Mon, Jan 3, 1983
Mike tries to keep Deirdre with him for as long as possible. Betty is upset when drunken Fred tells her that she's got a fat backside. She goes home in a huff. Deirdre returns home in the early hours. She enjoyed talking to Mike. He admits that he misses Maggie and still hurts. Jack gatecrashes the Rovers' party and plays the piano, disturbing Annie. The next morning, Betty and Fred refuse to speak to each other. Betty points out that she's always having to help him out of scrapes. Fred throws Gordon Clegg's illegitimacy in her face. She is horrified to find that Bet told Fred about Ted Farrell and resigns from the Rovers.
Wed, Jan 5, 1983
Bet refuses to work on her day off. Annie tells Fred that he'll have to cope on his own. Blanche writes to Deirdre offering the family a holiday. Ken tells Deirdre he hasn't got the time. Annie persuades Bet to work, telling her that she doesn't have to talk to Fred. The customers leave the pub because of the icy atmosphere. Deirdre feels bored with Ken and, telling him she's seeing a girlfriend, calls on Mike. He tells her that she needs him as he's not reliable or steady. She feels frightened of her feelings for him. Annie summons Betty, Bet and Fred and tells them if they don't cheer up, she'll sack them all. To get away from Mike for a bit, Deirdre decides to visit Blanche.
Mon, Jan 10, 1983
Eddie worries about Chalkie when he doesn't turn up for work. The garage roof leaks. Brian wants Len to repair it as he owes him for repairing his van. Eddie and Marion find Chalkie in bed with flu. He refuses to see a doctor. Mike is surprised to find Deirdre has gone to visit Blanche. Bert doesn't like being off work with his arm. Chalkie wants a nursemaid, hoping for Bet or Elsie but Eddie gets Phyllis to look after him. Sammy Patel phones and asks to see Vera and the girls. Phyllis forces medicine down Chalkie. Eddie enjoys driving the wagon. Len refuses to mend Brian's roof, telling Rita that he blames him for Sharon leaving.
Wed, Jan 12, 1983
Ivy is annoyed when Sammy Patel visits the girls. She warns him that they can't make any more bags. He tells them that he wants one hundred bags a week more from them. The girls tell him they can't help. He tries to tempt them with £100 a week. Brian tackles Len about his attitude. Len tells him that they haven't got a deal any more. Sammy offers the girls £150 a week. Brian gives Len a bill for £80 for the work he's done on the van. Len scrunches it up and refuses to pay. Rita and Gail stop Len and Brian fighting. Elsie, Ida and Vera decide to make the bags for Sammy.
Mon, Jan 17, 1983
Elsie and Ida tell Vera that it's too risky to make the bags. Deirdre returns home and she is pleased when Ken suggests a family outing to see Aladdin. Ken applies for the job of Deputy Director of Social Services. Mike finds out about Sammy Patel visiting the girls. He accuses them of making more bags and sacks them. The girls maintain their innocence and tell him that Sammy was offering £150 a week. Phyllis reads Chalkie's bank book and discovers he's got £300 saved. She is upset when he eats Elsie's dinner rather than hers. Eddie names the bin wagon Rosie and hopes to drive it full-time. Ken pulls out of the pantomime as he's working. Deirdre is disappointed. Mike sends for Sammy and tells him that he'll supply five hundred bags a week for £1.75 each. Mike invites Deirdre out for a meal - she agrees.
Wed, Jan 19, 1983
Ken is enthusiastic about the job and is sure he'll get it. The girls refuse to make any bags until Mike agrees to pay them a bonus as they designed the bags in the first place. Mike worries that he'll lose the deal and agrees to pay the girls. Phyllis is furious to discover that Chalkie has had a letter from Craig. Deirdre pretends to see friend Carol, but really goes out with Mike. He takes her to an expensive restaurant. She realises Ken no longer notices her any more. After the meal she agrees to go back to Mike's flat. They kiss.
