Season 14

E1. Episode 1248 (1st January 1973)

Jan 1, 1973 · 30m

New Year's Day. Stan tries to find out what "cohabiting" means. Betty grows suspicious of Christine Peters drinking alone in the Rovers. Mrs Regan tells Stan she doesn't want him coming round for a couple of weeks. Betty tells Emily that Christine was asking her about Jason's disappearance. Alf dons a bowler hat and poses as an investigator as the residents kid Stan that the Social Security people are after him. Emily visits Christine's sister, Jean Cooper, who denies knowledge of Christine, whilst hiding her. Jean tells Christine not to go out without her again. Stan confesses to Hilda about Mrs Regan. Hilda believes him as he obviously isn't living with someone else, but she makes him promise not to see her again. Albert wears a beret to mark the UK entering the Common Market. Stan tells Emily that he saw Christine at her sister's house while on his round and that she's doolally.

E2. Episode 1249 (3rd January 1973)

Jan 3, 1973 · 30m

Hilda starts to get annoyed at the gossip about Stan. Norma prepares for a visit to Risley Remand Centre to see Jacko. Jerry collects for a "good luck" gift from Ernie and Emily for Jacko before his trial. Emily wants to go and see Jean Cooper again in light of what Stan told them. Hilda tells Jerry that she's going to visit 19 Inkerman Street. Amused, he nevertheless warns her to be careful. Minnie and Albert bicker over the running of the community centre in Ena's absence. Jerry delights in telling Stan about Hilda's visit. The Bishops call on Jean Cooper and find Christine Peters there. Hilda walks out from No.19 well satisfied with her visit. The Bishops find out from Jean that Christine had a breakdown when her own baby died and her husband, Jack Peters, left her. Jean arrived home one day and found her sister with Jason Lomax.

E3. Episode 1250 (8th January 1973)

Jan 8, 1973 · 30m

Ena writes from Hartlepool to say thank you for the cards and presents sent for Jason Lomax. Minnie tells Lucille that Christine Peters knitted the child some mittens. Lucille is suspicious when she hears that Emily went to see her. Ken returns from visiting Peter and Susan in Glasgow. He's appalled to find out about Jacko's guilty plea. The Bishops tell Lucille everything they discovered about Christine. She agrees with Ernie that the police should be told. Jacko's solicitor, Mr Hillbray, hears that he wants to plead guilty to get a reduced sentence. Mr Hillbray tells him his case could be postponed. Jacko is furious, just wanting to get his time in jail over with. Albert is refused credit at the Rovers. Det Insp Patterson calls into the Rovers for a drink. Ernie asks him if the police are still working on the Jason Lomax case and is told no. Patterson asks to speak to Ken later. Albert teaches Minnie brag for a penny a point. Patterson admits to Ken that Jacko was their sole suspect

E4. Episode 1251 (10th January 1973)

Jan 10, 1973 · 30m

Albert and Minnie bicker over who is the senior at the community centre in Ena's absence. Det Insp Patterson asks Minnie what she remembers of Christine Peters when she met her at Christmas. Ken prepares to accompany a nervous Norma to court but before they can leave, Mr Hillbray summons them to Risley Remand Centre. Mr Hillbray tells Jacko that he's free to go - they've got the truth out of Freddie Slack and are looking for Franny Slater and Sharon Duffy. Lucille is annoyed with Ernie for shopping Christine. Ken and Norma bring Jacko back to Weatherfield to a warm welcome and several drinks, including ones from Patterson and Annie. Ken is annoyed with Patterson for locking Jacko up in the first place but the man himself bears no grudges. Stan tells Lucille and the Bishops that Christine has been arrested. Emily feels she must go and see Jean Cooper. Albert is annoyed to hear that Minnie's known for some time that Len and Alf are up for Mayor of Weatherfield.

