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Season Sixty One Episode Guide
Episode 2486 (T 06-02-01 “Best Mate Ever”) Written by Gareth Roberts
Jimmy tries to work out why Shelley has gone and Jackie and Lindsey are at loggerheads. Bev is depressed that first Dave, then Shelley, walked out on her, and asks Lance to father a baby for her.
Episode 2487 (W 07-02-01 “Nothing Seedy”) Written by Jan McVerry
Lance is not sure whether he is willing to be a sperm donor. Adele encourages Leo to make his first arrest. Victoria decides that it’s time to get boring and anal, and Steven’s behaviour appals Diane.
Episode 2488 (F 09-02-01 “Miscommunications”) Written by Carmel Morgan
Darren is not pleased when Victoria explains why Leanne is no longer going to blackmail him. Emily considers whether she is willing to pose topless for Carl. Fred catches Lance in a compromising position, and Cheryl needs to find a new venue for a knicker party.
Episode 2489 (T 13-02-01 “Going For A Thong”) Written by Carmel Morgan
A few secrets are revealed at the knicker party, before it is gate-crashed by some of the men. Lance explains that he was only kissing Bev because he was trying to get her pregnant, but Fred is not impressed. Katrina turns down Carl’s offer of topless modelling, but Emily doesn’t.
Episode 2490 (W 14-02-01 “Romantic Evening”) Written by Barry Woodward
Anthony receives a Valentine card, but tears it up after Marty teases him. Diane is not impressed that Steve is building a relationship based on lies. Sotto beats up Craig when his girlfriend breaks up with him, but Tim makes sure he pays for it. Nikki is stood up by Jerome.
Episode 2491 (F 16-02-01 “Credit”) Written by Barry Woodward
Leo prepares for his passing-out parade, and tells Gemma he is thinking of moving to London. When Steve abandons his principles and gets a credit card, Marty considers doing likewise. Nisha agrees to sleep with Jerome just one more time, but Nikki arrives home unexpectedly…
Episode 2492 (T 20-02-01 “Making People Happy”) Written by Heather Robson
Lance insists that careful planning is necessary if Bev is to marry Fred to help him to stay in the country. Nisha tells Jerome she will not be hiding in his wardrobe again, nor will she be responsible for him breaking up with Nikki. Max spoils Katie’s birthday celebration at “The Shelf”.
Episode 2493 (T 20-02-01 “Matrimony”) Written by David Young
Mick offers to collect Vonnie from the airport, and tells Jerome he’d like to start seeing her. Nikki takes Emily to Carl’s to retrieve her topless photographs. Fred is nervous on the morning of his wedding, and hopes he remembers to kiss Bev rather than Lance. Robbie tells Max he must stop taking advantage of Jacqui’s good nature.
Episode 2494 (F 23-02-01 “Ten”) Written by John Fay
Jackie tells Jimmy about her night with Shelley, and he wants to talk about it with Lindsey, who is convinced her mother is in the wrong, and ensures that he doesn’t believe her. After a shouting match, and spending some time in the garden to clear his head, he goes to sleep in the extension.
Episode 2495 (W 28-02-01 “Grounds For Divorce”) Written by Ed Jones
Both Marty and Nisha suspect that there is something amiss with Bev and Fred’s marriage. Jimmy consults a solicitor about divorcing Jackie for sleeping with a woman, and tells her he is never going to argue with her again.
Episode 2496 (F 02-03-01 “Togetherness”) Written by Peter Cox
On a day trip to Southport, Lance is unsettled as he takes photographs of Bev and Fred together through the ages, Darren is warned against outraging public decency, and Christy and Leanne test the suspension of the minibus. Meanwhile, Ron, Anthea, Jessie, Ray and Kitty are subjected to a frightening ordeal.
Episode 2497 (F 02-03-01 “I Should Have Stopped Them”) Written by Sue Mooney
The day trippers return home rather later than they planned, and Rachel is horrified by what she finds. Ray and Jessie have to postpone their wedding blessing, but Marty insists that Diane goes for her hospital appointment. Ron refuses to go to hospital, believing that he should have done more to protect his family and friends.
Episode 2498 (T 06-03-01 “Striking Back”) Written by Peter Cox
Anthea thinks the house will have to be redecorated again, while Ron resorts to more desperate measures to protect his family. Bev’s web of deceit becomes even more tangled, and reality hits Marty hard. Victoria connects Jimmy to the internet, and Clint is terrified by Robbie’s violence towards Ricky.
Episode 2499 (W 07-03-01 “Circles”) Written by Peter Cox
Clint wants to escape from Robbie as fast as he can. Ron asks Jimmy to help him get a gun. Christy lures Leanne into bed, and tonight Lance is going to be…….Derek Batey.
Episode 2500 (F 09-03-01 “Neighbourly Support”) Written by Marianne Colbran
Robbie is furious when he finds out about Clint’s plans. Lisa confronts Jacqui about Susannah’s will. Jackie and Jimmy argue, and Jessie tells Ray that she wants them to move away from Manor Park.
Episode 2501 (T 13-03-01 “Time’s Running Out”) Written by John Fay
Mick celebrates his birthday with Vonnie, Brigid is reluctant to loan money to Diane to help her to get pregnant, Jerome is not as successful in covering up his unfaithfulness as he hoped, and Clint tries to keep out of Robbie’s way.
