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Logo 1969

1973 was Coronation Street's fourteenth year.

Main characters[]

Ranking Character Played by Duration Number of Episodes Running total Previous year's ranking
1 Len Fairclough Peter Adamson Full year except for September 79 1033 1
2 Betty Turpin Betty Driver Full year 78 328 11
3 Bet Lynch Julie Goodyear Full year 74 256 12
4 Ray Langton Neville Buswell Full year 73 426 3
5 Jerry Booth Graham Haberfield Full year 71 525 6
6 Hilda Ogden Jean Alexander Full year 70 662 9
7 Ken Barlow William Roache Full year 69 886 12
7 Rita Littlewood Barbara Mullaney Full year 69 122 21
7 Annie Walker Doris Speed Full year 69 1062 6
10 Elsie Howard Patricia Phoenix Until October 64 1040 2
10 Stan Ogden Bernard Youens Full year 64 640 16
10 Norma Ford Diana Davies Full year 64 120 17
13 Alf Roberts Bryan Mosley Full year 61 203 20
14 Lucille Hewitt Jennifer Moss Full year 60 716 14
14 Alan Howard Alan Browning Until November 60 253 8
14 Albert Tatlock Jack Howarth Full year 60 812 22
17 Emily Bishop Eileen Derbyshire Full year except for June 59 729 10
17 Minnie Caldwell Margot Bryant Full year 59 876 18
19 Maggie Clegg Irene Sutcliffe Full year 57 371 5
20 Ernest Bishop Stephen Hancock Full year 56 172 14
20 Ena Sharples Violet Carson Full year 56 933 18
22 Mavis Riley Thelma Barlow From June 33 36 26
23 Deirdre Hunt Anne Kirkbride March to June and from September 32 33 29
24 Billy Walker Kenneth Farrington Until May 31 229 4
25 Janet Reid/Barlow Judith Barker From September 21 34 -
26 Peter Barlow Linus Roache October only 3 24 -
26 Susan Barlow Wendy Jane Walker October only 3 25 -
28 Tricia Hopkins Kathy Jones September only 2 2 -
29 Vera Hopkins Kathy Staff September only 1 1 -

Production[]

Kabin fever[]

Ep1266 evacuation

The residents are evacuated to the Community Centre as a gas leak leaves one resident in hospital, another in hot water and a third improperly dressed...

Eric Prytherch's uninterrupted two-year run as producer made 1973 the first in which the same person was in charge from beginning to end. Prytherch continued to innovate in his second year, introducing The Kabin to the programme and initiating the popular partnership of Rita Littlewood and Mavis Riley. Meanwhile, after stepping down as executive producer at the beginning of the year, H.V. Kershaw continued as a staff writer until his retirement in 1988.

The Kabin made its debut in June, providing the residents with a regular newsagent and cafe. Except for Snape's Cafe in 1961, an eatery had never been a staple of Coronation Street but it would be from this point on. The Kabin's owner Len Fairclough appointed Rita Littlewood manageress, as her singing career ran its course, with Mavis Riley as assistant. Thelma Barlow followed up her brief appearances as Mavis in 1971 and 1972 for a longer stint, carrying on until January 1974. Rita's brassiness, pitted against Mavis's dithering eccentricity, would form one of the programme's best-loved and most enduring double acts.

Another future mainstay returning as a main cast member was Anne Kirkbride. Her character Deirdre Hunt was slowly woven into Street life, becoming Ray Langton's girlfriend and secretary at the yard. Deirdre was first seen wearing her trademark large glasses upon her March return.

A notable first was the introduction of Weatherfield's twin town Charleville for an exchange visit by three men from the French suburb. This followed the entry of the UK into the European Economic Community (EEC) in January, a real-world event which was mentioned in the programme. Along similar lines, the introduction of VAT in the UK was reflected in a storyline in which Len, Ray and Jerry Booth refused to pay tax on a building job for which they were yet to be compensated, causing them to be taken to court.

September featured a clash between Annie Walker and Vera Hopkins, mother of 16-year-old schoolgirl Tricia who had been illegally served alcohol at the Rovers. Actresses Kathy Staff and Kathy Jones were regular guest artists in the programme and the characters were revived the following year when the rest of the Hopkins family was created to replace Maggie Clegg in the Corner Shop.

In the same month, Judith Barker made a return as Janet Reid. Janet became the latest in a long line of girlfriends for Ken Barlow. One such girlfriend, appearing earlier in 1973, was Elaine Perkins played by Joanna Lumley in a memorable guest turn. Janet was thrust into a central role in October when she and Ken returned from Scotland as a married couple, which was presented as a surprise to viewers. Peter and Susan Barlow were seen for the first time since 1971, with Susan again played by Wendy Jane Walker and Peter recast with Linus Roache, the fourth actor in the role and son of William Roache.

In a sign of the long-running nature of the programme, Doris Speed became the first actor to hit 1,000 appearances. Patricia Phoenix and Peter Adamson followed later in the year.

