Coronation Street - Season 18 (1976)

Blanche waits anxiously for news about the shop. Jill starts working for Fairclough and Langton. Albert is ready to criticise her work when she repairs a leaky window frame at No. 1 but he has no complaints. Deirdre suggests Blanche go back on her deal with Mrs Needham. Blanche comes round to the idea but when the moment comes she doesn't have the heart to tell her. Ray is pleased with Jill's work. Betty tells Blanche that Gordon isn't sure about selling the shop at the moment. Blanche doesn't know what to do with her corsetry business sold and her other job finishing...

Gail is bothered by anonymous phone calls. She worries about their dole being stopped because they keep refusing jobs. Dave Smith returns to the Street. Annie wonders what he's up to. John Lane continues to phone Gail. Brenda Holden borrows Rita's flat whilst she's singing at a club in Northampton. Ernie is pleased with his new sports jacket. Bet flirts with Dave and is annoyed when he goes after Brenda instead, having heard of Rita through Benny Lewis. Gail worries about the phone calls and asks Tricia to cancel her date with Philip Harper. Tricia suggests she alerts...

Gail grows suspicious when John refuses to leave the flat. Emily is outraged to hear of the proposed new nightclub. Dave is getting along very well with Brenda until he is unexpectedly reunited with an old flame.

Emily starts a petition against the nightclub. Deirdre isn't impressed by her "Uncle Dave". He is shocked to find she is married to Ray. Blanche tells Dave she might be unemployed soon. Ernie refuses to help Emily with her campaign as the club is just a rumour. The residents get suspicious when they see Dave talking to Alf. Hilda returns from Chesterfield to find the house suspiciously clean. Hearing from Annie that Stan hasn't been in the Rovers much lately, she thinks he's been spending his time with Clara Regan. Deirdre thinks Dave is too smarmy. Bet tells Hilda ...

Deirdre tells Blanche that everyone calls Dave a villain. Bet kids Hilda into buying a magazine that gives tips as to how a woman can keep her man. Hilda buys it and tarts herself up to make Stan more interested in her. Emily and Ernie grow nervous at the amount of time that Alf is spending with Dave. Alf tells Dave he has a 50% chance of getting the cash and carry through. Hilda is cross when Stan has to be pushed into making nice comments about her appearance. Deirdre asks Blanche not to go off with Dave as she fears he'll meet someone else and cast her aside. ...

Tricia and Gail take over the running of the shop, with Betty overseeing and looking after Gordon's interests. They're eager for her to go and leave them to it. Tricia starts skiving immediately. Ray and Ernie tell Rita that council men are inspecting the warehouse site for Dave Smith's new cash-and-carry store. Ken tackles Alf about having an adventure playground on the site but is told that the land is too valuable. Ken starts art classes at the Community Centre and Hilda and Mavis enroll. With Annie and Bet ill, Betty advertises for temporary staff at the Rovers. ...

Alf acts out of character, spending more and more money and thinks of taking a winter break. Hilda spreads gossip about him being in cahoots with Dave Smith. Mavis worries about the male model at the art class, preferring to draw a bowl of fruit. Alderman Chapman tells Alf that the council have had an anonymous letter, accusing him of taking a bribe from Dave Smith. The women rush to the art class to see the male model. They are shocked when a fully-clothed Albert turns out to be the model. Alf asks Mavis whether she and Rita have heard what everyone is saying about ...

The residents are quick to buy television licences when a detector van is sighted in the area. Len spots a familiar face while on a date with Rita. Annie offers Terry a regular job behind the bar.

Annie pays for a new TV licence but is made to feel guilty. Rita feels that Len might fall for Donna Parker. Donna asks Len to give her an estimate for extending her Salon. Len begins to fancy Donna. Annie doesn't like Betty disappearing to help at the shop all the time and is sharp with her. Donna tells Len she's going to look for another shop to add to her empire but needs more money. Ray puts the Ogdens on to an electronics genius called Vic Nelson who will mend the TV for £40. Not being able to afford this, Hilda tells Stan to go to the rental shop and come clean....

Terry settles into working at the Yard. Len talks Rita into showing Donna Parker the flat above The Kabin as premises for her Salon but it is a ruse to get a £500 deposit off her so they can return it to Alf. Ray meets Donna. When she tells him about her plans he considers getting Blanche to sell her the house. Sid Wilson, the TV repair man, realises the TV was dropped by the Ogdens and refuses to touch it. Donna tells Len about the Langtons' plan. Betty tells Stan about a friend whose TV caught fire and was replaced by the rental people. Rita tells Donna she wants ...

Stan informs the Rental shop that the TV burst into flames. Len tries to convince Donna Parker to rent Rita's flat not Blanches' house. Sid Wilson, the TV man, realises what's happened and tells Stan he owes them £75 to replace the set. Rita tells Donna she'll accept £3,000 - £500 on it in advance. Donna agrees. Terry flaunts his fitness at Ray. Donna gives Rita £500. Alf is called to The Kabin and Len gives him the money in front of Donna. Alf tells them Donna paid back the money a few weeks ago and gave him the digital watch he was showing off as a thank you present...

Apprentices Brian Jones and Pete Dawson hang round the Corner Shop and Tricia and Gail. Annie doesn't like the way they run the shop with the radio blaring. Stan tries to fix Ena's radio after he's dropped it. Ena returns for it but the Ogdens manage to put off returning it until later in the day. Ken tries to interest Mavis in returning to the Community Centre's art classes but she refuses. Bet returns to work after being off sick with flu for a couple of weeks. Len agrees to mend the radio for the Ogdens. Annie tells Betty about the girls, the lads and the radio in ...

It is Rita's 43rd birthday and she's depressed at the thought but likes Mavis's present of a mirror. Derek Wilton calls at The Kabin again. The boys asks for barmcakes on tick from the Corner Shop and kid the girls that they get a monthly bonus on Friday for trips out. Tricia and Gail take this as a sign that their debts will be paid off. Hilda skives off work to enter more competitions, much to Stan's derision. Bet isn't pleased to have to complete her Rovers' cleaning in her absence, and under Annie's close supervision. Len and Ken are amused at the thought of Stan ...