E5. Episode 1252 (15th January 1973)

Jan 15, 1973 · 30m

Annie plans a party for the new Mayor of Weatherfield-to-be. Alan turns to drink more and nearly burns the house down whilst drunk. Alf tells Maggie he's been chosen as the next Mayor and he asks her to be his Mayoress. She is scared but agrees to think it over. Elsie worries as Alan begins to rely on drink. At the party, Len toasts Alf. Alf announces he has chosen Len as his Deputy Mayor. Rita avoids Len. He gives her an invitation via Jerry for a private drink.

E6. Episode 1253 (17th January 1973)

Jan 17, 1973 · 30m

The party continues in the Rovers' back room. Hilda starts to get drunk. Elsie tries to get Alan to leave but he refuses. Annie asks Alf who his mayoress is but he says he doesn't know yet. Elsie calls on Len and tells him not to fester over the decision. Jerry tries to speak to Rita about Len but Hilda interrupts. Len worries that Rita will think he's only interested in her now that he knows he won't be mayor. Elsie speaks to Rita on his behalf but she's afraid that she'll be thrown to one side again as Len thinks she's not good enough, even though she needs him and knows he needs her. A drunk Alan leaves the party. Annie drops subtle hints at Alf about her organisational and hosting skills. Elsie pushes Len to keep on pursuing Rita. She goes home and erupts in anger when she sees Alan slumped in drunken heap. They row and slap each other as Len listens through the walls. He comes round next morning to see that she's alright and tells her that she and Alan will be fine in the end as t

E7. Episode 1254 (22nd January 1973)

Jan 22, 1973 · 30m

Ena is due back from West Hartlepool and Minnie stocks up for her. Maggie tells Alf she's worried about what happens to the corner shop if she's mayoress. Annie tells Bet she's been an excellent employee but it's to butter her up as she thinks she's going to be mayoress and wants her continued support behind the bar. Clive Shawcross, a journalist, calls into the Rovers, investigating Jacko's case for the Gazette. Annie tells him she always believed in his innocence, much to Lucille's amusement. Len decides to take a job in Huddersfield to get away from the area. Shawcross interviews Jacko who's upset to hear that he won't be paid by the paper. Minnie cleans the community centre flat and finds an old letter. Lucille tells Maggie that Alf has asked Annie to be his mayoress. Ena returns to a very cold welcome from Minnie. Maggie tells Alf what Annie thinks and he realises that it's because he complimented her as hostess at his party.

E8. Episode 1255 (24th January 1973)

Jan 24, 1973 · 30m

Elsie wonders if Ray has seen Len that morning. Jacko is offered a job by a man named Stanley Fowler in Oakhill who has read his story in the Gazette. Norma would rather he had something closer to home. Len is short-tempered with Alf when he asks him to intercede with Maggie on his behalf. Minnie snubs Ena in the Rovers. Ena asks Bet, Rita and Norma how Minnie's been behaving while she's been away. Maggie tells Alf she's not yet made a decision. He promises to make inquiries about Mr Fowler. Lucille annoys Annie when she refuses to look after the pub for the evening so she can visit Nellie Harvey. Elsie delights in winding up Ray that when Len catches up with him he's going to thump him. Minnie calls on Ena but won't tell her what's wrong. A worried Ray asks Rita to explain to Len that there's nothing between them but she refuses. He goes to the yard where Len tells him Elsie's been pulling his leg. He also tells him that it's him who's going to be doing the Huddersfield job. Annie bor

E9. Episode 1256 (29th January 1973)

Jan 29, 1973 · 30m

Ken feels No.1 is depressing and wants it decorated. Albert tells him to move out if he doesn't like it. Suitcase in hand, Lucille looks for bedsits. Annie is short with Hilda when she cuts her arm. Annie frets over Lucille, thinking she never liked her, only Jack. Minnie tells Emily she's upset over something Ena did in her past. Emily can see that there's something very wrong with her. Alan makes an appointment to see Jimmy Frazer. Lucille runs off from one bedsit where she's put off by a seedy landlord who leers at her from his window in his dirty vest. Albert is annoyed that Jerry is in his house for a decorating quote. Jerry offers to mediate on the "design" between him and Ken. Lucille is taken in by George Scully for £6.50 a week in a room in 21b Marsland Road, Mossley Range. For Elsie's sake, Alan dissolves his partnership with Jimmy Frazer and plans to deal solely in used cars.

