Season 37

E1. Episode 3955 (1st January 1996)

Jan 1, 1996 · 25m

As Curly leaves for work there is a lot of banging from next door as Gary tries DIY on the radiator to plug the leak so they can have heating. Audrey is distraught to learn Alf has a video of him and Betty at Buckingham Palace. Alison and Denise depart for the sales. Mike asks Bill to convert a large flat into two smaller flats. Percy complains to Gary about the banging and offers to lend them an electric fire. Denise decides against buying a black dress on learning from Alison that Brian has a thing about black. Mike can't resist having a dig at Steve about his predicament. Audrey tells Alf that all is forgiven if he destroys the video. Percy and Alf investigate the noise from No.9; there is a scream from inside. Gary has electrocuted himself on Percy's fire.

E2. Episode 3956 (3rd January 1996)

Jan 3, 1996 · 25m

Judy insists that Gary rests after his electric shock. Don goes off to see his barrister. Judy has to go into Curly's house to dry her hair. Bill and Jim uncover a cast iron fireplace whilst renovating Mike's flats. They decide to sell it but Jamie tells Roy that they are nicking it and tries to blackmail them for a fiver. Curly tries to persuade Anne Malone to stay on at Firman's Freezers after she informs him that she is planning to leave. Steve learns from Nicholas Wilding that it was his own supplier, Malcolm Fox, who informed the police about him. Rita is invited to Daniel's birthday party but declines. Jack admits to doing the wiring at No.9 and Vera gets steamed up about it. Don returns from seeing the barrister in jubilant mood but it doesn't last as he slumps back into depression.

E3. Episode 3957 (5th January 1996)

Jan 5, 1996 · 25m

Bill looks over No.9 and tells the Malletts it needs rewiring. Judy is adamant that the Duckworths will have to pay any bills as they should have warned them. Curly interviews for an assistant manager. He is embarrassed to receive an application from Liz. He feels that Anne is the ideal choice and asks her to apply. Steve goes to see Malcolm Fox. Malcolm tells him that he had to name him as the police knew all about the operation. Anne doesn't want to be a boss but Curly begs her to apply. Denise throws a party for Daniel's birthday and is put out when the Dunkleys arrive. Brian corners her to tell her that he loves her and feels her enthusiasm is waning. Don has too much to drink and accuses Gail of trying to scare him off by thinking of telling the court about his phone calls. He tells her to do her worst. She is baffled by the outburst.

E4. Episode 3958 (8th January 1996)

Jan 8, 1996 · 25m

Raquel tells Vera that she is only going to work dinnertimes so she can spend time with Curly. An electrician tells Judy it'll cost £685 to rewire No.9. Denise tells Brian that it's obvious he can't cope with their affair so she wants to end it. She has decided she wants Ken more and she doesn't want Brian calling round again. When Vera refuses to pay for the Malletts' rewiring, Judy calls her an old bag and is thrown out of the Rovers. Brian turns nasty and warns Denise that he might not be able to stop himself from telling Alison about them. Gary apologises to Jack for Judy's behaviour and invites him round to watch satellite TV. Sally is uncomfortable when Mavis tells her that Rita is very upset over their split. Curly is delighted when Anne applies to be assistant manager. He is embarrassed when he has to tell Liz that she didn't get the job.

E5. Jan 10, 1996

Jan 10, 1996 · 25m

Don agrees to withdraw his claim on Number 5. Vicky's birthday is overshadowed by her discovery of Steve's dishonesty. Tricia finds herself in serious financial trouble.

E6. Episode 3960 (12th January 1996)

Jan 12, 1996 · 25m

The Duckworths are annoyed to receive the Malletts' rewiring bill. They refuse to pay it. Brian calls on Denise demanding to know why she's ended their affair. She explains that she is disgusted with herself. He tells her that she's disturbed and she'll never remain faithful to Ken. He is stunned when she tells him that she's marrying Ken. Vicky withdraws £3,000 for Steve to give to Malcolm Fox. She is horrified when Steve tells her that she must be the one to talk to Fox and ask him to change his statement. Nick signs over No.5 to Don and is given £12,000, to be put in trust until he is eighteen. Nick thanks Don and Don wishes him well with the money. Josie is relieved when Don feels that Ivy is now dead. Vicky goes to see Fox, unable to believe Steve is putting her through it all. She asks Fox to perjure himself in order to keep Steve out of prison. Fox takes the £3,000 and tells her that he'll want another £3,000 after the trial.

