Season 39

E1. Episode 4327 (2nd January 1998)

Jan 2, 1998 · 25m

Liz is amazed when Deirdre tells her about Jon's wife and children. Emily feels that Spider is a breath of fresh air and is glad he's living with her. Deirdre feels a fool for being so lonely that she was taken in by Jon. She is stunned when Jon turns up and tells her that he loves her. He tells her that Linda is no longer his wife but he has to spend time with her as she keeps threatening to kill the children. Toyah is upset when Les warns her against spending time with Spider as he's probably got fleas. Roy and Spider hold a protest meeting against the concert bowl.

E2. Episode 4328 (4th January 1998)

Jan 4, 1998 · 25m

Deirdre remembers Linda booking a holiday at Sunliners and is annoyed at her stupidity for not realising Jon was married. She's upset that she's lost her £5,000. Janice is alarmed to discover Leanne has gone to Scotland with Nick. Deirdre goes to Jon's house and warns Linda about Jon and how he's being lying to her. She is stunned when Linda threatens her with the police, saying she knows that she's been stalking Jon for months. Linda tells her that she's sick and mad and needs treatment. Gail is horrified when she learns Leanne is with Nick in Scotland.

E3. Episode 4329 (5th January 1998)

Jan 5, 1998 · 25m

Deirdre decides to withdraw money from Jon's account using her credit card until she has her £5,000 back and look for a flat to rent. Chris returns to work at the garage with Kevin warning him that he might not be civil to him. Liz starts work as a trainee machinist at Underworld. Gail tries to hunt down Nick in vain. In Scotland, Nick and Leanne stay in cheap B&Bs, pretending to be married. Jon apologises to Deirdre for what Linda said to her, explaining that she is mentally ill and wants to wreck his happiness. Deirdre tells him that she hates him and is horrified by him, wishing she'd never met him.

E4. Episode 4330 (7th January 1998)

Jan 7, 1998 · 25m

Spider receives a didgeridoo through the post from his friend Mole. He tries to play it but can't raise a note, unlike Emily who manages to make a lot of noise on it and finds it very satisfying. Nick and Leanne are disappointed to discover they have to give a fortnight's notice to marry but refuse to be put off. Spider leads the activities in taking their protest to Alf's house. Roy, Emily and Toyah join him in camping out on the Roberts' lawn. Zoe gets bored stuck at No.4 with Shannon. She's fed up with having no fun. Alf and Audrey are horrified to find the protestors on their lawn. Emily plays the didgeridoo in protest against Alf.

E5. Episode 4331 (9th January 1998)

Jan 9, 1998 · 25m

Spider and Roy spend the night in the tent. Alf ignores them, feeling they'll get tired of the cold but Audrey is mortified by their presence. Zoe tells Ashley she's desperate for a night out and asks him to babysit. Emily supports Spider and Roy by feeding them. Audrey rows with her for supporting thugs but she phones the Gazette to alert them about the protest. Ken is shocked when Deirdre tells him the wedding is off but refuses to go into details. Leanne and Nick return to the Street sad that they can't spend any more nights together. Gail accuses Nick of being sly, running off with Leanne. He assures her he wasn't stupid and she isn't pregnant. Janice is annoyed as Les doesn't seem to care what happens to Leanne. Leanne tells her she can look after herself. The Gazette reporter isn't interested in the protest until Audrey phones for the police and starts manhandling the protesters.

E6. Episode 4332 (11th January 1998)

Jan 11, 1998 · 25m

Alf is disgusted to see a picture in the Gazette of Audrey battling with Spider. She is furious to discover he's not pressing charges as he wants the issue to die down. Roy enjoys being at the centre of a controversy. Zoe pays Toyah to babysit so she can go clubbing with Ashley. He isn't happy with the idea of a child looking after Shannon but is forced to go along with the plan

E7. Episode 4333 (12th January 1998)

Jan 12, 1998 · 25m

Deirdre considers moving to London to be nearer Tracy. Ashley worries when Zoe stays out all night. He is forced to take Shannon into work with him. Emily tells Audrey she's not ashamed or afraid to stand up for her principles, taking Jesus's example. Fred thinks Zoe isn't fit to look after a baby and urges Ashley to inform social services about her. Ken begs Deirdre to trust him as he fears Jon is threatening her.