E10. Episode 1257 (31st January 1973)

Jan 31, 1973 · 30m

Albert gets grumpy when Ken refuses to do the decorating and starts scraping off the old paper himself. Hilda boasts about Stan's decorating prowess. Annie frets about how Lucille is getting on and exactly where her bedsit is. Billy tells her that Lucille is capable of looking after herself. Lucille rings Elsie to order some discount bedding from the warehouse and is shocked at the expense. Albert is called away to help at the community centre. Emily tells Ena that Minnie has found the letter. Lucille tries to make improvements to her bedsit with a poster on the wall and painting a chest of drawers purple but George Scully objects. Ena explains the letter was written after an argument between Minnie and Armistead on a trip to Marple Lakes in 1919 and persuades Minnie that there was nothing in her friendship with him as Ena just provided a shoulder to cry on that day. Ena later admits to Emily that Armistead's intentions were far more serious than she let on to Minnie. Emily promises to

E11. Episode 1258 (5th February 1973)

Feb 5, 1973 · 30m

Alan asks Len, Jerry and Ken not to tell Elsie about the poker game loss and the decorating. Elsie tells Billy about Lucille's bedding request and gives him her bedsit address. He worries when he hears from the menfolk about the area. Annie refuses to visit Lucille until she's invited. Alf and Maggie enjoy a Sunday lunch together. Alf tells her about a false alarm over a letter bomb that was received at the Post Office. They are interrupted by Hilda who makes pointed comments about them being a couple, especially when Alf makes her mayoress. Billy visits Lucille with the bedding. He's not impressed with its dinginess. Lorraine Binks tries to get a job as a go-go dancer at The Capricorn. Len tries to chat to Rita but she puts him off until the evening. Billy tells Annie that Lucille is miserable but she won't admit it. She can't understand her attitude. Betty tells Maggie to take up Alf's offer of being his mayoress. Billy takes Annie to visit Lucille. She insists on giving Lucille some

E12. Episode 1259 (7th February 1973)

Feb 7, 1973 · 30m

Len and Johnny Mann start getting at each other, much to Rita's amusement. Alf is disappointed with Maggie's decision and realises he's no option but to ask Annie but makes it clear to Maggie that it'll be on his strict terms. Lorraine visits Lucille. She tells her there's no work going as a go-go dancer. Lucille feels lonely with no spare money to go out. Alf insists that Maggie join him when he asks Annie to be mayoress. Ken agrees with Annie that Lucille is being exploited. Jerry does some work for Maggie in the corner shop's back room. Ena calls and gives him a treasured old print of Manchester that Alfred Sharples bought her one Christmas to frame for her to give as a present to someone. Alf asks Annie to be his mayoress and she accepts. He makes it clear that she looks after being a hostess and he looks after the opinions. They toast each other. Len challenges Johnny to a fight and he accepts. They retire to the toilets for a punch-up. Betty thinks Maggie has said "yes" to Alf. B

E13. Episode 1260 (12th February 1973)

Feb 12, 1973 · 30m

Hilda is touched when Stan presents her with flowers and a card for her birthday but the card wishes her a happy fiftieth when she's only forty-nine. Elsie tells Alan that Lucille's going to be their lodger - he's not pleased as he doesn't want her with them. He agrees she can stay for one night only and they row. George Scully refuses to give Lucille her rental advance back and insists on inspecting the bedsit for damages. Annie has gone to Derby to boast to Joan about being mayoress. Maggie gets Betty to admit she wanted her to be mayoress for the reflected glory. Alf and Maggie agree that there's no hard feelings about her refusal. Stan is adamant that Hilda is fifty. She determines to prove him wrong. Bet is going on a blind date. Alan and Billy join forces to get Lucille to return to the Rovers before Annie comes back. Scully accuses Lucille of breaking an element in a electric fire and insists on £4 to repair it. He insists on holding her case as security. Emily suggests that Ern