The Howards depart[]

Coronation Street went on location in London for the first time when Elsie Howard made a secret visit to the capital to see Dennis Tanner in Pentonville Prison after he was locked up for running a double glazing scam. The Dennis scenes took place off-screen, with no appearance by Philip Lowrie. In the filmed scenes, Elsie was knocked down by a taxi and rushed to hospital, while back in Weatherfield Alan reported his wife as a missing person.

Not long after this storyline, Elsie accepted a job setting up a new warehouse in Newcastle. This led into what was planned as a short absence by Patricia Phoenix while she toured on stage with Subway in the Sky, and as such there was little fanfare surrounding the event. While on holiday, Phoenix announced that she was quitting the series, claiming to be bored with her role. Alan Browning also quit the role of Alan Howard, though as his contract didn't line up with Phoenix's, he continued to appear in her absence. His last scenes aired in January 1974 in which Alan returned to Weatherfield to tie up the Howards' affairs.

Meanwhile, Diana Davies's 18-month run as Norma Ford came to abrupt end in December when an off-screen Norma was said to be nursing her sick father Jacko, and Kenneth Farrington took another six-month break from playing Billy Walker in the latter half of the year.

Viewing figures[]

1973 ratings

Ratings chart for the year

Episode 1331, shown on 17th October, was viewed in 8,250,000 homes (corresponding to 18.15 million viewers) and was the highest rated episode of the year. The yearly average was 15.22 million viewers, a rise of 400,000 viewers on the decade-low in 1972. Seven months rose year-on-year, with increases of nearly two million viewers in July and August, and all but one of the drops were under a million viewers.

This bounce from the 1972 low was also reflected in the programme's chart positions, with seven episodes reaching number one. For the rest of the decade, Coronation Street would chart similarly, with no year seeing more than a dozen episodes reach number one until 1980.

Daran Little's 40 Years of Coronation Street, the show's official book for the 40th anniversary, states incorrectly that the most-watched episode this year was Episode 1264 with 8.3 million viewers. The true rating for this episode was 7.1 million homes / 15.62 million viewers, and as already stated, it was not the most-watched episode of the year (in fact, the quoted figure is less than that of the lowest-rated episode of the year, Episode 1280 with 10.74 million viewers).

Episodes[]

