara Knox
 * Eve Elliott - Melanie Kilburn
 * Kevin Webster - Michael Le Vell
 * Audrey Roberts - Sue Nicholls
 * Blanche Hunt - Maggie Jones
 * Norris Cole - Malcolm Hebden
 * Peter Barlow - Chris Gascoyne
 * Archie Shuttleworth - Roy Hudd
 * Ken Barlow - William Roache
 * Candice Stowe - Nikki Sanderson
 * Joshua Peacock - Brandon Jackson
 * Deirdre Rachid - [[Anne Kirkbride

Guest cast

 * Miss Johnson - Barbara Dryhurst
 * Aidan Critchley - Dean Ashton
 * Wendy Rawnsley - Susan Cormack
 * Sheila Cunningham - Rebecca Lamb