Mon, Jan 1, 1979
Rita wants a dishwasher but Len refuses to let her have one as he says they can't afford it. Deirdre tries to sort out her Social Security entitlements. Alf helps her. She finds she can only claim £24.70 a week. She tells Len she'd like to start again at the yard, part-time. Hilda paints the skirting boards and finds by mistake that she can copy abstract art. Rita is amazed that Len is taking Deirdre back on at the yard when he has no money. Gail waits outside The Roxy for Brian but he doesn't turn up. Dave Barnes finds Karen at No.1 and rows with her for continuing to have lessons. Ken realises Dave himself can't read and is frightened that Karen will find out. Rita tells Len that she'll walk out if he employs Deirdre.
Wed, Jan 3, 1979
Karen Barnes wants the reading lessons to continue and begs Ken not to give up on her. He agrees to continue. Len feels he needs Deirdre at the yard but Rita feels they can't afford her. She accuses him of being too soft-hearted. Hilda takes up abstract painting as a hobby. Rita tells Deirdre there's no job for her at the yard. Gail feels humiliated that she was stood up by Brian Tilsley. Karen kisses Ken on the cheek in gratitude. While Ken is out Dave Barnes forces his way into No.1.
Mon, Jan 8, 1979
Eddie gives Hilda a frame for her abstract painting. Albert finds Dave Barnes inside No.1 and orders him out. Dave shoves him away and waits for Ken. Eddie shows the painting off in the Rovers without telling anyone who did it. Annie likes it and buys it for £20. Emily takes Gail on at Dawson's Cafe. Brian meets Gail in the Rovers - he is chatty but she tells him to get lost. Ken finds Dave at No.1 holding Albert prisoner. Dave threatens to kill Ken but Ken somehow manages to knock him unconscious to the floor. Albert keeps him in check with the poker when he comes to. Ken tells him he is not having an affair with Karen and advises him to learn to read and write himself. Albert thinks he's a fool when he lets Dave go. Hilda is thrilled that Eddie got £20 for the picture and they split the money in half. She is delighted that Annie has bought it and hugs Eddie. Dave wants the police informed so he can tell a court about Karen and Ken's affair. Albert tells Ken he's going to report Dave to the police.
Wed, Jan 10, 1979
Hilda is thrilled to see her abstract painting hanging in Annie's living room. Gail starts work at Dawson's Cafe. Ken feels that in court Karen Barnes might side with Dave and confess to an affair. Albert agrees not to inform the police. Emily is quiet as it is a year since Ernie's death. Brian is upset to hear Gail thinks he stood her up. He tells her he was so drunk at the party he forgot about the date. Bet and Annie take the picture out of its frame to fit a better one. On the back is a message written to Stan from Hilda. Annie is horrified and plans her revenge. Brian asks Gail out again, she agrees to see him. Ken stops Karen's lessons. They are both sorry. Bet throws the painting away, Annie tells Hilda she sold it to an art dealer for a huge profit. Hilda is livid. Brian and Gail are pleased they've sorted things out. Suzie phones to say she's returning from London.
Mon, Jan 15, 1979
Suzie returns, having a lift from a Jag driver with tales of the good life in London. Deirdre puts No.5 on the market. Fred wants to watch a race at the bookies in Annie's absence. Betty refuses to let him. Deirdre is forced to take from Tracy's money box in order to live. Rita is embarrassed to see Deirdre searching for money and offers her help but Deirdre refuses. Fred puts Annie's TV on the bar so he can watch the race. He is embarrassed when Alec Young, a mate who thinks he owns the Rovers, comes for a drink with his pal Frank Bebbington. They persuade Fred to take bets over the bar on the race. He phones the betting office but the line is engaged, he pockets the bet money and tells everyone the bets are on. Mike 's horse wins 20-1. Fred realises he has to find £40 to give him.
Wed, Jan 17, 1979
Suzie enjoys lounging around the house whilst Elsie and Gail have to work. Alf agrees to help Deirdre find somewhere to live. Fred asks Betty to lend him £40. She refuses. Gail rows with Suzie over her laziness. Fred manages to get the money and repays Mike. Elsie delights in telling Suzie that Brenda, her Paddington flatmate phoned wanting the £10.50 rent she owes. Alf pulls strings and gets Deirdre a flat. She's thrilled. Fred is forced to tell Betty he got the £40 from the till. She is horrified and makes him put an IOU in.
Mon, Jan 22, 1979
Suzie is forced to tell Elsie the truth about London, that she had a lousy time and couldn't get any money. Betty offers to lend Fred the money but he is annoyed that she wouldn't in the first place and refuses the loan. Annie returns from Derby and finds Fred's IOU in the till. Suzie gets a job as a demonstrator from the Ted Thomas Associates agency. Annie is furious to discover Fred has been telling pals that he is the landlord at the Rovers when Alec Young and Frank Bebbington turn up and think she is one of the barmaids. He shows her he's got the £40 to repay the till but she is furious that he took it in the first place. She tells him not to do it again. Deirdre is asking £7,000 for No.5. Emily tells her she can always move in with her. Gail is shocked to discover Brian is Ivy Tilsley's son. Suzie is given the job of cooking German sausage in a supermarket dressed as a chef.