E7. Episode 3961 (15th January 1996)

Jan 15, 1996 · 25m

Tricia worries about how she's going to cope with no money. Maud takes pity on Jamie and gives him a chocolate bar. Tricia accuses him of stealing it and hits him. Nicholas Wilding tells the McDonalds that the evidence against Steve is very damning and he may end up in prison. Steve and Vicky are relieved when Malcolm Fox tells the magistrates he mentioned Steve in his statement as a vendetta and that really Steve thought the scotch was clean. Alison tells Denise that she's been checking up on Brian and she's now certain he's been having an affair. Denise advises her to fight to keep her marriage going. The McDonalds celebrate when the police drop the charges against Stev

E8. Jan 17, 1996

Jan 17, 1996 · 25m

Ken and Denise's happiness comes under threat when Brian pays a visit. Tricia is hunted down by the police. Vicky despairs as Steve celebrates his acquittal. Vera criticises Jack's appearance.

E9. Episode 3963 (19th January 1996)

Jan 19, 1996

Denise spends the night in her old flat. She begs Ken to forgive her and tells him that she doesn't want to leave him. He tells her that she was sick to betray her sister as she did. She tells him that she wants to marry him and is sorry for hurting him but he tells her that he doesn't want her as a wife. She is an unfit mother and he'll fight her for Daniel. The Platts receive a solicitor's bill for £1,200. Martin is adamant it's paid out of Nick's money. Alison calls on Ken as she doesn't know where Brian is. He delights in telling her about the affair. She confronts Denise and lays into her for ruining her life.

E10. Episode 3964 (22nd January 1996)

Jan 22, 1996

Audrey is thrilled to discover that Stephen is coming over from Canada on business. Gail and Alf are disturbed at the prospect of meeting him. Deirdre calls into social services to talk to Jamie. He says he'll run away again if he's put in care so they allow him to stay with Deirdre. Audrey is upset when Alf tells her that he doesn't really want to meet her son as it's a reminder of her relationship with Malcolm Reid. Maud reads Phyllis's tea leaves and tells her the man of her dreams is hers for the taking. Ken tells Mrs Jeffers about Denise leaving. She warns him that he's going to find it hard having a baby and a full-time job. Maud is stunned to find she read her cup by mistake, not Phyllis's. Fiona is shocked when Ken tells her that Denise has gone off with Brian and he's going to fight her for Daniel.

E11. Episode 3965 (24th January 1996)

Jan 24, 1996

Maxine fears for her job with Denise gone but Fiona feels that they should just keep on with their jobs and wait for Denise to return. Anne is flattered when Curly invites her to dinner. Alma hears about Denise leaving and calls on Ken, offering him support. Percy is stunned when Maud asks him to marry her. He tells her that he needs to think about it but then becomes angry when Phyllis proposes. He accuses them of having a joke at his expense. Audrey tells Alf that she's never recovered from having to give Stephen away. Alf apologises to her and tells her that he is very welcome in their home. Alison calls on Ken and pleads with him to take Denise back as she wants Brian back. He refuses so she tells him that he's as selfish as Denise. Jim discovers that Des has taken on a new assistant at the bookies. He confronts Sean over the new girl and is told that Des had personal reasons for getting rid of Liz.

E12. Episode 3966 (26th January 1996)

Jan 26, 1996

Alma is frustrated as she can't discuss her feelings with Mike. She is upset about Ken and Denise but knows she can't tell Mike. Bill gives Jamie a lift to Styal Prison as Tricia is released. They have an emotional reunion. When Jim tackles her with the knowledge that Des has employed another assistant, Liz tells him why she really left the bookies, about the attraction she felt towards Des and how she can't cope with his temper swings and that Des was a comfort. Jim believes Liz when she swears that she is not in love with Des and didn't sleep with him. Tricia tells Deirdre how hard prison was and how bad she felt for getting that low. Liz warns Andy that she's confessed all to Jim and now feels everything will be all right. When questioned about Stephen's father, Audrey and Alf invent a past life for her, including husbands who died young.

