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20th May 1994: It was a normal day in Coronation Street, full of the usual comings and goings - except for the sight of Jack Duckworth staking out on No.7's roof. He had climbed up to try and rescue his pigeon Fergie, which had flown into Curly Watts's observatory. Curly had been willing to release Fergie but he changed his mind and closed the observatory window when Vera blamed him for Jack having to resort to climbing on the roof. But Jack refused to come down without Fergie and so he spent an entire night up there. The next morning, Fergie flew home of her own accord, but Jack had to get the fire brigade to rescue him as his limbs had gone dead.

• For more information see Episode 3701 (20th May 1994).

Mavis Wilton

Mavis Wilton is Rita Tanner's close friend and former assistant at The Kabin and wife of the late Derek Wilton. Mavis initially joined the Kabin in 1973 after spending two years at the Mark Brittain Warehouse as a clerk. Following a temporary move with her parents to Grange-over-Sands, she was re-hired at the Kabin and balanced her work there with nursing her bed-ridden auntie Edie Platt. Mavis finally escaped her overbearing relative in 1977 when she moved into The Kabin flat, where she led a quiet life with her pet budgie Harriet. Mavis was to remain at the Kabin for over two decades, chiefly thanks to her strong friendship with the newsagent's manageress Rita Littlewood. Confident and glamorous, Rita took the shy spinster under her wing and a bond was formed. The 24 years they worked behind the counter together weren't without their lows; a born fusspot, Mavis often tested Rita's patience with her indecisiveness while Rita frequently took Mavis's loyalty for granted. Mavis longed to break out of her shell and in 1997 she retired to Cartmel to run a bed and breakfast.

Previous featured characters: Billy Walker; David Barlow; Maggie Cooke; Steph Barnes; Jackie Ingram; Phil Jennings.

...that the first episode of the programme ever transmitted that did not feature any of the original cast members from 1960 was Episode 1428 (23rd September 1974)?
...that Stanley Wood, who wrote Episode 1237 (22nd November 1972), was the father of comedian Victoria Wood?
...that in Episode 1183 (17th May 1972), the character of Rita Bates gave her maiden name as "Foster" and not the later-established "Littlewood"?
...that although the character of Armistead Caldwell had died in 1935, his voice was heard in Episode 1256 (29th January 1973)?
...that the first ever repeat of an episode of Coronation Street was on Friday 10th February 1961 when strike action prevented the transmission of that night's edition and Episode 1 was shown in its place?

...that the entire plotline of Episode 1524 (25th August 1975) takes place in the Rovers Return Inn over one night and the following day?