Episode 2502 (F 16-03-01 “Doubt”) Written by John Fay
Katie wonders why Jacqui is now trying to persuade her not to go to Spain. Bev tells Lance and Fred that they must be more careful in public, as anyone could be spying on them. After speaking to her priest, Brigid has a change of heart. Nisha lances the boil on Clint’s bottom.
Episode 2503 (F 16-03-01 “Repenting”) Written by John Fay
When Steve tells Mike about the break-in at the Dixons’, he is determined to get himself out of hospital. Bev has regrets about her sham marriage, as a suspicious stranger takes notes at the bar. Clint insists that Robbie will not prevent him from going to Spain with Katie, and Jackie cries on Diane’s shoulder.
Episode 2504 (T 20-03-01 “Escape Plans”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Diane encourages Marty to take Jimmy out to the pub, where, after drinking and playing pool, Jimmy reveals why he is divorcing Jackie. Leanne is smitten with Christy, and a gift of three-legged tights helps her not to see the signs that he is not as serious about her. Rachel goes to visit Mike at the hospital, and discovers that he has escaped, with help from Steve.
Episode 2505 (F 23-03-01 “Embarrassing Things”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Ron and Anthea need to move some furniture about to accomodate Mike, and there are a few more problems he hadn’t thought about. Adele starts work at the petrol station, but Marty and Diane wonder if she will be safe with Jackie. Anthony steals some sweets, and Leanne plans to surprise Christy.
Episode 2506 (F 23-03-01 “Couples”) Written by Roy Boulter
Marty tells Diane to steer well clear of Jackie. Leanne regrets dumping Christy, and Lance tries to cheer her up. Ron overhears an argument, and is amazed to discover that Bev has been able to keep some juicy gossip to herself for once. But he makes her aware that there are more downsides to her sham marriage than she realised. Vonnie decides to move in with Mick.
Episode 2507 (T 27-03-01 “All Official”) Written by Roy Boulter
Anthea is concerned that Rachel is finding looking after Mike as well as Beth too much for her, and lays into Mike. Robbie hears some interesting news about Katie’s former boyfriends. Bev gets more than she bargained for when Fred moves in with her, and Ron thinks Jackie never slept with him because she has always preferred women. But she explains that it’s because he’s repulsive.
Episode 2508 (W 28-03-01 “Spite”) Written by Barry Woodward
Jackie tells Jimmy she is taking Wills on holiday with Val for a few weeks. Clint becomes suspicious of Robbie’s attitude towards Katie. Max loses his temper with Lisa and tells her that unless she changes the wording on Susannah’s gravestone, she cannot see Harry and Emma. Diane gets Adele a new outfit, and Marty thinks the dress is too short and the top is too low.
Episode 2509 (F 30-03-01 “Copped Off”) Written by Barry Woodward
The Murrays throw a surprise birthday party for Diane. After they have sex, Leo wallows in self-recrimination, and Adele congratulates herself on having finally grown up. Clint is shocked by Robbie’s accusation.
Episode 2510 (T 03-04-01 “Extremes”) Written by Barry Woodward
Clint learns a few things he didn’t know about Katie. Nikki interrogates Jerome about the lipstick on his face. Michelle encourages Adele to get a morning-after pill, but she can’t stop thinking about what she did with Leo. He, however, is more concerned that no-one finds out about it. Leanne’s attempts to woo Darren backfire.
Episode 2511 (F 06-04-01 “Home Truths”) Written by Barry Woodward
Max hears that Leanne has taken ill, and blames himself for being honest when she asked for his opinion of her character. Katie is determined to confront Robbie, and Nikki spots Jerome and Nisha kissing. Ray and Jessie have their wedding blessed, and a man turns up at the Murrays’ looking for Katrina.
Episode 2512 (F 06-04-01 “The Matey Thing”) Written by Roy Boulter
Mick is horrified when he discovers what Leo has done. Ron asks Jessie to find someone to stand in for her at “Great Grannies” while she and Ray go on a second honeymoon. Robbie’s tales of woe convince Katie not to tell Jacqui what he is really like. Anthony becomes desperate to escape from Imelda and Paige.
Episode 2513 (W 11-04-01 “Way To Go”) Written by Heather Robson
Nikki loses one job, and quickly finds another. Mick considers reporting Leo for what he has done, and disowns him, despite Vonnie’s attempts to put things into perspective. Jacqui and Katie’s friendship becomes jeopardised due to the animosity between their boyfriends.
Episode 2514 (W 11-04-01 “Outlets”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Katrina persuades Steve to go for a drink with her father, and he offers Steve a job. Jacqui is about to sign her trusteeship over to Max instead of Lisa, but then discovers that he has ordered a reworded headstone for Susannah’s grave. Clint discovers that Robbie has got him fired from his job. Emily visits Tim, but he shows her the topless photos of her the other prisoners have seen, and tells her to go.
Episode 2515 (F 13-04-01 “Women’s Trouble”) Written by Maurice Bessman
Clint tells Jacqui he plans to propose to Katie. Nikki plays mind-games with a guilty Jerome and Nisha. Emily is distraught that her breasts have become public property. Adele is missing Leo, and Katrina wishes her father could accept that his marriage is over.