E14. Episode 1261 (14th February 1973)

Feb 14, 1973 · 30m

Stan gets Hilda another birthday card with the correct age on but she's not mollified. Alan isn't pleased to have Lucille hanging around but Elsie can't face asking her to leave. Alan determines to get Lucille's £4 back off George Scully but can't understand why she can't go back to the Rovers. Maggie agrees to speak to Lucille. Ernie and Emily suggest to Alf that they take a commemorative album for his year in office. Hilda overhears and has an idea. Billy stalls telling Annie that Lucille is living at No.11 and has to find a way to get her to return home. Lucille is angry when Maggie drops hints that she's getting under Elsie's feet. Alan visits George Scully and threatens him with the police. Hilda tells Stan there is a way he can get into her good books. He agrees without knowing what it is. Alan gets the case back as Lucille returns to stay at the bedsit. He agrees she can return to No.11. Stan asks the Bishops for a "commemorial album". Emily agrees but Ernie is reluctant.

E15. Episode 1262 (19th February 1973)

Feb 19, 1973 · 30m

Alan continues to be impatient at Lucille's presence in No.11. Hilda has problems organising her party and decides to postpone it for a week. Staff of the Mark Brittain Warehouse play football in the middle of the street during a work break. Albert says he's a member of the Ogden family - through marriage with the Barlow family - and therefore should get an automatic invitation to the party. Ernie and Emily make arrangements to take a formal picture of the Ogdens to go in their album. Hilda studies Annie's etiquette book for her party. Norman Leach calls on Alf and demands compensation of £200 for the "injuries" caused to his mother but he admits she didn't see a doctor. Alf senses blackmail and asks him to leave. Hilda reads up etiquette tips to Stan, though the contents of the book are misunderstood by them.

E16. Episode 1263 (21st February 1973)

Feb 21, 1973 · 30m

Alf rings Norman and tells him to come round at midday. Alan gets annoyed when Lucille hogs the bathroom and he and Elsie row about her continuing to live with them. Lucille gets a phone call and makes arrangements to meet someone that night when the Howards are at the cinema. Ernest and Emily are asked to produce a portrait of Stan and Hilda based on one of the Royal family. Alf offers Leach £25 to drop the complaint but he's not interested. Alf ups the amount to the requested £200. Alan gets annoyed when Lucille nags him about his eating habits. The Ogdens have a picture taken with their new serving trolley and their "silver" tea service. Annie remains in her bed, reading a book about serving in office. Albert is annoyed when Ken buys a new gas cooker. Len offers Jerry's services in installing it. Alf tells Bet about the cheque he's written.

E17. Episode 1264 (26th February 1973)

Feb 26, 1973 · 30m

Hilda substitutes lemon jelly for aspic over eggs, and dons false eyelashes to meet her reluctant and bemused guests: Ted Loftus, Minnie, Jerry, Edna Gee, Norma, Bet, Len, Lucille, Emily, Ernie, Ray, Ken and Billy. Hilda is chatted up by Ted, to her delight. They tango. As the party-goers couple off, someone enters the Ogdens' bedroom.

E18. Episode 1265 (28th February 1973)

Feb 28, 1973 · 30m

Hilda finds the bedroom door locked and thinks Stan is in there with a woman. She checks on her guests to find out who is missing and realises it's Edna. Edna and the mystery man sneak downstairs and rejoin the party without Hilda noticing. Livid, Hilda stops the party and accuses Edna of cavorting in her bedroom. To everyone's surprise, Stan walks in with a crate of beers, oblivious to what's been happening. Hilda feels ashamed for thinking the worst of Stan. The residents speculate on who it was with Edna. Ernie is favourite as he suffered a blackout and can't remember his actions. Edna enjoys people gossiping about her and teases her partner's identity to the Howards. Len bets Billy £1 that Ernie was the mystery man but Billy admits it was him when Len tries to get him to pay up. Having been teetotal all his life, Ernie returns to a life of sobriety. Albert is gassed in the kitchen at No.1.

