Coronation Street - Season 5 (1963)

Frank just won't believe Christine when she tells him that she doesn't have a boyfriend.

Swindley stresses about the fall in sales at Gamma Garments.

Johnny blames Harry for his lost job.

Harry is tired of being a bus driver and starts to look for another job.

Emily is devastated about losing her job.

Doreen quits her job so that Emily can stay.

Frank proposes to Christine but she isn't sure.

Swindley threatens to resign unless Emily is given her job back.

Val discovers Frank is still seeing Christine.

Jack and Albert go to their reunion.

Consumers flock to Gamma Garments for Emily's sake.

Jed installs a television at Minnie's.

Swindley gives the water job to Joe.

Jerry tells Len that he's been offered another job.

Elsie gets depressed on her birthday.

Annie accuses Ena of blackmail.

Harry thinks of selling his car.

Ken threatens to take Elsie to court if she slanders Val. Ena receives worrying news of her sister's health. Harry finds the ideal customer for his unwanted motor car.

Esther agrees to let Christine move in with her.

Elsie turns detective when Doreen hints that she has information about the letter. Jerry attempts to play matchmaker for Len. Swindley presides at the over-60s dance at the Mission Hall.

Ena returns from Sheffield.

Swindley gives Jed a warning about misusing the Mission Hall.

Gamma Garments starts a credit service.

Frank buys his wedding outfit but Christine has bad news for him. The rent collector comes looking for Elsie. Lucille looks forward to her foreign school trip.

Swindley discovers that Elsie is protected by the 1957 Rent Act.

Elsie gets Len to change the locks in anticipation of the bailiffs' return. Valerie is amused to learn the identity of Ken's admirer. Minnie feels the strain of Jed's departure on her finances.

Dennis arrives from London.

All the street come to watch as the bailiffs come to number 11.

Frank returns from his stay in Scarborough and appears chirpy. Dennis asks Len what his intentions are towards Elsie. Frank and Christine run into each other and are friendly. Dennis keeps his exploits in London very quiet. He then receives a mysterious telegram.

Dennis stops using the Rovers' phone when he discovers the Barlows have had one installed since he was last in Weatherfield. The residents think Frank must have something else on his mind to recover from Christine so easily. In Swindley's absence, Emily and Doreen run Gamma Garments very smoothly. Mavis Fox arrives from London looking for a "Coronation Street" with detached houses in. Dennis catches up with her and explains that his Grannie lives in the street whilst he's looking after his father's mill. She is thrilled and he installs her in a hotel. Emily and Doreen...

Elsie's suspicions about Dennis' return prove justified when she receives a visitor. Doreen and Miss Nugent are questioned about the robbery by the police. Ken is curious about Frank's secretive behaviour.

Dennis tells Elsie that Mavis chucked him when he told her about his humble life. She feels sorry for him before discovering he is lying. She threatens to tell Mavis. The police recover all the stolen stock to the girls' dismay. Dennis tells Mavis the truth. She tells him she'll have to return to London to think about their relationship. Martha loses Ena's pension book. Frank refuses to listen to Ken's opposition to the shop. Ken thinks he shouldn't give up the security of the GPO. Mavis returns to London. Elsie is horrified to learn Dennis let Mavis go when she ...

The assistants celebrate at Miami Modes when they discover Mrs Dumbarton is leaving. They are told one of them will be promoted. Frank cashes in his policies and signs the shop's lease. Martha reports the missing book and tells Ena it's gone. Christine and Elsie think Dot will get the supervisor's job. Jerry asks Sheila to go steady with him. Ken returns Ena's pension book after a schoolboy finds it. She discovers that this week's pension has been drawn.

Ken stands by pupil Michael Butterworth, believing he didn't cash the pension. At Miami Modes, Dot starts to boss Elsie and Christine. Ena gets the truth out of Michael, that he cashed the pension and spent the money. Christine is offered the supervisor's job. Sheila agrees to go steady with Jerry. Swindley hears that he may be promoted to Gamma Garments Head Office. Ena reports Michael to the police.

