Season 16

E1. Wed Jan 1 1975

Jan 1, 1975 · 24m

With Ena back in St Annes, Minnie and Eddie settle down. Carlos doesn't want to use his bedsit to entertain Mavis as he's conscious of his bed. Rita lets them use The Kabin flat. Eddie and Bet's dates continue to be cancelled as Bet keeps being called into work. He refuses to go back to Walton until he's slept with Bet. Hilda thinks Eddie has the power of foresight as he knew about the blackout before it happened. Eddie tells everyone he's in the army. Nobby Harris stores some stolen goods of tinned ham in Minnie's coal hole. Eddie tells her that he won it at bingo. The Bishops don't plan to foster again in the immediate future. Annie lets Bet have the night off to meet Eddie. Nobby tells Eddie that someone has told the police about the break-in and local villain Big Arthur thinks he's the snitch. Eddie has to drop Bet to face his accuser. Annie has Blanche over for a New Year drink.

E2. Episode 1457 (6th January 1975)

Jan 6, 1975 · 25m

Mavis doesn't know what to say to Carlos. Bet is annoyed that Eddie stood her up. Annie tells Eddie she'll give Bet the night off if he can come up with a replacement. He talks Blanche into it. Mavis decides to accept Carlos. Big Arthur wants his ham back but Minnie has already started on it. Eddie has to pay compensation and give it all back. Carlos gives Mavis his ring. He tells her they must marry at once as he needs a work permit. He offers her money but she angrily refuses to marry him. Bet and Eddie are just getting passionate when P.C. Sadler of the police arrives and arrest him.

E3. Episode 1458 (8th January 1975)

Jan 8, 1975 · 30m

Ray forgets to set the alarm resulting in the builders oversleeping. Jerry refuses to make their breakfasts after Len and Ray stay up to 4.00am playing cards. A pigeon lands on Albert's outside lavatory roof. He adopts the bird and names it Gilbert. Ray tells Jerry that Mavis is getting married. Jerry doesn't believe him until Deirdre says she heard it from Rita. Betty and Maggie realise they're going to have to tell Gordon the truth. Battered wife Lynn Johnson asks Len for help. He offers to put her in touch with an organisation that can help her but she refuses to contact them or the police as then her husband Roy would know she's been blabbing. He wants to help and asks her to come back if she needs someone to talk to. Albert decides to build a pigeon cote and asks Ray for materials and advice. He's hoping that Ray will volunteer to make up the cote for him but Ray doesn't take the bait. On Deirdre's advice, Albert asks Jerry for help.

E4. Episode 1459 (13th January 1975)

Jan 13, 1975 · 30m

Gordon doesn't know what to think; he's relieved Les Clegg isn't his father but doesn't like the idea of being Betty's bastard son. He decides to go out for a drink. Jerry makes a cote for Gilbert. Albert watches for him settling in to it in order to know that he'll fly back if released. Deirdre tries to give Jerry some confidence in himself, saying that what matters is the person that you are. Maggie breaks down as Gordon returns drunk to celebrate the fact that Les is not his father. He taunts Betty and Maggie. The next day, Gilbert flies back to No.1 when he's released from the Red Rec. Albert is delighted. Gordon is hung-over. He asks Betty for details of his father. Betty doesn't name him but tells Gordon the circumstances of his birth and adoption. Maggie points out that Les never used the fact that Gordon wasn't his son against him.

E5. Episode 1460 (15th January 1975)

Jan 15, 1975 · 30m

Albert threatens to sue Stan and Jerry for the loss of Gilbert. Janet calls in at The Kabin on her way to Bessie Street School and hears from Rita that Ken doesn't have a woman in his life. Mavis hasn't told anyone about her broken engagement but her behaviour tells Rita all she needs to know. Albert takes a crack from Ray about Stan and Jerry going to Ireland to release Gilbert seriously and demands £1 from each of them. The residents wonder who Lynn Johnson is when Len meets her in the Rovers. Janet lets herself into No.11 and waits for Ken. Len advises Lynn to keep out of her husband's way. Jerry and Stan look for Gilbert to avoid having to pay Albert. Stan coughs up after a tiring day searching.

E6. Episode 1461 (20th January 1975)

Jan 20, 1975 · 25m

Rita tries to find out why Mavis is upset but Mavis is silent. The residents are pleased that the Barlows are back together. Lynn Johnson agrees to go to the police if Len will go with her. Albert catches Bobby on Gilbert's loft surounded by feathers. The Barlows like being just good friends. Len lets hysterical Lynn stay at No.9. When he tries to go to work she begs him not to leave her alone, her shouts being heard by the Barlows. Minnie tries to console Albert. Mavis tells Rita about Carlos. Janet and Ken agree to get together to talk about a divorce. Albert overhears a woman screaming in No.9. Ray and Jerry enter the house and find Lynn's body.

