Episode 733 (25th December 1967)

Plot[]

Part One: Albert rallies the menfolk for the tug-of-war contest. He gives Dennis a barley sugar for energy, telling him to rest beforehand. Ena wishes them both a "Merry Christmas". David introduces Jill Morris to Albert and Dennis. She wonders if Dennis is a bit soft for talking to her about Father Christmas. Albert tells David that he's got two strong albeit banned rugby league players to make up the Rovers' team. Albert hints there is more hanging on the contest than a £1 bet. The Cheveskis arrived for Christmas at 2.00am. Linda asks her brother if Elsie is okay. Elsie and Steve arrive for a final Christmas at No.11. Steve and Ivan go to watch the contest. Elsie is pensive at the thought of moving to the States when Linda says that crossing the Atlantic didn't work out for her. The menfolk gather for the contest with Albert managing the Rovers' team and Jimmy Leadbetter doing the same for The Flying Horse. The two rugby league men don't turn up and Albert tells Steve and Ivan to join in along with Stan, Len, David, Ken, Dennis and Jerry. Emily acts as starter. Stan's back goes and Albert has to take his place. The Flying Horse team easily win and Albert is despondent.

Part Two: Back at No.9, Ken and David lament over their meagre presents from their wives. Albert hides out there. Annie is annoyed that her pub has lost. Jack finds out that Albert bet free beer all night for the winners when they turn up at the Rovers. The Tanners watch the Queen's Christmas speech before their dinner and Elsie is soon back to her old ways, running after Dennis. David enjoys looking after Jill. Dennis is the only one who has room for pudding. The Flying Horse men only have one beer each so as not to take advantage of Albert. The Rovers' piano is wheeled out as everyone gathers in the pub. Albert turns up and Annie tells him that Jack will be arranging something over his drinks bill. Ena plays the piano for a Christmas sing-song as Elsie admits to Steve that she's feeling edgy and tense about the move.

Cast[]

Regular cast[]

Guest cast[]

Jill Morris - Linda Cook
1st Flying Horse Man - David Ellison
2nd Flying Horse Man - Bud Ralston
Paul Cheveski - Marcus Savile (Uncredited)

Places[]

Coronation Street
Rovers Return Inn - Public
9 Coronation Street - Back room/kitchen and hallway
11 Coronation Street - Back room
Corner Shop - Shop and back room
Park

Notes[]

First appearance of Ivan and Linda Cheveski since 6th September 1967.
The actor playing Paul Cheveski is uncredited and only appears in the location sequence.
Jack Howarth mistakes a line twice and Philip Lowrie comes to his rescue saying "I know what you mean."
The episode was shown at 7.00pm in the regions covered by Associated Rediffusion, Anglia Television, Grampian Television, Tyne Tees Television and Ulster Television. All other regions carried the programme at the normal time of 7.30pm.
The tug-of-war contest was OB recorded at Ordsall Park.
The episode's end credits are run over a shot of the Rovers' regulars singing O Come, All Ye Faithful and Knees Up Mother Brown round the piano instead of the usual Eric Spear theme music.
This episode and the next are rarities in that they feature all of the contracted regulars in the programme at that time.
TV Times: No synopsis appeared in the magazine between Episode 702 (6th September 1967) and Episode 755 (11th March 1968).
Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 2,780,000 homes. Chart placing unknown - this episode had the lowest ratings for the programme ever until Episode 7052 (12th April 2009). It was broadcast opposite the BBC's hugely popular annual Christmas Night With The Stars spectacular.
This episode was included in the Network DVD collection Coronation Street: The Best of 1960-1969, released on 31st July 2006.
This episode was added to streaming service BritBox in late 2020 under the Britmas banner and included an introduction by William Roache.

Notable dialogue[]

Ena Sharples: "And a Merry Christmas to Albert Tatlock."
Albert Tatlock: "Well thank you. Only I always try to be merry all the year round. Not only just at Christmas, you know."

December 1967 episodes
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