Swindley reveals he has been promoted to Administration at Gamma Garments' Head Office. Jerry tries to get Len to invite Elsie to the Federation Dance. Ken ignores Ena because of Michael. Elsie agrees to go to the Dance on Wednesday. Ena worries what will happen to Michael as the residents turn against her. Dennis books a table at a posh restaurant to treat Elsie, but also on Wednesday.

Michael appears at the juvenile court and is put on probation. Elsie is torn between letting Dennis and Len down. In the end, she drops Dennis. At the dance, she sees Florrie with a handsome man who turns out to be her cousin. Doreen takes Elsie's place as Dennis' dinner partner but is annoyed when he doesn't try anything on. Elsie and Len grow very intimate at the dance.

Christine starts as trainee supervisor at Miami Modes and tries to cut down on Dot and Elsie's chatter. Concepta tells Annie that she doesn't know how much Harry earns. Annie tells her she's too docile. Swindley is shocked when Emily takes the news of his departure lightly. Dennis discovers Elsie went out with Len and feels unwanted. Elsie refuses to go out with Len again because he is still legally married. Concepta tackles Harry about his earnings. Elsie begins to think that the power has gone to Christine's head.

Annie makes enquiries and tells Concepta that Harry earns £14 7/6 a week. At Miami Modes, Christine reprimands Elsie for getting a dress on discount for Sheila. Emily and Doreen fall for the new manager, Mr. Cresswell. Harry tells Concepta he earns £13 a week. Elsie tries to give Christine some advice but she tells Elsie that their friendship stops outside the shop. Swindley tells the girls Cresswell is only a buyer. Annie gets a letter from Arthur Forsythe-Jones saying he'll be coming up whilst Jack is away fishing.

Annie packs Jack off to Scotland. Frank starts to clean out the shop. Concepta's father is taken ill and is forced to retire. She feels that Harry could run the garage for him. Annie cleans the Rovers in the hope that Arthur will arrive. Dennis enjoys running Lenny's agency, auditioning strippers and chorus girls.

Frank's premises have a reputation of being a bad omen for businesses. Concepta goes to Ireland. Dennis finds it hard to get people interested in his shows. Concepta sends Harry a telegram telling him to hand in his notice.

Concepta returns unexpectedly from Ireland. She tells Harry she wants to buy her father's garage-cum-grocers in instalments. Arthur Forsythe-Jones arrives at the Rovers. He enjoys the atmosphere of the pub. Annie agrees to go to a show with him. Harry resigns from the buses, planning a future in Ireland.

Swindley spends his last day at the shop. Emily and Doreen buy him a pen as a farewell present. Jack wants to return from Scotland when he discovers Arthur is around but Annie puts him off. Lucille doesn't want to go to Ireland. Annie can't find anyone to look after the bar for the evening and has to cancel her date with Arthur. He begs her to let him work behind the bar instead. Emily, Doreen and Ena toast Swindley and his future. Arthur impresses the customers and answers the phone when Jack telephones. Ken warns Concepta that Lucille could cause trouble. Lucille ...

Jack returns to sort out Annie and Arthur Forsythe-Jones. She tells him there is nothing in their relationship, but Jack sees that Arthur knows his way around the pub. Dennis discovers that both Elsie and Len are holidaying in Blackpool. Arthur takes Annie to the theatre. Harry tries to stall Concepta over Ireland but she is impatient to leave. Annie returns at 1 o'clock in the morning.

Annie tells Jack she only went out with Arthur Forsythe-Jones to make him jealous. Val finds it hard to look after Ken whilst working and he takes suffrage. Harry decides that they're staying in Coronation Street. Lucille's worry about her schooling tips the scales. Arthur gives Annie a plant and leaves. When Concepta throws out Lucille's toys, Lucille tells her that they're not going to Ireland. Concepta walks out.

