60 Years Of Coronation Street-1980/1981

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In December this year, serial drama/soap Coronation Street will celebrate 60 years on British TV. I have been watching it from the late 70's and remain a big fan. Between now and December I will be looking at the best bits from the Corrie years. This time I'm looking at my ten favourite storylines/episodes from 1980 and 1981.

1) The death of Renee Roberts
I loved her relationship with Alf Roberts, her gossipy nature and her dreadful family! I was gutted that they killed her off. A driving lesson goes wrong when Renee loses her nerve and as Alf gets out to take over the driving, a lorry crashes into the car, killing Renee. Alf is also investigated for drink driving.

2) Rita leaves Len 

Why an intelligent and attractive woman like Rita wanted a rude, violent, ignorant thug like Len is a mystery to me. I don't know what women saw in him. Rita finally gets tired of being his skivvy in a house that is falling apart and moves to Blackpool. He finally sees sense, brings her home and changes for the better.

3) Arnold the bigamist
Emily finally puts losing Ernest behind her and in spite of her doubts, agrees to marry Arnold. The problem is, he's controlling, hates her friends and dumped his wife right after their wedding but never bothered to divorce, leaving him as a bigamist. Emily is distraught and hides away from all her worried neighbours.

4) The woes of Gail Tilsley

Gail becomes pregnant and finally gets Brian to move away from Ivy. Ivy continues to interfere, trying to keep Audrey away from family gatherings and disapproving of Gail working in the cafe. Audrey causes Brian to lose his job. Bert also loses his job and gets depressed when he can't find work. The year ends with Gail giving birth to Nicky.

5) The factory girls v Hilda
Hilda swears she gave Vera her pools money but Vera says she doesn't. To pay them back, Hilda fakes a win for the rest of the syndicate, who start a spending spree. Vera spends all her savings for bills and Hilda is horrified. The girls force Mike to sack her. Hilda does save Elsie from a house fire the same year.

1981

6) Ken and Deirdre
The wedding of Ken and Deirdre took place two days before the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana. After all the on-again-off-again issues, Deirdre's relationships with Billy, Ray and Mike, Ken being unsure about having another wife and Albert's meddling, finally the couple marry to the delight of the street and the viewers!

7) Elsie's Man Trouble
Elsie has a bad year with men, (big surprise there!) throwing herself at the attractive Wally who was never interested in anything except friendship with her, getting involved with another for one night whose angry wife then trashes Elsie's home as revenge, and for good measure getting sacked from her job at Jim's cafe.

8) Gordon Lewis
Bet, Betty and Fred never had the best relationship behind the bar but when Annie is away, they  unite their anger against relief manager Gordon Lewis who fires Fred, causing the women to quit in sympathy. Annie returns to find her staff gone and Gordon's tarts running the Rovers, a situation she quickly puts right! Also loved Eunice & Fred's romance and wedding!

9) Emily's hostage crisis
Arnold returns with his mental health in tatters, declaring his love for Emily and saying the solution is for them to kill themselves to be together. She is rescued by the passing Len. Arnold dies in a mental hospital later that year and leaves his money to Emily who decides to use it to do good in the community and compensates his first wife.

10) Gail's Latest Bad Year

You have to feel for Gail. The joy of a new baby turns sour with Brian being forced to take on two jobs to pay the bills and flirting with a rich customer who fancies him. Bert is caught cheating the dole, Brian is in court for hurting an armed robber at the garage forecourt during a robbery and a neighbour makes an unwanted pass at Gail, ruining the friendship of the two couples.