Episode 839 (6th January 1969)

Plot[]

Part One: An excited Minnie runs into the snug, keen to witness the surprise that Billy's arrival will cause. Jack is delighted to see his son who introduces him to Jasmine. Having watched on keenly, Hilda rushes through to tell Annie her son has arrived. She is similarly pleased to see Billy but taken aback by Jasmine. Gordon has returned from visiting Concepta in Ireland, having left Lucille there to keep her lonely stepmother company. Dickie is annoyed at how little he sees Audrey due to her work at the petrol station. Annie lays on tea for her visitors and gets to know Jasmine, though she is quietly patronising towards the student nurse. Annie says Jasmine can't stay at the Rovers as it would inconvenience Emily in the spare room, though Billy doesn't think it's a problem for their lodger. Billy buys drinks for Ena and Minnie and tells them how he's going up in the world. Annie asks Emily to share her room with Jasmine, hinting that she hopes she won't agree. Audrey is forty minutes late, having been brought home by middle-aged customer Robert Matthews. Ena sees that Annie isn't at all enthusiastic when she asks her if Billy and Jasmine have set a date for their wedding.

Part Two: After a family meal, Jack relieves Emily so she can have hers. Annie is put out when Emily announces she's bought a camp bed so she can share with Jasmine. Dickie is put out by the wealthy Robert's flattery of his wife, annoying Audrey in the process with his rudeness. Annie tells a puzzled Billy that she understands his need to taste the exotic while he waits to settle down. Hilda, Minnie and Ena ply Jasmine with questions about China. Annie asks Jack to find out Billy's intentions towards Jasmine. A jealous Dickie questions Audrey about Robert's attitude towards her. Annie isn't pleased when Emily opines that Jasmine is charming. Billy tells his father that he likes Jasmine but that is all. Jack reports back to Annie who makes it clear she thoroughly against her son being with a Chinese girl.

Cast[]

Regular cast[]

Guest cast[]

Jasmine Chong - Lucille Soong
Robert Matthews - Michael Sheard

Places[]

Rovers Return Inn - Public/snug, back room, kitchen, hallway, Jack and Annie's bedroom, and Emily's bedroom
3 Coronation Street - Back room and hallway

Notes[]

Jack Walker introduces Billy to Hilda Ogden, saying she now lives at No.13. Although the two characters had both appeared in Episode 416 (7th December 1964) and Episode 417 (9th December 1964), they didn't interact together on screen at that time.
Six weeks before first appearing as Mrs Toft, Beatrice Neild appears as an extra in the Rovers.
Emily Nugent quotes from the poem The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter by Ezra Pound.
TV Times synopsis: Annie keeps a tight grip on herself
Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 7,550,000 homes (1st place).

January 1969 episodes
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