Episode 5706 (5th March 2004)

Plot
Ashley is concerned that Fred is falling too fast for Penny. Maria tells Nick to take a hard line with Mike, but Gail thinks that he should apologise instead. Ashley leaves a love note for Claire in magnetic fridge letters - she's delighted. Gail has a quiet word with Mike about Nick, hoping he won't hold things against him. Nick is delighted when Mike offers him a pay rise, and more responsibility. Kevin is furious with Sally for putting pressure on Ken to give Rosie a good review. Fred excitedly tells Audrey how much he likes Penny. She gives him her blessing. Gail tempts Nick into buying the sports car, aware that he won't be able to afford a deposit on a flat if he goes ahead. Kevin tells Sally that he thinks she's living her dreams through Rosie because she's unhappy with how her life turned out. He takes refuge in the Rovers, but he gets more grief from Norris about how Sally has been harassing everyone. Maria is furious when Nick surprises her with the sports car. It dawns on her that Nick is more than happy to stay at his mother's for the foreseeable future. Penny is stunned when Fred proposes. Not wanting to hurt him, she tells him she'll think about it.

Regular cast

 * Fred Elliott - John Savident
 * Ashley Peacock - Steven Arnold
 * Claire Casey - Julia Haworth
 * Maria Sutherland - Samia Ghadie
 * Nick Tilsley - Adam Rickitt
 * Gail Platt - Helen Worth
 * Mike Baldwin - Johnny Briggs
 * Norris Cole - Malcolm Hebden
 * Angela Harris - Kathryn Hunt
 * Janice Battersby - Vicky Entwistle
 * Fiz Brown - Jennie McAlpine
 * Sonia Marshall - Tina Gambe
 * Kevin Webster - Michael Le Vell
 * Ken Barlow - William Roache
 * Bev Unwin - Susie Blake
 * Liz McDonald - Beverley Callard
 * Sally Webster - Sally Whittaker
 * Audrey Roberts - Sue Nicholls
 * Rosie Webster - Helen Flanagan
 * Sophie Webster - Emma Woodward
 * Penny King - Pauline Fleming

Guest cast
None