Plot
Irma has disappeared telling Maggie she's staying with a friend and doesn't know when she'll be back. Maggie tells Betty that she doesn't care if Irma returns as she’s been nothing but a sleeping partner since she got involved with Eddie Duncan. Stan and Hilda show off their new illuminated cocktail bar. Jerry tells them all they need now are cocktails. Bet wonders who blew the whistle on Eddie’s late night party and asks Dave Smith if it was Ray. Elsie wants to spend Christmas in a Blackpool hotel. Hilda asks Elsie what she knows about cocktails. Eddie tells Bet he's not bothered about Irma anymore and asks her out. Hilda buys a book of 500 cocktail recipes and several bottles of spirits. Maggie is upset that none of the OAP's can afford their goods for Christmas. Stan is told he can’t drink any of the supplies she has bought until Christmas. Eddie gets drunk in The Flying Horse and needs somewhere to sleep for the night. Jerry asks Maggie but she suggests Bet as she saw her with Eddie earlier. Bet takes him in. Stan drinks from Hilda's bottles and tops them up with cold tea. To Elsie’s delight, Alan agrees to spend Christmas in Blackpool. Bet is worried about Eddie as he has a match in the morning and looks like he'll be in no condition to play. Late at night, Dave calls at the Corner Shop looking for Eddie, upsetting Maggie.
Cast
Regular cast
- Betty Turpin - Betty Driver
- Maggie Clegg - Irene Sutcliffe
- Hilda Ogden - Jean Alexander
- Stan Ogden - Bernard Youens
- Jerry Booth - Graham Haberfield
- Ena Sharples - Violet Carson
- Minnie Caldwell - Margot Bryant
- Bet Lynch - Julie Goodyear
- Alan Howard - Alan Browning
- Elsie Howard - Patricia Phoenix
- Albert Tatlock - Jack Howarth
- Alf Roberts - Bryan Mosley
Guest cast
Places
- Coronation Street exterior
- Rovers Return Inn - Public/Snug
- 11 Coronation Street - Back room/kitchen
- 13 Coronation Street - Back room and hallway
- Corner Shop
- 42b Victoria Walk - Bedsit and landing
Notes
- TV Times synopsis: In which Irma plays a defensive role to protect Eddie (Note: this synopsis was probably written and sent to the magazine for publication before last-minute re-writes caused by Sandra Gough's sudden departure from the programme).
- Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 7,400,000 homes (4th place).
| December 1971 episodes |
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