Coronation Street Episode Guides

As the removal van arrives on the street Curly begins to get more and more nostalgic, reminiscing about his past, even telling Emma his plans for the future which had included amongst other things becoming Mayor of Weatherfield! But Emma does not share his feelings of nostalgia and confides in Mick that she can’t wait to leave Curly’s past behind them.

Later when Ashley invites Curly and Emma for a drink in the Rovers, Emma realises just how many friends and well wishes her husband has. After an emotional speech, Curly begins to wonder whether or not he’s done the right thing, leaving him with a hard decision to make… his wife and child or his friends and life on the street?

Meanwhile, desperate to keep hold of Janice, Mick has a proposal for her but how will she react?

Elsewhere, tensions are running high in the Cropper household. Roy and Hayley feel the pressures of a crumbling marriage and the uncertainty about ever seeing Tracy, the baby or their money again.

Episode 5573 - Monday 1 September 2003 at 8:30pm
Writer: John Stevenson
Director: Colin Cant

As Curly sits in their house on Coronation Street he admits to Emma that moving away could be the biggest mistake of their lives, that he has too many memories to leave behind. Emma explains she will be leaving with Ben whether Curly goes with them or not. Will Curly be able to make the move?

Elsewhere, Gail’s crusade against Sarah has reached new heights. After Sarah tells her mum she’s left school for a full time job at Roy’s Rolls and has no intention of coming home, a desperate Gail calls social services to tell them Sarah and Todd have been leaving Bethany on her own whilst they are out at work.

And it’s make or break time for Janice and Mick. She tells him she’s changed her opinion on him after the revelations about what really happened between him and Les and after a blazing row Janice tells him he has until closing time to leave the flat, but does she mean for good?

Episode 5574 - Wednesday 3 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: Debbie Oates
Director: Colin Cant

Social services turn up at Sarah and Todd’s flat to discuss Bethany after Gail’s tip off. Sarah suspects her mother’s involvement and decides to confront her. Meanwhile, Audrey warns Gail that she is driving Sarah away with her interference. Gail breaks down as a furious Sarah challenges her and she admits to calling social services, but insists she did it for the right reasons. As tempers flare Sarah tells Gail she will never see her or Bethany again. A devastated Gail is left in shock as a familiar face walks through the door. Nick’s back and he wants to know what’s been going on while he’s been away.

Meanwhile, Les is delighted to see that Janice has thrown Mick out and takes great pleasure in watching him leave. Does this mean that he can rekindle his relationship with Janice?

The pressure is rising for Eileen as she receives a visit from a debt collector at the cab office.

Elsewhere, a troubled Candice is having problems getting people to believe the truth about her mum’s creepy boyfriend. Will anyone listen to her in time?

And Mrs Parry - Monty's owner turns up on Emily's doorstep to get her cat back. Norris is reluctant to give hime back - so Mrs Parry has to be forceful...

Episode 5575 - Friday 5 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: Daran Little
Director: Colin Cant

Unaware of Nick’s long-term plans, Gail consoles herself that at least she has two of her children around her. However, when Nick tells her of his move to London she takes drastic measures to keep her family close to her, but has she gone too far this time? She has already lost her daughter, has she only made matters worse?

Elsewhere, Eileen’s money troubles are mounting. With no help from Dev, Tony or Jason, no food in the house, two weeks worth of payment looming and no way of generating the cash she realises that she’s in deep water.

Meanwhile, in the Salon, finding Candice alone, ‘creepy’ Gerry asks her to come home, leaving a normally fearless Candice scared and helpless but will anyone find her in time?

Audrey agrees to let Fiz and Maria have a female flatmate move in to help with the rent.

As long suffering Curly Watts prepares to leave the street for his new life in Newcastle with wife Emma, Coronation Street’s Greatest Exits takes a trip down memory lane to see how some of the nation’s best loved soap characters have made their dramatic exits.

Coronation Street cast members past and present reveal the behind-the-scenes stories on filming exit scenes, plus there’s a nostalgic look back at Curly Watt’s greatest moments and loves and losses, and actor Kevin Kennedy shares his thoughts on his 20 years on the street.