Gordon arrives to stay with Betty. She questions him about his life in London. He tells her the reason he's here is to audit the shop as it's the end of the financial year. Betty tells him it's doing well but she won't tell the girls he's coming. Tricia pushes Keith to pay some of the money he owes. Hilda buys dog food to enter a competition to win a washing machine. She overhears that the girls have given tick. Rita discovers that Derek isn't married. The front of shop is a mess as the boys are entertained at lunch again in the back room. Derek and Mavis realise they...

Gordon does the books and sees that the Corner Shop is doing badly. He decides to get rid of the girls. Tricia and Gail beg the boys for the money they owe but get short shrift. Gordon plans to buy the shop off Maggie and give it to Betty. She is overcome. Hilda buys four packets of peanuts for the world cruise competition. Mavis can't give Derek an answer about the Lake District trip, saying it's complicated. Rita is exasperated with her. Emily is livid when the heel on a new pair of shoes she's bought comes off. Gordon overhears the girls arguing with Ken and thinks...

The brewery run a promotion for "Yokohama" tropical fruit drink. Deirdre and Rita wonder where Mavis has got to. Rita thinks Betty should have accepted the Corner Shop gift. The Ogdens don't know what a delicatessen is. Stan thinks it means "delicate grub". Gail gives Hilda running shoes to wear on the dash. Wendy Nightingale calls on them, doing a survey in the area on people's reading habits. They have very little information to give her. Alf tells Len there's no hard feelings over Donna Parker. Mavis returns late from Kendal, the bus back having broken down. Her ...

Annie tells Stan that she thinks trolley dashes are distasteful displays of greed. Ken tries to drum up attendance at the literary appreciation course but only Annie and Alf agree to go. Rita annoys Mavis when she teases her about Derek. Delicatessen owner Mike Nikopolos won't let Hilda into his shop ahead of the dash to work out the layout of the shelves. Gail and Albert get annoyed when they can't find a can of sardines in the Corner Shop after the chaos that the Ogdens caused. Deirdre gives Hilda a diagram of the shop that the yard obtained for alterations. Because...

Wendy calls on Ken for a book on First World War poetry for her opening lecture. Albert is there and butts into the conversation with his own knowledge of verse from the period, annoying Ken. The Ogdens eat caviar and chips. Stan prefers the chips. They realise the jars cost £8 each and decide to sell one of them. Wendy is taken with Albert's war stories and his medals, boring Ken. Annie and Bet refuse to buy the caviar for £6. Bet, Betty and Len gossip about Ken seeing a married woman. Albert invites himself along to Ken and Wendy's Rovers drink. Emily confesses to ...

Stan and Albert spend the night in the Rovers cellar, drinking all the ale they can swallow. Sick with worry, Hilda searches high and low for her missing husband. Ken leaves Wendy in no doubt of his feelings towards her.

Bet avoids going into work on time to avoid having to clean up the cellar after Albert and Stan, wanting Hilda to do the job as promised. Fred Gee looks for Len. Ena reminds Rita that he's Edna's widower. Bet ends up having to clean the cellar when Hilda fails to come in and do the task herself. She's livid. Rita tells Fred to try the Rovers and see if Len is there. He has been made redundant from his job as a storeman at the foundry and is looking for work. Hilda claims Stan hasn't slept all night due to his experiences. Albert scurries out of the pub before Annie ...

Wendy Nightingale cooks Ken breakfast. She feels guilty as she's never been unfaithful before. She wonders what Hilda will say about her car being outside all night. Deirdre calls into the Kabin for aspirin, feeling off. Fred plans his move into the Rovers, feeling lucky as he's the only one of his twenty-seven work colleagues to find work after being made redundant. Betty tells Bet to keep her hands off Fred but she makes it clear she's not interested. They agree to pool their tips as they feel Fred will get more than they do. The brewery summons Fred but tell him ...

Deirdre is off with Rita when she calls into the Kabin. Rita asks Len for a chat that night in her flat and asks him round for 7.00pm. Deirdre won't let Ray touch her. She confesses to a headache and he tells her to call in sick at the yard but otherwise can't get through to her. Bet calls but she refuses to go out with her to town. Once she's gone though, she nips out herself. Rita speaks to someone on the phone who's eager for her to do something quickly. Bet knocks on Carlos's flat and finds a new occupant - Tom Russell, who's got the room as Carlos has gone back ...

Bet leaves her flat and goes out. She calls at the Kabin but Mavis, in the middle of doing the VAT return, tells her that Rita isn't available as she is with Len. Bet has no option but to return home. Deirdre has calmed down and can't contact the doctor to find out if her test is definitely positive. She and Ray look forward to being parents but he insists that she gives up work and that they need a bigger place to live in. He's calm but happy at the prospect and she admits that she's chuffed too. Rita tells Len that her proposal comes from Harry Bates. He's got a ...

The false rumour of Deirdre's pregnancy spreads, and Ray enjoys the drinks bought for him by his friends. Len receives a surprise telephone call. Hilda becomes suspicious when she is offered payment for cleaning Number 7.

Elsie feels at home, back in the Street. She tells Len she's having a trial separation from Alan; she didn't like looking after him. Deirdre tells Ray she wants a cheque book. Len enjoys watching Rita and Elsie weigh each other up. The residents react as Elsie and Len drink in the Rovers. Elsie tells Ken she's looking for a job. Rita is jealous of her friendship with Len.

Elsie searches for a job. Ena sees that Elsie is back and tells her she's showing her age. Ena advises Elsie to move out of No.9; she's still a married woman. Wendy Nightingale's friend Sheila Flynn warns Roger that she is seeing someone else. Ken phones Roger not knowing he suspects him. Elsie tells Ken she wants No.11 back. Ken refuses to leave. Betty offers Elsie the living accommodation at the Corner Shop. Wendy feels torn between Ken and Roger. She feels that she can't give Ken up. Rita is pleased Elsie is moving into No.15. She shows her a job advert; she's ...