Wed, Jan 24, 1979
Suzie tells everyone she's demonstrating perfume. Annie tells Betty she's disappointed with the way she allowed Fred to carry on in her absence. Suzie feels daft dressed as a chef. Ted Thomas tells her she must have faith in the sausage that she is demonstrating. Hilda considers buying No.5 but Stan isn't keen. Brian wants Gail to meet his parents but she isn't keen. She tells him he'll have to tell Ivy he's seeing her. Hilda sees Suzie demonstrating in the supermarket and tells Elsie and Gail that she's cooking sausages. Suzie is embarrassed when Elsie and Gail turn up in the aisles and laugh at her. Brian and Gail babysit for Deirdre. Their kissing is interrupted as Tracy wakes up and cries. Ivy calls at No.5 to talk to Deirdre and finds Brian and Gail together. She is annoyed to find they're an item. Ivy tells Brian she wants to buy the house.
Mon, Jan 29, 1979
Elsie is shocked to discover Ivy is interested in buying No.5. Len rushes about trying to do the work of two. Deirdre shows Ivy and her husband Bert around No.5. Bert doesn't want to move but Ivy likes the modernised house. Gail doesn't like Suzie walking round the house in her underwear whilst Brian is there, but he quite likes it. Ivy accuses Bert of being stubborn and awkward. He realises he's going to have to give in. They offer Deirdre £7,000 for the house and she accepts. Len installs a sink in the factory. Vera is put out that Ivy is moving from Inkerman Street where they both live. Ivy asks Mike to lend her the deposit on the house for a lower rate of interest than a bank. He agrees to a £500 interest free loan on the condition she talks the girls into a new work roster. Suzie thinks Gail is chucking herself away on Brian. She introduces Elsie to her new man, fifty-two year old Paul Stringer. He runs a model agency. Alone in the factory working, Len suddenly collapses.
Wed, Jan 31, 1979
Hilda finds Len collapsed in the factory. Mike brings him round but he's adamant he doesn't want a doctor. Rita accuses Len of being drunk before Mike tells her he had a blackout. She calls the doctor. Alf tells Deirdre she's been allocated a council flat in Appleton Court. Dr. Harris tells Len he fainted and should ease up and drink less. Rita tells Len he has to take a week off work. Elsie agrees with her. Alf shows Deirdre the flat. It is near the top of a high rise block and she refuses to live there. The Tilsleys sell their house in Inkerman Street. Deirdre tells Ivy she's backing out of the deal. Ivy tells her they've got a verbal agreement and she's not letting her out of it. Paul Stringer and Suzie get physical at No.11 but Elsie disturbs them. Elsie makes it clear she doesn't like Stringer and he leaves. Suzie calls Elsie a cow and tells her to stop acting like the Salvation Army. Elsie slaps her face, telling her if she wants to be a slut she can leave No.11.
Mon, Feb 5, 1979
Len doesn't like being treated like an invalid. Rita is furious when he goes to work. She arranges with the job centre to send a labourer round to help him. Ivy threatens Deirdre with her solicitor. She breaks down and Emily has to restrain her from hitting Deirdre. Gail gets bored as Brian keeps talking about motorbikes. Alf tells Deirdre there won't be another flat for at least six months. He tells her the council would look better on her if she'd sold the house. Emily is delighted when Deirdre asks if she and Tracy can move in with her. She prepares for them at once. Rita gets Len and Eddie together. Eddie agrees to work for Len for £35 a week.
Wed, Feb 7, 1979
Deirdre puts her furniture into storage and moves in with Emily. Len and Eddie take Florrie Todd's fireplace out in Hardman Street. Ron helps Deirdre move out of No.5. Deirdre tries to make Emily see the move is only temporary. Len is amazed when Eddie secures another fireplace job in the same street. Ron considers giving up the taxi as its becoming more and more dangerous. Brian strips the bike down at the garage rather than take Gail to the pictures. She is furious. Annie refuses to serve Brian as he's covered in oil. Ivy rows with her.
Mon, Feb 12, 1979
The Tilsleys move into No.5. Ivy demands Bert and Brian keep the house tidy. Brian refuses to get in contact with Gail. Hilda offers Stan's window cleaning services to Ivy but she refuses, thinking she can do a better job. Paul Stringer buys Suzie a new dress and asks her to wear it on a date with him. She feels tired of going out with him every night. Suzie tells Gail she should forget about Brian and join her on the tiles. Students Harvey Stone and Josie Clark sell rag-mags in the Rovers. Rita tells them that if they want someone to kidnap they should choose Bet.