The most recent memorable exit was perhaps the soap’s most dramatic ever. Richard Hillman, played by Brian Capron, had the whole nation on the edge of their sofas as the twists and turns of his evil deeds against Douggie, his ex-wife, Audrey, Emily and Maxine unfolded. But the dark destroyer finally got his comeuppance when his plans to take Gail and the kids with him to the next life resulted in just his drowning. For actor Brian Capron, the role was a huge challenge, with his spectacular exit making him one of the most hated characters in Britain at the time: ‘I was even attacked in Scotland,’ he says.

There are the spectacular exits of evil characters like Hillman, Jez Quigley and Alan Bradley – who was memorably mown down by a Blackpool tram in 1989 – and then there are the tearjerkers… When it was time for actress Amanda Barrie to leave the street, the soap’s producers developed one of the saddest exit storylines of recent years. Tackling the difficult issue of terminal cancer, Alma was diagnosed as having inoperable cancer in a moving scene with Audrey, played by actress Sue Nicholls. Her final deathbed scene, with family and friends surrounding her, led many a viewer to shed a tear, and again when her goodbye video was played. Amanda didn’t actually see her screen farewell: ‘As far as the funeral was concerned, no one’s going to believe me, but I missed it! I didn’t see my goodbye tape either because I believed it was my goodbye.’

But perhaps the most controversial exit in Coronation Street’s history was that of Teresa, the Battersby’s Christmas turkey, who met her fateful end when Les ran her over during the Christmas of 1997. He cleaned it up in the local car wash before serving it for dinner, but the Street received its largest number of complaints in its history.

And who could forget the sad farewell of the Street’s most loved character, Hilda Ogden. Actress Jean Alexander had created an icon, but after 23 years in the soap it was time to rest Hilda’s curlers. As Hilda left the Street to take up a job with Dr Lowther, the nation went in to mourning. Jean recalls the letters she received – with thousands of signatures begging her not to leave. Aptly, Hilda sang Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye to her leaving party in the Rovers.

Coronation Street’s Greatest Exits exposes some theories as to why so many of the strong women leave the Street in that black cab … the high heels they wear make it difficult to walk on the cobbles. From Bet Lynch and Liz McDonald to Elsie Tanner, that black cab has transported viewers’ favourite characters to catch trains and planes, and allowed their passengers a poignant look back on the Street as they turn the corner forever…

Coronation Street’s Greatest Exits features interviews with Coronation Street producer Keiron Roberts, executive producer Carolyn Reynolds, soap expert Tina Baker, and the following current and former cast members: Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts); Brian Capron (Richard Hillman); Mark Eden (Alan Bradley); Lee Boardman (Jez Quigley); Chloe Newsome (Vicky McDonald); Amanda Barrie (Alma Baldwin), Jean Alexander (Hilda Ogden); Sally Whittaker (Sally Webster); Kate Ford (Tracy Barlow), and Bruce Jones (Les Battersby).

Episode 5576 - Sunday 7 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Director: Colin Cant

Eileen’s day goes from bad to worse as first she is called in to work on a Sunday and then she is paid a visit by the man from the finance company. Desperate to get rid of him she promises to get the money by next Friday. But Dev has smelled a rat and demands to know what is going on. Meanwhile, she is still stuck with layabout Tony and when she discovers the trouble he has dragged Jason into this time she gives him an ultimatum – he’s got until tomorrow to leave the house.

Tony isn’t the only one with housing problems. Having discovered that Todd and Sarah gave Jason and his dad the go ahead to wire the flat up to the bookies’ electricity supply, Peter has finally run out of patience with the young lovers. Furious that they are also behind with the rent he tells them that he wants his money and he wants them out.

Maria is less than pleased at having to share her flat as well as her workplace with Candice but even she has to feel some compassion when Candice’s mum arrives at the salon shouting the odds. Despite Candice’s claims that Marion’s boyfriend Gerry has been coming on to her, Marion doesn’t want to know and makes it clear she doesn’t consider Candice her daughter any longer.