Elsie and Len return from holiday in Blackpool. Elsie is hurt by Dennis' coolness. Harry finds Concepta in a playground and tells her that he can't leave Weatherfield as it's his home. Frank has hassle with Ethel Tyson, his tenant above the shop, who is two months in arrears. Concepta threatens to go to Ireland on her own. Elsie tells Len to tread easy with Dennis as they were only together for one afternoon.

Frank advertises the grand opening of his DIY shop. Concepta blames Lucille for Harry's change of mind. Elsie tries to make up with Dennis but he refuses to listen to her. Concepta tells Harry he's selfish and always has been. He accuses her of being after her father's money. She tells him to go and live with Len and to take Lucille with him. Lucille hears and starts to pack, begging Concepta to let her leave. Concepta stops rowing and tries to comfort her. She brings the two of them together and Concepta resigns herself to her fate at No.7.

Sheila is fed up as Jerry never takes her out. Len and Jerry finish up at Frank's shop. Harry has an interview for a sales job. Albert accidentally grows parsley instead of onions at his allotment and gives them out to everyone to get rid of them. Christine makes it clear to Elsie that she doesn't like her taking personal calls at work. She overhears Elsie complaining about her on the phone to Len. As he admires his new shop front, Frank is confident that the opening will draw a crowd. The residents are worried for him as the shop is in a bad location. Florrie sorts ...

Frank is in good spirits after a successful first day of trading. Len takes Elsie out to the pictures. She doesn't care that she's supposed to be at work. David can't understand why Ken is still staying in the Street and believes he can do better than Bessie Street School. Frank tells David he now understands why he stayed away when Ida died. Valerie suggests that Ken apply to teach at a grammar school as he'll earn more money. Ken dismisses the idea as he's happy where he is. David buys everyone drinks at the Rovers. Harry refuses it as he's bitter about not being in...

Elsie thinks Christine has gone mad with power, while Christine believes Elsie has set out to give her a hard time. Florrie offers the Hewitts credit if they're finding it hard. Concepta politely refuses her offer. Harry pulls out of the upcoming darts picnic and reclaims the money he put in from Jack. Jack offers to pay it in for him until he gets a job but Harry won't let him. Harry is embarrassed when Jack buys him a drink and Ena and Albert ask him if he's celebrating. Dot returns from touring Italy with Walt and shows off her tan. Christine is summoned to the ...

Elsie thinks Christine is going to be sacked but Dennis thinks it'll be her as she's older. Harry grows depressed on the dole. He feels he's only fit to drive buses. Frank thinks Ken is unwise seeing Marian Lund again but Ken stresses the point that she's now married. Minnie gives Harry an advert for a warehouse and traffic manager job. He's not interested but takes the cutting anyway. Elsie decides to resign before she's sacked. Val has to back out of seeing Marian when Ena reminds her that she made a hair appointment which she didn't note down. Miss Read tells Elsie...

Valerie is cold to Ken after his date with Marian. Ken blames her for letting him go by himself and they row. Ken doesn't want her to be a stay-at-home wife but Val accuses him of driving her to it. Ena thinks Ken is regretting marrying Val after seeing him leave with Marian. Annie is in bed because of her summer chill and refuses to see a doctor. Albert hears about Ken and Marian from Ena and orders Val to make more effort to go out with Ken. Dennis gives Doreen some records he got through the profession but they turn out to be golden oldies. Jerry gives Dennis the ...

Gamma Garments' takings are up again. Doreen thinks Emily should be made manageress. Elsie sent the accordionist away. Emily is summoned to Gamma Garments' head office. Albert warns Valerie she'll lose Ken if she tries to shut the world out. Ken tells Val he turned down the Lunds invitation. He tries to reach an understanding with Val; he says he met Marian to fulfil an obligation and doesn't care what people think. He snaps again when Val asks him why he's late back from school. Val doesn't know how to respond and admits she's always wondered why Ken married her. He ...