Gail finds Ken bleeding in No.11. He tells the neighbours that he slipped and hit his face. Len realises what happened. Elsie goes for an interview at Sylvia Matthews' lingerie shop - Sylvia's Separates. Wendy Nightingale arrives at Ken's and tells him she's left Roger. Elsie proves to be a match for Sylvia and gets the post of manageress on £40 a week. Wendy refuses to move in with Ken. He accuses her of using him as an excuse to leave Roger. She tells him she needs some peace. Elsie discovers the sales assistant Kim Wilson is leaving at the end of the week. Roger ...

Auntie Edie goes away for a few days and Mavis doesn't want to sleep in an empty house. Emily invites her to stay. Ernie is annoyed as it's their fourth wedding anniversary. Ray tells Deirdre he's doing a foreigner but really goes to a charity stag night at the Gatsby Club with Alf. Ernie agrees to join them. Annie considers putting on a Street mastermind competition. Ernie gets drunk and is used as a prop by a stripper. The Brewery promise a prize to Annie. Deirdre feels sorry for Ray working not knowing he is catching strippers' bras. The Gatsby is raided by the ...

Ernie and Ray return after questioning. The Gazette runs a picture of Alf with a report on the raid, including Ernie and Ray's names. Emily refuses to talk to Ernie. He blames her for driving him out by inviting Mavis to stay. Ray sports a bruised face where Deirdre threw something at him. Annie holds the first round of the Rovers' Superbrain. She reads the questions. George Benton answers questions on pigeons while Stan answers on Manchester United and wins with seventeen points. Deirdre and Bet hit the town together to get back at Ray. Emily locks Ernie out.

Ernie spends the night at Len's house. Elsie grows tired of having to flatter Merchandising Manager Roy Thornley. Stan picks 'The Western Desert' for his next round in the Superbrain contest. The Council raps Alf for being at the Gatsby Club. Ena advises Emily to stick by Ernie. Tricia and Gail both ask Elsie for the assistant's job at Sylvia's Separates. Emily dumps Ernie's clothes at Len's. Ernie apologises to Emily and asks if they can start again. She agrees. Elsie decides to take Tricia on but the girls toss a coin and Gail wins.

Ernie is depressed that the Mission circuit superintendent, Ivor Mortlake, is going to call on him. Ena tells him to say he was at the Gatsby Club to study filth and obscenity. Gail starts work with Elsie. Ernie tells Mortlake he went to the Gatsby out of a sense of duty. Stan doesn't know so much about the Western Desert as he thought. The regulars decide to nobble him and send Bet instead to answer on detective novels for the next round of the Superbrain contest. Ernie agrees to deliver a sermon on his experience. Len gets Stan drunk and sends him to the wrong pub ...

Sylvia's Separates holds a sale and Hilda buys a hideously ill-suited teenager's smock-top. Ray feels there isn't enough work for Terry. Everyone is too embarrassed to tell Hilda she looks a fool so Tricia plucks up courage and tells her that she looks like mutton dressed as lamb. Terry agrees to work part-time at the Yard. Alf is told to train a lad in his job at the Post Office but he feels he's getting too old to work. Elsie tells Stan he ended up at the wrong pub on purpose. Gail refuses to take the top back. Hilda says she'll force Elsie to give her the money ...

Elsie refuses to take the top back as Hilda has worn it, ironed it and scorched it. Sylvia Matthews also refuses to exchange Hilda's top. In revenge, Hilda tells her that she's employing someone who has been accused of shoplifting. Alf fears he's going to be made redundant. Terry worries that his sister Renee Bradshaw is coming to see him. Not knowing that Hilda meant Elsie, Sylvia asks Gail if she's ever been in trouble with the police. The Superbrain quiz semi-finals take place at the Rovers. Emily tells Elsie what Hilda told Sylvia. Bet loses the quiz to Herbert ...

Renee Bradshaw looks around the Corner Shop. Gail worries that Sylvia Matthews thinks she's a thief. She decides to resign. Ken contacts Wendy Nightingale at Diana Kenton's address. She tells him that she's missed him. Di thinks she's mad. Ken invites Wendy to move in with him. Diana accuses him of breaking up the Nightingale home. Elsie tells Sylvia that she was up in court and resigns. Fred has to have four stitches in his hand from a glass wound. Wendy moves into No. 11.

Betty shows Renee round the shop. Len tells Gail that someone else stole the dresses and Gail tells Sylvia Matthews. Rita is embarrassed by Fred's attention. Elsie goes for Hilda in the Rovers but is stopped by Fred. Diana Kenton tells Wendy Nightingale that Roger wants her back but she's not interested. Renee secures a loan from the bank to buy the shop and she also plans to make a good home for Terry but he isn't keen. Sylvia asks Gail to give Elsie her cards but Gail tells Elsie that Sylvia wants to apologise. Elsie arrives and she and Sylvia apologise to each ...

Alf considers resigning before he's sacked. Rita gives Fred tickets for the Gatsby Club. Ken shows Wendy off in the Rovers. Tricia realises she, Gail and Elsie will be evicted when Renee buys the shop. Alf takes a shine to Renee. Fred tries to build up courage to ask Rita out.

Elsie advises Tricia to try to please Renee in order to keep her job. Wendy worries that her happiness won't last. Fred enjoys himself at the Gatsby Club. Mavis discovers that he danced with Rita. Alf writes his letter of resignation when a lad he trained is put over him. Rita kicks Mavis when she taunts her over Fred. Renee assures Elsie that Tricia can stay at the flat, although she'll lose her job. She tells Elsie that she'll want to live in the shop, so Elsie will have to move out. Ernie plans a camping holiday but Emily wants to go to Italy. Rita wonders how she ...

