Season Twelve Episode Guide
Episode 467 (M 20-04-87 “Pride And Guts”) Written by Susan Pleat
While the Corkhills are at Rod’s passing-out parade, Jimmy carries out a spot of burglary. Billy is appalled by the results, and he’s not the only one…
Episode 468 (T 21-04-87 “Writing Fiction”) Written by Valerie Windsor
Jonathan is annoyed that Joanne is still hanging around, and Laura is annoyed that she has been trying on all her clothes. Preparing an insurance claim, Paul has to decide how many portable televisions were stolen along with Gordon’s suede jacket and electric drill.
Episode 469 (M 27-04-87 “Accusing”) Written by Valerie Windsor
Having agreed to do some work for the church, Sheila is taken aback when Father Gibbons brings his laundry round. Mona accuses Paul of attempting to poison her. Billy insists that Jimmy retrieves Annabelle’s stolen brooch.
Episode 470 (T 28-04-87 “Washing”) Written by Helen J. Wilson
Rod’s talk about his police work makes Billy feel uneasy. Pat and Terry finally realise that Harry is serious about selling their house when they find him showing an estate agent round it.
Episode 471 (M 04-05-87 “Deckchairs”) Written by Barry Woodward
Mona is becoming more and more paranoid about Paul. Laura is becoming disenchanted with the wedding arrangements. Vicky makes a decision which pleases Terry, and at the Grants’, Father Gibbons finds he has to take a deckchair instead of a pew.
Episode 472 (T 05-05-87 “Sling It”) Written by Barry Woodward
Doreen’s money worries start to affect her work. Paul and Annabelle discover what Mona is doing with her food and why.
Episode 473 (M 11-05-87 “Blocked”) Written by Peter Cox
A problem with the drains escalates into a full-scale alert on the Close. Mr McGrath warns Damon off Debbie, but Damon is not keen on following his advice.
Episode 474 (T 12-05-87 “Going Spare”) Written by Allan Swift
Jack experiences a certain amount of pain after his hand spends too much time on Vicki’s bottom. Harry finds out why his toilet is blocked – but only after he has smashed it.
Episode 475 (M 18-05-87 “Barking Mad”) Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Mona is concerned that Annabelle and Paul will put her into a home. Terry quickly regrets not listening to Vicki’s advice. Jonathan and Laura discover a hole in the road – but not until their car falls into it.
Episode 476 (T 19-05-87 “Down The Drain”) Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Vicki tells Terry that she is going to leave. The hole in the road claims another victim…….
Episode 477 (M 25-05-87 “Nuisances”) Written by Peter Cox
Billy is furious when the neighbours keep driving over his garden to avoid the hole in the road, and confronts Pat.
Episode 478 (T 26-05-87 “Job Offer”) Written by Peter Cox
Desperation causes Billy to open up his loft, then he finds that he needs to keep Rod at the door. Damon is offered a job, but can he keep a straight face?
Episode 479 (M 01-06-87 “Extra Care”) Written by Allan Swift
Doreen is looking for a shoulder to cry on, and her boss has one available…….
Episode 480 (T 02-06-87 “Always A Way”) Written by Allan Swift
The Corkhills have to face repossession, but Mr Howman has an offer of help with easy repayments by Doreen. Pat blackmails his way into the band.
Episode 481 (M 08-06-87 “Forces”) Written by Helen J. Wilson
Doreen still hasn’t told Billy about the mortgage, and Mr Howman’s offer begins to look appealing. Harry carries out a geological survey with a coat-hanger. Pat makes his debut with the band.
Episode 482 (T 09-06-87 “Circling”) Written by Jimmy McGovern
Laura buys a painting that really has “something”, but Jonathan thinks it’s incurable. Tracy and Jamie have a slight accident with Rod’s shirt. When Doreen tells Billy what she nearly did with Mr Howman in a hotel room, everyone else’s front gardens end up suffering…….