Wed, Feb 14, 1979
Bet agrees to be 'kidnapped' by the students. She advises them that they'd best take her from the Rovers during the lunchtime rush. Eddie gets some lino for Ivy. Ralph Lancaster asks Rita to sing at the Gatsby Club for the week. Len thinks it's a good idea as he can have a night out watching her. Bet puts on a good act as the students kidnap her. Ivy hears about Eddie's criminal past and refuses to buy the lino from him, preferring to go to a shop. Ken steps in to help Annie serve behind the bar. Gail joins Suzie at the Gatsby and makes up a foursome with Paul Stringer's mate Frank Elliott. Bet returns when the regulars only cough up £4.56, 1/2p to release her. Annie tells her she'll be docking her wages. Gail doesn't enjoy being pawed by Frank. He grows tired of her frigidness and rows with her. She walks out of the Gatsby, telling Suzie she's not that cheap. Suzie doesn't like being classed as the same as Sandra Pitt, a tart who Frank picks up.
Mon, Feb 19, 1979
Len and Eddie have a roofing job at the house of Mrs Watson on Garibaldi Street. Suzie tells Paul Stringer she's had enough of his scene - she's tired of late nights and doesn't like the tarty way she's been acting. Vera tries to mend the rift in Brian and Gail's relationship. She is thrilled when they make up. Brian apologises to Gail. Eddie pulls a few slates loose from the roof next to the one he's working on. The lady of the house, Mrs Simms, agrees to him replacing the slates. He notices another house has loose slates and plans to put them straight as well. Ivy shows off her new cocktail cabinet. Vera and Ida christen the house. Ron is annoyed when Elsie refuses to believe he'll give up the taxis.
Wed, Feb 21, 1979
Elsie encourages Steve to ask Suzie out as she's depressed. He doesn't think it would work. Eddie fixes Mrs Fox's roof for her. Her husband tells Len there was nothing wrong with the roof and threatens to keep the ladders and tools unless Len gives him the money back. Len accuses Eddie of conning him and the customers and sacks him. Eddie is upset that Len doesn't believe him. Len believes him when Eddie describes what was wrong with the slates and takes him back. Rita spends £45 on a dress. Len is furious. Ron tells Elsie he's got a job as a chauffeur in Torquay. He asks her to join him as housekeeper in the same house.
Mon, Feb 26, 1979
Suzie goes job hunting. Elsie doesn't know if she can start afresh in Torquay. Stan decides to ignore the fact that Ivy doesn't want his custom and cleans her windows. Ivy refuses to let Bert pay for the windows. Stan is outraged as Ivy watched him clean them and didn't stop him. Hilda throws a bucket of dirty water over the windows. Renee tells Ivy the best way to get back at Hilda is to ignore her. Elsie goes for the housekeeper's job and is given it. The Tilsleys decide to have a house-warming party. Ron sells his taxi. Elsie tells him she will go to Torquay.
Wed, Feb 28, 1979
Elsie asks Mike to keep her job open for her in case she returns. He refuses, saying he's already advertised it. Bert and Stan make their peace and go to watch football together. Elsie worries about her future - Len tells her it's obvious she doesn't want to go but she doesn't want to let Ron down. Ron loves driving the Rolls. Elsie tells him she's changed her mind and can't come to Torquay. She's not cut out to be a servant. To give her a treat, Ron gives Elsie a spin in the Rolls. The Tilsleys throw their house-warming party. Brian is bored as all the guests are his parents' friends. Gail tells him to stop moaning. Hilda is annoyed when Stan goes to the Tilsleys' party. As Jack Duckworth isn't at the party, Vera invites Fred to take her home but he isn't interested. Mike starts the party with Suzie but dumps her for Deirdre. Stan drags Hilda to the party where she and Ivy make the peace. Mike asks Deirdre out, she is surprised. Elsie and Ron are sad that their relationship is over. He offers her marriage but she refuses. He leaves for Torquay.
Mon, Mar 5, 1979
Deirdre is too aware of Mike's reputation to just go out with him. Deirdre is surprised to see Sally Norton again. She tells Deirdre she had to give her baby up for adoption and she takes Tracy to the park. Ena says she saw a mouse at Dawson's Cafe but Emily doesn't believe her. Emily tells Deirdre that Sally is a psychiatric patient at the hospital. Alf tells Renee he's got a lot of savings and wants to retire from the GPO to work at the shop all day. Renee's not sure what she thinks about the idea. Deirdre is anxious as Sally is late bringing Tracy home. Hilda sees the mouse, as does Gail. Hilda spreads the news that Dawson's has mice. Eddie offers his services as mouse catcher to Emily and lays a mouse trap in the cafe. Gail gets Brian to spring the trap as she can't stand the idea of the mouse being hurt. Deirdre agrees to Sally taking Tracy out again but tells Emily she doesn't want her to.
