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Plot[]

Ashley apologises to Claire for upsetting her and they agree never to argue again. Sean tells Leon that Jason is in the closet because of his bigoted mother. Sean is disappointed when Leon ignores his advances, reassuring him that some blokes like camp men. Natasha informs Barry and Helen that she saw Maria and the baby getting into Tony's car. They are disgruntled when Natasha hints that Tony is more than just a friend to Maria. Blanche and the Barlows attend the alcoholics' meeting. Ross, a member of the group, gives a long speech about his struggle with booze. Blanche is unimpressed. Norris accuses Ramsay of faking an interest in religion to impress Emily. Emily and Ramsay go to the Rovers, leaving Norris alone. Peter is mortified when Blanche lambasts Ross for his boring speech. Barry and Helen are angry to learn that Tony took Maria to register the baby's birth without inviting them. Ken addresses the meeting but is interrupted when Deirdre starts an argument and Blanche announces that he recently had an affair, and Tracy is in prison for murder. Ashley muses about Claire's unplanned pregnancy, pondering the idea of a third child. Claire looks uncomfortable. Lloyd visits Claire and explains that he found her and called the ambulance. Norris secretly tries on his trainers. Emily invites Ramsay to call again tomorrow to meet Freda. Sean tells Julie, Jesse and Eileen about Leon's lack of interest. He asks if he is camp. Julie confirms that he is. Helen confronts Maria about her relationship with Tony. She calls Maria a tart and says that Liam's not even cold in his grave. Claire tells Ashley that she doesn't want any more children and he must have a vasectomy. Ashley is gobsmacked.

Cast[]

Regular cast[]

Guest cast[]

Places[]

Notes[]

  • This episode marks the 3,000th appearance of Eileen Derbyshire in the role of Emily Bishop.
  • As writer Jonathan Harvey explained in a tweet in July 2024 about the celebrated scenes at the AA meeting, 'this wasn’t storylined. An actor went sick and I was phoned “we need four scenes for the Barlows to shoot tomorrow that can be self contained and never mentioned again”! Dashed it off. No second draft. Actors filmed the next day.'
  • The Trafford Park Heritage Centre on Third Avenue was used for the Rita Tushingham Community Centre.
  • TV Times synopsis: Claire's illness leads her to make a big decision; and Helen turns her anger on Maria after learning she and Tony have registered baby Liam's birth.
  • Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 9,560,000 viewers (1st place).
  • This episode was included in the Network DVD collection Coronation Street: The Best of 2000-2009, released on 31st October 2011.
  • This episode was added to streaming service BritBox in late 2020 under the Coronation Street: Greatest Episodes banner and included an introduction by Jack P. Shepherd.

Notable dialogue[]

Blanche Hunt (during an AA meeting): "Ken recently had an affair with an actress. Oh, it wasn't Nicole Kidman or Glenda Jackson... she lived on a tugboat."
Ken Barlow: "It was a barge!"

July 2009 episodes
Wed 1st • Fri 3rd (1 2) • Mon 6th (1 2) • Wed 8th • Fri 10th (1 2)
Mon 13th (1 2) • Wed 15th • Fri 17th (1 2) • Mon 20th (1 2) • Thu 23rd
Fri 24th (1 2) • Mon 27th (1 2) • Thu 30th • Fri 31st (1 2)
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