Plot
Annie returns from Derby, making the final leg of her journey in Ken's taxi. She's embarrassed when he carries her bags into the Rovers. Gordon returns on business and stays with Betty. The Bishops offer Ena the Centre flat rent-free in exchange for her carrying out minor duties. She's still bitter about being evicted by the pair on Christmas Eve but ultimately accepts. Ken writes Annie's speech for a Lady Victuallers meeting. Annie practices it in front of Ken, Gail and Tricia. The latter two make fun of her pretensions. Jerry shows Tricia how to play darts but she doesn't manage to hit the board. Ken, Gordon, Deirdre and Ray go to see Rita sing at the Gatsby. Gordon chats up barmaid Sophie Edwards but gets drunk and she ends up looking after him. Jerry helps Ena move into her flat. Ena wishes that Jerry would marry again. Rita is able to leave the club before her slot finishes as Ralph Lancaster isn't there. She returns to the Street with Ken. Annie visits Betty on her way home from her LV function to crow about her speech. Sophie drops an inebriated Gordon off at Betty's, where he introduces her to "Old Ma Walker" and Betty, his mother.
Cast
Regular cast
- Ena Sharples - Violet Carson
- Ernest Bishop - Stephen Hancock
- Ken Barlow - William Roache
- Annie Walker - Doris Speed
- Bet Lynch - Julie Goodyear
- Betty Turpin - Betty Driver
- Jerry Booth - Graham Haberfield
- Emily Bishop - Eileen Derbyshire
- Albert Tatlock - Jack Howarth
- Gordon Clegg - Bill Kenwright
- Gail Potter - Helen Worth
- Tricia Hopkins - Kathy Jones
- Ray Langton - Neville Buswell
- Deirdre Langton - Anne Kirkbride
- Rita Littlewood - Barbara Mullaney
Guest cast
Places
- Coronation Street
- Rovers Return Inn - Public/snug
- 11 Coronation Street - Back room
- Community Centre flat
- 37 Hillside Crescent - Living room
- Gatsby Club
Notes
- Penultimate appearance of Graham Haberfield as Jerry Booth. The actor had died on 17th October 1975 but his widow, Valerie, had refused Granada's offer to edit his scenes out of this and the next episode.
- First appearance of Gordon Clegg since 17th February 1975
- TV Times synopsis: Gordon Clegg turns up - and finds a new girlfriend
- Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast - 7,500,000 homes (11th place).
Notable dialogue
Annie Walker (To Ken Barlow, after overhearing Gail Potter and Tricia Hopkins making fun of her): "They're young, bless them."
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Annie Walker: "Not taking away any praise from Kenneth for the speech he wrote me. But as Mrs Braithwaite said - and she's taken lessons in public speaking - "Material gets you to the battlefield, but delivery wins the war.""
| October 1975 episodes |
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