E8. Episode 4334 (14th January 1998)

Jan 14, 1998 · 25m

Zoe is annoyed when Ashley gets at her about abandoning Shannon. She doesn't understand the fuss as she knew he'd look after her. Deirdre goes to see the bank manager, Mrs Briscoe, and is stunned to discover that she's been a joint account holder with Ian Jenkins. Deirdre offers to give back the £4,000 she's drawn out but the manager calls in the police when it's obvious they're dealing with fraud. Zoe packs and leaves with Shannon, going to a hostel. DS Wyatt takes Deirdre in for questioning. At the police station she tries to explain about Jon but the police don't believe she could be so gullible.

E9. Episode 4335 (16th January 1998)

Jan 16, 1998 · 25m

The police search Deirdre's house looking for clues. She fears they think she was working the fraud with Jon. Maud assures Ashley that Zoe will be fine in the hostel but he wants her back. Deirdre phones Mike and asks for legal help. He gets hold of Frankie and urges her to get Deirdre released. The police tell Deirdre that her mortgage has been paid by Ian Jenkins's account and as the house is in her name she is in a lot of trouble. Deirdre is relieved when Frankie arrives to help her and gets the police to admit they won't charge her yet. Mike, Alma, Ken and Liz wait for Deirdre at the police station and support her.

E10. Episode 4336 (18th January 1998)

Jan 18, 1998 · 25m

Spider organises the protesters on the Red Rec and starts to tunnel under the trees to stop the builders bringing in earth-movers. Les starts as security guard on the site and is furious to see Toyah is one of the protesters. Ashley misses Zoe and Shannon and gets annoyed by the way everyone says that he's better off without them. Ken tries hard to make Deirdre cheer up and thinks it ironic that he and Mike are fighting for the same cause. Ashley visits Zoe at the hostel and asks her to return with him. She agrees when he tells her how much he's missing her. Alec goes to Switzerland to visit Vicky.

E11. Episode 4337 (19th January 1998)

Jan 19, 1998 · 25m

The Malletts return from holidaying in Newcastle. Gary is pleased when Jim agrees to take him on as a partner. Judy is upset to discover that Zoe and the baby are still living at No.4. Ashley rows with Fred when he tells him that Zoe is worthless. Fred refuses to have her staying in his house and tells Ashley they'll all have to clear out as he's selling up. Des is thrilled when Samantha agrees to marry him.

E12. Episode 4338 (21st January 1998)

Jan 21, 1998 · 25m

Des pushes Samantha to speak to Ritchie about a divorce but she hates the way she's having to beg him, giving him power over her. Des goes behind her back, looking through her Filofax to find Ritchie's phone number. Deirdre goes to the Magistrates Court and is remanded on bail, with Mike putting up surety. She feels like a criminal when she is left in a cell whilst the surety and her passport are given to the court. Jim and Gary work on replacing the Rovers' staircase. Zoe tells Fred that he's not being fair on Ashley by selling the house. Fred tells her that he'd rather lose Ashley as a nephew than gain her as a niece. Les gets tired of waiting around and attacks the protesters with a chainsaw, planning to cut a tree down.

E13. Episode 4339 (23rd January 1998)

Jan 23, 1998 · 25m

Les is annoyed when he has to stay on the Red Rec all night guarding the trees. He tries to make the protesters see he was only joking with the chainsaw but they don't trust him. Emily is frozen after a night up a tree but refuses to give in and is interviewed by the local TV news. Deirdre is surprised when her boss, Adam Newbould, turns up and asks her to take some time off with pay until her court case is over. She is furious when she realises that she's seen as an embarrassment and Sunliners want rid of her. Zoe reminds Fred that she and Ashley have a rent book and have rights as sitting tenants in No.4. He is furious when she threatens to give him a fight. Des goes to London to visit Ritchie and asks him to divorce Samantha.