E13. Episode 3967 (29th January 1996)

Jan 29, 1996

The corner shop is ransacked, with all the alcohol and cigarettes stolen. Maud blames Maureen for not being around; she can't reach to turn on the burglar alarm. In the middle of their rowing a potential buyer arrives to view the shop. He is put off by the mess. Kevin doesn't like the idea of Sally looking after Daniel, especially when Ken asks her to keep him from Denise if she turns up. Audrey goes to Liverpool Airport to meet Stephen. He is embarrassed as he wasn't expecting her and is with his colleague Carrie Meyer. Carrie defuses the situation by suggesting Stephen spends time with Audrey whilst she settles into the hotel. Jim tells Bill that he fears Liz is being unfaithful. He is suspicious of her whereabouts when she goes off to Southport for a few days to settle her mother into her new flat. Don and Josie return from the Canary Islands.

E14. Episode 3968 (31st January 1996)

Jan 31, 1996

Maureen decides not to tell Reg about the burglary and is frustrated that she has to cope with everything on her own. Jim is relieved to discover that Liz really is with her mother. Alma is charmed by Stephen and thinks he's gorgeous. Kevin urges Ken to find someone to look after Daniel long-term as he doesn't want Sally worn out. Kevin feels bad when he suggests that Ken should have got married. Gail tells Alma how hard it was for her growing up knowing she was illegitimate and that she finds it hard explaining her relationship with Stephen to the children. Audrey is upset to discover that Stephen has been to England before and not contacted her. He explains that he didn't know if she wanted to see him again; she'd done her bit going to Canada but didn't know if she wanted everyone at home to know about him. They are glad they do have a future together. He is thrilled to meet Gail's children. Don, Deirdre and Vera meet at No.5 to discuss starting up a Rovers' outing. Vera is horrified to see Ivy's ghost on the landing. She rushes back to Jack, chilled to the bone. Don refuses to believe her but she is adamant that she saw Ivy.

E15. Episode 3969 (2nd February 1996)

Feb 2, 1996

Josie is bemused when Vera tells her about seeing Ivy's ghost, annoying Don. When he hears Des is on business in Wigan, Jim phones up to check up on him, relieved that it is true. Vera worries about Ivy's soul being in torment. Stephen arranges a small presentation for local businesses and asks Alma to take care of the catering. Josie and Don lay on a spread for the family as they celebrate Sarah Louise's ninth birthday. Maureen is shocked to discover that Maud had proposed to Percy. She feels left out of everything. Josie and Don are disturbed when the lights on Sarah's cake blow out by themselves. Mike urges Alma to cater for Stephen, telling her that it's an opportunity she can't miss.

E16. Episode 3970 (5th February 1996)

Feb 5, 1996

Maxine has a wild night, with only twenty minutes sleep. She stays off work to sleep. Alma doesn't feel she's up to catering for Stephen but Mike presses her to do it. Maureen is tired of driving to and from Lowestoft and the grief Maud gives her for leaving her alone. Maxine arrives for work at 11.00am and is warned by Fiona that if it happens again she'll be fired. Liz returns from Southport. Jim is angry when she shows no sign of being pleased to be back. Maxine closes the salon at lunchtime to go back to sleep so Fiona sacks her. Kevin is annoyed when he has to look after Daniel as Ken has a parents' meeting. He tells Ken that he's taking advantage of Sally and she can't take any more. Ken agrees to sort something out. Alma takes Stephen to The Wheatsheaf so he can sample her menus. She tells him that she's not a very big caterer but she is up for the job. Des is surprised when Liz asks him to drink in a different pub so as to avoid Jim. Sally is furious with Kevin for telling Ken that she won't mind Daniel any more. Alma enjoys being in Stephen's company and is pleased when he likes her menus. Maxine tells Fiona that their lives are going to be unbearable if she remains sacked.