Mon, Jan 24, 1983
Deirdre returned home at 1.00am. Ken goes for the job interview and tells Deirdre that he'll take her out for a meal to celebrate afterwards. Mike invites her out for a meal the next day - she agrees. Suzie Birchall hitches a lift to Weatherfield from London and arrives on Gail's doorstep. Eddie reverses the binwagon into Annie's Rover after Fred drives it round the corner of the Rovers. The front of the car is smashed in but no one witnessed the smash. Eddie accuses Fred of driving the car into the van. Annie is horrified that the Rover has been damaged. Fred takes the car to Brian. Brian tells him that it'll cost and he can't start work until the insurance company gives the go-ahead. Ken enjoys the interview and is confident. Brian tells Suzie that she can sleep on their sofa. Gail isn't too sure.
Wed, Jan 26, 1983
Gail doesn't like Suzie walking round in skimpy nighties. Annie holds Fred responsible for the crash. Ken springs a night out dance on Deirdre. She is alarmed as she was planning to see Mike. Ken tells her that all his bosses will be at the dance so she agrees. Elsie is delighted to see Suzie. The insurance assessor, Mr. Powell, inspects the car and tells Annie it's a write-off; the repair cost is more than the car's worth. Suzie asks Mike for a job and throws herself at him. Mike tells her that he can't employ her or take her out. Annie is distraught to find the Rover isn't worth £500. Deirdre tells Mike she can't see him as she's going to the Probation Officers Ball. Emily innocently overhears Mike's side of the phone call. Emily babysits for the Barlows, she is alarmed to discover they are going to the Probation Officers Ball and realises that Deirdre was Mike's date.
Wed, Feb 2, 1983
Marion feels that Suzie is a cheap tart and doesn't like sharing a bedroom with her. Chalkie has a relapse and has to stay off work. Phyllis hears a rumour that the council are going to knock her street down. Betty is ill with a virus leaving the Rovers short-staffed. Emily walks out of the Rovers when she's caught between Mike and Ken. She tells Mike that he's behaving outrageously; he's putting a marriage and a child's future at risk. She begs him to stop the affair. Mike tells her that he wants more from Deirdre than a casual fling. Emily urges him to consider Tracy. Phyllis is told her house is going to be flattened and she has to move. Fred discovers Suzie has bar experience and asks her to join the Rovers. She agrees. Deirdre tells Mike that she still intends on seeing him.
Mon, Feb 7, 1983
Annie refuses to employ Suzie, feeling she'd be unsuitable. Suzie wins her round by telling her she worked at the London Hilton. Brian gets the Rover on the road after buying it for scrap value. Brian gets someone else to repair his roof and demands Len pays his bill. Len tears the bill up and tells him to take him to court. Deirdre spends the afternoon with Mike. She finds the deceit hard to live with but needs Mike. She agrees with Mike that they're in love. Fred is thrilled to have Suzie behind the bar with him but disappointed when she tells him that she doesn't fancy him. Bert tries to make the peace between Len and Brian but Len refuses to listen. Emily finds it impossible working with Mike. He tells her that she can leave whenever she wants to. Deirdre feels guilty when Ken starts talking about a holiday. She is stunned when he's found a cancellation for the Canary Islands departing next week. Brian has to sell the Rover to pay for his roof repairs.
Wed, Feb 9, 1983
Emily tells Deirdre that she's doing the same thing as Ray Langton did. Fred wants to buy the Rover off Brian but has no money. Brian repossesses the battery from Len's van. Annie is horrified when Fred buys the Rover, telling him that he's beneath her contempt. Fred borrowed the £250 off a moneylender to buy the car. Deirdre feels that she's two different people. She doesn't know if all the lies are worth it. Mike suggests she leaves Ken and marries him. She feels that she's being pulled by everyone. Mike urges her not to waste her life. She realises he's right. Bet is jealous of Suzie's youth and popularity behind the bar. Fred runs Suzie out to Southport in the Rover. Len spends ages searching for a new battery when he discovers his has been stolen. He decides to end the feud and gives Brian the £84. Brian returns £20, telling him he took the battery back. Deirdre decides to leave Ken whilst he's happy about the job. She prepares herself to tell him but finds him depressed as he hasn't got the job. He is bitter that he's suffered another failure.
