Episode 7124 (20th July 2009)

Plot
Ashley apologises to Claire for upsetting her and they agree never to argue again. But as Ashley muses Claire's unplanned pregnancy and the idea of a third child, Claire looks uncomfortable. Later, when Ashley takes Joshua to visit Claire, she asks to see Ashley alone and tells him that she doesn't want any more children and he must have a vasectomy. Ashley's gobsmacked.

Meanwhile, Sean continues his sob story and tells Leon that Jason is in the closet because of his bigoted mother. Despite believing that he's making progress with Leon, Sean's disappointed when Leon ignores his advances. Instead, he simply reassures Sean that some blokes like camp men. Sean tells Julie, Jesse and Eileen about Leon's lack of interest and asks if he is camp - and Julie confirms that he is.

Natasha informs Helen and Barry that she saw Maria and the baby getting into Tony's car. They're a little put out when Natasha hints that Tony is more than just a friend to Maria.

When Maria finally returns, the Connors are angry to learn that Tony took her and Liam to register the baby Liam's birth without inviting them. A furious Helen confronts a stunned Maria about her relationship with Tony and calls her a tart because Liam's not even cold in his grave.

Ken, Deirdre and Blanche attend Peter's alcoholics' meeting where Ross, a member of the group, gives a long speech about his struggle with booze. Blanche is unimpressed and Peter's mortified when she lambasts Ross for his boring speech. Ken addresses the meeting but is interrupted when Deirdre starts an argument and the whole scenario descends into farce. Blanche soon announces that Ken recently had an affair and that her granddaughter Tracy is in prison for murder.

Elsewhere, Norris accuses Ramsay of faking an interest in religion to impress Emily.

Regular cast

 * Ashley Peacock - Steven Arnold
 * Claire Peacock - Julia Haworth
 * Sean Tully - Antony Cotton
 * Betty Williams - Betty Driver
 * Natasha Blakeman - Rachel Leskovac
 * Ken Barlow - William Roache
 * Blanche Hunt - Maggie Jones
 * Peter Barlow - Chris Gacoyne
 * Deirdre Barlow - Anne Kirkbride
 * Norris Cole - Malcolm Hebden
 * Emily Bishop - Eileen Derbyshire
 * Tony Gordon - Gray O'Brien
 * Lloyd Mullaney - Craig Charles
 * Julie Carp - Katy Cavanagh
 * Eileen Grimshaw - Sue Cleaver
 * Jesse Chadwick - John Thomson
 * Maria Connor - Samia Smith

Guest cast

 * Leon - Andy Langtree
 * Barry Connor - Frank Grimes
 * Helen Connor - Dearbhla Molloy
 * Ross - Lee Oakes
 * Howard Lee - Howard Lee
 * Melanie - Patricia Gannon
 * Ramsay Clegg - Andrew Sachs
 * Nurse - Sarah Adams