E14. Episode 4340 (25th January 1998)

Jan 25, 1998 · 25m

Gary encourages Judy to return to work at the arcade but she isn't interested. Alec returns from Switzerland to find Jim has rebuilt the hall staircase. Nick and Leanne are delighted when their wedding confirmation comes through. Deirdre goes through the story of her life with Jon for Frankie, realising as she retells it that she must have been very gullible and stupid. Gary goes to see Paul Fisher about Judy working at the arcade and is pleased when he agrees to take her back on. Samantha is embarrassed when Des gives her an engagement ring in front of all the Rovers' customers.

E15. Episode 4341 (26th January 1998)

Jan 26, 1998 · 25m

Gary pushes Judy to ask Paul Fisher for her job back. Alec is adamant that he's not paying anything towards the Duckworths' staircase. Alma feels sorry for Curly's secretary, Hayley Patterson, who is picked on by everyone at Firman's. Hayley is thrilled when Alma talks to her and tells her that she wishes she was more like her. When Fisher agrees to view their session as a one-off, Judy decides to return to work. Roy overhears Nick and Leanne planning their elopement. Deirdre braves the Rovers but storms out when Audrey tries to find out all about her problems. Jack tries to fob Jim and Gary off by offering to pay the £1,400 bill in installments. Ken confesses to Alma that he has trouble believing Deirdre is completely innocent.

E16. Episode 4342 (28th January 1998)

Jan 28, 1998 · 25m

Jim and Gary remove the Duckworths' new staircase, saying they'll put it back when they're paid. Jack manages to climb down on a ladder but Vera refuses to leave the landing as she's scared of heights. Hayley buys Alma a present as a thank-you for standing up for her. Alma worries that Hayley is getting too friendly. Vera is indignant when Jack gets her to make sandwiches whilst she's stuck upstairs. Des pushes Samantha to make contact with her solicitor to help speed up the divorce. Ken tells Deirdre that he can't believe she was so stupid to believe Jon after discovering he'd lied about being a pilot. He feels he can't swear in court that he believes she never knew anything of Jon's fraud.

E17. Episode 4343 (30th January 1998)

Jan 30, 1998

Nick and Leanne feel guilty as they leave for Scotland, telling their families they're going to Leeds for the day. Vera decides to wear Alec down by singing from the landing but all he does is turn the jukebox up to drown her voice. Nick and Leanne have to drag strangers off the street to be their witnesses. Alma grows tired of Hayley following her around everywhere but feels guilty as Hayley has no other friends. Fed up with being stuck on the landing, Vera phones the fire brigade and has to climb down from the bedroom window on a ladder. Nick and Leanne exchange vows and are married in Kirkcudbright. Vera gives Jim and Gary their cheque and they replace the staircase. Nick and Leanne agree to keep their marriage a secret until Gail gets to like Leanne. They return to Weatherfield and go to their separate houses.

E18. Episode 4344 (1st February 1998)

Feb 1, 1998 · 25m

Nick is annoyed by the way Gail is so anti-Leanne. He and Leanne are frustrated as they can't spend time together. Hayley is thrilled when Alma invites her to her home and introduces her to Mike. Jim is humiliated when he and Gary seek work at a site only to find Steve is the boss. Steve tells them that he'll employ Gary but not him. Gary tells Steve to stick the job. Hayley gives Alma a sketch she'd done of her. Leanne urges Nick to tell Gail they're married. He tries but Gail refuses to listen or talk about Leanne. Leanne accuses him of being a wimp, saying she doesn't know why she married him. Natalie offers Samantha the chance to tell her that she doesn't want to marry Des but Samantha tells her that she's wrong.

E19. Episode 4345 (2nd February 1998)

Feb 2, 1998 · 25m

Leanne assures Nick that she doesn't regret marrying him but is frustrated that nothing has changed. Samantha tells Natalie that she fears marriage will trap her and she'll be forced to run again. She realises that she's only staying with Des until something better comes along. Leanne asks Rita for a job at The Kabin but Rita refuses to employ her. In desperation Leanne explains that she needs a job as she's married Nick. Rita refuses to believe her. Curly asks Alma to help him break the news to Hayley that her father has died. Although she knew he was ill, Hayley is still distraught over her father's death. Alma comforts her. Nick tells Rita that Leanne wasn't lying; they are married and need money.