E19. Episode 1266 (5th March 1973)

Mar 5, 1973 · 30m

Albert is rushed to hospital and the street residents are evacuated to the community centre. Billy tries to get in touch with Ken in Saddleworth and calls Dave Robbins. Eventually Betty gets the police to put a call out for Ken over the radio. Minnie is upset when Bobby can't be found. Elsie has to sit around in her freshly washed hair and Hilda worries about Stan's whereabouts. The residents speculate as to the cause of the leak. Ken returns to the street and is stunned to see police activity. Ted Loftus tells him about Albert and he races to the hospital. Len and Elsie reminisce about the 1961 gas leak when the residents were evacuated to the mission. Albert is put into an oxygen tank and Ken keeps vigil. Stan phones the centre and lets Hilda know he's at a club down Argyle Street. Ted finds Bobby and returns him to Minnie. As the police give the all clear it becomes apparent that Jerry might be to blame as he installed the new electric cooker.

E20. Episode 1267 (7th March 1973)

Mar 7, 1973 · 30m

Reporter Clive Shawcross investigates Albert's plight. Hilda is all too happy to tell him a local firm of plumbers might be responsible. Jerry hides away as he blames himself. Billy pushes Bet and Betty too hard at the Rovers. He teases them by saying he's considering becoming a figurehead. Ernie and Emily Bishop are concerned about the low attendance figures at the community centre and call a meeting to get ideas from the public. They're dismayed when nobody turns up for it. Len and Ray try to protect Jerry but Jerry tells Clive that he installed the cooker. Minnie, Hilda, Ted Loftus and Mrs Toft join the Bishops at the meeting. Based on their suggestions, the Bishops decide to start creative writing and formation dancing at the centre. Bet and Betty picket the pumps to teach Billy a lesson. He backs down. Clive's story carries the headline "Nosy Neighbour Saves Pensioner" and carries a quote from Hilda. The neighbours blame Hilda for gossiping about the plumbing.

E21. Episode 1268 (12th March 1973)

Mar 12, 1973 · 30m

Annie thinks that Beattie Pearson is only coming to see Albert with his will in mind. Ken tells Len, Ray and Jerry that the gas pipe registered empty as there was no money in the meter and Albert later put some in to start a gas fire to get warm. Jerry discovers that Len knew that Albert had a gas meter still in the house but didn't tell him. He grows frantic and has to be calmed down but he walks out. Alf is sent to The Capricorn club on a watch committee but Len refuses to join him. Ray offers to go instead. Jerry goes to the hospital but Sister McKinley refuses him access as Albert is still too ill. Beattie's complaints and insinuations start to rile Ken. Annie visits Lucille but leaves quickly when she sees Alan shirtless. Lucille sees that he sports a tattoo on his stomach with a phone number included in the pattern when it is reflected in a mirror. Jerry is almost in tears as Norma tries to comfort him.

E22. Episode 1269 (14th March 1973)

Mar 14, 1973 · 30m

Elsie tries to see Alan's tattoo in a mirror but fails. Ray tells Len that Rita shouldn't be working in a sleazy place like The Capricorn but he's not interested. Beattie Pearson calls at the yard and demands compensation and treatment for Albert in a private ward. Ray and Len stand by Jerry and tell her to get a solicitor. The men give her £3 as a whip-round for Albert and Ray tells her that's all she's getting. Jerry makes an offer to Len and Ray to say the job was done as a foreigner to avoid the yard being sued but Len refuses. Hilda tries to write a play before she goes to stay with Archie Crabtree for a couple of weeks. Ken and Norma return from visiting Albert with the news that he's off the danger list. Beattie makes enquiries at the hospital about private treatment. Alf also tells Len about The Capricorn. Hilda gives her play about a gas leak to Ken to read. Lucille speculates about the number on the tattoo.