Episode 2516 (W 18-04-01 “Metamorphosis”) Written by Gareth Roberts
Clint discovers that Jacqui has told Robbie he plans to marry Katie. Jackie tells Jimmy that if he fights for custody of Wills, his mental illness will prevent him from winning. Ron tells Jessie he was more impressed with Brigid’s work than hers. Leanne returns to the bar with new clothing and a new persona, of which some people are suspicious.
Episode 2517 (W 18-04-01 “Labelled”) Written by John Fay
Bev wants a character reference from Ron, but its quality may depend on whether she gives “Great Grannies” the contract for the cleaning of her bar. Jimmy starts labelling the cupboards. Emily is relieved to discover that Tim still wants to marry her when he is released. Before Clint can propose to Katie, Robbie proposes to Jacqui – and something is going to end up broken when she doesn’t say yes straight away.
Episode 2518 (F 20-04-01 “Independence”) Written by Peter Cox
Jimmy invites Ray over to see his computer, and takes every opportunity to wind Jackie up. Jacqui doesn’t believe what she has been told about Robbie, and thinks she will accept his proposal of marriage. When Anthea and Ron leave Mike alone at home, one of the robbers returns and terrorises him, but also brings some interesting news…
Episode 2519 (W 25-04-01 “Best Buddies”) Written by Sue Mooney
As Jackie prepares to go to bed, Jimmy brings everyone from “Bev’s Bar” back for a party, then takes Cheryl to his bedroom. Leanne wants to be friends with Victoria. Although Robbie admits that he beat up Ricky, Jacqui still stands by him, and decides to marry him.
Episode 2520 (W 25-04-01 “You Lied To Me”) Written by Sue Mooney
When she hears Jacqui’s decision, Katie decides to move out. But Victoria suggests that maybe she is just jealous. Robbie discovers that Jacqui has not told him of her guardianship of Harry, and reacts angrily. Jerome can’t bear to hear Nikki discussing Nisha’s sexual encounters over the telephone, and goes round to become another of them. Unfortunately, Nikki follows him…
Episode 2521 (F 27-04-01 “Cut-Off Point”) Written by Carmel Morgan
Tim is released from prison, and he and Emily decide to get married as soon as possible. But first, he retrieves Emily’s money from Carl and warns him what will happen to him if any more of her topless photos are published. Jackie feels that Jimmy is driving her mad, and Robbie relieves his frustrations by battering Jacqui.
Episode 2522 (W 02-05-01 “Pain And Upset”) Written by Marianne Colbran
Tim goes round to apologise to Mike, but Mike accepts that he is just as much to blame himself for becoming wheelchair-bound. Ron discovers that Robbie has hit Jacqui, who assures Katie that she is not going to give him another chance. Frustrated that Jimmy won’t respond to her, Jackie knocks over his computer monitor.
Episode 2523 (W 02-05-01 “Home Protection”) Written by David Young
Jacqui puts on a brave – albeit cut – face, confides in Max about what has happened to her, and apologises to everyone for not believing them. Robbie says she is making a big mistake. Although Anthea feels that violence won’t solve anything, Tim gets Ron a gun. Lindsey thinks Jackie is trying to force Jimmy out of the house, and tells her to leave him alone. Jessie receives a letter addressed to Margi, but can’t contact her.
Episode 2524 (F 04-05-01 “Concealer”) Written by Jan McVerry
Ray and Jessie discover at a very late stage that Emily and Tim are secretly getting married, and unsuccessfully attempt to prevent them, as Victoria gives Emily a lift and acts as a witness for her. Robbie goes round to confront Jacqui again, and is given a stern warning by the police. Ron tries to make sure no-one discovers that he has a gun, and Jackie decides that it is time to make a move.
Episode 2525 (T 08-05-01 “Shutting Doors”) Written by Gareth Roberts
Jessie refuses to let Tim move into the bungalow, but Ray convinces her to offer the newly-weds the use of his caravan. However, they have already found temporary accommodation next door at Mick’s. Ron tries desperately to get Tim to take the gun back. Katie wonders why Jacqui is not at her leaving do at “Bev’s Bar” – and it is because Robbie is confronting her again, wanting her to reconsider. But she is determined that she is not going to become another Mandy Jordache.
Episode 2526 (W 09-05-01 “Bang Out Of Order”) Written by Maurice Bessman
In a special double-length episode, Tim and Emily throw a party at Mick’s which is gate-crashed by Sotto and a crowd of his mates. Sotto discovers that his expensive shirt is not water-proof, and that Tim was responsible for a beating he took in prison. Jimmy has his own way of convincing the partygoers to stop disturbing him, and Nikki turns to drink again after discovering that Bev also knows that Jerome is cheating on her. And when they have yet another intruder, Anthea is horrified by Ron’s reaction…….