Ken organises a Bank Holiday Street party, in aid of the deprived. Bet and Betty persuade Fred to donate a bottle of sherry to the tombolla in Annie's absence. Ken tries to get the Community Centre committee enthusiastic about the party. Alderman Chapman and Mrs Rankin of the committee tell Ken they've had complaints about his living in sin. They spell it out that he has to give up either his job or Wendy. Ken is angry that Ernie didn't tip him off about the ultimatum. He calls them both hypocrites over the Gatsby Club raid. Elsie asks Len if she can lodge at No.9. He...

Fred starts putting sandwiches on at lunchtimes. Bet and Betty decide he's after his own empire. Ena accuses Renee of leading the residents into temptation by opening the Corner Shop on Sundays - but still buys a loaf of bread for herself. Ken's temper cools and he tells Alf that he doesn't really blame him or Ernie as Chapman's had it in for him ever since he got the job over his nephew. As senior barmaid, Betty is annoyed as Fred acts like landlord. Ken accuses Emily of meddling in his affairs when she tells him she told Wendy. He is surprised as Wendy hasn't ...

Stan's friend Wally Fisher arrives to be the escapologist at the party. Wendy doesn't feel part of the Street's oneness. The Street celebrates with clog dancers, a barrel organ and Punch and Judy. Ken takes care of special guest M.P. Geoffrey Hardcastle. Wally proves a success. He offers five pounds to anyone who will try to escape from the sack and chains. Stan volunteers. Wendy leaves the party to meet Diana Kenton. Stan is let out of the sack when he can't breathe. He can't get out of the chains and Wally disappears. Wendy meets Roger.

Stan tries to get out of his chains and Len refuses to saw him out. Hilda enjoys having Stan chained up. Roger meets Wendy at a restaurant where he tells her that he needs and wants her. He tells her she doesn't belong living in a slum with Ken. He gives her his front door key and asks her to return. Ena wins a glass goblet in the raffle. Renee finds Wally Fisher trapped in the ladies' toilet at the Rovers, drunk. He gives Len the keys to free Stan. Betty tells the girls to vacate the flat in a fortnight. Len advises Elsie to get Ken out of No.11. Wendy tells Ken ...

Ken is surprised when Albert shows him compassion. Albert tells him he still cares what happens to him. Derek Wilton returns. Mavis is annoyed as he hasn't kept in touch but forgives him. They arrange a meal. Ken is angry and bitter as he loved Wendy Nightingale. He tells Elsie she can have No. 11 back. Fred asks Rita out. She tells him that she's going out with someone else although she isn't. He gives her a pot plant. Derek has to work and cancels the meal. When Fred arrives to see if Rita's date's turned up, she pounces on Derek and passes him off as her boyfriend....

Derek is scared of Rita even after she has explained her actions. Fred tells the regulars in the Rovers about Rita's boyfriend, Mavis realises he is talking about Derek. Mavis accuses Rita of being man-mad. Ken assures the committee that his private life is now beyond reproach. He tells them he has no confidence in them and is taking two weeks holiday to think about whether or not he wants to remain in the job. Renee is furious when Tricia drinks in the Rovers instead of delivering an order. Albert invites Ken to move in with him and Ken agrees. Tricia tells Renee ...

Renee thinks of opening an off-licence in the shop. Elsie moves back into No. 11. Surveyors look at the Warehouse. Annie is furious to discover Renee will be in opposition to the Rovers. Rita lets Mavis use the Kabin flat to cook Derek a meal. Albert enters No. 11 and takes Ken's things from under Elsie's nose. Terry and Ray plan a fishing weekend but Renee wants Terry to do some jobs at the shop. Mavis and Derek are both nervous as she entertains him. Bet invites Rita to stay with her for the night to give Mavis and Derek a boost.

Deirdre wonders who Len has taken out when Elsie, Rita and Bet are all in the Rovers. Annie gives Elsie a letter from Newcastle for her via the Rovers. Derek and Mavis have a romantic time together. Terry agrees to move into the flat so long as he keeps his independence. Rita, Bet and Elsie hit the town together. Rita phones Mavis and asks her to stay the night and do the morning papers. The women pick up a couple of Reps - Neville Radd and George MacDonald. They take them back to No.11. Elsie reads the girls Alan's letter; he wants to know if they have a future ...

Terry paints over the Clegg's sign. The day arrives for Gail to vacate the flat but she has nowhere else to go. Renee tells her that she to go as it's a condition of her bank loan that the flat is vacant. Mavis is furious to discover Rita set her and Derek up. Renee becomes the legal owner of the shop. Eddie Yeats returns to area with his friend Monkey Gibbons from Walton Jail. No one is happy to see him. The new shop sign reads "Renee Bradshaw". Elsie takes Gail in as a lodger despite her better judgement. As Minnie is away at Handel Gartside's, Eddie is homeless. ...

Eddie and Monkey Gibbons spend the night in Elsie's living room after she chucks them out of her bedroom. Elsie threatens them with a milk bottle and asks Gail to phone the police. Eddie convinces her not to report them. Elsie asks Ray to put new locks on the windows. Bet tells Elsie it was Ray who set Eddie up. Renee refuses Hilda credit. Hilda threatens to take her custom elsewhere. Elsie lets Ray off the hook until he tells her that he thought she'd be desperate for two fellas. She puts a glass ashtray in her handbag. The regulars try to stop her but she belts him ...

Ken returns from holiday. Renee suspects the customers of reporting her. Ken tells Albert he's decided to leave Weatherfield. Tricia writes to Gail, telling her that she's making humbugs at Bailey's. Ray plans a party for Deirdre's twenty-first birthday and their first wedding anniversary. Ken gives the committee his resignation. He tells them he's tired of failure, he wants a new start. He gets digs in Fairview Road as he doesn't want to stay in the Street whilst he serves his notice. Albert tells Ken his electricity was cut off a fortnight ago.