Doreen and Emily are nervous about Neil Crossley's arrival. Dennis Tanner Enterprises holds its auditions. Neil turns out to be a real charmer. Dennis becomes ecstatic over the discovery of a singing window cleaner named Walter Potts.

Neil doesn't seem to care about the shop. Dennis signs Walter up, taking 40% of his earnings. He gives him a new name: Brett Falcon. Neil takes a fancy to Doreen, Val and Sheila. He shows his true nature when he gets into trouble with Mr Papagopolous and blames Emily.

Harry can't bring himself to tell Lucille she can't go to Belgium. Neil and Sheila date in secret. Martha tells Doreen she often sees Neil in the betting shop. Dennis spends his time rehearsing Walter. Emily finds the petty cash is down. Lucille surprises the Hewitts by not minding about not going to Belgium. Neil is tracked down by Pat Lynch who refuses to leave Gamma Garments until she's seen him.

Pat Lynch demands the £15 that Neil owes her. She refuses to go out with him again. Sheila falls behind with the rent. Walter is thrown out of his lodgings because of his rehearsing. He dumps himself on Dennis. Neil explains to Emily that he borrowed the petty cash. Jerry tells Len he's thinking of marrying Sheila. Neil borrows money off Sheila as they continue to meet in secret.

Dennis hides Walter at No. 11 behind Elsie's back. Sheila tells Florrie she's lent her rent money to Neil. Elsie warns Neil off Sheila. With Ken at work, Neil tries to seduce Val but Concepta saves her. Elsie tells Sheila to drop Neil for Jerry's sake. Sheila accuses her of being jealous, old and past it.

Doreen is annoyed that Sheila will not tell her what is going on. Harry takes up driving for Marshalls. Sheila borrows £5 off Jerry, telling him she needs a new dress for a dance. She pays Florrie the rent. Jerry sees Sheila and Neil together.

It is Christopher's first birthday. A stray dog roams the Street. Jerry breaks his arm in a road accident and his bike is written off. Ena takes the dog in and Walter tells her that he is staying at No. 11.

The dog is claimed. Ena bets Dennis that Elsie will soon find out about Walter. Sheila tells Jerry that she was talking to Neil about getting the dress wholesale. Elsie catches Walter sneaking about in his pyjamas. She tells him he can stay for £1.10s a week. Jerry hears that Harry saw Sheila with Neil three weeks ago. Harry gets an interview as chauffeur at Amalgamated Steel. Jerry catches Sheila and Neil together in the Street.

Neil tells Jerry that Sheila's for sharing and they start fighting. The residents try to stop them but when Neil insults Sheila, Jerry knocks him unconscious. Neil comes to in fifteen minutes and swears vengeance. Sheila rejects Jerry. Len tells Elsie he is divorced from Nellie and it will be absolute in three months. He asks her to marry him on 5th November.

Len tells Elsie he's serious about marrying her. She feels that they're both failures at marriage and asks for time to think it over. Frank sides with Neil against the residents and cashes cheques for him. Elsie persuades Florrie to tear up a letter she has written to Mrs. Birtles; she feels the affair will soon end. Harry discovers he'll be driving the darts team outing to New Brighton. Sheila breaks down when Neil stands her up and she waits for him for three hours.

Neil promises Sheila another night out. Emily refuses to be loyal to Neil when bookie Jud Bates keeps ringing up for him. Elsie doesn't know what to do about Len. She worries that Dennis won't survive on his own. Sheila catches Neil trying to sneak off to avoid taking her out. When she tells him he's not man enough to finish with her, he slaps her in front of a shop full of customers. Emily phones Mr Papagopolous demanding Neil's removal.

Elsie continues to stall Len. Frank cashes Neil a cheque for £25. Mr Papagopolous makes Emily the manageress and tells her to fire Neil. Harry gets the job at Amalgamated Steel. Neil refuses to believe he's been sacked until Gamma Garments' head office tells him. He leaves, still owing the petty cash. Ena tells Elsie how lonely it can be, being old and manless. Dennis advises Elsie to marry Len.

