Episode 4889 (10th September 2000)

Plot
Linda is stunned when Mike sends her a pair of aquamarine earrings as something blue. Vik and Jim grow concerned when Steve stays out all night and his cab radio is dead. They track down his wrecked taxi to a deserted car park and search for Steve. Alma flies off to Florida, saddened that Mike is getting married. Mike is nervous as the guests arrive at De Lisle House but Mark is worse, desperate to stop Linda from marrying him. Just before the ceremony he runs out on Mike. Jim finds Steve is a bloodied heap. Vik calls for an ambulance. Linda is horrified when Mark calls on her and begs her to run away with him. She refuses and begs him not to spoil things for her. Geena helps Linda stand up to him and supports her when she breaks down. Mark storms off when Linda says she loves Mike and not him. Steve is rushed to hospital with Jim fearing he'll die. Geena tells Mike that Mark is too ill to carry on. He is forced to accept Roy as stand-in Best Man. Gary can't believe his luck in meeting someone as fantastic as Paula. They spend the day making love. Mike and Linda are married. Steve has bruising to his face, dog bites on his limbs, seven broken ribs, all fingers broken and extensive internal injuries. Horrified Jim gets Steve to confirm that Jez was involved. Frightened Vik gives Jim Jez's address. Mike is furious that Mark let him down and Linda works on calming him down. They tour the grounds in a horse-drawn carriage, with Mike feeling humiliated by Mark's actions. Alone in the bridal suite, Mark attacks the mini bar. Paula is thrilled when Gary tells her he loves her and asks her to move in with him. When they realise that has complications Gary decides to move to Blackpool instead. Paula is delighted. Roy gives an impromptu speech at the reception, in which he toasts odd couples who love each other. Hayley startles Roy by saying she wants a baby. Jim calls on Jez, telling him he's come to avenge Steve. When Jez tries to attack him with a hammer Jim beats him up. Mike and Linda are horrified to find drunk Mark in their room. Mike slaps him across the face and demands to know why he made him a laughing stock. To Linda's horror Mark tells Mike that he and Linda have been having an affair.

Regular cast

 * Vikram Desai - Chris Bisson
 * Eileen Grimshaw - Sue Cleaver
 * Jim McDonald – Charles Lawson
 * Steve McDonald - Simon Gregson
 * Gary Mallett - Ian Mercer
 * Billy Mallett - Lewis Ablett
 * Becky Mallett - Megan Foster
 * Linda Baldwin - Jacqueline Pirie
 * Geena Gregory - Jennifer James
 * Mike Baldwin - Johnny Briggs
 * Mark Redman - Paul Fox
 * Jim McDonald – Charles Lawson
 * Emily Bishop - Eileen Derbyshire
 * Les Battersby - Bruce Jones
 * Janice Battersby - Vicky Entwistle
 * Audrey Roberts - Sue Nicholls
 * Fred Elliott - John Savident
 * Betty Williams - Betty Driver
 * Rita Sullivan - Barbara Knox
 * Norris Cole - Malcolm Hebden
 * Bobbi Lewis - Naomi Russell
 * Karen Phillips - Suranne Jones
 * Roy Cropper - David Neilson
 * Hayley Cropper - Julie Hesmondhalgh
 * Alma Halliwell - Amanda Barrie
 * Deirdre Rachid - Anne Kirkbride

Guest cast

 * Jez Quigley - Lee Boardman
 * Anthony Stephens - John Quayle
 * Paula Shipley - Joanne Rowden
 * Warren Shipley - Dean Worswick
 * MC - David Whittington
 * Registrar - Sally Sheridan
 * Doctor - Jonathan Ellis
 * Nurse - Martine Harry-Davis
 * Bell-boy - Oliver Furness
 * DC Wright - Daniel James
 * Pizza Delivery Boy - Stephen Fisher