The residents tell Ken that Albert doesn't encourage them to take an interest in his affairs so they don't. Albert goes off and Ken searches for him. Ken finds Albert at the allotment. Albert tells him the Council are taking it off him because he's too old to look after it. Renee accuses Emily of reporting her as she's religious. Ken pays Albert's electricity bill. Albert tells him people don't give a toss about old folk. Ken tells Alf he's changed his mind - he wants to stay on. Gail tells Renee it was Tricia who reported her. Renee apologises to Emily. She tells ...

Eddie decides to seek his fortune in London when he can't find work locally. Ray refuses to asks Annie for the deposit back. Hilda decides she wants the living room decorated. Eddie promises to get Stan half-price wallpaper from a mate. Hilda is suspicious until she sees the wallpaper. Deirdre refuses to go to the party so Ray turns it into a stag night. Behind his back, Deirdre asks for the deposit back. Betty gives it to her in Annie's absence. Eddie offers to help the Ogdens decorate. In return Hilda takes him in as a lodger. Blanche phones and tells Deirdre that ...

Only three walls are papered in No. 13's living room. Eddie offers Hilda different paper for the fourth wall but she refuses it. Ray refuses to invite Eddie to the party but has to let him in when he brings the pies from Renee. The party is a success. Terry tries to get off with Gail but Renee watches him like a hawk. She warns Gail off him. Eddie's pal gives him special wallpaper which creates a mural. Hilda loves it. Ken and Rita get together at the party, she invites him back for a nightcap. Deirdre tells Ray she's pregnant. He announces it at the party.

The Ogdens put the Canadian Rockies mural up, or the "muriel" as Hilda calls it. The lease on Ernie's shop is trebled. His accountant, Arnold Pettifer advises him to close the shop. Con-men Frank Holmes and Jim Pitts pretend to be from the Welfare and try to sell Ena a shower for £60. Frank tells her he's sold one to Hettie Boothroyd. She says she'll have the £20 deposit on Monday.

The Bishops feel it's unfair that they should have to close the Camera Shop whilst the Ogdens just sail through life. Ena tells Len and Eddie about Frank Holmes. They hide as she talks to Holmes. She realises he is a con-man. Ernie goes to the bank to ask for a loan. Len and Eddie stop Holmes from leaving. Eddie nearly throttles him. Len takes him to the police station. Albert supervises the residents to sort out his allotment. Eddie is embarrassed about making a citizen's arrest. Ena tells Len she twigged Holmes because Hettie Boothroyd has been dead for five months....

Albert mourns his vandalised marrow. The Gazette refuses to take Ernie on the staff as he's not in the National Union of Journalists. Hilda spreads the news round that Ernie has gone bust. Albert accuses Ray of vandalising his marrow. Ernie goes to the job centre. Ray apologises to Albert and gives him £2 compensation. Ernie doesn't qualify to go on the Executive Register and has to claim supplementary benefit. Edna Gee's friend, Vera Duckworth, calls on Fred. Albert goes to bingo and meets Bertha Lumley. They go halves and win the £100 jackpot.

Bertha Lumley doesn't let Albert forget £50 of the winnings is hers. Vera tries to get Fred to skive off work. He refuses but agrees to see her for the night. Annie agrees to him entertaining her for a meal and promises to be discreet. Ernie receives £17.50 a week social, plus the interest on his mortgage. He discovers he owes £100 VAT. He and Emily clear out and close the Camera Shop. Eddie chats Vera up. She lets him buy her four gins before getting ready for her date with Fred. Albert plans to go to Glasgow and treat Peter and Susan. He is worried that Bertha is ...

Emily goes in search of a job, Ernie doesn't like the idea of her working if he isn't. Fred is annoyed as Annie spoilt his evening with Vera. Roy Thornley takes Gail out for lunch, to her surprise. Bertha Lumley thinks Albert's lucky and refuses to leave him alone. Elsie advises Gail to watch herself with Roy. Renee tells Ernie she'll let them have credit if they want it. Mavis looks for clothes for her holidays and gets on Rita's nerves. Nathaniel Lumley looks for Albert. Roy takes Gail out for the night.

Len asks Rita if she wants a break in the Lake District with him. She turns him down as she's singing. Elsie makes Gail stay in the shop for her lunch so Roy Thornley joins her. The Inland Revenue demand £300 from Ernie but he hasn't got it. Nat Lumley catches up with Albert but asks him to keep taking Bertha Lumley to bingo for his sake as she's happy when she keeps winning. Gail is nervous as Roy comes on strong. Ernie decides to sell his cameras. Emily is horrified. Albert agrees to take Bertha to bingo twice a week if Nat covers all his expenses. Elsie discovers ...

Ernest chastises Emily for selling her wedding ring. Nellie delights in showing off her new car to an envious Annie. Albert remains determined to get his money out of Bertha.

Terry misses the Army. Bertha apologises to Albert and gives him £10. Annie discovers Nellie Harvey had to have eighty-six lessons to pass her test. Albert is horrified when Bertha kisses him. Elsie is upset when Gail loses one of her earrings whilst out with Roy Thornley. Nat Lumley threatens to thump Albert when he hears about the kiss but Ena intervenes and separates the two men. Elsie finds the lost earring in the stockroom. Len makes her realise that Roy must be married when he points out that he has to entertain Gail at the shop. Nellie challenges Annie to learn...

Annie decides to learn to drive. Gail is angry at Elsie's interference in her life. She accuses her of being jealous of her youth. Gail walks out of the shop. Annie is annoyed when the regulars hint she's too old to drive. Elsie threatens to tell Sylvia Matthews about the affair if he doesn't stop it. Deirdre agrees to talk to Gail for Elsie but Gail tells her she's only jealous. Roy Thornley's wife phones and tells Elsie she and the children will be returning from London in the morning. Gail tells Roy she loves him.

Elsie doesn't know if she should tell Gail that Roy Thornley is married. Emily finds the hospital exhausting. Elsie tells Gail about Roy's family but she doesn't believe her. Annie is annoyed when Hilda broadcasts the fact that it's her birthday. Elsie gives Roy the message from his wife in front of Gail. He tells Gail it was only a game - what did she expect? She gives him back his bracelet but he tells her he can't give her back her virginity. A young man arrives at the Rovers, wears thick spectacles and drinks several pints before saying that he is there to take ...