Wed, Feb 16, 1983
Chalkie puts No.9 up for sale as Bob Whitely needs the money. Chalkie plans to move to a council flat by the park. Ken can't believe that he hasn't got the job and wants to find out why. An anonymous Valentine is sent to "the redhead" at No.11. As all three occupants are redheads they don't know who it's from. Ken asks Alf to find out why he didn't get the job. Fred tells Suzie that he wrote the Valentine to her - she is horrified. Stan finds it impossible to climb his ladders any more. His customers refuse to pay him for just cleaning downstairs. Fred reorganises the bar so that Suzie has to bend down to get beers. Stan gives Hilda his day's takings - only £8. She tells him it's not good enough. Deirdre can't bring herself to leave Ken as he's so down. Mike promises he'll look after Tracy. He tells her that they should go away together for a few days.
Thu, Feb 17, 1983
Eddie's building society account interest amounts to £92.08. He is amazed. Deirdre tells Mike that it's going to be hard to get away for the weekend. Stan visits Syd Kippax, a moneylender, and asks him to extend his loan. Kippax refuses him any more until he repays his original loan. Alf tells Deirdre that Ken didn't get the job as the committee thought he didn't have enough energy or drive. Marion is annoyed when Suzie doesn't pull her weight. Elsie threatens to throw her out if she doesn't do her share. Marion is upset when Suzie says Eddie only calls round the house to see her in her skimpy outfits. Deirdre gets angry when Ken feels his life is dull and pointless. She tells him that he's pathetic, all he needs to be is enthusiastic. She tells him that he was too boring for the job. He is furious and upset. When he resigns himself to being boring, Deirdre tells him that she wants more from life than what he gives her and she's found someone else - Mike.
Mon, Feb 21, 1983
Ken sleeps on the sofa. When Albert finds him there in the morning he realises something is wrong but Ken tells him to mind his own business. Ken gets Albert out of the house before laying into Deirdre. Deirdre apologises for hurting Ken but he tells her it's too late for her to be sorry. Suzie starts doing more work than usual as Annie returns from visiting Joan. Fred is annoyed as Annie still treats the Rover as if it was hers. Ken wants to know Deirdre's plans and accuses her of being selfish. She accuses him of never wanting her, just someone to clean up after him. Albert feels in the way at No.1 as the Barlows row. Deirdre accuses Ken of tolerating her and it feels as if they've been married for twenty years. Mike calls on Deirdre. She tells him Ken knows, she has to stop Ken from hitting Mike whilst he drags her away from Mike, nearly hitting her in the process. Fred tackles Annie for petrol money but she ignores him. Ken calls Deirdre calculating and tells her she's killed their marriage; she must pack and get out.
Wed, Feb 23, 1983
Deirdre gives her job up and packs hers and Tracy's bags. Ken tells Albert that Deirdre and Tracy are leaving for good. Albert is heartbroken and tells them he's sick and disgusted with them. Annie is pleased when Betty is well enough to return to work. Stan fears Syd Kippax will take the house off him. Deirdre tells Ken she's going to stay with Blanche. He is furious that she isn't going to Mike's. He tells her to remember that she's wrecked their marriage and tells her never to return once she's walked out of the door. He breaks down as she leaves but she returns, telling him that she can't go. She begs him not to make her go and tells him that she'll do anything to stay. They are reconciled. Ken calls on Mike at the factory and tells him that Deirdre doesn't want to see him again. Mike refuses to believe Deirdre isn't leaving Ken. Eddie helps Stan chase up bad payers. He discovers Stan has let the round disintegrate. Emily is delighted to hear Deirdre is staying with Ken. Albert weeps when Deirdre tells him that she's not leaving. Fred advises Annie to keep Suzie on and get rid of Bet or Betty. Ken books an immediate holiday in Malta for Deirdre. Mike calls at No.1 and accuses Ken of keeping Deirdre from him. Deirdre tells him herself that she's staying with Ken.
Mon, Feb 28, 1983
Mike is annoyed that the Barlows have left for Malta, depriving him of the chance to speak to Deirdre. Emily tells him that she's glad. Betty returns to work. Bet worries that Annie will replace her with Suzie. Alf trips on one of Bet's shoes and falls down the stairs. Annie tells the staff that Suzie has to leave as Betty is back. Len rings for a doctor who tells Alf his ankle is sprained. He has to rest up for a few weeks. Marion tells Eddie that she saw Stan going into a cinema in Manchester when he should have been working. Alf asks Bet to look after the shop but she refuses as she has to work at the Rovers. Moneylender Syd Kippax calls at No.13 and tells a shocked Hilda that Stan owes him £185 and has twenty-four hours to pay up. She breaks down, upset that Stan has resorted to borrowing money. Stan tells her that he hasn't been able to work and spends all his days at the pictures. He is distraught to see Hilda so upset and weeps in frustration.