Episode 483 (M 15-06-87 “Unwelcome”) Written by Kathleen Potter
Harry tries to discover where Ralph is going. Mona is due out of hospital, and Paul resents her impending return. Laura convinces Jonathan to have an AIDS test, while Damon has doors shut in his face at every opportunity.
Episode 484 (T 16-06-87 “Grandmother’s Ring”) Written by Susan Pleat
Billy decides that more criminal action is called for. Mona gives Gordon a family heirloom to pass on to his girlfriend.
Episode 485 (M 22-06-87 “Just A Job”) Written by Peter Cox
Harry learns where Ralph has been, and becomes confused. Debbie thinks Damon is going to chuch her. Laura has news about her deportation case.
Episode 486 (T 23-06-87 “Approval”) Written by Susan Pleat
Mona discovers the truth about Chris. Tracy and Rod find out how desperate the Corkhills’ situation is.
Episode 487 (M 29-06-87 “Happy Medium”) Written by Jimmy McGovern
Jonathan starts to have doubts about Laura. Against Harry’s better advice, Ralph invites a medium to visit the Close. Damon tries to finish with Debbie, but she wins him back with an ice-cream.
Episode 488 (T 30-06-87 “Fire and Liver”) Written by Jimmy McGovern
Jonathan feels that it is time to make Laura choose. Bobby and Paul each have their own interpretations of Edna’s message from beyond the grave, but are Harry and Ralph going to place a winning bet?
Episode 489 (M 06-07-87 “Just Postponed”) Written by Alan McDonald
Laura’s parents are not too happy when they hear Laura’s decision about the wedding. Gordon is annoyed when Chris offers to rent Mona’s home to Ralph.
Episode 490 (T 07-07-87 “Compulsive Liar”) Written by Alan McDonald
Sheila takes a turn for the worse, Gordon tackles Chris about rent money. Laura becomes a compulsive liar.
Episode 491 (M 13-07-87 “Bad Influence”) Written by Andy Lynch
There’s trouble for Chris when Paul and Annabelle find out where Ralph has been staying in the Lake District. There’s a surprise in the post for Pat on his 28th birthday.
Episode 492 (T 14-07-87 “First One”) Written by Andy Lynch
Jonathan and Laura’s first wedding guest arrives, not having received the message about its postponement. Rod is desperate to make a first arrest, but it turns out to be a real anti-climax.
Episode 493 (M 20-07-87 “Cover-up”) Written by Allan Swift
Someone forgets to pick up rings from the jewellers, while all the evidence seems to be supporting the view that Alison is on the game…….
Episode 494 (T 21-07-87 “A Good Job”) Written by Allan Swift
A window opens for Damon, but will it shut the door on his relationship with Debbie?
Episode 495 (M 27-07-87 “Takeover Bid”) Written by Kathleen Potter
Now that Laura and Jonathan’s big problems are behind them, the little things like cork tiles are getting them down. Damon has to decide whether to look a gift McGrath in the mouth.
Episode 496 (T 28-07-87 “Bargaining”) Written by Helen J. Wilson
The marquee arrives, and it looks as if someone hasn’t been very accurate regarding the measurements, or in which garden it is to be installed…
Episode 497 (M 03-08-87 “Recruiting”) Written by Andy McDonald
Surprisingly enough, the mix of their song on the demo tape causes the girls in the band to resent Pat. Billy is offered a job, but it’s not the sort of job he can tell Doreen or Rod about…
Episode 498 (T 04-08-87 “Not Ready”) Written by Alan McDonald
Laura has bad news. Terry decides it’s time to call a halt to Pat’s behaviour. Bobby extends the hand of friendship, although he knows Sheila is unlikely to co-operate with the promise he makes.
Episode 499 (M 10-08-87 “Nearly There”) Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Laura reassures Jonathan that she does want to marry him, as they have a joint mortgage, but he’s still not convinced that it will go ahead. Billy receives some instructions, and Ellie and Trish drop Pat and Fran from the band.