Rita gets Ernie a job at the Gatsby Club, two nights a week, but one of them is a stag night. Len, Ray and Terry do contract work on a building site, with Terry working full-time. Hilda tells Emily that Ernie will be playing at stag nights. Annie goes to see Joan, the residents wonder why. Ernie tells Emily he needs to feel that he's earning money. Builder Jack Barker taunts the Yard men just for the sake of it. News reaches the Rovers that Annie's driving lesson ended with her crashing the car into a lamppost. To Emily's disgust, Ernie agrees to play at the Gatsby.

Ray discovers a load of plumbing stock has been stolen from the site. Len tells the contractor. Stripper, Josie Steel, goes through her routine with Ernie at No. 3. Emily walks in halfway through. She accuses Ernie of thinking more of letting Rita down than her. Rita throws Emily out of the Kabin when she groups her in the same category as the strippers at the Gatsby Club. Jack Barker and Doug West steal tiles from the site. The Bishops apologise to each other. He tells her that he'll give the job up. Len and Ray suspect Barker of being the thief.

Derek Wilton tells Mavis he's taking her to see his mother. She is terrified at what might happen. Annie returns. Bet and Betty can't bring themselves to ask about the crash. Len prompts an investigation at the site and Jack Barker is reprimanded by the unionist Joe Stark. Mrs. Wilton gives Mavis the third degree.

Jack Barker rigs some scaffolding. Amy Wilton thinks there's something wrong with Mavis for not marrying before. Ray falls from the scaffolding and is rushed to the Infirmary. Mrs Wilton doesn't like Mavis and tells Derek that she won't do; she and Derek are too alike, he needs someone with spirit. Len realises Barker rigged the scaffolding and fights him. Annie learns how the car was crashed by the vicar. Gail discovers Doreen Thornley is citing her in her divorce case when she gets a court petition.

Ray stays in hospital for observation. The Haggerty boys, Kevin and Jimmy, run amok in the Street. Roy Thornley doesn't know Doreen is divorcing him or that she is citing Gail. Elsie asks him not to defend the divorce. Hilda's washing is stolen, she thinks the Haggerty boys took it. Ray discharges himself from hospital, his arm in a sling. Roy apologises to Gail. She tells him she hates him; her reputation will be ruined. Stan steals the Haggertys' washing. Gail breaks down when Roy decides to defend the divorce. Renee returns the Ogdens' washing; she took it in when ...

Roy Thornley asks Gail to brazen it out and lie in court - she refuses. Stan returns the washing when he hears Jim Haggerty, the father of the boys, is in prison. Elsie decides to see Doreen Thornley when Gail says she can't. Stan runs into newly released Jim when he returns the washing. Doreen tells Elsie she had Gail and Roy followed; they spent two hours in the shop after midnight together. Jim gives Stan a black eye. Doreen refuses to believe Gail was the innocent party. Elsie asks her if she could name someone else. When Doreen thinks Gail is a trollop, Gail ...

Gail runs away. She thinks of going to London but Rita puts her off and lets her catch up on some sleep at The Kabin. When she feels better she returns to work. Fred, Alf and Terry go to the dogs for the night. Eddie and Stan start selling Albert's vegetables off Stan's cart. Albert stops them when Ena suggests he sells them direct to the Darby and Joan club. Sylvia Matthews tackles Gail over her affair with Roy Thornley and sacks her.

Gail refuses to work her notice. Fred, Terry and Alf plan another night with the dogs as the track wasn't open the night before. Albert is in profit as he sells his vegetables to the old folk. Elsie forces Gail to work at the shop. Ray buys a second-hand pram. Deirdre thinks Gail could take Sylvia Matthews to the Industrial Tribunal for unfair dismissal. Elsie threatens to take Sylvia to a tribunal on Gail's behalf. Fred, Alf and Terry buy a greyhound, Fred's Folly from Joe Mooney.

Fred keeps the greyhound in the Rovers' cellar. He, Alf and Terry can't believe they spent £30 when drunk on the dog. Fred tries to keep Annie away from the cellar. Ray does the pram up in the Yard as a surprise for Deirdre. Annie finds the dog in the cellar and releases it, thinking it fell through the trap door. The dog runs away. Deirdre gives the pram to young Darren Briscoe to carry round his bonfire wood in. Terry is so hung-over he can't remember buying the dog. Renee puts up official notices that she is applying for a drinks licence. Sylvia Matthews rings Gail...

Fred, Alf and Terry search for the dog. Albert has taken Fred's Folly in. Renee starts a petition in favour of the off-licence as it will help in court. Hilda signs it "Crabtree" so as not to offend Annie. Deirdre agrees to Ray's pram when he says he'll change the baby's nappies. Annie starts a petition against the off-licence. Albert discovers who owns the dog and suggests that Fred and Alf offer a reward. He then returns the dog for the £3 reward. Alf takes the dog to his house but it escapes again and returns to Albert. Ray can't have the pram back as the lad has ...

The doctor tells Deirdre to stop riding her bike. Betty is forced to do Annie's shopping at the Corner Shop. Renee calls Terry "Judas" for drinking in the Rovers. When the Community Centre's nursery leader is ill, Eddie gives Ken a hand with the children. Albert charges Fred and Alf for keeping the dog at his house. Ken is impressed by Eddie's handling of children. He wants to build an adventure playground at the back of the Centre. Eddie agrees to help the kids organise themselves. Mavis agrees to buy Deirdre's bike for £5 but Ray and Len turn it into an exercise ...

Deirdre tells Ray she wants her bike back - as a bike. Albert enjoys looking after Fred's Folly. Eddie stores playground equipment at the Community Centre. Len agrees to take Elsie to a Council dinner, entertaining a delegation of French men. Stan lends Eddie his cart to move some of the playground stuff. Walter Jenkins, from the Weatherfield Anti-Drink League petitions people outside the shop. He swears to oppose Renee at the court. Alf is tricked into giving Annie a driving lesson. Terry gives the bike to Eddie for the playground. Eddie and the kids start to build ...