E17. Episode 3971 (7th February 1996)

Feb 7, 1996

Maxine tries emotional blackmail to get her job back but Fiona takes no notice. Maud reads her palm, advising her to consider her actions more carefully. Liz applies for a job at The Hour Glass wine bar. She plans a night out there with Deirdre. Tricia offers her services to Ken to mind Daniel but he refuses as he wants a registered minder. She rows with him for not giving her a break. Alma is disappointed when she has a meeting with Carrie Meyer and not Stephen Reid. Fiona is stressed at the salon. She is annoyed that Maxine has not apologised. Tony tries to solve her domestic problems by asking her to move into a flat with him.

E18. Episode 3972 (9th February 1996)

Feb 9, 1996

Liz dresses up, telling Jim that she's got an interview at The Hour Glass but he doesn't believe her and thinks she's tarting herself up for a man. Don asks Vera to stop telling people about Ivy's ghost as Sarah Louise now thinks she can see her. Ken employs Kelly Thomson as a childminder. She is anxious to please and feels sorry for Ken with Denise having left. Denise returns, thinking Ken is at work. She ascertains that Fiona is happy running the salon before calling at No.1 for some stuff. She is horrified to find Ken and Daniel there. She holds Daniel and breaks down, begging Ken to take him from her. Jim goes to The Hour Glass and finds they are not holding interviews. Denise throws her house keys at Ken and tells him that she won't be back. He's glad it's all over. Vera asks Sarah to tell her and no one else if she sees Ivy again

E19. Episode 3973 (12th February 1996)

Feb 12, 1996

Kelly has her first day minding Daniel. Mike is keen to build on Alma's relationship with Stephen as he wants to do business with him. Maxine goes out of her way to be efficient at the salon. Emily doesn't think that Kelly's old enough to be looking after Daniel. She is left feeling foolish when Kelly asks her how many children she has actually had. Steve feels they should go after a contract with Stephen's firm Kbec. He makes Vicky see that they have to take big chances if they're ever to grow as a company. Vera summons Ida Clough and tells her about Ivy's ghost. She advises Vera to stop worrying about Ivy's soul as she'll wear herself out. Steve chats up Carrie Meyer about producing sportswear for Kbec.

E20. Episode 3974 (14th February 1996)

Feb 14, 1996

Maxine is certain that she'll be sacked when Jon takes over the salon. Vera feels that Ivy needs to contact her but doesn't know how to go about it. Stephen advises Alma to stop putting herself down and to go for what she wants. Mike tells Steve that Kbec is too big for him and advises him to pull out but Steve sees through him. Maud feels that Vera's in torment and agrees to help her. Emily is embarrassed when Kelly catches her peeping through Ken's window, spying on her. Josie turns a blind eye as Vera and Maud try to contact Ivy's spirit in No.5. Don is furious when he finds them and throws them out.

E21. Episode 3975 (16th February 1996)

Feb 16, 1996

Rita encourages Fiona to try and raise the money to buy the salon. Her bank manager refuses to lend her the money. Martin looks after the cafe whilst Gail helps Alma with her Kbec function. Martin takes Roy on to help out in the cafe. Stephen is embarrassed when Audrey insists on being present at his North West presentation. Alma helps him out by asking her to help her. Roy is interested to hear that Don has a ghost. He offers the benefit of his experience. Rita is outraged when Fiona asks her to help her financially in buying the salon lease. She is annoyed that she can't give any encouragement without people asking her for money. Steve and Vicky do their best to show Stephen that they know the youth market he is after

E22. Episode 3976 (19th February 1996)

Feb 19, 1996

Steve is annoyed to discover that Mike has won the contract. Don gets a friend, Eddie Baines, to pose as a Catholic priest and perform an exorcism at No.5 to put Vera's mind at rest. She falls for the charade. Liz lends Andy £50 to pay his rent to Des. Liz tells Deirdre about her relationship with Des. Vera is thrilled that Ivy's soul has finally been laid to rest and treats Baines to a free hotpot. He leaves his bag in the Rovers by mistake. Jim is furious to find his £50 savings gone and accuses Liz of lining her fancy man Des's pocket. Liz tells him that she gave the money as she doesn't want Andy owing Des anything. Vera is horrified when Jack opens Baines's bag and snaps a rosary. When she turns icy cold, Vera feels Ivy's soul has settled in the pub. Stephen is taken aback when Alma makes a pass at him in his hotel room. He is very nice about it but Alma feels awful when he doesn't respond. She runs off, observed by Audrey.