Episode 500 (T 11-08-87 “Ready”) Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce
With only a few hours to go until the wedding, Laura disappears. Meanwhile, Billy prepares for the robbery, and needs to establish a good alibi…
The Cast
Annabelle Collins (nee Harvey) – DOREEN SLOANE (467-469, 471, 472, 475-478, 483, 484, 486, 488, 490, 491)
Paul Collins – JIM WIGGINS (467-469, 471, 472, 475-478, 483, 484, 486, 488, 490, 491)
Gordon Collins – MARK BURGESS (467 stand-in, 469, 472, 483, 484, 486, 489-491)
Billy Corkhill – JOHN McARDLE (467-470, 472, 477-486, 493-500)
Doreen Corkhill (nee Brogan) – KATE FITZGERALD (467-470, 472, 477-486, 493-500)
Rod Corkhill – JASON HOPE (467, 469, 470, 472, 476, 478, 479, 482, 483, 485-489, 492)
Tracy Corkhill – JUSTINE KERRIGAN (469, 475, 479, 482, 483, 485-487, 489, 493, 494, 496-498 )
Harold Cross – BILL DEAN (467, 468, 470, 473, 474, 476, 477, 481, 483-488, 495, 496, 499, 500)
Jonathan Gordon-Davies – STEVEN PINNER (467, 468, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 480, 482, 483, 485-490, 492-496, 498-500)
Laura Gordon-Davies (nee Wright) – JANE CUNLIFFE (467, 468, 471, 473, 475, 477, 479, 480, 482, 483, 485-490, 492-496, 498-500)
Bobby Grant – RICKY TOMLINSON (469-471, 473, 474, 477, 478, 485, 488, 490, 491, 497, 498 )
Sheila Grant – SUE JOHNSTON (469-471, 473, 474, 476-478, 481, 490, 491, 494, 496-499)
Damon Grant – SIMON O’BRIEN (467, 469, 471-475, 477, 478, 481, 483-485, 487, 488, 490-496)
Claire Grant – AMY LYNCH (469, 471, 474, 476-478, 481, 494, 496-498 )
Pat Hancock – DAVID EASTER (470, 473-477, 479-481, 491-493, 495-499)
Ralph Hardwick – RAY DUNBOBBIN (467, 468, 470, 473-477, 483-491)
Terry Sullivan – BRIAN REGAN (470-477, 479-481, 491-493, 495-500)
Ellie Blackshaw – GEDREN HELLER (474, 479-481, 491, 492, 497, 499)
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) – GLADYS AMBROSE (467, 489, 496)
Kirsty Brown – JOANNA BLACK (467, 483, 487, 488 )
Mark Callaghan – DEAN WILLIAMS (484)
Vicki Cleary – CHERYL LEIGH (471-476)
Jimmy Corkhill – DEAN SULLIVAN (468-470, 484, 486, 498, 500)
Trish Cosgrove – MAJELLA REYNOLDS (474, 479-481, 491, 492, 497, 499)
Christopher Duncan – STIFYN PARRI (486, 489, 490)
Father Gibbons – STEPHEN BOXER (469, 471)
Jamie Henderson – SEAN McKEE (482, 487, 493, 494, 497, 498 )
David Howman – MICHAEL ROBERTS (468, 472, 479-482)
Debbie McGrath – GILLIAN KEARNEY (471, 472, 474, 477, 478, 484, 485, 487, 491-495)
Fran Pearson – BERNADETTE FOLEY (473, 474, 479-481, 491, 492, 495, 497, 499)
Jack Sullivan – WILLIAM MAXWELL (474)
Mr Tony Mann – TOMMY BOYLE (478) [Previously Raymond (266, 268, 270, 271)]
Geoff Wright – ARTHUR KELLY (473, 489, 495, 500) [Previously Dromgoole (13) / Wilf (206)]
Richard Almond – NICHOLAS DONOVAN (492, 500)
Mr Chris Baxter – STEFAN ESCREET (470)
Alison Fernie – ELLIE DARVILLE (479, 481, 491-493, 496)
Andrew Fernie – LIAM BYATT (479, 493)
Lisa Fernie – JAYNE BYATT (479, 493)
Arthur Gordon-Davies – TIMOTHY BATESON (500)
Helen Gordon-Davies – BETH ELLIS (500)
Mona Harvey – MARGARET CLIFTON (467, 469, 471, 472, 475, 476, 483, 484, 486, 490)
Mrs Angela Higgins – DEBORAH FAIRFAX (498 )
Mr Tom McGrath – NICK MALONEY (472, 473, 484, 490, 494)
Stan McHugh – IAN BLEASDALE (497)
Dr Rebecca Smith – MIA SOTERIOU (500)
Dorothy Wright – JACQUELINE MORGAN (473, 489, 500)
Joanne Wright – CARLEEN LUMDON (467, 468, 471, 473, 477, 479, 500)
Sergeant Appleby – PETER BARTON (492)