# Ep.
No.
Date Writer Director Viewing
Figures
(homes/
viewers)
Chart
Position
1 1248 Monday 1st January Leslie Duxbury Nick Burrell-Davis 5,752,000
12,654,400
n/k
2 1249 Wednesday 3rd January Susan Pleat Nick Burrell-Davis 7,125,000
15,675,000
6
3 1250 Monday 8th January Julian Roach Joe Boyer 7,281,000
16,018,200
7
4 1251 Wednesday 10th January Barry Hill Joe Boyer 7,194,000
15,826,800
8
5 1252 Monday 15th January Bernard Aspen Oliver Horsbrugh 7,154,000
15,738,800
8
6 1253 Wednesday 17th January Adele Rose Oliver Horsbrugh 7,115,000
15,653,000
10
7 1254 Monday 22nd January Brian Finch June Wyndham Davies 7,182,000
15,800,400
6
8 1255 Wednesday 24th January Leslie Duxbury June Wyndham Davies 7,057,000
15,525,400
9
9 1256 Monday 29th January Susan Pleat Nick Burrell-Davis 7,000,000
15,400,000
10
10 1257 Wednesday 31st January Julian Roach Nick Burrell-Davis 7,350,000
16,170,000
6
11 1258 Monday 5th February Julian Roach Joe Boyer 7,150,000
15,730,000
8
12 1259 Wednesday 7th February Adele Rose Joe Boyer 7,300,000
16,060,000
7
13 1260 Monday 12th February Susan Pleat June Wyndham Davies 7,500,000
16,500,000
6
14 1261 Wednesday 14th February Kay McManus June Wyndham Davies 7,450,000
16,390,000
7
15 1262 Monday 19th February Adele Rose Nick Burrell-Davis 7,300,000
16,060,000
8
16 1263 Wednesday 21st February Brian Finch Nick Burrell-Davis 7,350,000
16,170,000
7
17 1264 Monday 26th February Julian Roach Joe Boyer 7,100,000
15,620,000
10
18 1265 Wednesday 28th February Leslie Duxbury Joe Boyer 7,600,000
16,720,000
4
19 1266 Monday 5th March Brian Finch June Wyndham Davies 7,150,000
15,730,000
8
20 1267 Wednesday 7th March Leslie Duxbury June Wyndham Davies 7,450,000
16,390,000
5
21 1268 Monday 12th March Susan Pleat Nick Burrell-Davis 7,200,000
15,840,000
5
22 1269 Wednesday 14th March Julian Roach Nick Burrell-Davis 7,000,000
15,400,000
6
23 1270 Monday 19th March Barry Hill Joe Boyer 7,200,000
15,840,000
3
24 1271 Wednesday 21st March Bernard Aspen Joe Boyer 7,050,000
15,510,000
5
25 1272 Monday 26th March H.V. Kershaw June Wyndham Davies 7,090,000
15,598,000
8
26 1273 Wednesday 28th March H.V. Kershaw June Wyndham Davies 7,521,000
16,546,200
4
27 1274 Monday 2nd April Leslie Duxbury Nick Burrell-Davis 7,358,000
16,187,600
6
28 1275 Wednesday 4th April Barry Hill Nick Burrell-Davis 7,481,000
16,458,200
5
29 1276 Monday 9th April Julian Roach Joe Boyer 7,074,000
15,562,800
5
30 1277 Wednesday 11th April Brian Finch Joe Boyer 7,405,000
16,291,000
3
31 1278 Monday 16th April Kay McManus Gerry Mill 7,044,000
15,496,800
5
32 1279 Wednesday 18th April Brian Finch Gerry Mill 7,366,000
16,205,200
4
33 1280 Monday 23rd April Susan Pleat Alan Grint 4,884,000
10,744,800
n/k
34 1281 Wednesday 25th April Leslie Duxbury Alan Grint 7,111,000
15,644,200
3
35 1282 Monday 30th April Julian Roach Joe Boyer 7,350,000
16,170,000
4
36 1283 Wednesday 2nd May H.V. Kershaw Joe Boyer 7,350,000
16,170,000
4
37 1284 Monday 7th May Bernard Aspen Gerry Mill 6,950,000
15,290,000
6
38 1285 Wednesday 9th May Brian Finch Gerry Mill 7,800,000
17,160,000
3
39 1286 Monday 14th May Susan Pleat Nick Burrell-Davis 7,050,000
15,510,000
9
40 1287 Wednesday 16th May Julian Roach Nick Burrell-Davis 7,150,000
15,730,000
8
41 1288 Monday 21st May Leslie Duxbury Oliver Horsbrugh
Quentin Lawrence
6,900,000
15,180,000
6
42 1289 Wednesday 23rd May H.V. Kershaw Oliver Horsbrugh
Quentin Lawrence
7,500,000
16,500,000
3
43 1290 Monday 28th May H.V. Kershaw Alan Grint 5,300,000
11,660,000
18
44 1291 Wednesday 30th May Barry Hill Alan Grint 6,700,000
14,740,000
2
45 1292 Monday 4th June Leslie Duxbury Nick Burrell-Davis 6,450,000
14,190,000
6
46 1293 Wednesday 6th June Julian Roach Nick Burrell-Davis 5,800,000
12,760,000
11
47 1294 Monday 11th June Brian Finch Quentin Lawrence 6,100,000
13,420,000
10
48 1295 Wednesday 13th June H.V. Kershaw Quentin Lawrence 6,300,000
13,860,000
7
49 1296 Monday 18th June H.V. Kershaw Alan Grint 5,750,000
12,650,000
14
50 1297 Wednesday 20th June Brian Finch Alan Grint 7,000,000
15,400,000
3
51 1298 Monday 25th June Barry Hill Nick Burrell-Davis 6,000,000
13,200,000
10
52 1299 Wednesday 27th June Julian Roach Nick Burrell-Davis 6,400,000
14,080,000
6
53 1300 Monday 2nd July Leslie Duxbury Quentin Lawrence 6,050,000