E23. Episode 3977 (21st February 1996)

Feb 21, 1996

Vera is certain that Ivy has settled into the Rovers. Jack thinks that she's barmy. Vera decides that one piece of advice that Ivy would give her would be for her to take on a cleaner. Jack becomes interested in the ghost idea when he hears that ghosts pull customers in. Vera advertises in The Kabin for a cleaner. Andy takes out a student loan to pay Liz back the £50. Alma apologises to Stephen but makes it clear she meant the pass. He promises her that he won't tell Audrey what happened and as far as their friendship is concerned it never did happen. Roy lends Vera books on ghosts and haunted houses. Alma tells Gail about making a pass at Stephen and how he rejected her. Gail sympathises. Jack persuades Vera to talk to the papers about Ivy's ghost. Audrey confronts Stephen over what she witnessed. To protect Alma he tells Audrey that he made a pass at her and it upset her.

E24. Feb. 23 1996

Feb 23, 1996

Jim doesn't believe Liz when she says that she'll be at home all day waiting for the electricity man. Fiona takes over the salon, getting Tony to paint out Denise's name. Denise calls on her to check she is happy with everything before she moves south. Audrey tells Alma how sorry Stephen feels for making a pass at her. Alma tells Audrey that Stephen is saving her honour; she made the pass at him. Audrey is stunned. The Gazette sends a reporter, Charlie Figgiss, round to interview the Duckworths. To make sure that the story appears, Jack tells them that he's definitely seen Ivy in the cellar. Vera is moved by his sensitivity. Denise follows Kelly and Daniel to the Red Rec, telling Kelly she only wants to hold him. Kelly struggles to keep calm as Denise kisses Daniel and says goodbye to him. Liz feels that she and Jim need a break so books for them to visit his mother.

E25. Feb 26, 1996

Feb 26, 1996

Mike looks up some of his old machinists to see if they want to work for him again. Jack is alarmed when Tricia asks him if she can be the Rovers cleaner. To get rid of her, Jack tells her that he'll ask Vera but doesn't as he fears husband Carl will be around. Vera interviews Joyce for the cleaning job. Joyce promises to be confidential and a good cleaner and is taken on, to Jack's relief. Don tells Jack that the exorcism was fake. Jack doesn't mind as it's bringing trade in. Tricia is furious to discover that Jack never told Vera that she wanted the job and that it's now gone. She tells him that she's going to tell Carl he's been pestering her. Jack has T-shirts made saying "Come & try our Spirits". He gets the staff to wear them. Alma considers telling Mike all about her feelings for Stephen but Gail advises her not to. Jack is alarmed when Josie puts Vera straight about the fake exorcism.

E26. Feb 28, 1996

Feb 28, 1996

Alma is stunned when Gail confides to her about her affair with Ian Latimer in 1986. Vera dons her airs and graces as Joyce starts work. Kelly is uncomfortable when a couple of friends drop by and think it's weird her working for Ken. Ken walks in on them all and isn't pleased. Josie asks for Vera's forgiveness but she accuses her of making a mockery out of religion. Kelly fears Ken will sack her but he just asks her to be more discreet in future. Anne tells Raquel she fears Andy will go off her just because she won't sleep with him. Raquel points out that if that's the case he's not worth having. Jim and Liz go to an army reunion in Macclesfield and are stunned to find Johnny Johnson has a wife, Lucy. Alma cooks Mike a romantic meal and asks him if he loves her but he would rather talk about business. Jim overhears Johnny telling Liz he married Lucy as she looked like her. Johnny tells Jim that all the blokes fancied Liz. On the way Liz has enough of Jim's questions and admits she had a brief fling with Johnny. He accuses her of being a whore and sleeping with everyone. He thumps her and leaves her lying in a road.