Mrs Bailey aka Madam Kassavien – ALICE STIRRUP (487)
Gene – ALAN IGBON (497, 499)
Mrs Patel – SHELLEY KING (495)
Landlord of “Bow and Arrow” – JOHNNY HACKETT (474)
Store Detective – SARAH HAY (492)
Woman – PAULINE DANIELS (475)
Mr Fernie (479)
Mr Gill (472)
Mrs Angela Grainger (479)
Mrs Mackie (479)
Mrs Tyler (479)
Kerry Wright, Laura’s other sister (500)
The “Magic Rabbits” theme is heard on Laura’s television in episode 495, although the creatures themselves are not seen.
New updated closing images of the Close, “End of Part One” and “Part Two” slides, and a new opening sequence, which retains some of the images from the first, all feature for the first time in episode 500.
Liam and Jayne Byatt’s older brother, Paul Byatt, would later play Mike Dixon.
Trivia
The storylines:
This season includes a long-remembered dramatic sequence, in which Billy reaches the end of his tether and drives maniacally over all his neighbours’ lawns in frustration; and a moment of visual comedy almost unrivalled in the whole twenty-one years of the series, as Harry accidentally puts a hammer through his toilet bowl. A vast amount of time is devoted to new arrivals Jonathan and Laura, and the seemingly endless preparations for their wedding, while Paul and Annabelle receive early indications of the problems of having someone elderly and not always lucid living with them, Bobby begins to deal with his first AIDS case at work, Damon tries to impress his new girlfriend Debbie’s father, Vicki walks out on Terry, and Pat tries to embark on a career in music. Meanwhile, the Corkhills sink deeper into debt and, faced with the prospect of losing the house, Billy decides the time has come for drastic action…….
The dates:
It is Tuesday in episode 470, “bank holiday weekend” in episode 471 and Tuesday 12th May next week in episode 472. It is “nowhere near Christmas” in episode 475, Tuesday afternoon in episode 480, and Midsummer night tomorrow in episode 486. It is the last day of June in episode 488, in which Annabelle has known Rod for just under two years, and Friday tomorrow in episode 489. It is a year ago that Sheila was raped in episode 490, and Saturday afternoon in episode 492. It is summer in episode 493, when Debbie has known Damon for “a couple of months”, and the Corkhills’ repossession is due to take place on September 8th in episode 494, which is “a month off” in episode 496. In episode 497, Billy’s “job” is “a week on Saturday”, the same day as the first match of the season, and the same day as Jonathan and Laura’s rescheduled wedding, which is postponed for three weeks in episode 492. The wedding is originally 2 weeks away in episode 486 and twelve days away in episode 489, and the new date – 15th August, according to episode 489 – is 21 days (and nights!) away in episode 492, three weeks away in episode 493, and “next week” / “in a week” in episode 498. Bobby arranges for Stan and Mrs Higgins to visit “a week on Sunday” in episode 498.
Name-checks:
Evel Kinevel (467); “Blankety Blank” (468 ); David Attenborough (470); Emile Ford (474); Biggles (475); “Scrooge” (476); “Quatermass and the Pit” (476); Belle Gunness (476); “Tarzan” (482); Christine Truman (484); Chris Evert Lloyd (484); “News At Ten” (485); Dustin Hoffman (486); Edwina Currie (487); Prometheus (488); “Live Aid” (488 ); Frank Sinatra (492); Wogan (492); Sherlock Holmes (494); Peters and Lee (499); “The Smiths” (499); and the Bunnymen (499).