The men's outing to New Brighton gets off to a bad start when the coach breaks down. Concepta frets that Harry's new job will take him away from home a lot. Len is keen to know Elsie's answer to his proposal.

Harry fears the incident will damage his reference for the new job. Elsie tells Len she can't marry him - she gets on too well with him. Dennis gets Walter his first gig at Weatherfield Trades and Labour Club. When Walter sings in the Rovers, a policeman calls following a complaint.

Doreen tries to bring Sheila out of herself. In court, Alf is fined £10, Albert £5 and Walter £2. Sheila refuses to go to see Walter perform. Doreen feels that she'll never get her and Jerry back together again. Neil's cheque bounces and Ken decides to track him down to get Frank's money back.

Jerry, Doreen and Lucille go with Dennis to see Walter's debut at the Weatherfield Trades and Labour Club. The concert secretary, George Dickinson warns Dennis that the audience aren't above pelting the stage if the act isn't to their liking. He introduces them to his daughter, Myra, and she and Jerry instantly fall for each other. Dennis tries to calm down his stage nerves. George sees through Lucille's pretence that she is sixteen and makes her stay in the dressing room. The top billers ring to cancel and a scared Walter is told he has four more spots. Jack thinks ...

Lucille rushes into the flat and tells Sheila where Neil is but she isn't bothered. Doreen is furious at Lucille's interference and throws her out. Len carries out some repairs in the Mission and finds dry rot. Swindley confides in him and tells him he's finding the work hard at Gamma Garments' head office due to his age. Len suggests he should consider returning to the Rosamund Street shop as it won't adversely affect Emily. Len and Albert tease Harry in his new chauffeur's uniform. Elsie and Len ignore each other in the Rovers although they both desperately want to ...

Emily tells Doreen that she's put in her resignation as manageress. Doreen can't understand why as the shop is doing much better under her and cites her improvements. She doesn't like the idea of Swindley returning. Albert hears that Cox and Schofield are expanding their business and wonders if there's a job for Sheila there. Florrie promises to pass the message on. Lucille visits Sheila who is getting ready for a trip out to see Neil though she admits she is uncertain what to do but desperately hopes he'll take her back. She tells Lucille what it's like to be in love...

As Sheila contemplates suicide, Dennis raises the alarm and breaks into her flat. Frank is accosted in the Rovers by his angry tenant. Swindley criticises Ena's housekeeping at the Mission.

Ken thinks Frank is being too heavy handed with Ethel Tyson. Sheila packs. Jerry tries to win her over but she rejects him. He refuses to take the £5 back. She thanks Dennis for saving her. Ethel refuses to pay the increase or the arrears. Sheila leaves for Rawtenstall and Jerry goes out with Myra.

Doreen wants to do more with her life and she starts looking for a new flatmate. Ethel Tyson starts putting customers off Frank's shop. He decides to serve her a notice to quit. Len realises he's going to have to pay Jerry more as his apprenticeship ends. Doreen asks Myra if she'd like to share the flat but she's happy at home. Ethel's brother George Pickup and his son Jim arrive to sort Frank out.

Frank gives Ethel Tyson a month's notice. She tears it up. When she starts slandering him outside the shop, Martha rows with her. George Pickup offers to pay the arrears and the increase and threatens Frank with violence. Len and Jerry do up No.13 for Wormold who wants to sell it. Doreen thinks of emigrating or joining the army. Len's amused by the way Myra dominates Jerry. Doreen tells Emily that she's leaving to join the Women's Royal Army Corps, transport section. Myra tells Jerry they could live in No. 13 when they are married. He is shocked to discover she ...

Minnie is upset when the postman doesn't have anything for her on her birthday. Harry has to be in Carlisle for work on his wedding anniversary and promises to take Concepta out when he gets back. Concepta is annoyed that he thinks his work is too important to ask for the day itself free. Myra helps Doreen plan a farewell party. The residents wonder why she's signed up; Martha thinks she's after a man but Doreen tells Myra she'd like to see a bit of the world. Len and Jerry prepare No.13 for the new owners. Martha gets the wrong idea when Len tells her the newcomers ...