E20. Episode 4346 (4th February 1998)

Feb 4, 1998 · 25m

Leanne starts work at The Kabin, eager to please Rita who lays down strict rules. Samantha is sick of Des hanging around her, saying she's the best thing that's ever happened to him. Les trips at the Red Rec and insists on being taken to hospital. Worried Janice rushes to his side and is relieved to discover it's nothing serious. Les refuses to accept there's nothing wrong with his leg and back, telling Janice that he's hoping for compensation. Judy urges Gary to accept work from Steve but he refuses to do the dirty on Jim. Martin is furious to see Les in hospital and overhearing him saying there's nothing wrong with him. Martin accuses Les of conning the system at the expense of the taxpayers. Hayley thanks Alma for her support, telling her she's the only friend she's got. Les tells Leanne he hates the Platts and doesn't want her going out with Nick any more.

E21. Episode 4347 (6th February 1998)

Feb 6, 1998 · 25m

Alma is amazed and embarrassed when Hayley buys her an expensive sweater as a thank-you for her support. Audrey enjoys having fun by kidding Maxine that she'll go clubbing with her. Alma feels Hayley needs a man in her life so Audrey suggests they matchmake between her and Curly. Steve is pleased when Fiona agrees to them being friends. Samantha decides to visit Ritchie and ask him not to divorce her. Natalie agrees to cover for her. Les walks round with a stick which he uses to attack Martin in the Rovers when Martin accuses him of scrounging off the state. Gail is furious to find Leanne at her house, dressed in her dressing gown. When she starts shouting at Leanne, Nick tells her that they're doing nothing wrong as they're married.

E22. Episode 4348 (8th February 1998)

Feb 8, 1998 · 25m

Gail is shocked and horrified by the news that Nick has married Leanne. She accuses Nick of doing it out of spite and Martin agrees with her. Nick is adamant that he loves Leanne. Martin accuses him of throwing away his entire life. Fiona tells Steve that she's stopped hating Jim for ruining her life. Leanne and Nick break the news to the Battersbys. Janice is upset that she didn't know but Les is pleased as it will have annoyed the Platts. Samantha tells Des that she's having a girls' night out with Natalie. Ashley is forced into agreeing to put Nick and Leanne up for the night as they have nowhere else to go. Gail vows never to welcome Leanne into her house. Nick feels uncomfortable about the way Leanne goes on about how awful Gail is.

E23. Episode 4349 (9th February 1998)

Feb 9, 1998 · 25m

Ritchie tells Samantha he's not going to promise her anything as he wants her to sweat. Maxine has a good night clubbing and falls for James Worth. She confesses to Fiona that she wanted to impress him so told him that her name was Fiona and the salon is hers. Fiona is amused and goes along with the charade when James calls. Nick is frustrated when he can't find anywhere to live and he has to move into No.5, sleeping on the sofa with Leanne. Alma's dinner party is a disaster; Mike refuses to stay. The conversation is awkward and stilted and Audrey tells Curly and Hayley it was set-up so they could get off with each other, embarrassing both and causing Curly to make an early and hasty exit.

E24. Episode 4350 (11th February 1998)

Feb 11, 1998 · 25m

Nick and Leanne cannot get any privacy at No.5. Steve confronts a puzzled Jim about the radio message. After Steve storms off, Gary fills Jim in on the dedication, leaving him more mystified than ever. Nick informs a furious Gail where he is living when he collects his belongings. Fiona makes Maxine promise to tell James Worth the truth but Audrey points out that the damage has possibly been done by the misinterpreted radio message. Jim calls at the salon to protest his innocence but Steve is hot on his heels and a fight starts.

E25. Episode 4351 (13th February 1998)

Feb 13, 1998 · 25m

Gail breaks down, telling Roy that she shouldn't have said what she said to him and is sorry. He tells her to forget all about it. When Des goes to London, Samantha rings Ritchie up and leaves a message on his answerphone, urging him not to let Des know she was with him. Roy and Hayley take provisions to the protestors on the Red Rec but fall through the ground into a tunnel. Spider lays into them for ruining their best tunnel. Leanne and Nick enjoy the party that Les and Janice throw for them. Des refuses to leave Ritchie's flat until he agrees to sign the divorce papers.