Wed, Mar 7, 1979
Renee isn't happy with the idea of Alf working with her full-time but she doesn't know how to tell him. Gail confesses to springing the trap in Dawson's Cafe to let the mouse go free - Emily is glad. They worry as the news of the mouse keeps customers away. Deirdre is touched as Sally Norton buys Tracy a doll. Deirdre makes excuses to stop Sally taking Tracy out. When Hilda goes on about Dawson's mouse, Ena reminds her that she had to have No.13 fumigated. Alf can't wait to give the GPO up. Renee tells him she doesn't want him working with her; they'd get on each other's nerves. She accuses him of marrying her for the shop. Eddie provides a cat to catch the mouse for £3 a night. Emily and Gail don't like the idea of blood sports and refuse the cat. Eddie baits the trap again. Alf is upset that Renee doesn't want him. The mouse is killed in the trap. Deirdre leaves Tracy outside the Rovers whilst she calls on Annie. They are disturbed by a terrible crashing sound. Deirdre races outside to find a lorry has spilt its load of timber into the front of the Rovers, crashing into the front of the pub itself. Hysterically, she claws at the timber shouting Tracy's name over and over again, believing she is trapped, possibly dead.
Mon, Mar 12, 1979
Whilst Deirdre tries to free Tracy, the police are called for. Alf lies unconscious on the floor and Mike's leg is trapped under the timber inside the Rovers. Ken helps Deirdre from the pub - she has to crawl over the timber. Emily takes her in. Renee is shocked to see Alf unconscious but he is still breathing. Bet takes care of Mike. Ena and Emily take charge of Deirdre and try to calm her. Alf, Len and Mike are taken to hospital. The driver of the lorry is found dead and Deirdre is convinced Tracy is dead too. Annie is in shock and has to be cared for by Betty. Bet breaks down at the thought of Tracy under the timber. A piece of glass cuts Betty's arm. Ena says a special prayer for the safe return of Tracy. A fireman finds Tracy's doll but Tracy herself is not to be found under the timber. Deirdre runs away from the house before anyone can tell her this.
Wed, Mar 14, 1979
The last pieces of timber are cleared from the Rovers. The CID are called in to look for Tracy. They search No.3 thinking that Deirdre might have killed Tracy herself. Mike has two broken ribs, slight concussion and a fractured ankle. Len has a head-cut and wrenched shoulder. Betty is treated for cuts. The lorry is moved. Len is discharged, Mike has to stay in hospital. Alf, still unconscious, is put into a hospital bed. Ena prays at his bedside. Rita feels Len should contact Ray about Tracy and Deirdre but he doesn't agree. Deirdre walks the streets, crying, before standing on a canal bridge, contemplating suicide.
Mon, Mar 19, 1979
Renee and Ena wait by Alf's bedside. Mike worries about the running of the factory. Alf has a fractured skull and needs a brain scan. Emily remembers about Sally Norton and gives the police her description. Steve takes over the running of the factory from Mike's bedside. Mike worries about Deirdre's whereabouts. The police find Sally and Tracy in a park. They return Tracy to Emily who goes for Sally telling her she deserves to die. Len drives Emily around in the van. They find Deirdre on the canal side. She refuses to believe Tracy is safe and threatens to throw herself into the water. Len dashes back for Tracy whilst Emily talks to Deirdre. When she sees Tracy, Deirdre's trance is broken and they are reunited. Deirdre is delighted to see Tracy. Mike is relieved to hear Deirdre and Tracy are safe.
Mon, Mar 26, 1979
Renee refuses to close the corner shop as it's the only thing that's keeping her going. Betty looks after the shop for her whilst she goes to the hospital. Len has a whip-round for Alf. Steve finds Vera coming into the factory when someone has already clocked her in. Vera is sure he won't do anything about it. Betty asks Suzie to help out at the shop but she thinks it's beneath her. When nothing else crops up she offers her services but Renee doesn't want her. Gail and Brian have been going out with each other for three months and four days, Gail has never been out with anyone for so long. She drops heavy hints about the future. Vera is furious when Steve gives her a ticking off in her time and he docks her pay. Vera tells him he's not her boss. He refuses to back down. Ivy asks the girls to give Steve a chance. Renee is relieved when Len says Mavis can run the shop for her until Alf is better. Vera is outraged that Ivy let her be victimised and feels she's betraying their friendship. Renee talks to Alf about a holiday in the Dales they had. Alf opens his eyelids. Renee is ecstatic but the doctor doesn't know how well he'll recover.