Florrie receives a letter from Sheila. Dennis asks Florrie to let Walter live in the flat when Doreen leaves. Florrie says she's given somebody else first refusal but admits to Doreen that the real reason is that he doesn't earn steady wages singing. Lucille's friend lets her down meaning she has to baby-sit Christopher. Harry lays down the law when Lucille moans that she never gets to go anywhere. Swindley solicits help from Minnie and Martha for the children's party at the mission as Ena is at Vera's. Doreen gets Frank to brag that he's good with children to trick ...

Ethel Tyson pushes George Pickup to put pressure on Frank. Wormold accepts Jerry's offer of £525 for No.13. Lucille sneaks off to the Luxy with Jim Pickup after he starts a fire in Frank's shop. Frank and Ken extinguish the fire. Frank accuses George of starting the fire but he has an alibi in the Rovers. Jim tells him he's been with Lucille all evening.

Ethel Tyson pushes George Pickup to put pressure on Frank. Wormold accepts Jerry's offer of £525 for No. 13. Lucille sneaks off to the Luxy with Jim Pickup after he starts a fire in Frank's shop. Frank and Ken extinguish the fire. Frank accuses George of starting the fire but he has an alibi in the Rovers. Jim tells him he's been with Lucille all evening.

Myra asks Dennis to be best man. He is delighted. The committee blame Swindley for Ena's stand and the party is moved to the Friday Street Mission. Jerry tells Myra that he has asked a friend, Vincent to be his best man but she meets Vincent and talks him out of it. Vera Lomax worries for Ena's health but she refuses to see a doctor. As the news spreads that the party is off because of Ena, the residents give her the cold shoulder.

Minnie hates not talking to Ena. Elsie discovers Dennis has got a suit on hire purchase on her instalments. He tells her it's so that he wouldn't show her up. Martha snubs Ena in the Rovers. Minnie grows concerned about Ena's health. She tells Vera that she thinks Ena's going senile.

Jerry gets harassed with the wedding arrangements. The number of children invited to the party is cut as the Friday Street Mission is smaller. Ena lays into Minnie for interfering with Vera Lomax. She tells her to keep away, causing Minnie to break down. Jerry's stag night becomes very rowdy. Lucille hates her wedding hat and refuses to wear it. Jerry falls into a drunken stupor in the Select.

Jerry and Myra nervously tie the knot with Dennis as the best man. Ena is ignored by her fellow guests throughout the wedding. Len gets drunk at the reception.

Ena is left shaken by the vandalism in the vestry and a doctor is called. The police investigate the break-in. Len suffers a dreadful hangover following the wedding reception.

Len was too drunk to remember what happened after the wedding reception. The police refuse to believe he is innocent and bring up the fact that he was bound over. They find a hammer belonging to Jerry was used to smash the Vestry up and take Len to the station to take his fingerprints.

Len's key to the Mission is missing and he doesn't know where it is. Swindley finds a new harmonium for Ena. He tells her she can have all the new furniture she wants. Ena can't be bothered with the Mission any more. Ken and Elsie do their best to try and clear Len. Elsie admits she knows where Len was after the reception.

Elsie tells the police that Len spent the night with her. Len is shocked and realises Elsie has made it up to clear him. He makes her go to the police and they tear up her statement. Ken and Ena realise they both know who wrecked the Vestry. Walter gets depressed that no one wants to employ him.

The Booths return from honeymoon and lodge with Jerry's parents. Len gets annoyed when the Mission contract goes to Roscoe and Pitts. Jerry remembers a boy looking round the yard and identifies Michael Butterworth. The key is found on him. Frank considers opening another shop and installing Alf as manager. Lenny Phillips tells Dennis he's sending his partner, Laurie Frazer, to sort things out in the Northern Office. Walter gets photographs printed for Lucille's fan club.