E26. Episode 4352 (15th February 1998)

Feb 15, 1998 · 25m

Samantha apologises to Des for lying to him but assures him that she only slept on Ritchie's sofa. She tries to explain why she doesn't want to get married but he accuses her of making a fool of him and ruining everything they had. Roy and Hayley decide to become more involved in the Red Rec protest. Samantha accuses Des of getting everything out of proportion and is stunned when he tells her they haven't got a future any more as he can't trust her. Ashley criticises Zoe for neglecting Shannon due to a hangover. He tells her that her problem is that nothing means anything to her and she takes nothing seriously. She accuses him of taking life too seriously. Samantha sadly packs her stuff and moves in with Natalie.

E27. Episode 4353 (16th February 1998)

Feb 16, 1998 · 25m

Les refuses to believe the protestors have found a Roman site and tosses away an old brooch as rubbish. Alf sorts out an eviction notice for the protestors and plans to start clearing the Red Rec. Ashley is amazed when Zoe has an interview with benefits agency officer Mr Sparrow, applying for income support and housing benefit as she's told them that she pays Ashley £100 a month rent. Ashley panics that he'll go to prison for fraud if it's discovered he and Zoe share a bed. Fiona goes into premature labour whilst working in the salon. Steve is on hand and rushes her to hospital in his car. When bulldozers move onto the Red Rec, Emily leads the protesters in organising a sit-down protest in front of the machines.

E28. Episode 4354 (18th February 1998)

Feb 18, 1998

Fiona celebrates the birth of her son with her mother. Pam isn't happy to see Steve at the hospital. Ashley doesn't like the idea of Zoe living off the state but she is adamant she's only claiming what she'd be entitled to if she lived alone. Les buys a second-hand metal detector to help him look for the brooch but can't get near the site because of the council security men. Fiona is grateful for Steve's support and dreads bringing the baby up without a father. Zoe and Leanne work on Ashley until he agrees to having Nick and Leanne as paying lodgers. They move in, thrilling Zoe who hopes they'll liven things up. Natalie tells Des that Samantha really loves him. There's a moment when he mistakes her sympathy for affection but she tells him that it would be no solution if they got together.

E29. Episode 4355 (20th February 1998)

Feb 20, 1998

Fred is horrified to discover that Leanne and Nick are living at No.4. Toyah and Emily are stunned when Spider tells them he's moving on to a protest in Kent. Fiona decides to call her son Morgan. Gail doesn't like the idea of Nick sharing a house with Zoe as she fears that he'll turn into a druggie. Ritchie arrives at the Rovers and asks Samantha to live with him now Des has finished with her. Steve enjoys visiting Fiona, telling her that he's glad he could help her. Des sees Ritchie with Samantha and confronts them, accusing Samantha of encouraging Ritchie. Ritchie tells them he's got the message that Samantha doesn't love him and tells Des he's welcome to her. Ritchie warns Samantha that it's obvious she doesn't love Des but is just dependant on him. Pam warns Fiona to be on her guard against Steve, certain that he'll take advantage of her. Emily feels she'll miss Spider and is thrilled when he tells her that he's staying on to help with the dig. Samantha tells Des she's finished with Ritchie and loves him but he refuses to take her back.

E30. Episode 4356 (22nd February 1998)

Feb 22, 1998

Samantha decides to leave Weatherfield and move to London. Curly is shocked when Eric Firman tells him that he has to deliver a fifteen-minute speech on the relationship between business and the environment. Gail tells Nick that she misses him and wants them to be friends again. He agrees to have tea with the family but is annoyed when Gail doesn't extend the invitation to include Leanne. Fiona struggles to keep control of her emotions and confesses to Steve that the future frightens her. He assures he that he'll be around for her but she tells him that he must understand there's nothing between them other than friendship. Roy tries to build up the courage to declare his love for Hayley but is lost for the right words to use. Natalie warns Des that Samantha is going to London and urges him to stop her. Leanne is furious that Nick is planning to have tea with the Platts when she's not invited. Des races to the train station but misses Samantha. When he returns home he finds she hasn't left yet. He asks her to stay with him and she is thrilled to agree.