13,310,000
7
54 1301 Wednesday 4th July H.V. Kershaw Quentin Lawrence 6,200,000
13,640,000
4
55 1302 Monday 9th July H.V. Kershaw Alan Grint 6,400,000
14,080,000
3
56 1303 Wednesday 11th July Bernard Aspen Alan Grint 6,550,000
14,410,000
2
57 1304 Monday 16th July Susan Pleat Nick Burrell-Davis 6,450,000
14,190,000
4
58 1305 Wednesday 18th July Julian Roach Nick Burrell-Davis 6,900,000
15,180,000
7
59 1306 Monday 23rd July Leslie Duxbury Oliver Horsbrugh 6,300,000
13,860,000
2
60 1307 Wednesday 25th July Leslie Duxbury Oliver Horsbrugh 6,550,000
14,410,000
1
61 1308 Monday 30th July H.V. Kershaw Stephen Butcher 6,200,000
13,640,000
3
62 1309 Wednesday 1st August Adele Rose Stephen Butcher 6,300,000
13,860,000
1
63 1310 Monday 6th August Brian Finch Nick Burrell-Davis 6,550,000
14,410,000
2
64 1311 Wednesday 8th August Malcolm Lynch Nick Burrell-Davis 6,800,000
14,960,000
1
65 1312 Monday 13th August Julian Roach Oliver Horsbrugh 6,450,000
14,190,000
1
66 1313 Wednesday 15th August Leslie Duxbury Oliver Horsbrugh 6,300,000
13,860,000
2
67 1314 Monday 20th August H.V. Kershaw Stephen Butcher 6,950,000
15,290,000
2
68 1315 Wednesday 22nd August Barry Hill Stephen Butcher 7,100,000
15,620,000
1
69 1316 Monday 27th August Leslie Duxbury Quentin Lawrence 4,900,000
10,780,000
20
70 1317 Wednesday 29th August H.V. Kershaw Quentin Lawrence 7,650,000
16,830,000
1
71 1318 Monday 3rd September Julian Roach Oliver Horsbrugh 6,800,000
14,960,000
6
72 1319 Wednesday 5th September Bernard Aspen Oliver Horsbrugh 7,300,000
16,060,000
3
73 1320 Monday 10th September Susan Pleat Stephen Butcher 6,950,000
15,290,000
4
74 1321 Wednesday 12th September Julian Roach Stephen Butcher 6,850,000
15,070,000
5
75 1322 Monday 17th September Leslie Duxbury Quentin Lawrence 7,050,000
15,510,000
3
76 1323 Wednesday 19th September Kay McManus Quentin Lawrence 6,900,000
15,180,000
4
77 1324 Monday 24th September Barry Hill June Wyndham Davies 6,900,000
15,180,000
5
78 1325 Wednesday 26th September H.V. Kershaw June Wyndham Davies 7,050,000
15,510,000
3
79 1326 Monday 1st October H.V. Kershaw Stephen Butcher 6,800,000
14,960,000
4
80 1327 Wednesday 3rd October Malcolm Lynch Stephen Butcher 7,350,000
16,170,000
1
81 1328 Monday 8th October Brian Finch Bill Gilmour 7,050,000
15,510,000
4
82 1329 Wednesday 10th October Adele Rose Bill Gilmour 7,150,000
15,730,000
2
83 1330 Monday 15th October Julian Roach Alan Grint 7,100,000
15,620,000
4
84 1331 Wednesday 17th October Leslie Duxbury Alan Grint 8,250,000
18,150,000
2
85 1332 Monday 22nd October Barry Hill June Wyndham Davies 7,150,000
15,730,000
2
86 1333 Wednesday 24th October Brian Finch June Wyndham Davies 6,900,000
15,180,000
6
87 1334 Monday 29th October Bernard Aspen Bill Gilmour 7,150,000
15,730,000
3
88 1335 Wednesday 31st October H.V. Kershaw Bill Gilmour 7,300,000
16,060,000
2
89 1336 Monday 5th November Leslie Duxbury Alan Grint 6,900,000
15,180,000
7
90 1337 Wednesday 7th November Kay McManus Alan Grint 7,350,000
16,170,000
2
91 1338 Monday 12th November Julian Roach Stephen Butcher 7,300,000
16,060,000
2
92 1339 Wednesday 14th November Brian Finch Stephen Butcher 6,400,000
14,080,000
15
93 1340 Monday 19th November H.V. Kershaw Bill Gilmour 7,300,000
16,060,000
8
94 1341 Wednesday 21st November Leslie Duxbury Bill Gilmour 7,600,000
16,720,000
4
95 1342 Monday 26th November Bernard Aspen Roland Joffe 7,117,000
15,657,400
12
96 1343 Wednesday 28th November Adele Rose Roland Joffe 7,634,000
16,794,800
3
97 1344 Monday 3rd December H.V. Kershaw Stephen Butcher 7,065,000
15,543,000
9
98 1345 Wednesday 5th December Bernard Aspen Stephen Butcher 7,763,000
17,078,600
3
99 1346 Monday 10th December Brian Finch Bill Gilmour 7,048,000
15,505,600
8
100 1347 Wednesday 12th December Susan Pleat Bill Gilmour 7,644,000
16,816,800
4
101 1348 Monday 17th December Leslie Duxbury Roland Joffe 7,391,000
16,260,200
5
102 1349 Wednesday 19th December Adele Rose Roland Joffe 8,034,000
17,674,800
3
103 1350 Monday 24th December H.V. Kershaw Stephen Butcher 5,852,000
12,874,400
12
104 1351 Wednesday 26th December Julian Roach Stephen Butcher 5,172,000
11,378,400
n/k
105 1352 Monday 31st December Kay McManus Bill Gilmour 6,300,000
13,860,000
20