The Cast
Nisha Batra – SUNETRA SARKER (2489-2492, 2495, 2501, 2502, 2509-2512, 2515, 2516, 2518, 2520-2522, 2525)
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) – SUE JENKINS (2486, 2493-2495, 2497, 2500, 2503, 2505-2508, 2516-2524, 2526)
Jimmy Corkhill – DEAN SULLIVAN (2486, 2493-2500, 2504, 2506-2509, 2517-2523, 2526)
William Corkhill – MATTHEW and JACK FORAN, LEWIS DAVIES (2486, 2507, 2508, 2516, 2526 OOV)
Anthea Dixon, formerly Brindley (nee Russell) – BARBARA HATWELL (2486, 2489, 2496-2500, 2502, 2504, 2505, 2507-2509, 2517-2519, 2521, 2523-2526)
Ron Dixon – VINCE EARL (2496-2500, 2504-2507, 2509, 2512, 2516-2519, 2522-2526)
Jacqui Dixon – ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (2487, 2492, 2497, 2498, 2500, 2502, 2503, 2508, 2509, 2511-2515, 2517-2526)
Mike Dixon – PAUL BYATT (2503-2505, 2507, 2518, 2519, 2522-2524)
Rachel Dixon, formerly Wright (nee Jordache) – TIFFANY CHAPMAN (2488, 2489, 2496-2498, 2502, 2504, 2505, 2507)
Beth Dixon (2486, 2496, 2497, 2502, 2505, 2507, 2526)
Katrina “Trona” Evans – ANN MARIE DAVIES (2488, 2489, 2509, 2511, 2513-2515)
Max Farnham – STEVEN PINDER (2492, 2493, 2500, 2508, 2510, 2511, 2514, 2517, 2519, 2523, 2524)
Harry Farnham (2514)
Emma Farnham (2508 OOV, 2514)
Jessie Hilton, formerly Shadwick – MARJI CAMPI (2489, 2496-2498, 2500-2502, 2508, 2511, 5212, 2516, 2523-2526)
Kitty Hilton – JEAN HEYWOOD (2496, 2497)
Ray Hilton – KENNETH COPE (2496, 2500, 2502, 2511, 2518, 2523-2526)
Mick Johnson – LOUIS EMERICK (2489, 2491-2493, 2495, 2501, 2504-2506, 2512, 2513, 2525)
Leo Johnson – STEVEN COLE (2487, 2491, 2507, 2509-2513)
Jerome Johnson – LEON LOPEZ (2489-2493, 2495, 2496, 2501, 2505, 2509-2513, 2515, 2516, 2518-2522, 2525, 2526)
Brigid McKenna – MEG JOHNSON (2487, 2489, 2501, 2502, 2508-2510, 2512)
Bev McLoughlin-Gonzales (nee McLoughlin) – SARAH WHITE (2486-2488, 2491-2493, 2495, 2496, 2498, 2499, 2502-2508, 2510, 2513, 2514, 2516, 2517, 2525, 2526)
Josh McLoughlin – ADAM McCOY (2486, 2493)
Clint Moffat – GREG PATERAS (2492, 2498, 2499, 2501-2503, 2508-2517, 2523, 2524, 2526)
Robbie Moffat – NEIL DAVIES (2492, 2493, 2496, 2497-2503, 2507-2510, 2512-2514, 2516, 2517-2526)
Diane Murray (nee McKenna) – BERNIE NOLAN (2487-2492, 2495-2509, 2511, 2512)
Marty Murray – NEIL CAPLE (2487, 2489-2492, 2495-2500, 2502-2506, 2508-2511, 2520)
Steve Murray – STEVEN FLETCHER (2487, 2489, 2491, 2503, 2504, 2509, 2511, 2514, 2515, 2520)
Adele Murray – KATY LAMONT (2487, 2489, 2505, 2507-2513, 2515, 2522)
Anthony Murray – RAYMOND QUINN (2487, 2490, 2499, 2501, 2505, 2508-2512, 2514, 2520)
Christy Murray – GLYN PRITCHARD (2496, 2497, 2499, 2500, 2503-2505, 2509)
Emily O’Leary (nee Shadwick) – JENNIFER ELLISON (2487-2493, 2497, 2511, 2514, 2515, 2517, 2521, 2523-2526)
Tim “Tinhead” O’Leary – PHILIP OLIVIER (2490, 2513, 2514, 2517, 2521-2526)
Lindsey Phelan, formerly Stanlow (nee Corkhill) – CLAIRE SWEENEY (2486, 2493-2495, 2499, 2506-2508, 2517, 2523, 2524)
Lance Powell – MICKEY POPPINS (2486-2493, 2495, 2496, 2498, 2499, 2502-2508, 2510, 2514, 2517)
Leanne Powell – VICKIE GATES (2487, 2488, 2493, 2496, 2497, 2499, 2503-2507, 2510, 2516, 2519)
Dr Darren Roebuck – TIMOTHY DEENIHAN (2486-2488, 2492, 2496, 2507, 2510, 2516, 2525)
Katie Rogers – DIANE BURKE (2492, 2498-2503, 2508, 2510-2515, 2517-2520, 2522, 2524-2526)
Margi Shadwick (nee Benson) – BERNADETTE FOLEY (2500-2502)
Nikki Shadwick – SUZANNE COLLINS (2489-2493, 2495-2497, 2501, 2509-2511, 2513, 2515, 2516, 2518-2522, 2526)
Kylie Stanlow – HANNAH DOWD (2486, 2494, 2500, 2517, 2526 OOV)
Victoria Wilcox (nee Seagram) – PATRICIA POTTER (2486-2488, 2492, 2493, 2496, 2498, 2507, 2511, 2512, 2516, 2519, 2520, 2523-2525)
Carl Beacham – DAVID GROVES (2487, 2493, 2515, 2521)
Craig Dutton – DAVID HART (2490, 2513, 2524, 2526)
Father Pat – TOM LLOYD ROBERTS (2502 stand-in)
Vonnie Johnson – SUZETTE LLEWELLYN (2493, 2495, 2501, 2504-2506, 2513, 2525)
Lisa Morrisey – NINA MARC (2500, 2508, 2509, 2514)
Cheryl Smith – SHERRIL PARSONS (2488, 2489, 2509, 2519)
Sotto / Stewie – MICHAEL CORRIGAN (2490, 2513, 2525, 2526)
Michelle Tan – STACEY LIU (2510, 2515)
Christine Walton – ANNIE FITZMAURICE (2495)
