Episode 5703 (1st March 2004)

Plot
Fred is incredulous that Ashley is allowing Claire to leave. Claire protests that she'll work out her month's notice, but Ashley interviews another nanny, Wendy Rolands and offers her the job, starting tomorrow. Deirdre is furious with Bev and tells Charlie exactly what she's been saying. He feels he's had a lucky escape. Todd has an interview for the porter's job. Mike agrees to help Penny interview for a new manager for her place. Fred confides in Audrey that he's fallen for Penny. She warns him to move slowly. Maria plans to cook supper for everyone. Ashley denies to Audrey that he has any feelings for Claire. Audrey advises him that, although he'll never forget Maxine, he has to move on with his life. Mike is taken aback to hear that Penny and Fred went to Yorkshire together. Deirdre confronts Bev and angrily tells her that they can never be friends again. Claire is about to leave to finish her packing at her mother's. She tearfully hugs Joshua for the last time, when Ashley asks her to come back to say goodbye to Fred. She agrees, relieved to put the moment of parting off for a while longer.

Regular cast

 * Fred Elliott - John Savident
 * Ashley Peacock - Steven Arnold
 * Shelley Unwin - Sally Lindsay
 * Bev Unwin - Susie Blake
 * Deirdre Rachid - Anne Kirkbride
 * Ken Barlow - William Roache
 * Claire Casey - Julia Haworth
 * Todd Grimshaw - Bruno Langley
 * Sarah Platt - Tina O’Brien
 * Vera Duckworth - Elizabeth Dawn
 * Maria Sutherland - Samia Ghadie
 * Nick Tilsley - Adam Rickitt
 * Mike Baldwin - Johnny Briggs
 * Penny King - Pauline Fleming
 * Charlie Stubbs - Bill Ward
 * Audrey Roberts - Sue Nicholls

Guest cast

 * Wendy Rolands - Unknown