Wed, Mar 2, 1983
Hilda is upset to discover that Stan was frightened of her and borrowed money to give her housekeeping. She is touched when he tells her how he can't climb ladders in the bad weather. Annie makes Bet help Alf out at the shop and takes Suzie back on at the Rovers. Bet is furious. Eddie realises that something is troubling the Ogdens. Stan tells Syd Kippax that he can't repay him at the moment and asks for more time. Eddie finds Kippax at No.13 and throws him out, telling Stan he's stupid to have borrowed money from someone like him. Hilda wants to ask Trevor for the money but Stan refuses to borrow from him or Eddie. Bet gets revenge on Annie by letting her walk in on Alf whilst he's in the nude as he changes his pyjamas in the back room of the shop. Hilda asks Mike to re-employ her at the factory. He refuses as the girls would object. Eddie buys Stan's window round for £185 and tells him that he's now employed. The Ogdens are thrilled.
Mon, Mar 7, 1983
Bet hates looking after the shop and Alf can't stand the thought of her ruining his trade. Bert gets a letter from work saying that his sick pay is going to be halved. He feels that he's never going to get better. Bet tries to get Alf on his feet but he isn't up to moving. She asks Jack to help her to return to the Rovers, promising gratitude. He tells her that he'll pull the "wrong change" number on Suzie. When he sees Suzie he changes his mind and chats her up. Brian worries about Bert's illness. Fred tries to get time off to take Suzie to Stockport but Annie refuses. Jack takes her in his cab, for free. The council offers Phyllis a flat on Brooks Drive. She doesn't like it as it's on the fifth floor. She asks Chalkie if she could move in with him. He refuses, telling her that he has to sell the house as Bob needs the money. Bet is furious to discover that Jack has taken Suzie out instead of helping her.
Wed, Mar 9, 1983
Alf manages to walk about on crutches. Fred is jealous of Jack as Suzie takes to him because of his free lifts. Bet tells Vera that Jack has been taking Suzie for free rides. Vera tackles Jack about taking Suzie out. When Vera shouts at her in the Rovers, Suzie makes her look a fool by refusing to have a slanging match. Annie approves of the way she handled the situation. Bert visits the doctor. He reassures Ivy that his disability is temporary. The council offer Phyllis a bungalow in Gorton Close. She invites Chalkie to live with her, or near her. He refuses, telling her that he wants as much space between them as possible. Bet is pleased to hear Vera has caused trouble for Suzie at the Rovers. Brian feels Bert should see a specialist.
Mon, Mar 14, 1983
Mike gives Len the plumbing contract at the new club. Eddie gets a roll of carpet for Marion's new room. She refuses to have stuff he's found on the bin round. Annie is horrified to hear of the planned disco. Chalkie shows the Cheethams around No. 9. Annie, Mavis, Hilda and Emily descend on Ken and ask him to help them fight the disco. They want him to put their case to the Council. He agrees to help all he can. They decide to protest about the noise, cars and people in the Street at night. Ken tells Deirdre his main objection is that it's Mike's venture. Eddie puts a bolt on Marion's door for added privacy. Ken tells Alf to warn Mike that he's going to oppose the disco. Alf refuses to represent the opposition. Phyllis tells Chalkie she doesn't want him to sell the house as if he does Craig will never return. She breaks down.
Wed, Mar 16, 1983
Albert tells the Barlows that he can't cope with any more rows and wants them to move out of No.1 so that he can have the rest of his life in peace. Chalkie agrees to move into Alice Kirby's house. Brian gets fed up with coping alone at the garage, as Ron Sykes is never around. Deirdre and Ken both feel that they can't leave Albert alone. Emily says she'd take care of him. She points out that Albert doesn't want them to go - he just wants them to have a happy marriage. She advises them to prove to him that their marriage is stable. Mike calls at the shop whilst Ken is there and tries to be pleasant. Deirdre tells Ken that he'll have to start trusting her again. Bert tells Ivy about his mini-stroke. He tries to convince her everything will be alright, even though he can never work with machinery again. Phyllis hears that Chalkie is moving in with Alice Kirby. She calls him a hypocrite. The Barlows tell Albert they don't want to leave him and convince him that they love each other and he's part of their family. Brian loses customers as he's so busy. He decides to sort Ron out.