Janice is less than impressed when she sees that Nick has returned to Weatherfield and she wastes no time in filling him in on the local gossip. Nick is stunned to hear what she has to say about Maria and wastes no time in going round to the salon flat to tackle his ex.

Episode 5577 - Monday 8 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Director: John Anderson

Eileen thinks her luck is finally changing when she persuades Jason’s dad Tony to finally pack his bags and leave. But Tony leaves her one last parting gift – he nicks £700 of Streetcars’ takings leaving Eileen to carry the can. As the police escort her from the house she demands Jason find Tony and clear her name.

Vera is starting to wonder just where the promised veg is from Maz and tells Jack and Tyrone that she plans to pay her a visit at the allotment. She’s furious when she discovers Maz and her hippy friends holding a party by the greenhouse. Maz manages to win the Duckworths round with a bottle of beer and some of her ‘special’ chocolate brownies.

Nick prepares to leave for London but not before bailing out Sarah and Todd with Peter who agrees to give them one more chance. For once Gail manages to put her own feelings to one side and tells Nick to ‘knock ‘em dead’ down south.

Elsewhere, Kevin tells Martin to finish with Katy or he will tell Tommy about it when he gets back from his holiday.

Episode 5578 - Monday 8 September 2003 at 8:30pm
Director: John Anderson

Jason is still in shock after Eileen’s arrest and he refuses to believe that either of his parents would have taken the money. Todd makes Jason realise that his dad must be the guilty one and the pair set off to try and track him down. Meanwhile, Eileen is facing a night alone in the cells – will Todd and Jason be able to find the real thief?

Jack and Vera are having a surprisingly nice time with Maz at the allotment and it all seems to down to the mysterious ingredients in her cakes. Jack is convinced the cabbages are moving and Vera has a sudden urge to burst into song. Maz is highly amused and delighted to be off the hook and offers Vera the recipe and a bag of the special spices she uses to make the cakes.

Nick is packed and ready to go and is not too pleased when Sarah asks him to keep an eye on Bethany. Gail however is thrilled to find Beth and Nick in the Kabin and persuades Nick to bring Beth home for a while. How will Sarah react when she finds out where Beth has spent the afternoon?

Elsewhere, Ciaran and Sunita’s night out is ruined thanks to Ciaran throwing his cash away on a bet – but the Irish charmer manages to win her round with a bottle of Dev’s wine and the promise of a night of passion in the stockroom!

Episode 5579 - Wednesday 10 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Director: John Anderson

A demoralised Eileen sits alone in her cell wondering what the day will bring. Meanwhile, Todd and Jason are at each other’s throats as Todd tries convince Jason that he should shop his dad to the police in order to free Eileen. Dev is not willing to drop the charges against Eileen despite getting the money back and it looks as though Jason is going to be left with no choice but to inform on his dad.

Gail is delighted that Nick has changed his mind and has decided not to go to London after all. But the two of them still have bridges to build with Sarah who is not in the mood for forgiveness.

Roy is worried that Tracy has ended the pregnancy but Hayley is convinced that £15,000 may be a reason that she wouldn’t. She convinces Roy that he should look at things a little more positively.

Jack and Vera are feeling a little worse for wear and Jack is particularly gutted that he had a hangover from two small bottles of beer. Tyrone, meanwhile, is pleased to hear that they had such a great time with Maz but is slightly alarmed to hear that he was the topic of conversation.

Peter is getting more and more annoyed at not being able to get hold of Lucy and he decides to wait outside the flat for her to return. But he soon realises why she has been giving him a wide berth when he spots her playing happy families with Simon and her ex boyfriend Dan.

Episode 5580 - Friday 12 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Director: John Anderson

Dev and Steve are keen to put the week’s events behind them and get Eileen back at her desk in the cab office. But Eileen is not so keen to forgive and forget and she makes it very clear that she will never return to Streetcars despite the bailiffs breathing down her back for more money.

