Episode guides: July - December 1990

???? - Wednesday 22 August 1990
Mavis and Derek plan a barbecue in their yard "patio", to which the Duckworths are pointedly not invited. As a gesture of reconciliation, Des offers Jack a genuine tip, and the horse romps home at 20 to 1. But Mark has convinced Jack not to risk a bet on such a long shot. Steve McDonald is worried about his exam results, due tomorrow. Tina is still mysterious about her new boyfriend (see credits, where Nigel Ridley is listed, though he did not *seem* to appear in this episode). After Peter Ingram's funeral, Jackie comes to the factory and announces to a stunned Mike Baldwin that she's selling up.

???? - Wednesday 29 August 1990
Audrey and Sally both insist that Alf tell Deirdre he's let the flat to Ken, and when he does, Deirdre hits the roof. So Alf tries to give Ken back his deposit, but Ken refuses, insisting that they have a legally binding contract. Bet sees Nigel dropping Tina off (an hour or more late for work), and tells Alec in the nick of time. Tina, however, won't be warned when Bet hints darkly about why Nigel is keeping their relationship secret. Jim's plan proceeds apace as he offers to drive Andy to the recruiting office.

3155 - Monday 3 December 1990
Sunday and Monday events. Deirdre is having such a good time in London she decides to stay an extra day. When she tries to phone Ken, there's no answer, so she phones Emily's, but Percy takes the call. Deirdre asks him to pass the message to Ken, but when Percy discovers that his "night at Phyllis's" is the talk of the Rovers', he is so upset that he forgets to tell Ken of Deirdre's change of plans. Sally has joined Angie in criticising Jen and Steph for wearing the tantalizing costumes for the cider promotion. Des and Mark plan to follow them to whichever pub they are working that night, but they lose them. Both Jackie and Alma are making Christmas plans for Mike, and he's getting very nervous. Victor shows up out of the blue with some mysterious plan for Derek and Mavis, which he tells Derek will please them both.

Cast: Phyllis Rita Mavis Jim Ken Jenny Angie Freeman DEBORAH McANDREW Tracy Alf Audrey Bet Derek Alec Liz Percy Deirdre Sally Mark Kevin Amanda Worsley SARAH NIXON Mike Ivy Jackie Alma Victor Pendlebury CHRISTOPHER COLL Desmond Stephanie Phil Jennings TOMMY BOYLE Emily

3156 - Wednesday 5 December 1990
Domestic disharmony day. Des discovers that the Pomme De-Lite promotion is to be in the Rovers' this evening, and organises a rowdy crowd to embarrass Steph in front of her boss, Clive Parnell. But it backfires and both Steph and Des go home angry. Victor's surprise turns out to be his new wife, who Derek observes is "just like Mavis"--but Mavis is offended. Phil makes peace with Deirdre.

Cast: Deirdre Rita Mavis Mike Ivy Laura Collins LYNDA ROOKE Alec Bet Liz Clive Parnell CHRIS HUMPHREYS Desmond Mark Kevin Ken Tracy Phil Jennings TOMMY BOYLE Audrey Alf Stephanie Derek Jenny Jackie Sally Victor Pendlebury CHRISTOPHER COLL Alma Yvonne Pendlebury MARY HEALEY

3157 - Friday 7 December 1990
Alma is quite sure that Mike is two-timing her with Jackie but, as she explains tearfully to Audrey when prodded, she hasn't the high ground: if she demands that Mike choose now, he will almost certainly choose Jackie. Steph and Des are still rowing over Steph's temporary job as a Pomme De-Lite girl, and Des threatens to leave her. When she returns home after work, Des isn't there, and has left a note which says simply "Ta-ta". Victor treats Mavis and Derek to a posh lunch, and takes Derek aside afterward to accuse him of treating Yvonne with distaste, whereas Mavis "obviously gets along well with her". Derek doesn't know what to say. Ken happens upon Deirdre in the Corner Shop and can't contain his glee that her weekend in London with Phil had gone awry. He suggests that maybe now they can meet and "talk like people who know each other". When she mentions she will be in the Rovers' that night, Ken is encouraged, but she shows up (quite deliberately) on Phil Jennings's arm. At the office Christmas party, Mike is being a total pill, despite a speech from Jackie including warm thanks for his hard work. Later, Mike finds Jackie in a back office, alone and crying. He comforts her, and as they are standing there in each others' arms, Ivy blunders in, looking for a corkscrew. Jackie tells Mike not to worry, but he doesn't appear to be taking her advice to heart.