E27. March 1, 1996

Mar 1, 1996

Jim returns home angry and drunk. He tells horrified Andy and Anne that he dumped Liz on a roadside. They drive off looking for her. Jack and Vera are alarmed to find Roy camping in their cellar at night searching for any signs of a ghost. He hasn't found anything. Andy calls in Steve and Vicky and the four of them search for Liz in vain. They turn on Jim who tells them with relish that he hit Liz and she's probably been picked up by a man. Andy tells Jim to keep away from all of them. Bruised Liz turns to Deirdre for help, with Roy paying her taxi fare for her. She breaks down in Deirdre's arms. In the morning she uses make-up to make the bruises seem worse than they are; she wants everyone to know what Jim did to her. Steve and Andy are relieved to find Liz alive. Andy and Deirdre raid No.11 to collect her clothes. Bill advises Jim to clear Liz out of his head or she'll kill him. He tells him where Liz is but Jim isn't up to seeing her.

E28. Episode 3982 (4th March 1996)

Mar 4, 1996

Andy and Steve are ashamed of Jim and don't want anyone knowing that he hit Liz. Lee feels Fiona could get £70 a week for the salon flat but she doesn't want to rent it out. He wants to see his money used properly and threatens to find her a tenant. Liz stuns the Duckworths by arriving for work with a black eye, telling everyone that Jim's hit her. Jim is upset when his sons ignore him. He persuades Vicky to talk to him and apologises to her for being nasty when drunk. He is adamant that Liz dresses like a whore and wants to attract men. Des is relieved when Liz assures him that her black eye is nothing to do with him. Vera wants Jim barred from the Rovers but Jack persuades her that he is their best customer and Liz should go as her eye is unsightly. Fiona gives Alma a week's notice; she's moving into the salon flat. Maxine is upset as she doesn't want to live alone. Liz takes photographs of her bruises. Mike looks round an empty factory unit, telling Alma about his dreams of starting again in the rag trade. Jim tells Liz that he's sorry he hit her and she doesn't have to hide from him.

E29. March 6, 1996

Mar 6, 1996

Raquel is horrified to learn that Des and Liz have had a relationship around the last time she slept with him. Percy searches for his favourite cap. Roy gives Liz flowers and advises her to report Jim to the police for assault. Phyllis advises Des to look further afield for his women as he's had nearly all of the local ones. Andy is tormented by what Jim did to Liz. He goes for him but can't bring himself to hit him. Jim tells him about Liz's affair with Johnny Johnson. Liz talks to the domestic violence officer, Lyn Hargreaves, who tells her that she has every right to make a formal complaint against Jim. Raquel has a clear-out of some clothes, giving a dress to Judy. She finds Percy's cap, which he'd given to Curly and gives it to Emily as she hates it. Vera gives Joyce extra work cleaning the upstairs. Jack is horrified to find her in his bedroom. Mike needs more collateral to furbish his factory so decides to take a mortgage out on the flat. Alma refuses to let him. Raquel is put out when Judy wears the dress in the Rovers. Liz tells Jim that their marriage is over and she's going to divorce him.

E30. March 8, 1996

Mar 8, 1996

Curly's mind works overtime when Raquel becomes secretive and shows an interest in babies. Steve and Andy are saddened by the news of Liz divorcing Jim. Maxine doesn't know how she's going to cope alone at the flat, financially. Vera gives Joyce an old radio she finds in a cupboard. When Jack accuses her of stealing it, Judy stands up for Joyce and lets it slip she is her mother. Vera is not amused. Tony pushes Fiona to let him move in with her in her new flat but she wants to be alone. Vicky pleads with Liz not to throw her family away and tries to get her to talk to Jim. Liz is adamant that her marriage is over. Joyce is relieved when Vera refuses to sack her. They chat about their children and grow friendlier. Curly convinces himself that Raquel is pregnant. Jack is caught in the middle when Jim and Liz have a slanging match over the bar. He tells Liz that he's had enough and sacks her. Jim leaves to visit his mother in Belfast so Liz moves into No.11. Raquel is thrilled to tell Curly that she's joined an aromatherapy course. He is disappointed that she isn't pregnant. Mike talks Alma into signing over her share of the flat to him so he can mortgage it.