Wed, Mar 28, 1979
Ivy shocks the girls by siding with Steve against Vera. Alf comes out of his coma. Vera discovers Steve is doing a time and motion study on the girls. The girls accuse him of spying on them. Ivy calls a stop to the work when he refuses to rip the study up. Steve is shocked that Mike told Ivy to keep an eye on him. Ivy phones Mike. Mike can't believe that the girls have stopped working on an important order. He orders Steve to get them working again. Steve accuses him of undermining his authority. Mike decides to leave the hospital. The nurses refuse to help him so he struggles with his crutches. Alf can't remember the crash at all. Mike tells Ivy there'll be no more clock-watching. She gets the girls back to work. Mike tells Steve he has a lot to learn. Alf tells Renee he will return to the GPO. Ivy realises Gail has wedding bells in mind and doesn't like the idea.
Mon, Apr 2, 1979
Ivy feels Brian is too young to settle down. Eddie plans to keep chickens on Albert's allotment. He agrees to pay Albert in eggs. Derek calls in the corner shop and is surprised to find Mavis working there instead of The Kabin. He tells her that he's left office furniture and is now working for Sandicroft's Confectionery. He asks her to order some chocolates for the shop. Gail wants Brian to go on holiday with her. Ivy discovers Gail's C of E and tells her they're Catholics. Len can't get to an important job as Eddie has taken the van. Mavis gets Renee to give Derek an order. He forces her to take a gross of Easter bunnies. Eddie takes possession of six hens. He talks Stan into storing them in the yard in Hilda's absence. The council refuse to let Albert have chickens on the allotment. Gail feels Ivy doesn't like her. Derek assures Mavis he never sees Beryl Challis. He's in for a chance of the salesman of the month prize. Mavis orders some more chocolates for The Kabin to boost the order. Eddie is stuck with the hens as Albert can't have them.
Wed, Apr 4, 1979
Ivy tells Brian that Gail isn't right for him. Eddie makes a coop for the hens in the backyard of No.13. Rita tells Derek she doesn't want the chocolates Mavis ordered. She feels they won't sell. He tells her that he'll lose the prize of a weekend for two in Paris. She feels blackmailed and agrees to keep the chocolates. Ivy is annoyed that Brian is missing night school to be with Gail. Bert tells her not to interfere in the relationship. Gail tells Brian she thinks they should finish because of all the trouble they're causing. Brian thinks Ivy will get over it. He suggests they get engaged and she happily agrees. Stan tells Eddie to get the hens moved, fearing Hilda's reaction. Derek wins the third salesman prize - a canteen of cutlery. Mavis expects him to give it to her for her help but he's giving it to his mother. Brian and Gail tell Ivy they're engaged.
Mon, Apr 9, 1979
Ivy asks Brian not to tell anyone about the engagement until she's had time to come to terms with it. She wants time to think about breaking them up. Eddie names the hens after the street's residents. Gail doesn't like the idea of keeping the engagement quiet but goes along with it to keep the peace. Suzie tells her to get things straight with Ivy. Hilda returns home to find a chicken on her table. She is amazed to see the yard full of hens and tells Eddie to get rid of them. Gail and Brian choose an engagement ring from a catalogue. Rita tells Derek he's a louse to give the cutlery to his mother after Mavis risked her job to help him win the prize. He tells Mavis the cutlery is hers but she doesn't want it as it wasn't offered to her in the first place. Hilda is horrified that one of the hens is named after her. Suzie is angry to overhear Ivy putting Gail down in the Rovers and tells her she doesn't think Brian is good enough for Gail. Eddie tells Hilda the hens are going to be slaughtered. She guiltily agrees to let them stay so long as they lay eggs and are profitable. Gail writes to her mum telling her about the engagement. Derek makes Mavis accept the cutlery and she happily promises to cook him a meal to christen it.
Wed, Apr 11, 1979
Gail isn't looking forward to her 21st as she feels she can't celebrate the engagement. Hilda treats the hens like pets but Stan feels they're taking over the house. Suzie feels sorry for Gail who wants approval from her mum. Mavis cooks boeuf bourguignon for Derek. Gail is thrilled when Brian suggests they throw an engagement party on her birthday - it doesn't matter what Ivy thinks. Bert is pleased that Brian is standing up to Ivy and offers to pay for the party. Brian buys Gail a ring. She keeps it on a chain round her neck until the party. Mavis is disappointed when Derek leaves early after the meal. He tells her he feels guilty about not giving the cutlery to his mother. She is outraged when he takes it back. Ivy refuses to attend the party; she'd feel like a hypocrite. Suzie tells Gail her mum is coming over for her birthday. Gail thinks it's a terrible idea and she'll ruin everything.