Peter confides in Ciaran about seeing Dan carrying Simon and his fears that he will be pushed out of his son’s life. Ciaran suggests he pay Lucy a visit and get his facts straight instead of torturing himself. Meanwhile, Shelley tells Peter that she wants to stop talking about starting a family and start getting on with it.

Vera is pleased when Maz arrives at Roy’s Rolls with a crate of potatoes and some ‘special spices’ to put into her chocolate brownie recipe. She advises Vera to go easy on the spices but Vera is confident she can bake the cakes to Maz’s high standard…

Kevin is furious when he discovers that Tyrone is being used as cover by Martin and Katy and he urges him to tell Katy that he can’t be her alibi any more. Keen to get things moving with Maz, Tyrone agrees and lays the law down to a stunned Katy.

With tension currently rising on the Street as bigamist Peter Barlow gets himself more and more entangled in web of deceit with florist Lucy and second wife Shelly, Coronation Street’s Greatest Love Triangles takes time out to remember some of the most memorable love triangles in the 43 year history of the nation’s favourite soap.

Ever since Deirdre Barlow’s affair with Mike Baldwin heated up the storylines and Ken’s temper in 1983, Coronation Street has featured a string of gripping love triangles. Cast members past and present share their memories of embarking on a love scene for the very first time, reveal their unspoken rules and etiquette for kissing a fellow cast member, and provide their own suggestions for a Fantasy Corrie Love Triangle!

Two’s Company … Three’s a Crowd! (Triangles featured):

Before Steve McDonald got it together, lost it and got it together again with Karen, he was in a former love triangle with rich kid Vicky and hairdresser Fiona. He had moved in with Fiona, but when Vicky invested some money in his print shop, Steve was seduced by her chequebook. So, he dropped Fiona, and married Vicky against the wishes of her uncle Alec Gilroy who’d tried to bribe him out of it! Eventually Steve had his comeuppance: he was jailed for two years for perverting the course of justice, and having tried to implicate Vicky as well, he found himself without a wife, and having lost the love of Fiona.
When Natalie Horrocks, played by Denise Welch, arrived on the Street and started helping Kevin Webster with the paper work for his garage, this devoted father shocked viewers by embarking on a full-blown affair. He left wife Sally to live with Natalie, but then went back to make a go of his marriage. The attempt failed and their marriage was in ruins. But now, after a few years apart, Kevin is back with Sally and their girls.
Unlucky in love, Curly Watts always carried a torch for dizzy Raquel, but it was Des Barnes she first took a shine to in 1995 after his wife Steph left him. Raquel moved in with Des, only to be thrown out when Steph returned. Back with Des again, she then discovered his affair with barmaid Tanya Pooley and sought solace in the arms of Curly. She agreed to marry Curly although obviously still in love with Des. Raquel eventually left poor Curly, only returning on Millennium Eve to tell him he was a father and that she was moving to France.
More recently, Janice Battersby finally had the courage to leave husband Les for Dennis Stringer, only to lose her new love in a car crash. A complicated tale, Dennis was in a relationship with Eileen Grimshaw when his friendship with Janice developed into an affair. They moved in together, but when desperate Les tried to gas himself in his taxi, Dennis was the one who died when he crashed his car taking Les to the hospital.
Gail Platt’s marriage to younger man Martin ended when she asked him to get a vasectomy. Turning to nursing colleague Rebecca Hopkins for comfort, Martin began an affair. Meanwhile, Gail was busy attending to her pregnant schoolgirl daughter Sarah Lou. Wracked with guilt, Rebecca decided to go and work in Dubai, and Martin poured out his adulterous behaviour to Gail. The couple tried to make the marriage work for the sake of the kids, but it eventually broke down. And Rebecca, who had returned to Weatherfield to ask Martin to join her in Dubai, left alone.
The Street’s youngsters are also not immune to complicated relationship, with Tyrone caught between the ebullient Fiz and ex-girlfriend Maria. Tyrone was engaged to kennel maid Maria when siren seamstress Fiz got her claws into him. Fiz won the day with promises of chips and kebabs, and Maria gave up on him. Then, when Fiz got bored with Tyrone, she moved on to Kirky.
When cupid finally came knocking at the door of shopgirl Sunita earlier this summer, he came bearing two arrows. Dev had returned from India a new man and in love with her, but Sunita had started to fall for the Irish blarney of navy deserter Ciaran McCarthy - despite having longed for Dev for so long. Dev had asked Sunita to walk down the aisle with him, but the Irish charmer hotted up the competition by asking Sunita to marry him and announcing it to the world!
And finally, there’s the thorny tale, as yet to explode publicly, of playboy Peter Barlow. In the last few months Peter’s found himself saying ‘I do’ twice, and seen the arrival of his first child Simon by his `first’ wife Lucy the florist. Although his affair was rumbled hours before his second wedding, trusting Shelly believed him when he said it was all over, and agreed to go ahead with the marriage. Surely it’s only a matter of time before the truth of his bigamy and fatherhood outs?
A mini-guide to kissing etiquette:

