Blanche Hunt

Blanche Hunt (née Linfield) is one of the long running characters on the show. She is played by actress Maggie Jones. Originally, actress Patricia Cutts played the role for two episodes before committing suicide. Maggie Jones was then called upon to fill in the role.

Storylines
Blanche is the mother of Deirdre. She is often described as having an "acid tongue" as she often makes unnecessary insensitive comments, often to her daughter. Although this behaviour upsets Deirdre, Blanche occasionally admits to caring for her daughter.

Her husband, Donald Hunt, was a bank manager. He died in January 1963 after being knocked down outside their house by a black Ford Prefect. The tragedy was witnessed by a then seven-year-old Deirdre.

Blanche's appearances on the show have been very erratic. She appeared consistently from 1974-1976 before being reduced to occasional appearances over the next two years. She again appeared briefly in 1981, 1996 and 1997. She has resumed her full-time role as of 1998. Blanche's has appeared on the programme from 1974-1976, 1978, 1981, 1996, 1998, 1998-1999, and 8 August 1999-present.

A famous 'Blanche Quote' is often played by Radio 1 DJ Sara Cox: "Skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eyeliner, and roots as dark as her soul!" This line was spoken by Blanche in reference to Liz McDonald.

Blanche has supported her granddaughter, Tracy Barlow, in her court case for the murder of her boyfriend Charlie Stubbs; believing that Tracy was innocent in her claim that she hit him in self defence as he was about to attack her with a knife (which Tracy placed in his hand after she hit him. Blanche sold Number 7 Coronation Street, the house she owned, to Liam Connor in order to pay for Tracy's legal costs.

After Tracy was found guilty of murder and sent to prison, Blanche felt her family tearing away because Ken had refused to support Tracy after finding she was truly guilty.

Blanche was hired by Hayley in late 2007 to help Becky Grainger at Roy's Rolls although she often complains about the work being too hard with her Polish hip and some days does not turn up for work.

At Liz McDonald's most recent hen party, before her marriage to Vernon, Blanche stated that her ideal man is George Melly and she likes "a man with a bit of edge". In 2008 Blanche became a regular at the new bookies on Rosamund Street, Blanche complained about the tea they supplied but Dan Mason was sure that the tea was fine. Dan later barred Blanche from the bookies but his Dad, Harry Mason wanted to keep customers happy and made him revoke the ban, to Blanche's pleasure. Blanche accused Ken of having a gay affair with Ted Page and cheating on her daughter Deirdre.