Annie and Alf are stunned after their crash. Alf blames Annie, she blames Terry and he blames Albert who has disappeared. Hilda lays into Alf when she finds the cart under his car. Eddie disciplines the kids by tickling them. He gets an old car for the playground. Fred searches for the dog after the crash. Hilda claims £50 damages from Annie and Fred. Albert goes to Glasgow when Hilda threatens to sue him for letting the dog loose. Ken decides that Eddie should be paid for his work. Len organises a meeting to sort out Hilda's claims. The parents tell Ken they don't ...

Ken decides to stand by Eddie although Eddie does offer to give the job up. Fred and Terry fear legally they were responsible for the crash as the dog owners. Alf's car repairs are £60. Len chairs as Annie, Alf, the Ogdens, Fred and Terry meet to sort out responsibility. The parents refuse to give Eddie the benefit of the doubt. Eddie is hurt that he can't look after the kids any more. Hilda demands compensation and loss of earnings. Len reminds the Ogdens that Alan gave Stan the cart for free and Ray sold him the ladders for £2. Alf reveals he can't claim on his ...

Ernie looks after the shop whilst Renee goes to court. Stan spends £4 of the compensation on drink. Bet goes to court with Annie whilst Ken goes with Renee. The magistrates hear their case. Ernie gets a job interview and worries that Renee won't be back in time. Renee has 276 signatures on her petition and she feels that the area needs an off-licence. Annie's solicitor, Peter Smith, brings up the fact that Renee has been reported for opening on Sundays. He accuses her of just being after the profits. Ken tells the magistrates that an off-licence would be convenient. ...

Ernie tries to find someone to cover for him. Annie is convincing in her case that an off-licence is not needed in Coronation Street. Stan enjoys not being able to work. Bet puts her foot in it when she lets slip that they send out for wine when it's needed. Hilda is depressed because Stan spends all day in the Rovers, Len decides to build Stan a cart for her sake. Ernie hands the shop over to Terry. Annie puts her hopes on Walter Jenkins but he launches into an attack on pubs. The magistrates grant the application and Renee gets her licence. Renee offers Annie the ...

A night out at the Gatsby proves eventful when Len and Rita exchange words. Ernest has a bewildering job interview with Mike Baldwin. Bet, Fred, Ken, Gail and Mavis enjoy each other's company on a quiet night at the Rovers.

Len comes to. Elsie rows with Rita for hitting him. Mavis entertains the customers in the Rovers with her comic songs and has too much to drink. Bet makes her stay at the Rovers for the night as Annie is in Jersey. Dr. Brooks gives Len the all clear but advises him to take it easy. Rita apologises to him. Mike Baldwin gives Ernie the wages clerk job for £45. Doreen Thornley rings Elsie and tells her that Roy has moved in with Sylvia Matthews so she's citing her now and not Gail. She also tells her Roy and Sylvia are moving on and giving the shop up. The Bishops ...

Rita runs herself down, doing the papers and looking after Len. The regulars tease Alf for helping Renee put some shelves up at the shop. Renee's fiancé Harry McClean arrives on leave. She introduces him to Terry. Rita finds it hard to cope at No. 9. Her agent demands to know what she's going to do about Torquay. Len tells her to take the job if she wants it but she declines it as she feels Len needs her. Ray has a check up at the doctor's and learns the doctor signed Len off the sick two days ago.

Rita and Elsie don't enjoy running around after Len and clash. Ena is the first off-licence customer and gets her two stouts free. Ray tells Rita that Len is putting it on. She pours a pint over Len's head in her fury. She throws all the washing she has done out of a window. Terry tells Harry McClean that Renee wants to settle down. Ena worries as she hasn't heard from Minnie in ages. Renee tells Harry she'll wait to marry him and assures him she didn't buy the shop in the hope he'd settle down. He tells her he can't see their marriage working out and returns to sea, ...

Hilda grows tired of working at both the Rovers and the Community Centre. Ernie doesn't enjoy interviewing machinists for jobs. Emily decides to stay on at the Hospital even though Ernie has a job. Albert is horrified as the landlord puts Minnie's house up for sale. Ray wants to buy No. 5 but Deirdre isn't keen - she wants somewhere with a garden. Hilda's mac disappears. Ena determines to find out why Minnie's house is for sale. Hilda is hurt when her mac turns up - on a bonfire guy which is paraded round the Rovers by two lads, Nigel Johnson and Gary Pearce, much to ...

Handel Gartside arrives in the Street and tells Ena that Minnie isn't returning from his home in Whaley Bridge. Ray arranges to look round No. 5, thinking he can buy it cheap and do it up. Deirdre refuses to live in Coronation Street. Stan buys the mac back for 10p but to his surprise Hilda refuses to have it back. Handel tells Ena he's fond of Minnie and will take care of her. Hilda plans to buy a new mac out of Christmas money but discovers Stan has taken half of it. She is furious and calls him a liar and a thief. She tells him she hates him and their rotten lives....

Ernie has begun his new job and is slightly unnerved when he has to interview girls for jobs in the factory, particularly when Bet appears as an applicant. Annie has decided she can't keep on Bet and Betty in the Rovers unless they will take a salary cut, so they both apply for jobs in the factory. Hilda is worried about Stan who has been missing from home for several days.

Hilda is still worried about Stan and finally breaks down when everyone is sending her up about his absence in the Rovers; Hilda confides in Annie who rises to the occasion by comforting her and ringing the police. Bet and Betty are shattered when they are told they won't get the factory jobs and Annie has started to make alternative staffing arrangements.