Storylines[]

January[]

  • Emily Bishop visits Christine Peters's sister, Jean Cooper, after Betty Turpin tells her that she was also asking her about Jason Lomax. Jean denies knowledge of her sister, whilst hiding her in her house. When Stan Ogden sees Christine there whilst cleaning the windows, Emily and Ernie Bishop call back and find Christine who had a breakdown after her own baby died and her husband left her. After finding Jason, it was Jean who left him on the Croft. Ernie wants to go to the police but Emily sides with Jean, tells him of Irma taking Anthony Lock in 1970. Having discovered what's happened, Lucille Hewitt thinks Christine needs treatment but Ernie wants the police brought in. He tells Det. Insp. Patterson about Christine and he arrests her. Emily calls on Jean who slaps her face. Christine is put on probation.
  • Mrs Regan tells Stan she doesn't want him coming round anymore. The residents kid Stan that the Social Security people are after him. Stan confesses to Hilda Ogden about the rumours. Hilda believes in his innocence but makes him promise not to see her again. Nevertheless, Hilda goes to see No.19 to have it out with Mrs Regan. She returns and tells an upset Stan that Mrs Regan is now cohabitating with Tommy McAllistair.  
  • On another visit to Risley Remand Centre, Norma Ford discovers that Jacko Ford is planning to plead guilty, horrifying Ken Barlow that justice will not be served. Jacko's solicitor, Mr Hillbray, tells him his case could be postponed but he just wants to get the matter over with. Det. Insp. Patterson tells Ken they've taken Freddie Slack in but can't prove anything. Mr Hillbray summons Ken and Norma to Risley and tells Jacko he's free to go as the police have now got the truth out of Freddie and are looking for Franny Slater and Sharon Duffy. Jacko returns to the street and a warm welcome. Reporter Clive Shawcross investigates Jacko's case for the Weatherfield Gazette and the report leads to him being offered a resident handyman job by a man in Oakhill. Jacko leaves the street for his new life.
  • Whilst Ena Sharples visits Colin Lomax in Hartlepool, Minnie Caldwell takes charge over Albert Tatlock. Preparing for Ena's return, Minnie finds an old 1919 letter in the Community Centre flat which upsets her. When Ena returns, Minnie ignores her, telling Emily that she's upset over something Ena did in her past. Minnie lets Emily read the letter - a love letter from Armistead Caldwell to Ena. Emily tells Ena what's upsetting her friend and to her that there was nothing in her friendship with Armistead. She later confesses to Emily that in reality, Armistead's intentions were far more serious than she let on to Minnie. Emily promises to keep the secret.
Episode 1252

The residents celebrate the new Mayor of Weatherfield.

  • Len Fairclough returns from Scarborough as the new Mayor of Weatherfield-elect is to be announced. With Alf Roberts also in the running, Annie Walker plans a party for the winner. Alf tells Maggie Clegg in confidence that he's been chosen and asks her to be his Mayoress. She is scared but agrees to think it over. Once the appointment is confirmed, Alf announces he has chosen Len as his Deputy Mayor. Maggie worries how her duties will affect the corner shop and Annie decides she is the ideal choice to be Mayoress. Alf is reluctant to agree but Maggie advises Alf that Annie would be good in the role.
  • Alan Howard's drinking gets out of hand and he nearly burns No.11 down whilst drunk. Elsie Howard worries as Alan begins to rely on drink and they come to blows after they row about the problem. Elsie tells Maggie she thinks Alan is an alcoholic. Alan asks Elsie to give him a second chance. She agrees and, for Elsie's sake, Alan dissolves his partnership with Jimmy Frazer.
  • Rita Littlewood avoids Len. He gives her an invitation via Jerry Booth for a private drink at No.9 but she doesn't turn up. Elsie tries to get Rita to see Len but she still feels that Len thinks she's not good enough even though she needs him and knows he needs her. Len decides to take a job in Huddersfield. Rita agrees to go to the pictures with Ray, annoying Len who makes Ray take on the Huddersfield job.
  • Lucille has enough of being treated like a child by Annie and leaves home to find somewhere else to live. Annie is distraught. Lucille finds a rundown bedsit owned by George Scully for £6.50 a week in Mossley Range. Having made the commitment, and finding out how expensive it is to live on your own funds, Lucille feels lonely and depressed.
  • Ken finds the decor at No.1 depressive and wants it decorated, annoying Albert. When Jerry puts in a steep estimate, Ken decides he'll do it himself but instead plays Billy Walker, Alan, Jerry and Len at poker in the Rovers where he wins but instead of taking their money, gets them to agree to decorate for him.

February[]

  • Billy is alarmed at the state of Lucille's flat when he delivers some bedding, as is Annie when he takes her along to see it, but Lucille refuses to return under Annie's roof. Elsie tells Lucille to move into No.11, angering Alan who doesn't want her living with them. Scully turns on Lucille, holding her case as security for a supposed £4 worth of damage to an electric fire that was already broken. Alan agrees to let her stay one night, but after threatening Scully with the police for withholding the case, and getting it back for her, changes his mind and tells her that she can stay with them. Billy worries what Annie will say when she returns from a short stay in Derby and finds out that Lucille is living with Elsie. She takes to her bed when she does hear the news. Lucille entertains old friend Keith Burgess in the Howard's absence, annoying them when they return.
  • Maggie is frightened to say yes to Alf as she's worried about his real feelings for her. She turns him down so Alf asks Annie to be his Mayoress instead and she's delighted to accept. Betty is annoyed with her sister's decision. The residents dread how Annie will be over the coming year.
  • Rita allows Len to buy her a drink when he turns up at The Capricorn but floors him when she introduces Len to her new boyfriend Johnny Mann. The three drink together with the two jealous men getting on each other's nerves. When Len challenges Johnny to a fight he accepts. During it, they realise how stupid they are and then get along well, to Rita's astonishment.
  • While looking Lucille up, Lorraine Binks agrees to go out with Billy, though nothing comes of it.
  • Ena gives Jerry a treasured old print of Manchester after he admires it, after first getting him to put a nice frame on it, having no idea that he is the intended recipient of the gift.
Episode1263

"Mr and Mrs Ogden at home".