Mon, Apr 16, 1979
Gail celebrates her 21st birthday. Elsie returns from holiday and is delighted to hear Gail is engaged. Hilda persuades Fred to let her wash-up behind the bar as Annie and Bet are away, just so she can mingle with the party in the select. Alf returns from hospital. Renee treats him like an invalid. Gail's floozy mother, Audrey Potter, arrives and gives her approval of Brian however Gail isn't happy to see her. Brian tells Ivy he's letting her down by not going to the party. Suzie fancies the disc jockey Peter Hockley and lures him away from his turntable. Audrey dresses up and is the centre of attention. The men fall over themselves to please her. Bert persuades Ivy to attend the party. She and Audrey are cold towards each other. Fred has to end the select party as it's closing time so Elsie invites everyone round to No.11 after Bert has announced the engagement. Audrey leads the conga down the street. Rita is taken aback to see Len eagerly following Audrey.
Wed, Apr 18, 1979
The party continues at No.11. Fred, Betty and Hilda leave the washing-up to go to the party. Audrey flirts with Len and sits on his knee. Rita is not amused. Fred fancies Audrey. She isn't keen on him. Suzie feels a bit used as Peter Hockley suggests they use her bedroom. Mavis gets drunk in an attempt to break her personal headache level. Fred offers to drive Audrey home but she finds him boring. Audrey apologises to Gail for being a rotten mother and asks for a second chance. They are reconciled. Fred is upset when Audrey remarks on his bald patch. Renee is disturbed as Alf has angry outbursts over little things.
Mon, Apr 23, 1979
The Ogdens are delighted when the hens lay six eggs. Rita is annoyed that she's left with a load of Derek's Easter novelties. She offers Ken three boxes at 12p each novelty. Ken makes Hilda see that the hens are costing a lot to feed - more than the eggs would cost. Alf ventures into the Rovers. He looks forward to going back to work. Fred buys a wig. Annie and Betty can't believe it, they decide not to mention it as he'll be self-conscious about it. Ken decides to buy the novelties from Renee at 10p each. The residents are amazed at Fred's wig and manage to restrain their comments until Albert tells him he looks daft. Fred gets annoyed when everyone laughs at him. Hilda decides the hens aren't laying enough to earn their keep; they'll have to go. In the corner shop, Annie criticises Renee's soup selection causing Alf to rush from the back and shout at her, telling her she's nothing without her airs and graces. Annie and Renee are shocked at his out-of-character outburst.
Wed, Apr 25, 1979
Eddie buys eggs from the shop and plants them in the chicken coop. Renee feels that Alf went too far with Annie but Alf refuses to talk about it. Hilda is delighted to find nine eggs in the coop. Rita is furious that Ken got the novelties off Renee rather than her. Renee apologises to Annie and tells her that Alf isn't over the crash yet and suffers from side effects. Fred grows tired of everyone laughing at him and throws his wig away. Betty fishes it out of the bin and persuades Fred to keep it for best. Alf apologises to Annie. When she tells him Renee's explained things to her, Alf turns on Renee in the Rovers, telling her he's had enough of her and the whole street. Renee collapses in tears, unable to stand the strain any more.
Mon, Apr 30, 1979
Alf refuses to talk about his "bit of temper" and apologises to Renee. The hens only lay one egg. Eddie plans to give them a helping hand again. Renee grows suspicious of Eddie buying eggs and watches as he plants them in the coop. Steve encourages Mavis to take up jogging. They plan an early morning jog. Ken considers starting a keep-fit class at the community centre. Renee tells Betty that she's frightened by Alf's personality change. Ena tells Albert that old friend Lilly Ashwell was asking after him - they both then reminisce in the snug about other old friends from their youth. Betty advises Renee to get Alf to see a doctor. Ken drums up support for a jogging class. When Eddie insults Suzie over the size of her bottom she is furious. Elsie tells her about Eddie keeping the hens stocked with shop-bought eggs. She decides to get her own back by planting hard-boiled eggs in the coop.
Wed, May 2, 1979
Suzie puts the hard-boiled eggs in the chicken coop. Hilda gives Ena a couple of eggs as a present. Alf wants a foreign holiday but Renee isn't sure he's up to it. Steve builds up enough courage to tell Deirdre she's sexy. She is amused by his embarrassment. Ena corners Hilda in the Rovers and cuts one of her eggs open to show her it's hard-boiled. Hilda is rocked with embarrassment. Eddie accuses Renee of planting the hard-boiled eggs. Hilda tells Eddie to get rid of the hens; everyone's laughing at them. Ken and Mavis are the only two to turn up for the jogging session. Ken can't cope with the exercise and has to stop early. Alf's boss Frank Roper calls and hints that he thinks Alf isn't really sick and should be back at work. Alf explodes at him and criticises him for his own work record.
Wed, May 9, 1979
Stan feels miserable on his birthday and has no presents. Ena remembers Martha Longhurst as it's fifteen years since she died. Alf goes to see Dr. Patel. The Ogdens and Eddie grow sombre at the sight of "Hilda", the chicken, roasted. None of them can bring themselves to carve the bird. The doctor makes an appointment for Alf to see a specialist. Hilda gives Albert the cooked chicken and tells Eddie to get rid of the rest. Brian and Gail make up. Eddie sells the hens to a butcher, Harry Parsons, for £3. Hilda calls him Judas. Brian decides to sell the bike. Ivy is delighted until she discovers he's doing it for Gail. Bert accuses her of being jealous. Renee discovers that the specialist Alf has to see is a psychiatrist.