Annie tells Hilda she won't tell anyone about Stan's disappearance. Bet refuses to crawl to Annie to secure her job. Betty fears she'll never work again. Stan arrives at Norman Crabtree's chip shop in Oakhill. Annie refuses to take Betty and Bet back. Hilda contacts the Salvation Army. Stan tells Norman and assistant Edie Blundell he's been hitching all over the country. Edie feels sorry for him. He asks Norman if he can stay with him. Eddie returns to No. 13 after staying in Liverpool. Hilda tells him he can't stay with her as Stan is away. Gail starts work at the ...

Mavis considers taking driving lessons. Betty sees Nellie Harvey for a job. Annie finds it hard work at the Rovers, with Fred still doing his afternoon job. She pays Eddie to wash glasses. Hilda fills out a form for the Salvation Army in order to trace Stan who meanwhile enjoys being looked after by Edie Blundell. Norman Crabtree calls on Hilda and tells her Stan is with him. She is furious that he didn't tell her sooner. Hilda refuses to beg Stan to return. Nellie refuses to give any of Annie's "cast-offs" a job. Fred tells Bet and Betty that Annie wants to see them,...

Ray completes his plans for modernising No. 5 but Deirdre doesn't want the house. He thinks it's a snip at £2,500 but she refuses to look at the plans. Rita takes a fancy to Mike Baldwin and flirts with him. Norman Crabtree threatens to throw Stan out unless Hilda takes him back. She agrees to take him back without an apology. Stan refuses to return until she has apologised to him. Mike asks Bet out, telling her that he has a wife in London but is in the North during the week. The residents advise Deirdre to take No. 5. She looks at the plans and likes them. She ...

Edie throws herself at Stan. Ken organises the Old Folk's Christmas Party. Eddie is forced to sleep at Monkey Gibbons' but wants to return to No.13. Mike asks Len and Ray to do a conversion job on his new house - No.5 for which he is the mystery buyer. Ray is furious. Hilda is horrified that Edie washes Stan's underwear. She goes to the chippie and has a slanging match with Edie. Edie gets Norman to defend her, causing Stan to stick up for Hilda. Norman throws them both out. The Ogdens are reconciled. Hilda tells Eddie they want to live alone - he can't move back. ...

Bet is angry when Betty tells her to look out for herself as Mike has a family but Bet just wants to enjoy herself. Mavis plans to send a romantic novel she has written to a publishers. Rita tries to read it. Mike thinks Ray's estimate for the work on No.5 is steep, especially when Deirdre shows him Ray's own plans and his costings. Mike tells Len he'll get someone else to do the job. Len is furious as Ray could have lost them jobs on the factory as well. Rita takes Mavis' manuscript from her bag and starts to read it. Eddie takes Ena to see Autant en emporte le vent (1939) for her 77th birthday ...

Annie supports Hilda as she endeavours to track down her missing husband. Stan finds his way to his brother-in-law Norman's chip shop. Bet and Betty are forced to stand by their resignations as Gail starts work at the Rovers.

Norman pays Hilda a visit when Stan starts to make himself too comfortable at the chip shop. Bet and Betty predict that Annie will soon beg them to return. Eddie's attempt to be helpful backfires.

Ena is upset to discover Bet and Mike will be living together in Minnie's old house. Eager to write about real life, Mavis asks Terry about army life. Annie tells Bet to stop the gossip in the bar over her living arrangements and tell everyone she is Mike's housekeeper. Mavis is shocked by Terry's tales and decides to give up writing. Elsie reveals Sylvia's Separates is closing.

Bet makes plans for No. 5. Sylvia's Separates holds a clearance sale. Sylvia Matthews tells Elsie that she and Gail go with the shop. Hilda doesn't think it's fair that Bet should be treated by Mike and his big wallet, especially when he buys Bet a new mac. She refuses to do any housework until Stan has bought her a mac. Elsie tells Mike that Sylvia's would make a good outlet shop for him. Mike looks around the shop and tells Gail he likes it but wouldn't want to employ Elsie; she's too old.

Elsie is furious that Mike would fire her from the shop. She thinks he's going to replace her with Bet. Eddie gets a mac for Hilda. He tells her it's exclusive and is only £10. Gail tells her it's a bargain. Elsie tackles Bet about Sylvia's. Bet denies all knowledge of it. She confronts Mike about his plans to get rid of her and is speechless when he tells her she's past it. Hilda shows her mac off in the Rovers and sees a woman wearing an identical mac. Mike apologises to Elsie and offers her the job of sewing room supervisor at Baldwin's Casuals. She is pleased.

Mavis resents Rita invading her privacy by reading her novel. Mike offers Len the renovation job at Number 5. Eddie attempts to interest the residents in his Christmas trees.

Ivy tells Elsie the girls will strike if they're not paid on Thursdays. Renee pushes Terry to find work. Ernie refuses to give way to the girls and he is certain he has Mike's backing. Annie is nervous about her driving test. The factory girls strike. Mike tells Ernie he hopes for his sake that they're soon back at work. The girls don't believe Elsie when she tells them she's on their side. She convinces them that their argument is with Ernie not Mike. She offers to put their case to Mike. Terry tells Renee he doesn't fit in in the Street and he's returning to the ...

Emily voices misgivings as Ernest prepares to join the factory girls at their Christmas party. Renee urges Terry not to return to the army. Eddie recruits a pal to sell Annie a car.

The girls strip Ernie of all his clothes as the factory party turns boisterous. Lanky Potts takes Annie for a test drive in the Rover. Gail gets more than she bargained for by trifling with Terry's affections.

Annie buys the Rover in order to impress her fellow landladies at a Lady Victuallers' luncheon. Gail feels responsible for Terry's sudden departure. Bet moves into Number 5 with Mike.

Gail is depressed as she's not doing anything with her life and people think she's a tart. Annie had to provide a blood sample in the police station. Annie discovers her car insurance is £200. She is annoyed as Kitty Stonely spreads the word round the Lady Victuallers about the breathalyser. Bet holds a housewarming. The residents are jealous of the modern house. Annie's blood sample proves she was below the limit. Mike arrives halfway through the party but doesn't mind. Len gets a letter from his son Stanley Fairclough saying he's coming up to visit with his fiancée.