  • Hilda celebrates her birthday but is disappointed when Stan thinks she's fifty as she's just forty-nine. She has to produce her birth certificate as proof. Hearing that Ernie is making a commemorative album for Alf and Annie's mayoralty, Hilda tells Stan she wants one too. He decides to throw a posh party for her and the Ogdens study an etiquette book they've borrowed from Annie in preparation. Ernie takes posed photographs, and they throw the party where Hilda substitutes lemon jelly for aspic over eggs, and dons a wig false eyelashes to meet her bemused guests. She is chatted up by Ted Loftus, to her delight and they tango as everyone else gets drunk. As the party goers couple off, someone enters the Ogden's bedroom. Hilda finds the door locked and thinks Stan is in there with Edna Gee. Stan is cleared but Hilda throws Edna out. The residents speculate on who the was with her. Ernie is suspected as he suffered a blackout after drinking for the first time in his life and can't remember his actions. Billy admits to Len that it was him with Edna.
  • Giving Bet Lynch lift home, Alf reverses into a private drive on Makepiece Avenue where the owner Mrs. Leach Leach walks into his bumper while looking for her cat. Her son, Norman writes to Alf demanding £200 compensation for his mother's "injuries". When Alf refuses to pay up, Leach threatens him with the press. Alf initially stands firm but is forced to write a cheque to avoid anyone finding out that the new Mayor had a single woman in his car. Bet threatens Leach with the police, guessing he's got form for extortion and he gives her the cheque back, but is livid with her interference.
  • Ken buys a new electric cooker for No.1 annoying Albert. Len gets Jerry to install it for them. A week later, Albert is rushed to Weatherfield General when he is overcome with gas fumes in his kitchen.

March[]

Episode1267

Ken keeps a vigil by Albert's bedside.

  • Albert is rushed to hospital and the residents are evacuated to the community centre. Albert is put into an oxygen tank. Ken keeps vigil after returning from seeing a friend and finding out what’s happened. As the police give the all-clear it becomes apparent that Jerry might be to blame as he installed the new cooker. Clive Shawcross investigates the story which is published in the Gazette. A wretched Jerry blames himself for the error. The gas board discovers the leak was from the old cooker’s gas pipe as it wasn't sealed properly. Jerry discovers Len knew Albert had a meter with gas still in the house but didn't tell him. Jerry breaks down convinced that he killed Albert. Beattie Pearson arrives and forces Ken to tell her about the gas installation and demands compensation for Albert but Ray Langton and Len stick by Jerry. Beattie gets £5 out of Jerry and demands the same every week. Albert comes home, forgives Jerry and gives Minnie a brooch for raising the alarm. Len fears they may get struck off the CORGI list of approved fitters. Norma rows with Beattie over her blackmailing Jerry and asks Albert to stop her. He does so in no uncertain terms, and she leaves in disgust. CORGI clears the Yard.
  • Billy pushes Bet and Betty too hard at the Rovers and they picket the pumps to get him to back down and be more relaxed with them.
  • Worried about attendance numbers at the community centre, the Bishops decide to start courses on creative writing and formation dancing. Hilda is a pupil and tries to write a best seller. She writes a play about a gas leak which she undiplomatically gives Ken to read. He tells Norma it was awful.
  • Alf is sent to the Capricorn on a council watch Committee. Ray joins him and they discover the Capricorn has slumped, now owned by sleezy Dougie Bowker with Rita waiting on. They find Dougie using the club as a cover for showing porn movies. Rita feels trapped by it all. Len goes to the club to try to get Rita to leave but she doesn't want to know. At home, Rita discovers Terry Bates on the doorstep waiting for her. Terry tells Rita they're going to put him in a home and confesses he's already been taken into care. Rita wants to foster him, but Ken tells her the authorities will need to be brought in. Rita lies to the social services and hides the boy. Ken warns her that she faces a six-month imprisonment if she’s found out. Rita calls in Len, but he can't help her. They call in the authorities and Terry is taken away. Rita gives up the Capricorn. Len comforts her and, reconciled, they declare their love for each other, though she warns him not to treat her like a mug in future.
  • Elsie realises that a tattoo Alan has on his chest carries a phone number when seen in a mirror. After hesitating, she rings the number in Portsmouth and discovers a Mrs Adams lived there during the war and she is the mother-in-law of the woman on the phone. Lucille persuades the lady to send an old photo of Mrs Adams to Elsie. Elsie receives it and shows it to Len, he shows her he has the same tattoo and explains it's the number of the Chief Petty Officer's daughter, Pompey Lil - a wartime romance.
  • Maggie gets a telegram - "lover boy" is arriving tomorrow. She is baffled until old flame Mike Ritchie arrives at the shop from the States, looking up friends from the war years.
  • With Elsie away at Linda Cheveski's, Annie worries about Lucille being in No.11 with Alan alone. She deliberately has Billy's bedroom decorated to get him to stay at No.11 as a chaperone. A delighted Billy plans a wild night at there with girlfriend Julie Quinn and asks her to bring a friend for Alan. He persuades Lucille to stay with Lorraine for the night. Annie takes Mike in for the night, horrifying Lucille who says Maggie has a date with Alf so that will leave Mike alone with Annie. Billy entertains Julie while Alan is taken aback to discover that her friend is none other than Deirdre Hunt. When Ray and Len gatecrash the party at No.11, Deirdre gets Carol Wyatt to join them. As the party warms up, Rita and Mike arrive, and Bet skives off the Rovers. Everyone leaves at 2.00am with Mike sleeping on the parlour floor. Unknown to Alan, a drunk Deirdre has crashed out on Lucille's bed.

