Episode 6032 (22nd May 2005)

Plot
Mel tells Norris to get the Book Club members to make their cheques out to Lionel Hipkis, Mel's publisher. The Club meets and hands their money over to Mel, and in thanks Mel reads a passage from his book.

Ken arrives at the Book Club and exposes Mel for the fraud that he is. Mel's real name is Lionel Hipkis. Emily, Blanche, Roy, Rita, Audrey and Norris are shocked and demand their money back. Norris manhandles Mel out of the door.

Jamie and Leanne go for lunch at Carol's house in Nirmingham. Carol burns the lunch and drinks too much. Leanne's shocked at the squalor of the house. Jamie thinks lunch with Carol went well but Leanne points out she's got a drink problem and needs help. Jamie blames himself for his mother's mental state as he chose to live with Danny and Frankie over her. Leanne tries to console him.

Meanwhile, upset Liz tells Deirdre that Jim's attacked his cell mate and had his sentence extended by two years. She decides their relationship is over. She tells Steve she's going to divorce Jim. Steve's upset.

Betty again apologises to Shelley but Shelley remains frosty towards her.

Regular cast

 * Leanne Battersby - Jane Danson
 * Jamie Baldwin - Rupert Hill
 * Norris Cole - Malcolm Hebden
 * Roy Cropper - David Neilson
 * Carol Baldwin - Lynne Pearson
 * Betty Williams - Betty Driver
 * Shelley Unwin - Sally Lindsay
 * Liz McDonald - Beverley Callard
 * Deirdre Barlow - Anne Kirkbride
 * Fred Elliott - John Savident
 * Steve McDonald - Simon Gregson
 * Emily Bishop - Eileen Derbyshire
 * Audrey Roberts - Sue Nicholls
 * Rita Sullivan - Barbara Knox
 * Blanche Hunt - Maggie Jones
 * Ken Barlow - William Roache

Guest cast

 * Mel Hutchwright - Ian McKellen