Ever wondered how the cast prepares for all those intimate love scenes? Coronation Street’s Greatest Love Triangles has compiled top tips on embarking on a love scene for the very first time.

Samia Ghadie (Maria): ‘Alan Hasall (Tyrone) tried to put his tongue in once, so I bit it! I said ‘I’m having none of that!’’
Sean Wilson (Martin): ‘There is no etiquette. It’s every man for himself!’
Kevin Kennedy (Curly): ‘The women are definitely in charge. And if you’re having garlic the night before phone them and tell them so they can do the same!’
Phil Middlemiss (Des): ‘Make sure they get your best side. Don’t let your hands wander and make sure you’ve got the right woman!’
Sally Lindsay (Shelley): ‘No tongues. Clean your teeth and get ready to go again and again and again!’
Sue Nicholls (Audrey): ‘You come up to my dressing room on the third floor and you practice, practice, practice!’
And some Fantasy Love Triangles…

Letting their imaginations run rife, a few cast members share their thoughts on who they would have liked to have seen in a love triangle!

Kevin Kennedy (Curly): ‘Tracey Shaw, the cat, and Hilda Ogden!’
Sally Whittaker (Sally): ‘Annie Walker, Ken Barlow and Hilda Ogden’
Sue Nicholls (Audrey): ‘Audrey (of course!), Jack and Reg Holdsworth!’
Sally Lindsay (Shelley): ‘Mavis, Derek and Norris’
Sean Wilson (Martin): ‘Maria, Karen and Rebecca the nurse!’

Episode 5581 - Sunday 14 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: Peter Whalley
Director: John Anderson

Peter is still concerned about Lucy’s renewed friendship with Dan but on Ciaran’s advice he decides to try a different approach and apologise to Lucy for his behaviour the other day. Lucy is initially frosty but she soon starts to soften and by the time Peter has left for the day, and her friend Mandy has arrived, it is clear that Lucy is starting to think she and Peter may even have a future together.

Katy is worried about how she and Martin can cover their tracks now that Tyrone has refused to pretend to be her boyfriend. Kevin is pleased that life is going to get a little more difficult for the pair but Katy is determined to try and win Tyrone around. How will he react when he discovers the identity of Katy’s real boyfriend?

Steve is getting desperate to try and get Eileen back to work at the cab office and Jason convinces him to go around to the house and give it one more try. With the bailiffs at the door surely Eileen can’t turn the job down again…

Emily’s church gathering at the café turns out to be a jollier affair than expected when Vera leaves a plate of her special chocolate brownies as refreshment. Soon Rita, Norris, Emily and Roy are seeing the funnier side of everything - much to the vicar’s dismay!

Gail gets some bad news – Beth’s dad Neil Fearns has been killed in a car crash and it is up to Gail to break the news to Sarah.