Cast: Mike Alma Stephanie Desmond Mavis Rita Percy Bet Alec Clive Parnell CHRIS HUMPHREYS Derek Sally Angie Deirdre Alf Ken Audrey Victor Pendlebury CHRISTOPHER COLL Yvonne Pendlebury MARY HEALEY Mark Kevin Liz Phyllis Ivy Laura Collins LYNDA ROOKE Amanda Worsley SARAH NIXON Jackie Phil Jennings TOMMY BOYLE Waiter PAUL KISSAUN Disc Jockey AL ROCKWELL

3158 - Monday 10 December 1990
While Mike is trying to stifle the rumour, Jackie is doing her best to promote the belief around the factory that she and Mike are having an affair. When Mike angrily confronts her, she tells him to dump Alma--that she's not comfortable being his bit on the side. Des awakes, with a hangover, on the couch in Kevin and Sally's sitting room. Later, he has another shouting match with Steph, despite good advice against such things from Rita. Curly wants Kimberley to go away with him, alone together, at Christmas. She's shocked. When Don pays off a £90 overdue gas bill that she'll never be able to pay back, Marie asks him what he wants in return - and offers to sleep with him. Don is horrified, embarrassed, and angry by turns.

Cast: Alma Mike Ivy Don Sally Kevin Des Jackie Curly Kimberley Rita Bet Jack Betty Mark Martin Angie Freeman DEBORAH McANDREW Audrey Gail Jenny Stephanie Marie Ramsden JOY BLAKEMAN Jamie Ramsden ALEXANDER GRAHAM Nicky Sarah Louise Amanda Worsley SARAH NIXON Gas Board Official TONY CAPSTICK

3159 - Wednesday 12 December 1990
Mike is in an exceptionally foul mood, and gets into an abusive shouting match with Jackie in front of the factory workers. Later, he takes off from work and whisks Alma away for a romantic tea in a posh hotel. Des tells Steph he wants to have children. Don takes Ivy to visit Marie, and Ivy impulsively offers to let Marie and Jamie move in with them.

Cast: Des Stephanie Ivy Don Mike Jackie Curly Kimberley Vera Alma Martin Jack Bet Betty Sally Kevin Mark Audrey Phyllis Jenny Rita Angie Freeman DEBORAH McANDREW Marie Ramsden JOY BLAKEMAN Brenda Thornton MAGGIE TAGNEY Laura Collins LYNDA ROOKE Jamie Ramsden ALEXANDER GRAHAM

3160 - Friday 14 December 1990
Des agrees that Steph can do as she pleases about the promotional job, so Steph decides to quit. But then she discovers that the manager has been fired, and offers her services in replacement, and is accepted. Don is having misgivings about Ivy's offer to Marie. Curly broaches a plan to Kimberley for a dirty weekend over Christmas. She indignantly refuses, initially, but later surprises Curly by changing her mind.

Cast Don Ivy Stephanie Des Alma Martin Jack Audrey Mike Jackie Kimberley Curly Vera Gail Phyllis Jenny Betty Bet Rita Kevin Sally Marie Ramsden Jamie Ramsden Debt Collector RICHARD COLE

3161 - Monday 17 December 1990
Victor has told Derek that he wants to re-evaluate things at the factory, but then leaves Derek dangling all day. Jack tries to talk Curly into stopping with the Duckworths on Christmas, rather than going to Curly's parents. Of course, he doesn't know of Curly's special plans. Gail stops by the caff to ask Martin to pick her up at Audrey's no later than 6.30--but he goes to the Rovers' with Kevin and forgets the time. Jim tells Alec that Liz will not be available to work on Christmas Day.

Cast: Alma Mike Jack Curly Vera Ivy Audrey Alf Mavis Rita Laura Collins LYNDA ROOKE Jackie Martin Liz Jim Alec Kevin Sally Derek Gail Des Stephanie Kimberley

3162 - Wednesday 19 December 1990
It looks like National Grump Day. Alf is swamped in the shop, since Audrey's done a bunk. Gail and Sally engage in a shouting match, with Gail blaming first Kevin and then Sally herself for Martin's having forgotten his appointment last night. Alec is still reading Liz the riot act, and then abruptly saddles Jack with Christmas Day duty, without overtime. Mavis and Derek are in a state over Victor's tour of inspection. Victor tells Derek that the Darlington plant is producing as much letterhead as they can sell, and the Weatherfield plant will have to close if they can't drum up more sales. Derek pleads with Victor to let him go and be a salesman again, and Victor agrees. Mike and Jackie are virtually tearing each others' heads off, until abruptly they both realise why: Jackie agrees she'll wait for a while, but Mike is going to have to break off his relationship with Alma. Jack's cheapo fairy lights fuse the power in the Duckworths' house. Curly fails to prevent the Taylors from posting their Christmas Day invitation to his parents. With all this strife, can Christmas be far away?