Mon, Mar 21, 1983
Eddie pushes Stan to work. They do the windows together. Brian tells Ron Sykes that he can't run the garage single-handedly. Ron refuses to work as a mechanic and offers to buy Brian out. Stan is annoyed when Eddie doesn't let him clean the windows at 19 Inkerman Street. Gail urges Brian not to sell his share of the garage. Brian agrees to let Ron buy him out but is annoyed when Ron only offers him the £2,000 he originally put in. Brian refuses to sell for that so Ron suggests that Brian buys him out. After a night at The Roxy, Fred picks up Maureen Slater and agrees to drive her home to Warrington.
Wed, Mar 23, 1983
Gail encourages Brian to get a bank loan to buy Ron Sykes out. The Faircloughs visit Sharon in Sheffield on her eighteenth birthday. Fred shows Maureen Slater the Rovers, telling her that he's the pub's manager. Mrs. Lowther calls on Hilda, she is out so Stan - in his string vest - invites the Lowthers to wait. Stan and Mr. Lowther discover they were in the Western Desert together. The bank agrees to give Brian a loan. Ron toasts the future with him. Hilda is horrified to find the Lowthers waiting in No.13 as it looks a tip. Maureen gets Fred to drive her back to Warrington where she refuses to let him into her flat. The car runs out of petrol and he is stuck.
Mon, Mar 28, 1983
Suzie's workshy attitude gets to Marion. Fred skives off work to retrieve the Rover. He finds it has been taken from where he left it. PC Maskall informs Annie they had to impound the car as it was in a bus lay-by. Fred has to pay £43 to get it back. Marion finds it impossible to have any time alone in No.11. Mike wines and dines Alf and Len, telling them that he's bought the old warehouse on Rosamund Street with Alec Yardley and is going to turn it into a wine and disco bar. He knows there's going to be opposition and asks for their support. Marion is annoyed when Suzie wears her clothes and tells her that she's sick of living in a tip. Suzie refuses to change. Alf and Len agree to support Mike's club venture. Marion tells Elsie she can't cope with Suzie in the house and wants her out.
Wed, Mar 30, 1983
Elsie suggests that one of the girls moves into the front parlour of No.11. Hilda sees plans of the street at Mike's flat. He tells her that he's planning an ice rink there. Marion agrees to move into the parlour as it hasn't been used for years, leaving Suzie in the spare bedroom. Bet finds Fred is keeping a list of how much he's spent on Maureen Slater. Marion tells Eddie that she's decided to return to Bury and stay with her mum. Alf warns Mike that the Town Hall may cause trouble because of parking. Mike is confident that no one will oppose him. Fred takes Maureen for a meal at the Lord Nelson pub. Eddie turns the front parlour into a love nest and proves to Marion that they'd be happy in the room. Suzie celebrates having a room of her own but soon becomes jealous of the cosiness in the parlour. Maureen tells Fred that she has a twelve-year old daughter. When he drives her home, she asks him to drive her babysitting aunt home, eight miles out of Warrington. Maureen tells him not to bother returning. Fred tells her that she's too expensive for him and dumps her. The Barlows don't like the idea of having a disco in the street. Ken feels the business has been kept too quiet.
Mon, May 30, 1983
Hilda goes to the Citizens Advice Bureau for advice. Pamela Mitchell asks Ken to join the Weatherfield Recorder as agony uncle for her advice column. Hilda visits a community solicitor. Ken takes on the agony column. Deirdre thinks he's not equipped to answer the letters. Mavis wants to be with Victor but only as his wife. She worries that she'll lose him but feels she loves him. She fears this may be her last chance. She refuses to be rushed into a decision. Hilda has to fill in probate forms - the chip shop will be hers, but only in a month's time.