“Quiet Paul”, barman (2486-2488, 2512, 2516, 2518, 2520)
Rubie, dog (2495 OOV)
Ricky Garner – PETER WASHINGTON (2496, 2498, 2517, 2518) [ Shop Raider (1139) ]
P.C. Lewis – CLIFFORD MILNER (2526) [ Detective Constable (597, 598) ]
Imelda Clough – BILLIE CLEMENTS (2509, 2512, 2514)
Amber Costello – CRISSY ROCK (2488, 2489)
Jeff Evans – LES DENNIS (2511, 2514, 2515, 2520)
Fred Gonzales – RICHARD CALKIN (2488-2490, 2492, 2493, 2495, 2496, 2498, 2499, 2502, 2507)
Paige Howard – CHELSEA FARRELL (2509, 2512, 2514)
Lloyd Palmer – GERARD HUNTER (2526)
Joey Weller – SCOTT BURKERT (2526)
Registrar – ESTHER WILSON (2493)
Eva, a salon customer (2488)
Gaz, a mate of Sotto (2526)
Mr Hudson, a walk-in-centre patient (2515)
Laura, a salon employee (2503)
Mrs Lawson, a salon customer (2490)
Linda, a salon employee (2524)
Mark, a mate of Sotto (2526)
Ned, a mate of Lloyd (2526)
Detective Constable Telford, a CID man (2491)
The Magic Rabbits are seen again in episode 2486 (watched by Kylie and Wills) and in episode 2510 (watched by Anthony).
A number of images of Bev and Fred in different outfits are rapidly flashed on-screen in episode 2496, to reflect their being photographed, purportedly over the course of several past years, by Lance; images of Diane are seen while Brigid is heard confessing to her priest in episode 2502; and Anthea is briefly seen in slow-motion towards the end of episode 2526, with her line, “Ron!”, echoing.
For scheduling reasons, eighteen episodes (2492/2493, 2496/2497, 2502/2503, 2505/2506, 2511/2512, 2513/2514, 2516/2517, 2519/2520, 2522/2523) were originally broadcast on Channel Four edited into nine double-length omnibuses, each in a 60-minute time-slot.
Trivia
The storylines:
After serving time for her, Tim marries Emily; and, after it seems like a good idea at the time, Bev marries Lance’s boyfriend Fred, hoping to help him to be able to stay in the country. Vonnie moves in with Mick, and Leo leaves for London, after having sex with 15-year-old Adele. Diane and Marty decide to have IVF treatment to improve their chances of conceiving, Anthony is forced to steal by two girls at school, and Steve gets a job at Katrina’s father’s garage. Jimmy and Jackie are heading towards divorce, and Jerome is frequently heading towards Nisha, although Nikki can’t bring herself to confront them. Relationships with the brothers Moffat cause more conflict between Katie, who prepares to leave the Close for a new life with Clint, and Jacqui, who eventually discovers that Robbie is dangerously and obsessively violent, and partly responsible for Ron, Anthea, Jessie, Ray, Kitty and Mike being subjected to frightening ordeals in the Dixon home. And while most of them are gradually able to put these terrible times behind them, Kitty may never be the same again, and Ron’s plans to guard the future safety of his family include getting himself a gun. And he’s prepared to use it…
The dates:
It is Friday in episode 2488, and it is still the same day in episode 2489; it is Valentine’s Day, and 2001 (as the 1990’s were 14 months ago) in episode 2490 [but see “Goofs” below]; and it is February in episode 2496. Based on dialogue in episode 2500, it is “the end of March” in episode 2511; based on dialogue in episode 2503, it is 15th March in episode 2502 and 16th March in episode 2503; and it is 2001 in episode 2505. It is Wednesday in episode 2508; based on dialogue in episodes 2508 and 2509, it is Tuesday in episode 2507 and Friday in episode 2509: and it is Sunday in part one, then the day after, Monday, in part two, of episode 2510. Based on dialogue in episode 2510, it is Tuesday in episode 2511; and it is Good Friday in episode 2515. Based on dialogue in episodes 2522, 2523, 2524, 2525 and 2526 and a letter seen in episode 2524, it is Monday 30th April 2001 in episode 2521, it is Wednesday 2nd May 2001 in episode 2522, it is still Wednesday 2nd May 2001, then Thursday 3rd May 2001, in episode 2523, it is Friday 4th May 2001 in episode 2524, and it is Saturday 5th May 2001 in episodes 2525 and 2526. According to a poster being erected in episode 2526, it is the F.A. Cup Final on Saturday.