E23. Episode 1270 (19th March 1973)

Mar 19, 1973 · 30m

Terry Bates tells Rita they're going to put him in a home. She puts him up for the night. Jerry offers to bring Albert home in his van but Beattie refuses. She gets £5 "compensation" out of him and demands the same every week but he refuses to sign any document promising such. Lucille tries to push Elsie into ringing up the Portsmouth number. Terry confesses he's already been taken into care. Ena overhears Beattie ordering expensive foods in the corner shop. Len and Ray fear they may get struck off the CORGI list of approved fitters of gas appliances. Albert comes home and gets annoyed at Beattie's fussing and the fancy food she has got in. Under pressure from Lucille, Elsie rings the number in Portsmouth and discovers a Mrs Adams lived there during the war and she is the mother-in-law of the woman on the phone. Jerry calls on Albert and Ena gets Beattie out of the way. Albert tells Jerry not to bother himself over the gassing and gives a grateful Minnie a brooch for raising the alarm.

E24. Episode 1271 (21st March 1973)

Mar 21, 1973 · 30m

Norma rows with Beattie Pearson over her weekly £5 from Jerry, saying it's blood money. Ena agrees with Norma that Albert is probably behind it but refuses to tackle him. Ken tells Rita that Vincent Baxter, the children's officer, has been asking him about Terry Bates but he didn't give her away. He threatened anyone involved with six-month imprisonment or £100 fine, or both. The photograph has arrived at No.11 but Alan's not in it. Albert tells Norma he knows nothing about the money and asks her to send Jerry round tonight. At Lucille's suggestion, Elsie shows the photo to Len. He shows her that he has the same tattoo and explains it's the number of the Chief Petty Officer's daughter, but he refuses to say more. Rita asks Len to come round. Len tells Alan that Elsie and Lucille know about the number but he span them a tale. Len tells Rita he can't help her with the trouble she's in and persuades her to call Mr Baxter. Terry is taken away with no stain on Rita's character. She breaks d

E25. Episode 1272 (26th March 1973)

Mar 26, 1973 · 30m

With Elsie away at Linda's, Annie worries about Lucille being in No.11 with Alan. Rita enquires about jobs at the warehouse. Maggie is embarrassed when Norma asks customers if they're "lover boy". CORGI clears Fairclough and Langton over the gas leak. Annie has Billy's bedroom decorated to get him to stay at No.11 as well. Ray insists they get to decorate the public as well to make it worth their while. Mike Ritchie arrives at the shop from the States. He is someone who Maggie had a romantic attachment with some years before. Maggie is happy to see him. Billy plans a wild night at No.11 with girlfriend Julie Quinn and asks her to bring a friend for Alan. He persuades Lucille to stay with Lorraine Binks for the night. The hotels are booked up so Annie takes Mike in for the night, horrifying Lucille who says Maggie has a date with Alf so that leaves Mike alone with Annie.

E26. Episode 1273 (28th March 1973)

Mar 28, 1973 · 30m

Ray and Len gatecrash the party at No.11 having heard the sounds from next door. Ray meets Deirdre and gets her to ring for more of her girlfriends. Norma and Jerry enjoy a drink with Mike Ritchie. Deirdre's friend, Carol Wyatt joins the party and dances with Ray. A tipsy Deirdre bores Alan. As the party warms up, Rita and Mike Ritchie arrive. Ray rings for Bet to join them to dance with Mike. Bet feigns a headache and Annie lets her go early. Alan can't shake off Deirdre as the others dance around him. Annie feels Lucille is being over-protective. Len and Rita declare their love for each other but she warns him not to treat her like a mug in future. He gives her money to treat herself and they kiss. Alan despairs as Deirdre gets more and more drunk. Annie and Lucille settle their differences with each other. Norma lets Jerry read Ken's poem and they agree that they're good friends.