E7. Episode 1462 (22nd January 1975)

Jan 22, 1975 · 30m

Jerry calls the police while Ray looks for Len. Det. Chief Insp. Patterson arrives as does Doctor McKay who states that Lynn Johnson died from a blow to the head. Hilda sees the police car outside and spreads the word. Albert tells Alf what he heard from No.9. Ray can't find Len and returns to No.9. He and Jerry are kept away from the murder scene. Patterson finds it strange that neither of them knows the dead woman's name. Annie shows new Newton & Ridley house manager Keith Adams round the Rovers and is embarrassed that the police are in the street during his visit. Ray and Jerry are taken to the station for questioning. The residents are astonished to see them being driven away in a police car. Lynn's body is taken away in an ambulance. Onlookers wonder who is under the shroud. Jerry lets slip to Det Sgt Phillips that he doesn't always take Ray at his word.

E8. Episode 1463 (27th January 1975)

Jan 27, 1975 · 30m

The police set up headquarters in the community centre where Det Sgt Phillips questions the residents while Det. Chief Insp. Patterson interviews Ray and Jerry at the station. Len is brought in, not knowing what's going on. Phillips questions Annie and Billy as to when Ray and Jerry left the Rovers. The regulars speculate as to the identity of the woman killed. Ken doesn't think he or Janet should say anything about what they heard until they are asked. Alf tells the shocked regulars that the police are treating the matter as a murder. Patterson questions Len and asks him where he went after leaving the Rovers. Len says he left home at 1.15pm after finishing writing out a tender and drove to Grindrods in Queen Street. He was then picked up by them at 2.30pm. Patterson shows him a photo of Lynn Johnson that was found in her handbag and he identifies her.

E9. Episode 1464 (29th January 1975)

Jan 29, 1975 · 30m

Det. Chief Insp. Patterson comes to the community centre to question Albert about his evidence. Exhibiting great patience he manages to pin down the time he heard the scream as being 1.35pm. Albert also gives a guarded agreement that it was Len's voice he heard. Deirdre hears a description of Lynn Johnson and realises she saw her at the yard. Morbid sensation-seekers come into the Rovers to be near the scene of the crime. Patterson takes Jerry through Len's statement while Phillips questions Ray again. Patterson thinks Len is lying to him about where he was working when Jerry says the tender was delivered prior to dinnertime. The police get Ray to say that Len is hard-fisted.

E10. Episode 1465 (3rd February 1975)

Feb 3, 1975 · 30m

Len has been kept in overnight. Phillips questions Roy Johnson who says his wife left home on the day of her death at 12.30pm. He swears he never hit her and loved her. Bet asks Rita if she has been down to the police station to try and see Len. Tricia gets nowhere when she tries to question Ray and Jerry on the details on the body. Det. Chief Insp. Patterson questions Alf about Len's previous record. Patterson takes the Barlows to the community centre to ask them about what they heard. They tell them of hearing Lynn and Len at 1.15pm when she said “don’t leave me”. Patterson is displeased that they didn’t come forward before. Lodger Clifford Fenton sticks by his story that no one came to the house after Lynn left. Patterson tells Len he's got enough evidence to charge him with murder. Len starts to crack up. Bet tries to visit Len but is turned away by the police. The pathologist says Lynn died from brain damage caused through excessive beating but Patterson doesn't trust Johnson as L

E11. Episode 1466 (5th February 1975)

Feb 5, 1975 · 30m

Jerry makes it clear that he’s not pleased at the lack of support Len received from Rita. Len has spent the night at Alf's house after he picked him up at the police station. He is upset that Rita didn't visit him. Vera puts a ban on gossiping about Len in the corner shop. Mavis tells Emily that Rita has a guilty conscience about Len. He is welcomed back to the Rovers and thanks Bet for her support although he spurns the offer of a drink from Rita. Alf has to find a hostess to help him entertain a visiting councillor from Yorkshire. Len suggests Annie. Idris pretends to have stomach ache to get out of eating Granny's fish. She thinks he has food poisoning from a Rovers' pie. Annie is in Derby and can't help, but Hilda offers her services to Alf. Mavis tells Jerry that Carlos only asked her to marry him for a resident's permit. Alf lets Hilda down as diplomatically as possible, but fails as she is upset, and Betty refuses due to her hours in the Rovers. Granny rows with Betty about the

E12. Episode 1467 (10th February 1975)

Feb 10, 1975 · 30m

Mavis worries about what to cook for Alf's guests and works herself up into a headache. Rita gets exasperated with her. Granny insists she is a reasonable woman and Betty reacted the way she did as she doesn't like being beholden to them for their kindness. Vera worries that no customers are coming in. Granny says she has fixed Betty already. Gordon arrives to see Betty. Mavis panics again when she remembers Alf's cooker is a gas one. She goes back home to fetch her cookery book. Mavis cries off and Rita takes her place wearing a revealing dress. Gordon tells Betty that Granny has written him a letter telling him about his mother. Vera worries about why Gordon has come up from London. Alf asks Rita to cover up a bit. Harold and Dawn Digby turn out to be very down to earth when they arrive, with Dawn also wearing a revealing dress.