Dennis worries about Laurie Frazer. Walter goes to London to make a record with his friend's group, "The Brainwashers". Ena returns to the Vestry. Myra finds it hard to handle the housekeeping. Elsie falls for Laurie when she meets him. Alf plans to pack his job in to become Frank's manager.

Laurie gets Dennis to chase up unpaid commissions. Dennis is forced to put Walter on the firm's books. Albert tells Alf that Frank was only boasting about another shop. Laurie turns up at No. 11 with his car and Elsie agrees to go out with him.

Walter returns from making his record in London, full of excitement. Dennis feels Laurie is muscling in on his discovery. Word spreads about Frank not buying a second shop.

The Booths move into No. 13. Dennis gets excited as Laurie promotes Walter. The Booths' new furniture arrives - all on hire purchase. Jerry carries Myra over the threshold. Laurie discovers Walter has signed a three year contract with London manager Billy Reno. He is horrified that Dennis did not get him signed up, only on a gentleman's agreement.

Dennis plans to leave the area rather than be sacked but Elsie tells him she'll sort Laurie out. Ken takes over the school production of "Julius Caesar". Laurie tells Elsie he's not sacking Dennis, just scaring him. Val realises what Ken has to put up with when he brings the cast back for costume fittings.

Walter asks Lucille if she'll do a personal appearance with him in London but she has exams. Annie plans a big night out at the Victualler's Ball but discovers Jack's dinner suit is moth-eaten. He tells her they're going and he'll get a new suit.

Jack hires a suit for the ball. Ken and teacher-colleague Dave Robbins take over No. 9 for their rehearsals. Lucille sneaks out of No. 7 in the middle of the night to go to London on a lorry to follow Walter.

Harry wants to call in the police when he discovers that Marjorie Thornley is missing as well as Lucille. Ken realises they've gone to London. Mr. Thornley accuses Harry of not being firm enough with Lucille. Walter is contacted and Lucille is ordered back home. Emily goes to bingo with Florrie. Florrie wins £40 but they are followed by a man.

A man snatches Florrie's handbag in the Street but Jerry manages to get it back. Lucille returns at 5.00am. Harry tells her he's going to write to her school to tell them where she's been.

Val is sick of Ken's obsession with the play. Harry writes Lucille a note, telling the school that she went to London without his consent. Emily finds it hard running Gamma Garments without Doreen. Myra lends her a hand. Val is furious when Ken and Dave take all her furniture to be in the play. Ena catches Lucille skiving. She makes her see that Harry is making her shoulder her responsibilities and sends her off to school. Walter's personal appearance in London was a huge success. Val is annoyed when Dave turns up with his suitcase after his landlady has to go into ...

Lucille is told that she cannot go to the school party. Ken tells Dave he can stay for as long as he likes. The Walkers plan to spend Christmas in Torquay with a relief in the pub. Walter wants to throw a thank-you party for the Street. Val discovers that Ken has used her Christmas money as cash on the play. The residents are amazed that Walter earned £50 for one day.

Ena agrees to having Walter's party at the Mission Hall. The Walkers are denied a holiday as the Brewery can only provide a relief on Christmas Day. Esther arrives to tell everyone she's been promoted to Glasgow. Val realises she'll be stuck with Dave over Christmas. Myra makes a suggestion to liven up the party and Dennis, Len and Albert start making secret plans. They have a lucky dip to decide who on the Street will be their 'victim'.

Rumours spread that a This Is Your Life (1955) tribute is planned for the party. The residents speculate as to whom the subject might be. Albert keeps watch for the arrival of the surprise guests.

Joan seems irritable and tells Jack she's tired of the Davies'. Dennis finds Lenny's nephew Norman Phillips running the office. Laurie tells him that he is sacked and Norman is his replacement. Joan tells Annie that she's in no hurry to go home. Elsie is amazed at Laurie's cheek.