Cast: Mavis Derek Alf Ivy Audrey Sally Kevin Alec Liz Jack Victor Pendlebury CHRISTOPHER COLL Rita Gail Betty Jim Alma Martin Mike Jackie Vera Curly Mrs Taylor MARLENE SIDAWAY Mr Taylor JOHN JARDINE Kimberley Mrs Roebuck BRENDA CASTLE

3163 - Friday 21 December 1990
Alf is trying to prepare a speech for his inauguration as president of the grocers' association, but Audrey won't mind the shop for more than a few minutes at a time, and the holiday rush is on. Mike and Jackie have a spontaneous lunch in - at her place - and Mike finally tells Alma that it's over. Derek is brimming with optimism, but Mavis has spoken with Victor, who has told her that there's really no hope that one salesman can possibly make any difference - Weatherfield is cutting back.

Cast: Jack Curly Vera Kevin Sally Mavis Rita Audrey Alf Betty Gail Alec Victor Pendlebury CHRISTOPHER COLL Alma Martin Mike Jackie Des Barnes Jim Liz Derek Kimberley Ivy

3164 - Monday 24 December 1990
Five Christmas Eve disasters: (1) Alma and Mike we already know about; (2) Don and Ivy receive Marie in their house and tell her to make herself at home - do whatever she wants - so she leaves them to baby-sit Jamie while she goes out to visit her friends; (3) Alf's car breaks down on the way to his inaugural speech, because Audrey hasn't been taking it in for servicing, spending the money Alf has given her for the purpose on something else; (4) Kevin responds to Alf's call for help, and while he's out, Sally goes into labour. Phyllis and Liz help her into Don's taxi, and Don radios his dispatcher, who gets a call through to Kevin in his tow truck. Kevin abandons Alf and Audrey in order to rush to the hospital, but he's too late: Sally has delivered in Don's cab, only a few dozen yards around the corner from home, in Rosamund Street; (5) Curly's mother phones to the Taylors' as Kimberley and Curly are just preparing to leave, and so their cover is blown. The sixth disaster has not yet revealed itself as such, appearing to be the only bright spot: Jack buys Vera a dog for Christmas and, at first blush at least, she seems very pleased.

Cast: Martin Mike Alma Phyllis Vera Kimberley Curly Audrey Don Ivy Marie Ramsden JOY BLAKEMAN Jamie Ramsden ALEXANDER GRAHAM Liz Rita Mavis Jack Alf Sally Kevin Mrs Taylor MARLENE SIDAWAY Mr Taylor JOHN JARDINE Desmond Stephanie Bert Latham DAVE DUTTON Alec Bet Jim Gail

3165 - Tuesday December 1990 [special episode]
Christmas Day. Sally decides to call her new baby daughter "Rosie", because she was born on Rosamund Street. When Ivy tries to tell Marie how to take care of Jamie, Marie takes offence, and leaves (aftershock of Christmas Eve disaster no. 2). Vera's pleasure at having a dog evaporates after she leaves it alone in the house with the Christmas turkey. When she and Jack arrive home and discover what Boomer has done, Jack shouts at the dog, who gets angry and pursues Jack and Vera upstairs, where they barricade themselves in the bedroom. When Curly returns home, after spending the night in his car (aftershocks of Christmas Eve disaster no. 5), he finds Boomer in a playful mood, and assumes that Jack and Vera are upstairs in bed. Gail goes into labour during Christmas at Alf and Audrey's, and she and Martin are just going out the door when Ivy and Don (now relieved of their obligations) show up for an unannounced visit. Audrey invites Ivy to do the washing up. Finally released from their upstairs captivity by Curly, Jack and Vera are gradually calming down when Alec shows up to demand to know why Jack is so late to work. His shouting excites the dog, who chases Alec out of the house and back up the Street to the Rovers'. Vera tells Jack that either he or the dog must go, and that the decision is up to him.