Episode 5582 - Monday 15 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: Joe Turner
Director: Ian Bevitt

Shelley and Lucy are both excitedly planning for their future with Peter – each blissfully unaware of the other’s existence. Having agreed to try for a baby with Shelley, Peter is stunned when Lucy tells him she wants to try again and he tries to explain that he simply wants to be there for Simon. But Lucy is not a woman who is easily put off and she decides to pay Peter a visit at the bookies. Helpful as ever, Jack Duckworth tells her that she should call on Peter’s wife at the Rovers – what will happen when Peter’s two wives come face to face?

Tracy is back from her holiday and Hayley and Roy want some answers. Has she spent their money on an abortion or is she still pregnant? Tracy is her usual charming self - leaving them wondering exactly where they stand.

Martin is worried when both Kevin and Tyrone are off with him. Concerned that either of them may blow the whistle on their affair Martin tells Katy that they will have to come clean as soon as Tommy is home.

Elsewhere, Emily and Norris are puzzled by their behaviour at the church meeting and Tyrone gets a warning about subletting Jack’s allotment to Maz.

Episode 5583 - Monday 15 September 2003 at 8:30pm
Writer: Peter Whalley
Director: Ian Bevitt

Shelley is in shock as she looks at Lucy’s wedding photos. Convinced that the other woman is having a joke she asks her to go into the back to discuss the situation. But as Lucy starts to go into details about the wedding day and then drops the bombshell about baby Simon, Shelley is faced with no choice but to accept the awful truth. Oblivious to the events unfolding in the back room Peter arrives home to the shock of his life…

Hayley and Roy finally track down Tracy and she agrees to talk about the baby - even relenting and inviting Roy to the scan to prove that she is still pregnant.

Nick tells Maria that he is not going to London and wonders whether they should give their relationship another try. But does she feel the same?

Norris confronts Vera about the cakes she gave to Roy but she’s in no mood for Norris’s nagging as she and Jack have a pressing meeting at the allotment. But later when Norris and Emily demand some answers about the cakes ingredients Vera is stunned to discover just what Maz’s special spices really are.

Episode 5584 - Wednesday 17 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: Debbie Oates
Director: Ian Bevitt

A devastated Shelley struggles to come to terms with Peter’s betrayal and both Bev and Sunita are concerned for her welfare as she finds it hard to hold it together behind the bar. Eventually Shelley decides she needs some more answers and decides to pay Lucy a visit at the flat. Lucy convinces her that they are better uniting in their anger to make Peter pay for what he has done.

Hayley tells Roy that it would be better if he went to the hospital on his own with Tracy for the scan. Tracy is uncomfortable having him there and tells the radiographer that she does not want Roy to know the due date. As the image of the baby appears on the screen Tracy is less than impressed but an emotional Roy is transfixed at the sight of the child he has created.

Vera is determined to make Maz pay for what she had put her through with the chocolate cake ‘spices’ but her eagerness to shop Maz to the police backfires spectacularly when Jack is arrested for growing cannibis.

Elsewhere, Candice makes a move on Nick and Sarah decides to take Bethany to Neil’s funeral.

Episode 5585 - Friday 19 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: John Stevenson
Director: Ian Bevitt

Tyrone tries to persuade Maz to come clean to the police to clear Jack’s name but when she plants a surprise kiss on him the last thing on his mind is looking out for Jack.

Shelley and Lucy conspire to get Peter arrested. The two women go to the police station armed with all their evidence. Shelley then calls Peter and asks him to come around - believing a reconciliation may be on the cards he agrees. When he arrives he doesn’t exactly get the welcome he had hoped for as he is arrested for bigamy.

Sarah takes Beth to Neil’s funeral and meets his mum Brenda who is entranced at the sight of her granddaughter. Sarah promises not to lose touch and invites her around to the flat to see Beth again.

Roy and Hayley still don’t trust Tracy and seek legal advice over the baby. Lawyer Maya Sharma is fascinated by the case and says she will look into what legal rights Roy has over the baby.

Still in a state of shock Shelley is determined to put on a brave face and run the pub. But the wind is taken out of her sails when Peter turns up on bail from the police and demands to talk to her. Once in the back room Shelley wastes no time in telling Peter exactly what she thinks of him and his lies and throws him out on his ear. But the confrontation has pushed her over the edge and she shocks the regulars by throwing them out too and shutting the pub. Later as she reflects on the events of the last few days she decides to pay Lucy a visit and enlist her help in getting revenge on Peter.