Name-checks:
Chi Chi, celibate panda (2486); Lynsey de Paul (2486); Madonna (2486); Debbie Harry (2486); “Top Cat” (2487); Sophia Loren (2487); “The Waltons” / “John-Boy” (2487); Joan Crawford (2487); Ken Dodd (2488); the “Beatles” (2488, 2526); Lulu (2488); Saddam Hussein (2491); “Basil Fawlty” (2491) / “Manuel” (2492); Robbie [Williams] / “Take That” (2495); Shelley Winters (2495); “The Poseidon Adventure” (2495); “Rita, Sue And Bob Too” (2495); Paul Young [“……lay my hat” musician] (2497); “Casanova” (2497); Rip van Winkle (2497); “Mr and Mrs” (2498) / Derek Batey (2498, 2499); Florence Nightingale (2501); Johnny Cash (2501); “Butch and Sundance” (2501); “Emmerdale Farm” (2502); “Frankenstein” (2502); Jacques Cousteau (2503); [Inspector] Clouseau (2503); “Colditz” (2504); Tom Cruise (2504); “Nora Batty” (2504); “Muriel’s Wedding” character “Muriel” and performer David Van Arkle (2506); “Charlie and Di” [Prince and Princess] (2506); “Romeo” (2506); “Prince Charming” (2506); “Ready, Steady, Cook” (2507); “The Golden Girls” (2508); Adam [biblical] (2508); Julia Roberts (2510); Sandra Bullock (2510); “Cupid” (2511); Mussolini (2512); Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran, boxers (2514); Howard Hughes, the Rockefellers, and Bill Gates, businessmen (2514); “The Bill” (2515); Jennifer Lopez (2515); “Top Of The Pops” (2515); Emil Heskey, footballer (2516); Hitler (2516); Tatjana [Croatian model?] (2516); “The Tomorrow People” (2516); Freud (2521); Joan of Arc (2523); Barbra Streisand (2524); “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” (2524); Elvis [Presley] (2525); Bobby Moore (2526); “Frankenstein” (2526); “Posh and Becks” (2526); George Formby (2526); Vera Lynn (2526); and Gracie Fields (2526).
Locations:
All the action in this season is set in or near Liverpool, the furthest afield any characters are seen being Southport, in episodes 2496 and 2497.
Births:
None, although we are told in episode 2510 that the unseen Becky Watkins got pregnant by an equally unseen Spaniard, and we are told in episode 2525 that Vonnie’s unseen friend Lauren in Bradford has recently given birth to an equally unseen baby! It is Katie’s 25th birthday in episode 2492; it is Mick’s 42nd birthday in episode 2501; it is Rachel’s birthday in episode 2504; and it is Diane’s 37th birthday – which is “in a couple of weeks” in episode 2501, and “this Friday” in episode 2508 – in episode 2509. We are also told that Emily is 17 (2493, 2515), and 18 in a few months (2525); Clint is 23 (2500); Adele is 15 (2503, 2508, 2510, 2513), and 16 in September (2512); Anthea is 47 (2508); Robbie is 25 (2519); Craig is 19 (2526); Beth is 14 months old (2497) / 18 months old, according to Jimmy (2499); Jackie is “well into her forties” according to Diane (2505); and the war was over by the time Ron was born (2526). Susannah’s gravestone, seen in episode 2508, indicates that she was born in 1960.
Marriages:
Two. The twentieth “Brookside” wedding, albeit not necessarily the most genuine, takes place in episode 2493, as Bev McLoughlin marries Fred Gonzales; and the twenty-first takes place in episode 2524, as Timothy O’Leary marries Emily Margaret Shadwick at Merseyside Register Office (2524) on Friday (2523, 2524) 4th May 2001 (2524). We are also told that Brigid attended the wedding of Steve’s auntie Moira (2487); Jackie and Jimmy have been married for 27 years (2493, 2496, 2521); Christy was married for six months (2497), and is now divorced (2503); Diane and Marty have been married for seven years (2504); and Vonnie was married to the unseen Frank for nearly 22 years (2506). A frustrated Max over-states his involvement with Susannah as “20 years of marriage” (2508); and Jeff would be coming up to his silver wedding, if his wife hadn’t just left him (2511).
Deaths:
One, at the end of episode 2526, in Ron’s house – but who is it? The answer will be revealed at the beginning of the next season……. Susannah’s gravestone, seen in episode 2508, indicates that she died in 2000. Unseen characters who are no longer alive but are mentioned are Franky (2488) / Jimmy’s big brother, who died 20-odd years ago (2499); and Frank (2495) / Jerome’s father (2505). Jacqui claims it is three years ago that Matthew and Emily died in episode 2514 – but see “Goofs” below!
Toilet visits:
Victoria (2496); Christy (2497); Kitty (2497 – accidentally); Mike (2505 – using a bucket / 2507 – using a commode); Leo (2512); Robbie (2517); Steve (2520) and Ron (2526 – partly to avoid buying Jerome a drink). Nikki claims to be going to the toilet in episode 2526, but she is just using it as a convenient location for getting drunk.
Characters mentioned, so far unseen, but who will be appearing later:
Marty’s first wife (2504); and Clint and Robbie’s mother (2512, 2513, 2515, 2524, 2526).