Cast: Sally Midwife SUSIE HAWTHORNE Kevin Curly Jack Vera Alf Audrey Ivy Don Marie Ramsden JOY BLAKEMAN Jamie Ramsden ALEXANDER GRAHAM Bet Betty Jim Alec Stephanie Desmond Liz Gail Martin Nicky Sarah Louise Mike Jackie Alma Phyllis Rita Mavis Derek Percy Baby [aka Rosie] Webster EMMA COLLINGE

3166 - Wednesday 26 December 1990
Jack calls Bert Latham and has him come collect the dog, Boomer, but Bert won't give Jack back his £25. It turns out that Bert does this same trick every year - the dog's name is short for "Boomerang"! When Vera learns from Curly what had happened, she goes round to the Taylors' to plead his case, but Mrs Taylor will not be moved. Rita has an impromptu Boxing Day open house, and has not invited either Derek or Ken, but Ken shows up anyway, bursting with optimism. He's been to visit daughter Susan, who's encouraged him to persist with Deirdre. Deirdre, meanwhile, has had an offer from Phil of a weekend in Paris. Mavis discovers that the whopping order Derek has landed for Pendlebury Paper Products--the order that Derek believes will save the Weatherfield factory--is with Hawthorne Stationers, Derek's old firm, which means that he has been negotiating with Angela, his ex-wife.

Cast: Sally Gail Midwifery Sister HILARY TROTT Martin Jack Vera Andy Curly Alf Audrey Nicky Sarah Louise Ivy Don Bert Latham DAVE DUTTON Stephanie Kevin Rita Desmond Alec Bet Ken Tracy Mrs Taylor MARLENE SIDAWAY Mr Taylor JOHN JARDINE Emily Derek Mavis Percy Jim Liz Phil Jennings Deirdre Baby [aka Rosie] Webster EMMA COLLINGE Baby [aka Davey] Tilsley THOMAS ORMSON

3167 - Friday 28 December 1990
Alma admits to Martin that she and Mike have broken up. He tells Audrey, and Audrey ends up inviting Alma to spend a few days at her house (Alf is not pleased). Jack and Curly have a heart-to-heart and, much to Jack's surprise, Curly is not only philosophical, but positively relieved to be rid of Kimberley. Then Vera announces Mr and Mrs Taylor have phoned, and will be coming round for tea. The Taylors' purpose in coming is to suggest that Curly and Kimberley move up the wedding date - to almost immediately. Curly is in shock. Ken offers to look after Tracy over the New Year's holiday, not realising that, by doing so, he's enabling Deirdre to go to Paris with Phil.

Cast: Alma Martin Vera Jack Curly Alf Tracy Ivy Deirdre Ken Rita Mavis Phyllis Phil Alec Bet Mrs Seddon BRENDA ELDER Kevin Sally Gail Nicky Sarah Louise Audrey Don Mrs Taylor MARLENE SIDAWAY Mr Taylor JOHN JARDINE Kimberley Derek Emily Baby [aka Davey] Tilsley THOMAS ORMSON Baby [aka Rosie] Webster EMMA COLLINGE

3168 - Monday 31 December 1990
It is New Year's Eve. Between the crying baby at night and a non-stop stream of visitors during the day, Kevin and Sally aren't getting much sleep. When Ken suggests to Tracy that they stop by the house and see if Deirdre will join them in toasting the New Year, she has to tell him that Deirdre is in Paris with Phil. Ken screams at her, and she runs home and phones a friend for a place to stay. Ken, right behind her, runs into her wrath, and then stays behind in the house, drinking whisky and looking at old photograph albums while the sounds of revelry drift in from the Rovers' next door. Alma is also spending the evening alone (except for her bottle of gin), after a brief visit from Mike, who says he's selling his flat and wants to be sure she gets anything of hers back. Back at No. 1, as Ken finally puts away the photo albums and prepares to leave, he discovers a large bottle of sleeping pills.

Story Editor TOM ELLIOTT Story Associates TREVOR SUTHERS, ELIZABETH MALPAS, GRAHAM CARLISLE Production Designer CHRIS TRUELOVE Written by KEN BLAKESON Executive Producer DAVID LIDDIMENT Directed by BRIAN MILLS Producer MERVYN WATSON

Cast: Ken Barlow Percy Sugden Sally Webster Kevin Webster Rosie Webster Stephanie Barnes Desmond Barnes Phil Jennings Deirdre Barlow Curly Watts Kimberley Taylor Tracy Barlow Rita Fairclough Mavis Wilton Emily Bishop Alf Roberts Alma Sedgewick Audrey Roberts Mike Baldwin Derek Wilton Don Brennan Ivy Brennan Alec Gilroy Bet Gilroy Jack Duckworth Liz McDonald Jim McDonald Vera Duckworth Phyllis Pearce


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