E27. Episode 1274 (2nd April 1973)

Apr 2, 1973 · 30m

With Elsie due back, Alan panics to get the house tidy before she returns. Billy and Mike Ritchie offer limited help as Deirdre sleeps on, upstairs and undiscovered. Norma makes fun of Maggie and Mike's attraction for her. Jerry thinks of taking up pipe smoking. The Bishops worry as business is very bad. Maggie rings the Rovers and finds that Mike didn't spend the night there. Alan finds Deirdre's jacket in the hall and tells Billy to get rid of it. Elsie returns and shows off her new shoes in the corner shop before she calls home. Norma is depressed about her dull life and think she needs romance. Len, Ray and Jerry start decorating the Rovers but proceed at a slow pace, with Bet keeping an eye on them. Back in her house, Elsie meets Mike and thinks he and Alan have been playing cards late at night or something as they look tired. They hear Deirdre on the stairs and Elsie finds her stood there in her underclothes. Julie Quinn rings Billy to see if he knows where Deirdre is.

E28. Episode 1275 (4th April 1973)

Apr 4, 1973 · 30m

Annie won't come out of her bedroom while decorating of the Rovers proceeds, albeit slowly. Rita can't find another job. Billy makes a joke about her working with Ernie but Len takes it seriously. Alf worries about Mike Ritchie. Elsie and Alan aren't talking to each other and Lucille is caught in the middle, passing on messages. Mike gives Ernie a load of films to develop but Ernie is still depressed about the business. Len suggests that Rita could work for him as a model but is refused. Maggie makes Elsie think that Alan could be innocent of wrongdoing. Maggie refuses Mike's offer of lunch but asks him to tell Elsie the truth of what happened at the party. He agrees. Norma tells Maggie that she always puts the shutters up any time a man shows an interest in her. Lucille asks Jerry to speak with Elsie. He reluctantly agrees. Alf bickers with Mike in the pub about life in the United States. Ena tells Mike that Alf is interested in Maggie. Elsie invites Mike and Maggie to supper.

E29. Episode 1276 (9th April 1973)

Apr 9, 1973 · 30m

Elsie and Norma try to find out how Maggie feels about Mike. Mike confides in Len that he's in love with a widow in the States but is waiting for her to say "yes". Albert wears sunglasses in the Rovers as he thinks the new decor is too brightly-coloured. Jerry hates doing all the work himself, with Annie preparing herself for an elocution lesson from Sybil Cudlipp. Rita starts as a rep for Ernie. Emily thinks she's the wrong person to promote the child portraits and will bring in the wrong sort of trade. Alf taunts Mike in the Rovers for the Americans' late entry to the war. Everyone thinks he is out of order. A letter arrives for Mike from Wichita. Sybil Cudlipp arrives for Annie's lesson. Annie finds her breathing lessons pointless and doesn't like the way Sybil treats her like a beginner. Bet eavesdrops on their lesson and struggles to contain her laughter. Rita proves her worth by getting six orders with eight possibles.

E30. Episode 1277 (11th April 1973)

Apr 11, 1973 · 30m

Jerry repairs Annie's tape recorder to assist her with her voice lessons. Elsie doesn't think Maggie would fare any better in America than she did. Mike tells Len his widow in the States wants him back. Emily is disdainful towards Rita when she works at the camera shop but Rita helps her realise she has no reason to feel jealous. Maggie rows with Norma when she insinuates that she isn't being fair to Alf. A problem arises with the decorations at the Rovers but Annie is too busy with her elocution lessons to speak to Jerry. Sybil Cudlipp criticises Annie for gesturing too much when giving speeches. Mike tells Maggie he's going back to the States tonight as he belongs there. She hopes he'll take her with him but when he says that people belong where their roots are, she realises he's giving her the push. He leaves without telling her the real reason he's going back, causing her to assume that Alf influenced him.