Gone but not forgotten – seen previously and still mentioned occasionally, but not reappearing in this season:
Shelley (2486, 2493, 2494, 2495, 2496, 2506, 2507, 2508, 2521); Dave / Dave Burns (2486, 2493, 2498, 2513, 2526 / 2491, 2492, 2508, 2525); Lance’s father (2486); DD (2488); Billy (2488); Susannah / Susannah Morrisey (2489, 2491, 2492, 2493, 2495, 2500, 2513, 2515, 2520, 2525 / 2495); Luke Musgrove / Luke (2492, 2511, 2513 / 2507, 2510), Ryan Musgrove / Ryan (2507, 2511 / 2510), the Musgrove brothers (2510); Kathy (2494); Nathan (2500, 2512, 2515, 2517, 2518, 2520, 2521, 2522); Val (2506, 2508, 2516, 2517, 2519, 2521, 2522, 2523, 2524); Lisa’s mother (2508); Ian Leigh (2508); Sammy (2511); Geoff (2511); Bernard (2511) / Ray’s brother (2518); Bernie (2512); Sinbad (2513, 2521); Katrina’s mother / Julie (2511, 2513 / 2514); Matthew and Emily (2514); Jason (2514); Kiev (2517); Victoria’s mother-in-law (2524); Mandy (2525); Trevor Jordache (2525); Bev’s mother (2526); and Ron’s father (2526).
And those that are also mentioned, but are destined to remain unseen forever:
Miss Bowcock, Josh’s teacher (2486); Trisha, a sick pump attendant (2486); Gary Russell, a weird friend of Josh (2486); Clayton, a mate of Lance (2486); Mark Woods, a school-mate of Bev (2486); Lance’s nan (2487); Steve’s auntie Moira (2487); Tony, Amber’s husband (2488); Tommy, Cheryl’s husband (2488, 2489); Gerald Curran, Declan Goody, Tim Crane and Neil Marland, boys that Diane wanted to go out with (2489); Peter Lamont, who Adele fancies (2489); Mr Medway and Mr Jones, prison officers (2490); Mrs Sedgewick at school (2491); Fred’s mother (2495); Debbie at the petrol station (2497); Mrs Denby, a “Great Grannies” client (2498); Keith Hyam, who Robbie glassed (2501); Father Mike, a less easy-going priest than Father Pat (2503); an uncle of Diane who had a breakdown (2503); Vinny, Marty’s mate who had an affair with his first wife (2504); Stella, Vonnie’s friend (2505); Brigid’s husband (2508); Vinnie, a mate of Robbie in Benidorm (2508); Becky Watkins, a school-mate of Adele and Michelle who a Spaniard got pregnant (2510); Kirsty, Andrew, Grant and Betty, referred to in a radio broadcast (2510); Frank Fielder, the gaffer mechanic at Rock Ferry (2511); Katrina’s auntie Pam (2511); Bernard’s wife [Jean] (2511); Robbie and Clint’s father (2512, 2513); Craig’s mother (2513, 2524) and father (2524); Vonnie’s sister in Bromley-by-Bow (2513); Miss Brown (2514) and Miss Phelan (2520), Anthony’s teachers; Barney, Clint and Robbie’s site foreman (2514); Amy Devereaux, a possibly invented friend of Emily, and her older brother (2515); Ben Connolly, a potential boyfriend for Michelle (2515); Mrs Davies and Mrs Kane, “Great Grannies” customers (2518); Pete, who will arrange a car for Steve (2520); salon employee Linda’s kids (2524); Victoria’s mother (2524); Lauren, a friend of Vonnie, and her recently-born baby (2525).
Goofs:
A mention in episode 2490 that events seen in episode 2489 took place “last night” contradicts all other indications that episode 2489 takes place on Friday, and episode 2490 on Valentine’s Day (Wednesday).
Brigid’s instruction to Marty in episode 2509 doesn’t sound quite right: “Don’t you go GETTING her indigestion!”.
In episode 2514, Jacqui says that it was three years ago that Matthew and Emily died – but their deaths were actually four years earlier, in 1997.
The dates of the calls on the recent telephone bill that Jackie studies in episode 2522 are from over a year earlier: 01.04.00, 02.04.00 and 03.04.00.
Trivia:
Victoria says she bought one of her outfits at a shop in Matthew Street (2507); and Anthea, Jessie and Brigid plan to go to a big discount store in Lord Street which is closing down (2508). On 4th July 1986, Bev and her fellow school-leavers went to Southport – where she kissed Mark Woods, then puked (2486). The Southport pub at which the day-trippers meet in episode 2496 is the “Cock A Hoop”. Christy’s local is “The Swan” (2499, 2503), and he is now self-employed (2504). Robbie recalls the Dublin pub “Lily Bordelo’s”, at which he had a good night out a few years ago (2507), and “Churchill’s”, a posh bar in Benidorm run by a Scouser mate, Vinnie (2508). According to Cheryl, she and Amber have been drinking at the “Penny-Farthing” (2509). Amber is Cheryl’s half-sister, and Jackie’s cousin (2488). She has lost four and a half stone – or nineteen and a half stone, including her husband (2488). She claims that Jackie still owes her all but the first three of a year’s weekly instalments of £1.55 on a dusky-pink satin camisole bought from her catalogue in 1979 (2488).