Locations:
All of the action in this season is set in Liverpool.
Births:
None. Julia “won’t see 60 again” (467), Rod is now 19 (486), and Tracy is 17 (497). Debbie is 16 (473, 490) and will be 18 in two years (494). It is Pat’s 28th birthday in episode 491, and Rod’s birthday in episode 495, when it is Doreen’s 40th birthday tomorrow. She is younger than Billy (495), and it is her birthday in episode 496.
Marriages:
One. The third of “Brookside”‘s 24 marriages takes place on 15th August (489) in episode 500, as Jonathan Gordon-Davies marries Laura Wright.
Deaths:
One – Harry and Ralph discover that Joe Pritchard, the genial Welsh train driver they used to work with and met again when they went to Blaenau Festiniog, has died (467). We are also told that the following unseen and never-to-be-seen characters are dead: Walter Bailey, another of Harry and Ralph’s friends (467); Harry’s father, killed by bronchitis (468); Jack, Mona’s husband (476, 483); Billy and Jimmy’s brother Franky (484, 486, 500); Mona’s mother (484); and Sheila’s dad, who had all his teeth out (497).
Toilet visits:
Julia (467); Rod (469); Harry (473, 474); Jack (474); Ralph (474); and Mona, urgently (483).
Characters not seen yet, but there’s just a chance that they may be coming along later:
Teddy, Annabelle’s brother (469, 475, 476, 490); Alex, Rebecca’s contracted husband (493); and, although we may be in for an incredibly long wait…….Jimmy’s wife Jackie (484).
Gone but not forgotten – seen previously and still mentioned occasionally, but not reappearing in this season:
Barry Grant (469, 471, 472, 476); Henty (470, 472, 475, 477); Kevin (470, 476, 488, 489, 491); Edna (470, 485, 487, 488 ); Grace (470, 483, 484, 485, 487); Joe and Eddie (471); Lucy (471, 472, 484); Ted [publican] (471); Avril (473); Eileen (474); Michelle (474, 476); Tommy McArdle (475, 491); That Gail One (478); Tommo (483); Madge (483, 486); Paula (484); Peter Montague (486, 497, 498 ); Sally (488 ); Matty (490); Karen (490, 491); Sandra (491); and Shelley (493).
And those that are also mentioned, but are destined to remain unseen forever – unless, of course, any of them are among the uncredited, unnamed wedding guests in episode 500! :
Maria, Janice and Ian, who make a dedication on the radio (467); Ray, to whom a happy 26th birthday is wished on the radio (467); Derek Holmes, a wartime boyfriend of Julia who had a chest like an ox and weedy little legs, but looked nice in uniform (467); Simon Matthews, wing-forward of the rugby club, (468, 490) and his father, a QC (468 ); Mrs O’Halloran, who usually does the church washing (469); Rosalind, Annabelle’s sister-in-law (469); Jill and Susan from Laura’s office, who have been crossed off the wedding guest list (471); Gaynor, Julie, and Uncle Brian, relatives who have been added to it (471); Linda Docherty, who lives over the road from Joanne and whose uncles are bookies and shopkeepers (471); Mrs Costigan, Father Gibbons’ housekeeper (471); Marjorie, Mr Howman’s wife (472); Auntie Mavis, “black sheep” of Laura’s family (473); Laura’s Auntie Lizzie (473); Eileen’s mum (474); Mr English, the landlord who employs Pat and Terry (475); Mrs McCullen, who Sheila is meeting (477); Mr J. M. Fletcher, the other dentist at Mr Howman’s surgery (479); Bob Cawley, a friend of Mr Howman (479, 480); (Young) Livsey, one of Laura’s bosses (479, 480, 485, 486, 487); Alison’s sister (480); Mrs Groves, patient (480); Tania and Peter, friends of Alison (480); Clive, second XV prop forward (483); Harry’s uncle Arthur and Aunty Maud (483); Cathy Ford, a girlfriend of Mark (484); Old Livsey, of Livsey & Livsey (485); Reid of the Jolly Fryer, a chippy (485); “Ginger” Bennion, a driver Harry knew in North Africa during the war (485); Mr Patel, an Indian father-of-four who is being deported (485, 487, 488, 492, 499); Bill, Mrs Bailey’s husband (487); Paula from school, Jamie’s “first” (487); Peter, Charlie and Bob, Jonathan’s stag night mates (488); Murdoch at Jonathan’s office (489); Laura’s Auntie Joan (490); Simon Fowler, who was going to be Jonathan’s best man (492); Brian Barnes, the partner Laura reports to (495), who is stingy with her expenses (493); Laura’s uncle Neil, who gave her and Jonathan a horrible set of statuettes (496); Jamie’s uncle (497); Mike, engineer (497); Stan’s wife Cilla McHugh (498 ), nee Dawson (497); Miss “Juicy” Jackson, Jamie’s teacher (498 ); and Alison, wedding guest (500).