Mon, May 14, 1979
Bert asks Brian not to do anything rash about a car. Ken organises a disco at the community centre. The specialist has a cancellation so Alf has an early appointment. He is pleased as he wants a holiday in Spain. Brian sells the bike to a workmate. Ivy shouts at Gail in the cafe, accusing her of twisting Brian round her finger. Renee tells Alf that Dr. Gillespie is a psychiatrist - he is stunned. She begs him to trust the doctor and still go. He agrees. Alf returns after talking to Gillespie. He realises how lucky he is but has to see a neurologist. Brian realises a car will cost more to run than the bike. Ken invites Deirdre to go to the disco with him. She agrees.
Wed, May 16, 1979
Deirdre considers joining an evening class at the community centre. Elsie organises the refreshments for the party. Brian and Gail go to a used car lot run by Les Johnson where she is impressed by his knowledge. Alf has a brain scan and an electroencephalograph and is given the all clear. He's put on tranquillisers. Gail feels sorry for Suzie being on her own and invites her to the disco with her and Brian. Ken feels old at the disco. Gail doesn't like it when Brian shows off his dancing. She makes him dance with Suzie and they start to dance wildly. Alf tells Renee they're going to Benidorm next week. She is delighted. The dancers gather round Brian and Suzie's exhibition dance. Gail is not amused when he prefers dancing with Suzie to talking to her. She takes her engagement ring off and asks Deirdre to give it to Brian.
Mon, May 21, 1979
Deirdre doesn't give the ring to Brian, waiting for Gail to cool off. Brian tries to talk to Gail but she refuses to see him. Deirdre tells Ken she enjoyed their evening together. Gail is relieved that Deirdre still has the ring and takes it back. Annie prepares to cook wood pigeon for some Licensed Victualler friends. Brian refuses to see that he did anything wrong in dancing with Suzie. When he tells Gail that Suzie is a great mover she gives him the ring back. Annie is annoyed that the butcher forgets to order her pigeons. She orders Fred to go into town to get her two brace. He is aghast. Gail turns on Suzie, feeling she is no longer her friend. Deirdre realises that Ken really does like her and agrees to let him take her out. Bert tells Brian to get after Gail and demand they get back together. Elsie tries to bring Gail and Suzie together. Brian calls for Gail but Elsie lies and tells him that she's gone to the pictures. He thinks she has gone with someone. Fred parks the Rover wrongly in a street. He returns from the shops to see the car being towed away.
Wed, May 23, 1979
Gail feels that everything's gone wrong. She refuses to be comforted by Suzie. Fred returns to the Rovers without the wood pigeons or the car. Annie cancels the Licensed Victuallers' supper and retires to bed with a migraine. Ivy is furious that Gail has broken the engagement off. She tells the factory girls that Brian wanted to finish with Gail. Elsie rows with her over who was to blame and who finished with who. Ken takes Deirdre for a meal but the food is awful. The police want £28 before they'll let the Rover go. Gail realises she's acted like a fool. Elsie advises her to apologise to Brian before she loses him forever. Gail tries to talk to Brian but he just asks her if she had a good time at the pictures. Annie gives Fred the money to retrieve the car and she tells him she'll be docking his wages. Fred doesn't think its fair and threatens to leave the pub. Elsie accuses Ivy of never wanting Brian and Gail to be happy. The sewing room erupts into a row when Vera sides with Elsie. Steve tells Brian that Ivy is making trouble at the factory and calls him a mummy's boy. Brian hits him. A punch-up develops and the window of No.5 is broken. The factory women pull them apart. Steve has a cut face. Annie speaks to Billy on the phone - he says he'll visit.
Mon, May 28, 1979
Fred fears for his job now Billy is coming over. Annie docks him £5 from his wages. Steve has a black eye. Brian blames Ivy for the fight. Billy arrives on holiday. Fred tries to get Annie to think the British Legion are interested in his services. Billy worries as Annie hopes he'll stay and she can get rid of Fred. Gail makes the first move back to Brian and they arrange a date. Billy discovers Ray has left the country and Deirdre is free again.
Wed, May 30, 1979
Brian gives Gail the ring back. Annie decides to let Fred leave and writes a reference for him. Ivy is furious to hear Brian and Gail are back together. Suzie gets a job demonstrating cheese. Billy realises Ken is a rival for Deirdre's affection. Ken tells him he has no real feelings for Deirdre. Fred is shocked when Annie gives him his reference and wishes him well. Billy gives him £28 and gets him to back down and let Annie dock his wages. Fred tells Annie he'd like to stay. Annie is touched by his sincerity and agrees. She suggests they pay half the fine each. Fred is pleased he's £14 better off. The factory girls work overtime to finish an important order. Billy asks Deirdre for a date. She is confused about her feelings for him and Ken.