Jackie recalls that Jimmy first told her he loved her outside the “She” club on a wet Tuesday night, and their first home together was a flat above a fruit and veg shop (2506). Along with single calls to 0151 692 6974, 0151 692 6149, 0151 269 5341 and 0117 496 8496, she discovers the recurring number 0845 656 5980 on the Corkhills’ telephone bill in episode 2522. Adele explains that this is the number Jimmy has to dial whenever he is connected to the internet (2522). He is seen with books “A Beginner’s Guide To The PC” (2493) and “Complete Idiot’s Guide – Internet – UK & Eire 2001” (2516), he uses the internet search engine “Sniffer Dog” to find 3,380 sites of “new york museums” (2518), and is looking at the website “Litherland Picture Post” when Jackie destroys his monitor (2522). Leanne claims that her spiritual awakening came from reading a book called “The Road Less Travelled” (2516), and recalls that Lance once had a dart stuck in his head, as her nan was a terrible shot (2487). Lance recalls that his father used to be in the army (2486).
The Murrays used to live in Meadowbank Road (2510), in Huyton (2488). Anthony was 4 years old when Diane first met him (2502); Diane’s binmen come on Thursdays (2488); and Jerome’s height is 6’1″, according to Mick (2489). Katrina has no sisters (2515); Katie says that she has lived around here for twelve/thirteen years (2525); and Susannah’s will was written in November 1998 (2500). Her sister’s full name is Lisa Christine Morrisey (2515), and Emily’s mother’s full name is Margaret Marie Shadwick (2521). The document Emily uses to practise forging her mother’s signature in episode 2521 shows a “Date of Registration” of 4th September 1999 [it is possibly her father’s death certificate, which she and Tim realised earlier that they needed to find]. The prison at which Tim serves his sentence is H.M. Y.O.I. Longley (2517, 2521). His cell-mate Craig’s mother plays whist on Fridays, and his father was the captain of a bowls team (2524). A letter to Margi seen in episode 2524 is from “Mr A. Byron, Chief Registrar” of the “Register for Births, Marriages and Deaths”. Carl’s business card describes him as a “Talent Scout” with “Technique Models”, and shows the telephone number 0151 496 0003 and the mobile number 07700 900003 (2490).
Ron plays the track “Frigid Air Fanny” by George Formby, which he recalls was one of his father’s favourites (2526). An invitation seen in episode 2500 reads “RESIDENTS MEETING TONIGHT AT 8 BROOKSIDE CLOSE, 8 PM – Unite in the fight against crime. Stop innocent people being terrorised in their own homes”. The address IONA AVENUE, LIVERPOOL L70 4UQ and the telephone number 0151 496 0006 are seen again on the back of “Mersey Mover” buses in episodes 2502 and 2516; and the telephone number of Merseytravel, 0151-236 7676, is seen again on the bus shelter in episode 2511. There is still art by Robert Delaunay at Susannah’s (2500), art by Mark Rothko (2487, 2500, 2511, 2521, 2522) and Richard Diebenkorn (2488, 2521, 2522, 2526) in Victoria’s flat, and posters of Kate Bush in Adele’s bedroom (2489, 2515). Leanne (2488), Fred (2495), Bev (2502, 2514) and Diane (2503), are left-handed; while Jerome (2495, 2520), Anthony (2498), Ron (2500, 2517), a CAMRA man (2503), Marty (2504), Anthea (2517), Robbie (2520) and Clint (2526) are all right-handed.
“Blink-and-you-miss it” moments:
Two more of Gareth Roberts’ scripts include subtle “Doctor Who” references – an unseen friend of Josh has the same name as a writer of the same range of “Doctor Who” books – Gary Russell – in episode 2486, and the dialogue of episode 2516 includes a “Doctor Who” story title, “The Creature From The Pit”.
As the Yorkshire-based soap-opera formerly known as “Emmerdale Farm”, but latterly renamed “Emmerdale”, had featured a similar storyline just a few months earlier, Rachel’s response in episode 2502, when Bev tells her that she has only married Fred to help to keep him in the country, surely belongs in the file marked “only ‘Brookside’ would ever dare to do this!”:
Quote:
RACHEL: Did you get the idea off “Emmerdale Farm”?
BEV: No!
Robbie’s words in the original broadcast of episode 2510, “She was seeing Ryan, and screwing Luke, at the same time.”, are changed in the Saturday teatime omnibus repeat, in which a different recording of the same scene is used: “She was seeing Ryan, and doing Luke, at the same time.”.
The letter addressed to Ms Jacqueline Dixon, Flat 3 Brookside Parade, Manor Park, Liverpool L43 6TZ, which Robbie opens in episode 2520, mis-spells Susannah’s surname throughout. Briefly flashed on-screen, it reads as follows:
Dear Ms Dixon,
I have been instructed to contact you by Plumbwood Mowrem Solicitors, executors on behalf of Ms Susannah Morrissey. Ms Morrissey stated in her last will and testament that you, Miss Jacqui Dixon, should be made responsible for the financial undertakings of her children, Mr Harry Farnham and Miss Emma Farnham.
Ms Morrissey has opened several accounts at Royal Northern Bank on behalf of her children, and therefore we would request you to come and finalise the relevant details regarding the guardianship of the accounts. Please could you contact us as soon as possible and arrange an appointment with us.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Gerald Jones
Branch Manager
The end-of-season cliffhanger:
Anthea, in a state of disbelief, follows Ron as he sets off down the stairs carrying a sawn-off shotgun, and tries to persuade him to come back up. She wants to call the police – but the telephone is downstairs. He tells her to stay back, and slowly enters the living room. Anthea shouts out to Ron, as a shadowy figure approaches him. Ron calls out “Get out, or I’ll shoot!”. And the gun fires. As it recoils, Ron drops it and falls to the floor. So does whoever he has hit…