Goofs:
Billy’s words seem to be in the wrong order in episode 469: “A good bit of news”.
Bobby calls the priest “Gibbon” rather than “Gibbons” in episode 469.
Damon misses out the word “than” in episode 473: “….more sense to be led on”.
Annabelle refers to “treading on eggs” in episode 476 – maybe she means eggshells?
Vicky says “for” instead of “to” in episode 476: “I’ve wanted to say that for you for months”.
Billy uses one word too many, or not enough, in episode 477: “I’ll see if I can get you some jumble sale”.
Jonathan probably means “play” when he says “If I plan my cards right…….” in episode 498.
Trivia:
Annabelle’s brother Teddy is a qualified accountant , and lives in Wallasey (469). Gordon is right-handed (472). The Corkhills are with the North West Mortgages Company (480). There is a job for Billy at 22 Cromer Buildings, Connor Street (469). Rod’s take-home pay is £160 per week (478 ). Tommo has just got an XR3 (483).
Harry reads the book “The Occult” by Colin Wilson (487). His star sign is Leo, and Ralph’s is cancer (483). Ralph is charged £20 + VAT for their session with Mrs Bailey / Kassavien (487), who is married to a greengrocer (485). Chris Baxter is from estate agents G. Samuels, 1 Old Street, Liverpool, telephone 242 7394 (470, 476). The agents interested in the band are RJS Management, Goldman Square, London W1 (499). The song “Hit and Run” was written by Trish (474). Fran has her own flat (495).
Sheila was at school with Stan’s wife Cilla (497). Sheila uses Persil Automatic to do Father Gibbons’ washing (470). Debbie is taking “A” levels in Maths, Physics and Additional Maths next summer (474). She collects a Housemartins album Damon has borrowed from her, and brings back a Beastie Boys album she has borrowed from him (487). Mr Mann runs “Thomas Mann Enterprises” (478 ).
Jonathan and Laura use the removals firm L. & J. Barton, telephone 051 264 8441 (475). The Cheltenham Suite is booked for the wedding reception (468 ). Laura finishes her Articles in a few months (479). Her sister Joanne reads “Bride” magazine (471). Their parents Dorothy and Geoff live in Halewood (479). When she was younger, Laura once flushed a ball down the toilet pan (473). Dorothy and Joanne have been shopping at Unichem and John Lewis (473). The marquee for the wedding is hired from Harlow Hire, St Helens, telephone 0744 50251 (496). Helen refers to “one of our girls”, so Jonathan has at least two sisters (500).
The end-of-season cliffhanger:
Billy drives the stolen Cortina which is to be used for the robbery to the Old Mill Warehouses. He sees from the dashboard clock that it is coming up to exactly 5.00, the agreed meeting time. He removes his tie and the flower he has been wearing for the wedding, throws them into the back seat, and anxiously awaits the arrival of Gene and the other gang members…