Episode 8678 (8th July 2015)

Plot[]

Part One: Gail treats the news of David and Kylie's reconciliation with bemusement. Tracy returns from London and isn't happy to find out that Deirdre's party is in the Rovers. Family and friends look forward to Deirdre's return. Kylie tells Sarah that Callum was all over her yesterday. Sarah dismisses it but is secretly worried. Cathy apologises to Roy for the way she treated him and suggests they have another go at decluttering. Roy agrees. Bev Unwin arrives in the street and is nervous as she knocks on the door at No.1. Ken wonders why Deirdre isn't with her. Bev announces to Ken, Tracy and Audrey that Deirdre died that afternoon.

Part Two: As the Barlows struggle to digest the news, Bev tells them that she found Deirdre sitting in a deckchair in the garden and couldn't wake her. Ken is comforted that she died peacefully, from a suspected aneurysm. Tracy can't believe it and breaks down. Ken struggles to hold back the tears when Bev hands him Deirdre's glasses. Michael and Eileen go for a friendly meal at the bistro, planning to go to Deirdre's party later. Liz finds out about Deirdre's death when she calls at No.1 for the cake. She hugs Ken supportively and offers to tell the partygoers at the Rovers. Tracy doesn't feel reassured that Deirdre didn't suffer - she wants her back. Bev feels guilty that Deirdre spent her last months with her. Sarah confronts Callum about Kylie, but ends up begging for forgiveness when he dumps her for not trusting him. Liz announces Deirdre's death to a stunned crowd at the Rovers. Emily is hit hard and is taken home by Rita. Roy forms a plan of action at Cathy's house - finding her somewhere to sit. Tracy is upset when Audrey calls her "Tracylove", as Deirdre did, and cries over the cake. Having kept his composure for his family's sake, Ken breaks down in the yard with Steve, wondering what he's going to do without Deirdre.

Cast[]

Regular cast[]

Guest cast[]

Dan Jones - Andrew Paul

Places[]

Coronation Street - Main street view and ginnel
Rovers Return Inn - Public and yard
1 Coronation Street - Back room, kitchen and hallway
8 Coronation Street - Downstairs rooms
Nick's Bistro
Victoria Street
Roy's Rolls
Cathy Matthews's house - Living room

Notes[]

First appearance of Bev Unwin since 22nd December 2006.
The episode features the off-screen death of Deirdre Barlow. The character had last appeared in Episode 8486 (8th October 2014) and actor Anne Kirkbride died on 19th January 2015.
TV Times synopsis: The end of an era arrives when Bev appears on the Barlows' doorstep with devastating news - Deirdre has passed away, leaving a devastated Ken and Tracy to contemplate life without her. The rest of the residents learn about the much-loved neighbour's death after gathering for what should have been her surprise 60th birthday party at The Rovers.
Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast: 6,410,000 viewers (6th place).
This episode was repeated on ITV3 on Easter Monday 18th April 2022 at 2.05pm, part of a sequence of episodes to mark the upcoming 90th birthday of William Roache.

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