April[]

  • Elsie returns in the morning to find a confused Deirdre in her undergarments at No.11. She storms out and refuses to believe Alan's explanation. Elsie and Alan end up not talking with Lucille caught in the middle. When Jerry tells Elsie the truth of what happened, she allows Alan to give his side of the story and they are reconciled.
Episode1281

Emily finds herself photographing a new world.

  • The Bishops worry as the camera shop isn't doing well. Trying to drum up more business, Ernie takes Rita on as a roving photographer. When he tells Emily of his idea without mentioning Rita, she thinks it's a great job for her. Rita starts in the role, much to Emily's disgust. Rita gets six orders and eight possibles but Emily is still not convinced someone of her character is suitable. Rita makes Emily realise she has no reason to feel jealous of her. Rita gets Ernie a job, photographing Terry Slade's strippers but he refuses on moral grounds. To prove herself to Ernie, Emily takes on the strippers assignment. Rita is full of admiration for her, who forms friendships with the strippers. Ernie can't believe his wife did it but changes his mind when he finds out she charged fifty guineas for the job.
  • Alf isn't pleased to see Mike visiting Maggie while she keeps the American at a distance. Ena tells Mike Alf is interested in Maggie. Mike tells Maggie he might be returning to the States. Taking a dislike to him, Alf taunts Mike in the Rovers for the Americans' late entry to the war. Mike confides in Len he's in love with a widow in the States but is waiting for her to say "yes" to him. A letter arrives for Mike from Wichita from the widow who says she wants him back. He tells Maggie he's returning to the States. She hopes he will take her with him but he disappoints her by saying he's going alone. Not knowing the true reason, Maggie blames Alf for influencing him and refuses to have anything to do with him. Len advises him to tell her about the Wichita widow. Elsie puts Maggie right about Mike but Maggie still refuses to have anything to do with Alf as she doesn't like people interferring in her life.
  • Len, Ray and Jerry start to decorate the Rovers but at a very slow pace. Annie keeps out of the way. She is told to expect a visit from the retiring Mayoress and is horrified to discover the living room is in the middle of redecoration. Bet and Betty are forced to decorate. With Hilda away at Archie Crabtree's, Annie advertises for a temporary cleaner. Retiring Mayoress Ethel Bostock arrives at the Rovers but Annie mistakes her for a new cleaner come for an interview. She tries to patch over her embarrassment but Ethel is too down to earth to mind and tells Annie she used to be a char. Annie is alarmed when Ethel tells her that she and Minnie are old friends and that she's glad Annie is working class. Alf tells Annie he'll be proud of her if she turns out like Ethel.
  • Albert is annoyed by old friend Herbert James' boasting of his fitness. When Herbert talks of walking the Pennine Way - all 270 miles of it - Albert tells him he'll do it as well. Jerry and Albert go walking on the long footpath. Albert tires Jerry out and makes him furious with his selfishness.
  • Norma finds a mouse in the store room of the corner shop and she and Maggie try in vain to get rid of the rodents. Elsie also finds a mouse at No.11 and discovers, that with Hilda away, Stan's let the back yard become full of rubbish. Elsie discovers the bin men aren't calling at No.13 but Stan refuses to let her inspect his kitchen. With Stan absorbed in a darts game in the Rovers, Elsie keeps watch as Norma investigates No.13 which she finds is a tip. They decide to call in the health inspectors. Len advises them against it but Elsie is adamant. Mr Worsley, the Health Inspector, calls at No.13. He finds mice and cockroachs and assures Stan he's done nothing wrong and they'll fumigate No.13. Jerry and Lucille help Stan clean up No.13. Hilda turns up to find the fumigation in process. She swears vengeance on whoever reported Stan.
  • Presenting Annie with a brooch from the Lady Victuallers to mark Annie's inauguration as mayoress, Nellie Harvey tries to get an invite to the Mayoral ceremony from her.
  • Billy starts getting into debt through gambling and Ray has to push him for £5 that he's owed.