Mon, Jun 4, 1979
Eddie takes possession of a metal detector. He plans to search for precious metals with it. Stan doesn't think it will work. Albert tells Eddie he found an old coin on his allotment once. Ena realises he's lying. Billy persuades Deirdre to go out with him. She lets Emily believe she's going out with Ken. Hilda complains of backache. Albert gives Eddie permission to look for treasure on the allotment. Ken calls on Emily whilst Deirdre is out. She is shocked that he's not with Deirdre. Albert tells Ena there's a lot of old nails in his allotment which Eddie's detector will pick up and will cause him to dig the allotment up for him. Billy reveals he wants a loan of £2,500 off Annie to buy a wine bar in St Helier. Deirdre thinks it's a good idea.
Wed, Jun 6, 1979
Annie asks Billy to be careful with Deirdre; she's still a married woman. Emily is annoyed that Deirdre is going out with Billy and not Ken. Deirdre tells her it's nothing to do with her. Emily refuses to babysit when she knows Deirdre wants to spend time with Billy. Deirdre goes greyhound racing with Billy. Ken is disappointed as he wanted to take Tracy and her to the park. Albert watches as Eddie and the Ogdens dig over the allotment. They don't find anything. Hilda realises he's had them for mugs. Billy asks Annie to lend him £2,500 for the wine bar. She is upset that he only visits her when he wants something. Emily tells Deirdre that as she's living in her house she has a right to give her advice on her suitors. Deirdre doesn't agree.
Mon, Jun 11, 1979
Alf and Renee return from Benidorm. Ken lends Deirdre books to help her teach Tracy to read. Annie agrees to lend Billy the money. An important order from Chadwick's is returned to the factory as being substandard. Ken wants to take Deirdre to the local opera but she's arranged to go out with Billy. The factory workers fear for their jobs, as does Steve as he oversaw the order. Mike is furious about the shoddy workmanship. He tells the girls they're idle and tells them to start working on the Marshall's order as it's the only one they've got left. Emily is stricken when Deirdre looks for somewhere else to live. Emily begs her not to leave - she agrees. Mike tries to get rid of the leftover order. Emily goes out so Deirdre can entertain Billy at No.3. Mike tells Steve that when the Marshall's order is finished they have no more work so will have to go on a three-day week. Billy tells Deirdre he'd like her and Tracy to return to Jersey with him.
Wed, Jun 13, 1979
Annie decides not to lend Billy the money but to give it to him. Mike goes on the road trying to sell denim. Steve refuses to tell the girls how bad the situation is. Mike tells the girls they'll have to go on a three-day week. Deirdre is frightened to commit herself to Billy. She doesn't feel sure that he wants Tracy. Alf gives himself a week's trial to see if he's suited to working in the shop. Rita tries to interest Len in a holiday but he isn't keen. Billy tells Annie he's invited Deirdre to live with him in Jersey. She is horrified and tells him she won't give him the money if he takes Deirdre, the choice is his.
Mon, Jun 18, 1979
Vera gets a job at Harrison's Supermarket as a checkout girl. She gives her notice in to Mike. Lucy Goodwin, a buyer from Brown's calls on Mike. He shows her the factory. Annie tells Emily that Billy has asked Deirdre to join him in Jersey. When Annie tells her she thinks Deirdre is unsuitable, Emily tells her that she feels Billy is unsuitable. Lucy knows Mike is desperate for work. Deirdre tells Billy she'd love to come to Jersey with him. Lucy tells Mike she'll recommend they place a small trial order with him. Mike tells the girls they'll have to pull out all the stops to make the order perfect. Billy decides he'd rather have Deirdre than Annie's money. Rita tells Len she's rented Ralph Lancaster's caravan in Morecambe for £20. Ken wishes Deirdre luck in her new life with Billy. Deirdre begins to have doubts that Billy will be a good father to Tracy.
Wed, Jun 20, 1979
Vera takes liberties at the factory knowing that she's serving her notice. Deirdre has second thoughts about Billy. Lucy Goodwin likes the trial order but refuses to let Mike wine and dine her. Billy assures Deirdre he'll treat Tracy like his own child. She tells him she can't go to Jersey as she isn't sure that they'd work out. He swears he loves her. She tells him he doesn't excite her the way that Ray did. Annie is upset for Billy but tells him the money is his. Lucy gives a big order to Mike. Everyone celebrates and Vera decides to withdraw her notice. Len is given a month's work which clashes with the holiday in Morecambe. Rita thinks he's done it on purpose and tells him she's going on her own.