Wed, Jun 1, 1983
Rita doesn't know how to tell Mavis that if she moves to Saddleworth she'll have to give up her job as the flat goes with it. Hilda tells Avril Carter she's got no rights to the shop and is trespassing. She gives her a week to get out. Rita tells Mavis she'll have to give up The Kabin if she moves. Ken worries that he won't be able to answer the letters but Pamela Mitchell talks him into doing the agony uncle column on a trial basis. Mavis tells Victor that she can't face the idea of living in sin. She tries to talk herself into agreeing. Victor suggests she looks at the cottage again, this time as a future home. Avril shows Hilda a ring and tells her she was Archie's fiancée and that they were already cohabiting; as his common-law wife she has a larger claim on the shop.
Wed, Jun 8, 1983
Mavis thinks that Victor may be thinking of marrying her as he let the neighbour believe they were married. Hilda tells Avril Carter that she knows she wasn't Archie Crabtree's fiancée and that Frank is her lover. Avril tells her she can't prove anything as she's been very discreet. Hilda threatens her with a court case causing Frank to tell Avril he can't risk a court case. He threatens to drop her unless she drops the fight. Avril realises that she is beaten and tells Hilda the shop is hers. Victor leads Mavis on to believe he's going to propose before telling her perhaps they could try the trial marriage just at weekends. He wants to be certain they're right for each other but Mavis refuses. She can't sacrifice her life for no security. The Barlows look at a house on Buxton Close.
Mon, Jun 13, 1983
Annie hears that Sarah Ridley is doing spot checks at all pubs. Mavis regrets being too moral. Hilda writes out her resignation from the Rovers. Annie is annoyed that she's keeping the Lowthers and Mike on. Hilda tells her that it's because they pay 25p an hour more. Ken tells Albert they'll never leave him alone at No.1. They want to move but want him to come with them. He doesn't know if he'll fit in at a new house. Hilda receives a letter from Mr Holt, landlord of the shop, which states that the lease will be up in six months' time and he'll be going to put the rent up a considerable amount. The Barlows view a house with a garden. They feel it's ideal and try to sell the idea to Albert, telling him there's a greenhouse and potting shed. Hilda considers selling the shop as a going concern.
Wed, Jun 15, 1983
Ken offers Mr. Wadsworth £21,500 for his house. Albert tells the Barlows that he will move with them. Hilda counts on getting £10,000 for the shop and tells Annie that she's definitely leaving. Annie has the Rovers cleaned from top to bottom and buys flowers to arrange around the bar before the brewery's inspection. Fred dresses up to impress Sarah Ridley but Annie asks him to take a day's holiday so that he won't show her up. Hilda cleans the Rovers for the last time and tells Annie she's glad to leave. Annie tells her that she had intended to give her an extra 25p an hour so Hilda agrees to stay on. Sarah Ridley and George Newton call at the Rovers. They drink in the bar to see how trade is. Annie greets them with surprise. Hilda's solicitor tells her that Archie Crabtree had debts and her inheritance will only be about £2,000. She is disappointed. Ken agrees to buy the Buxton Close house for £21,750. Deirdre is thrilled. George Newton chats Elsie up and tells her that she'd be an ideal landlady. Fred offers to take Sarah out but she snubs him. Sarah advises Annie to stick to her spit and sawdust trade and to lose the flowers on the bar. The Barlows enthuse about the move but Albert tells them he realises that he can't leave No.1 as it's his home. He's sorry.
Wed, Jun 22, 1983
Audrey goes down with food poisoning so Gail goes and looks after her. Albert doesn't want to leave the house to Beattie Pearson as it's obvious she doesn't love him. He appreciates all that Ken has done for him. Deirdre is touched that Albert doesn't want to lose them. Mrs Lowther gives Hilda some leftovers from a party so Hilda decides to throw an inheritance party. Suzie discovers that Brian is going to be on his own for the night as Gail is staying at Audrey's house. The Barlows refuse to let Albert give them the house as it wouldn't be fair on Beattie. Suzie calls on Brian with a bottle of wine and a takeaway. Ken realises the logical thing to do would be for him to buy No.1. Deirdre thinks it's a brilliant idea. Hilda enjoys entertaining the guests at her party. The carpet man calls during the party, as does the bathroom salesman. Suzie tries to get Brian drunk to seduce him. She offers to spend the night with him.