May[]

  • Hilda accuses Maggie of reporting her but Lucille tells her it was Elsie after the lady herself says she's not bothered who knows. Hilda nearly goes for Elsie in the Rovers but Stan stops her.
  • Ken discovers Albert and Jerry got a lift back from their walk when a man returns Albert's British Legion card that he left in his lorry. Ken persuades Bet to embarrass Albert with it in the Rovers, but when Albert reveals Herbert died of a heart attack whilst he was away, Ken prevents Bet from saying anything.
  • The Rovers' caterers get onto Billy when he owes them £202.75. They grudgingly agree to put on food for Annie's official party at the Rovers following the Mayoral installation. He puts all his hopes on a 3.30 race to raise the cash. The caterers threaten Billy with the brewery and Garbutts deliver instead. Billy cries off from the installation, as does Len, with flu. Ken, Lucille, Betty and Ena are invited as a representation of the community. Ernie takes the photographs. Maggie gives Alf her blessing. Alf and Annie are installed in a grand ceremony. Billy avoids his mother as the regulars celebrate at the party.
Duke 1973

The aristocracy is granted an audience with Northern royalty.

  • Alf enters Weatherfield in the Manchester Festival. Ena tells Albert that her great-nephew Tom Schofield and his wife Faye-Marie are coming over for the Festival from the US. When they arrive, they break the news to Ena that her brother recently died in his sleep and give her an old brooch belonging to her mother. Minnie arranges for Alf and Annie to give them a special welcome and Ken plans a trip to Woburn Abbey at their request. Norma realises that Faye fancies Ken. Faye takes Ken's class at the community centre and gives a lesson on America. Tom tells Ena they have an "open" marriage. Ena, Annie, Ken, Minnie, Stan, Hilda, Tom, Faye and Norma go to Woburn where Norma plays gooseberry as Faye tries to take control of Ken. Minnie buys a tea towel off The Duke of Bedford without realising who he is. Ena finds an old friend working in Woburn who introduces them all to the Duke. As the residents prepare for a Festival Day party at the Community Centre, Ken takes Faye to Platt Fields Park. Annie opens the fete as Mayoress. Ena realises Faye is after Ken but Minnie advises her to let well alone. Ken reassures Ena he has no intentions on Faye, the lady herself tells Ena there's nothing going on and Tom reassures Ena that Faye just likes experiencing people. As their visit ends, Minnie gives the Schofields a china cat, Ena gives them a Lowry print and they return to America.
  • Lucille agrees to be Concepta's bridesmaid at her imminent wedding to Sean Regan in Ireland but Annie feels too busy to attend because of her new duties.
  • Ray tells Norma that Walter Biddulph is selling his newsagents/cafe shop on Rosamund Street and he's interested. Deirdre Hunt turns up and tells Ray she's looking for work. Ray wants Len to buy the shop with him but gets no commitment. Biddulph then tells Ray he did a deal with Len two weeks ago. Interested in Deirdre, Ray offers her the job of managing the shop but at the same time Len also offers the job to Rita, after Elsie refuses, with the flat above thrown in. Pulling rank, Len tells Ray the shop is his: he has bought it for £3,000 and he's got Rita running it, however Deirdre can be her assistant.
  • Hilda tells Annie she saw Billy in the betting shop and Annie demands to know what has been going on. Billy wins £100 on the dogs. The pub's usual caterers agree to reinstate the supplies, in return for the money owed however the bank manager tells Annie that Billy's cheque has bounced. Annie discovers Billy has been gambling with the pub's takings: they're down £200 and she fears the brewery will find out. Alf advises her to get rid of Billy as manager. Annie takes Billy's cheque book off him and makes Betty manager in his place. Billy swears to Annie he'll make good. He asks Alan for a job but Elsie doesn't approve. Feeling at rock bottom, Billy packs his bags and writes a note explaining he has gone to London. Annie blames the Howards for Billy's disappearance and a riled Elsie retorts that Billy is just a failure. Alf advises Annie to go to see Joan Davies in Derby for a while. She tells the George Bolton from the brewery she wants a break and is not sure if she's coming back as she's got nothing left to stay for.
  • Ray starts a summer pools syndicate, with Bet, Alan and Stan, for 25p each, four numbers each, sticking to the same sixteen all season.

Who lives where[]

Coronation Street

Rosamund Street

Victoria Street

Others

Coronation Street in the 1970s
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