Episode 7043 (30th March 2009)

Plot
As Peter wakes with a hangover, Simon's fending for himself again, making his own breakfast so he's not late for school. When Peter then arrives to work late and when he gets home, he hits the bottle once more, telling a worried Simon he doesn't feel up to reading him a story and Simon is forced to trudge off to bed alone.

At the Barlows', meanwhile, Deirdre is urging Ken to accept that Peter's an alcoholic. Ken doesn't want to listen but his reluctance to acknowledge his son's problem could have fatal consequences. Over at the flat, Peter's drifting off into a drunken sleep. His fingers loosen around his burning cigarette and it drops to the floor…

Elsewhere, Tara introduces Dev to her star photographer Justin and tells him she's commissioned him to do some more pieces. Dev's inwardly cringing, knowing that his previous pictures were bought by him, not a customer. But Tara's furious with Dev when he tries to curb her enthusiasm.

Maria's annoyed that her plan to pair Natasha off with Tom failed when Natasha arrives back on the street boasting about spending another fantastic night with Tony. Struggling with her own irrational behaviour, Maria's then frosty with Tony when he calls by to arrange a business meeting.

Kirk tells Julie how he plans to get a job and save up to get them a place of their own, but it's obvious that Julie isn't really interested. Kirk's disturbed by her attitude but ploughs on regardless.

And Eileen has Paula round for lunch. But when Colin interrupts, Paula can't wait to get away. Eileen can't understand her friend's strange behaviour.

Regular cast

 * Peter Barlow - Chris Gascoyne
 * Simon Barlow - Alex Bain
 * Deirdre Barlow - Anne Kirkbride
 * Blanche Hunt - Maggie Jones
 * Ken Barlow - William Roache
 * Natasha Blakeman - Rachel Leskovac
 * Tony Gordon - Gray O'Brien
 * Julie Carp - Katy Cavanagh
 * Chesney Battersby-Brown - Sam Aston
 * Maria Connor - Samia Smith
 * Kirk Sutherland - Andrew Whyment
 * Molly Dobbs - Vicky Binns
 * Dev Alahan - Jimmi Harkishin
 * Tara Mandal - Ayesha Dharker
 * Tom Kerrigan - Philip McGinley
 * Jason Grimshaw - Ryan Thomas
 * Colin Grimshaw - Edward de Souza
 * Poppy Morales - Sophiya Haque
 * Hayley Cropper - Julie Hesmondhalgh
 * Eileen Grimshaw - Sue Cleaver
 * Ashley Peacock - Steven Arnold

Guest cast

 * Paula Carp - Sharon Duce
 * Justin Turner - Ralph Gassmann
 * Martha Fraser - Stephanie Beacham