Tyrone is a man on a mission. He has to find Maz in order to convince her to help clear Jack's name. But he's in for a shock when he arrives at her house. Maz has no intention of coming clean to the cops and what is more she has no intention of hanging around in Weatherfield. Broken hearted and feeling stupid Tyrone is left to break the news to Jack and Vera.

With Tommy due home tomorrow Martin and Katy are gearing themselves up to break the news of their affair. Neither are looking forward to telling Tommy but Martin confesses that he is also dreading speaking to Sarah and David.

Sarah and Todd get a surprise visitor in the shape of Brenda Fearns. Sarah is pleased to see her and lets her stay to play with Beth but Todd is uneasy about letting her into their lives.

Elsewhere, Maya pays Roy and Hayley a visit at the cafe with some surprising advice on how Roy can get legal rights to his child. The Croppers are less than impressed with what she says but as Maya leaves she bumps into Dev who is clearly taken with her.

Episode 5587 - Monday 22 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: Stephen Russell
Director: Terry Dyddgen-Jones

It's revelations time in the first of two exciting episodes of Coronation Street. First it's Shelley's turn as she prepares to tell the world the truth about Peter's double life. Ensuring that the pub is full by holding a happy hour Shelley braces herself to fill everyone in on her 'sham wedding' and Peter's lies. When Ken and Deirdre arrive in the pub with Peter in hot pursuit she decides the time is right and she announces to a stunned and silent Rovers Return that Peter is already married before introducing them all to his real wife Lucy and their son Simon!

Over at the Harris's Tommy is looking forward to a night out with Martin unaware of the bombshell that Martin and Katy are about to drop on them. Martin arrives to 'collect' Tommy but stuns the family when he announces that he and Katy are in love!

Sarah and Todd are surprised when Brenda Fearns turns up again, she's brought them a new toaster but Todd is still unsure about encouraging her.

Mike is concerned when his new client Preston King insists on liaising only with Harry - the man who saved his life. How will Harry cope with the wheeling and dealing world of business, will he get the best price for Mike or will Preston take him for a ride?

Episode 5588 - Monday 22 September 2003 at 8:30pm
Writer: John Fay
Director: Terry Dyddgen-Jones

As the stunned regulars in the Rovers struggle to take in the information Shelley has just given them Peter tries to build bridges with Ken and Deirdre. Embarrassed at the turn of events the couple leave the Rovers with Peter and Tracy not far behind. Meanwhile, back in the Rovers, Lucy and Shelley continue to regale the customers with tales of Peter's double life.

Over the road things are just as dramatic as Tommy and Angela try to get their heads around the fact that their 16-year-old daughter is dating one of their friends. Tommy demands Martin join him in the garden to discuss it further. Initially it looks as though Angela's pleas for Tommy to keep his temper under control have worked but when Martin confesses to sleeping with Katy the fists start flying!

Karen, meanwhile, is shaken by the news that Peter is facing a custodial sentence for his sham marriage and decides that she and Steve need to convince the world that their divorce is for real.

Episode 5589 - Wednesday 24 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: Carmel Morgan
Director: Terry Dyddgen-Jones

Katy is in defiant mood as Tommy tells her she is grounded and he will be staying at home to keep an eye on her. His anger erupts further when she gets a text message from Martin and he destroys her phone. Meanwhile, Angela is struggling to cope at work but things go from bad to worse as Katy manages to escape from the house and straight into Martin's arms - in full view of all the neighbours.

The alliance between Lucy and Shelley is going from strength to strength but Bev is not at all convinced that it is the right thing for Shelley to be doing. There is no stopping the two women though and they decide to target the bookies next.

Steve is in the doghouse with both Eileen and Dev as news of his latest fall out with Karen spreads. Steve is sick of being portrayed as the baddie but Karen insists that they have to keep up the pretence in the open, promising him they can have their fun behind closed doors.

