Hayley's Diary: Conquering my fear of...

Hayley Cropper has made a deal with husband Roy: if he will overcome his irrational fear and continue to take driving lessons in the woody ("a highly effective killing machine...with lethal potential"), she will try and show her support by overcoming her phobias which he lists as being rats, moths, Morris Men...and puppets. Defying anyone not to find Andy Pandy sinister, Hayley reluctantly agrees to go and see a puppet show.

A day later, Roy has a surprise for Hayley - Punch and Judy puppets. She recoils in horror from the staring eyes which reminds her of a "rough and violent" show she saw in Morecambe when she was a child. She overcomes her fear and holds them in her hands and realises that the real fear to overcome is when they move and talk. Roy realises what she means and firmly objects to performing a puppet show for her but eventually agrees. His attempts at being a marionettist are so feeble that Hayley bursts into laughter, her phobia cured.


 * The events of the first paragraph occurred in Episode 8225 (30th September 2013) and the conclusion was available for viewing on the ITV website the following day.