Tyrone tries to lift Jack and Vera's spirits over Jack's court appearance but with no Maz to take the rap Jack is worried he might end up doing time.

Elsewhere, both Nick and Deirdre apply for the job as Mike's assistant at Underworld.

Episode 5590 - Friday 26 September 2003 at 7:30pm
Writer: Sue Mooney
Director: Terry Dyddgen-Jones

News of Katy and Martin's affair has spread to Audrey who thinks that it is disgusting. Gail, however, seems to be more understanding but advises Martin to talk to Sarah before she finds out from someone else. Martin braces himself to tell Sarah - how will she react?

Meanwhile, Katy is 'celebrating' her birthday locked in the house and decides to take revenge on her mum and dad by overdosing on sugar. Neither Tommy nor Angela notice what she is doing until it is too late and she collapses in a coma…

Peter is desperate to talk to Shelley but she's got nothing to say to him as she is too busy plotting with Lucy. Following the success of yesterday's floral display at the bookies Lucy decides to continue hitting Peter hardest in the pocket. Will his business survive this latest revenge attack?

Karen is still spreading the news about her and Steve's divorce as Steve finds himself the subject of almost as much gossip as Peter Barlow.

An extremely nervous Deirdre goes for the job at Underworld and Mike also gives Nick a good grilling. Neither are sure how they have got on. Who will get the job?

Katy recovers from her diabetic coma with her frantic parents by her bedside. When they leave Martin sneaks into see his loved one at the hospital. However, on his way back home Martin bumps into local troublemaker Les who can’t help but ridicule him. Will Martin be able to keep his cool?

David and Craig also come to vicious blows in the street over Martin and Katy’s love affair. So when a distraught Angela sees her family in turmoil, she visits Martin, begging him to ‘Let my daughter go’.

Eileen and Fiz play matchmaker to the soon to be “divorcees” Karen and Steve. They arrange a date for them at the Rovers, but any aspirations of romance are dashed when the couple fake a huge row and storm out.

Elsewhere, Peter is informed his bigamy case is to be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service and Lucy point blank refuses him access to son Simon. He has no choice but to leave Weatherfield. But will he return to face the music?

EPISODE 5592 & 5593 - Monday 29 September 2003 at 8:30pm ** One-hour special**
Actual Running Time without Adds: 48m:3s
Writer: Stephen Lowe
Director: Mike Adams

Martin bows to Angela’s pressure and tells Katy they have no choice but to end their turbulent love affair. Too many people are getting hurt, including his son, David. He tells Katy she was ‘just a bit of fun’ in order to make her finish with him but she sees through his desperate attempts to end the romance. Will the couple ever be allowed to be happy?

Meanwhile at Underworld, Steve and Karen’s divorce is the talk of the factory. Sonia lets Janice know that she would quite like soon to be single Steve for herself. Karen overhears them gossiping and during a visit to Streetcars, she tells him that Janice has fixed him and Sonia up on a date. In true Steve fashion he teases her, joking he could get used to the bachelor lifestyle. Karen fails to see the funny side and is furious with him. Sparks fly as they both list their past infidelities against each other, which culminates in Karen threatening to divorce Steve for real. Will the pair ever sort their differences out or will their decree be absolute?

Deirdre tells Peter’s two angry wives that he has escaped their wrath by fleeing Weatherfield to stay with an old navy pal. This leaves Shelley relieved that she won’t have to bump into him in the Street, but Lucy is angry and bitter that she cannot plot revenge against him for his dastardly deeds. Peter’s bigamy also has repercussions for other Weatherfield residents. Sally is incensed that she has been left in the lurch at the bookies, and Ken realises that he has another grandchild he will be unable to bond with.

Nick fills Joe Carter’s boots at the Underworld Factory and remembers the good times with old flame Maria.

Also Sarah and Todd lie to Gail by telling them that Eileen is looking after Beth whilst they enjoy a night out at the movies. The real identity of the babysitter is set to be yet another blow to troubled Gail.