E13. Episode 1468 (12th February 1975)

Feb 12, 1975 · 30m

Hilda, Minnie and Albert can't understand why the corner shop is shut and worry that something has gone wrong inside. Deirdre is depressed that Billy hasn't sent her a Valentine. Ray fetches Stan and his ladders to look through the window. Tricia turns up and tells them the shop is empty. Rita tells Mavis the meal went well, especially her food. Stan is sent a Valentine, but not from Hilda. She thinks it's from Clara Regan. Ray tells Bet he sent it for a laugh. Annie is glad the Hopkinses have left as she feels they were too greedy. The Hopkinses send Gordon back the shop keys with a letter through Gail. He wonders who can look after the shop. Hilda calls round on Clara but gets sent away with a flea in her ear. Stan feels ill and doesn't need Hilda rowing with him. Gordon tells Betty that the letter from Vera explains that she and Idris felt too ashamed to stay in the street. Albert complains about the shop being shut. When Annie won't give Betty time off, Gordon realises he'll have t

E14. Episode 1469 (17th February 1975)

Feb 17, 1975 · 30m

Mavis makes Rita show Deirdre the nightie but she refuses to say who she thinks it's from. Gordon refuses to let Betty try again for time off to help him in the corner shop. Hilda offers her services in the shop to a stunned Gordon. Blanche offers a horrified Stan a man's corset to help his bad back. Having heard the gossip, Bet calls into The Kabin to see the nightie, asking if it's from Len. Gail and Tricia agree to flat-share together. Hilda fusses round a tired Stan, trying to get him to agree to ask Gordon to let them run the shop but he angrily refuses, knowing the neighbours will want them to fail. Alf gives Mavis perfume as a thank-you, and another bottle to pass on to Rita for the same reason. Business at the yard is bad. Gordon wants Blanche to run the shop for him. He puts the idea to Deirdre who thinks it's a great idea. Rita confirms to Alf that she got his present. When Mavis passes on the perfume, she worries that he fancies her. Deirdre passes on Gordon's request to her

E15. Episode 1470 (19th February 1975)

Feb 19, 1975 · 30m

Under doctor's orders, Stan has been told to rest. Lying on the sofa, he gets Hilda to run errands for him, including placing his bets. With little work coming in, Ray annoys Jerry with his lax attitude. They argue over the benefits of capitalism. Finding out that the girls are moving into the corner shop flat, Ray pushes Tricia to have a flat-warming party. She borrows a hammer from him to do some work in the flat. Gail moves her possessions in as Blanche starts running the corner shop. Hilda warns the girls to keep quiet now that they're her neighbours. Gail thinks a party is a good idea. Rita can't think who sent her the nightie. Remembering that it's a year since she and Len were engaged, she wonders if he was the giver but he persuades her otherwise. The girls draw up a guest list of invitees. They realise they'll have to invite Hilda to stop any complaints. Jerry thinks they should branch out into house insulation but Ray sneers at his ideas.

E16. Episode 1471 (24th February 1975)

Feb 24, 1975 · 30m

Tricia and Gail prepare for their flat-warming. Rita reveals Harold Digby sent the gifts. She rings him up and tells him to stop it. Annie gets Hilda worried that Stan has picked up a virus. She rings the doctor. Len gets it out of Mavis that Digby sent the presents by making a play for her, scaring her out of her wits. Dawn Digby arrives at the Rovers in a flash car, to the men's excitement. She tells Rita that Harold always sends presents to attractive women but that they have a happy marriage. The doctor thinks Stan should have a check-up in hospital. Jeff Lee and Tim Russell, Tricia and Gail's boyfriends, drink at the Rovers while they wait for the party to start. Blanche, Deirdre, Alf, Albert, Rita, Hilda, Annie and Ken are the girls' guests. Jerry doesn't go as it'd remind him of Sheila's party where he made a fool of himself. Deirdre gets Ken to dance with her. Jeff and Tim decide to give the party a miss when Ray warns them that most of the guests will be in their seventies.

E17. Episode 1472 (26th February 1975)

Feb 26, 1975 · 30m

Stan goes into hospital for tests. Tricia wants to use her day off to decorate the flat. Gail would rather they get some lads in to do it for them and watch them at work. Len puts Deirdre on part-time hours at the yard and offers her afternoons in The Kabin. Ray offers to decorate the flat for the girls. Len realises someone will have to go and he and Ray decide on Jerry as he was the last one in. Stan is entertained by fellow patient Ronnie Barnes and gets Hilda to include him in their conversations as he doesn't have any family. Jerry refuses to leave the business and reminds Len and Ray that partnerships are for bad times as well as good. He makes them feel ashamed for wanting to drop him and they change their minds. Mavis fears her job is at risk when Deirdre mentions Len's offer. Stan has an EEG and is put on a diet by the doctor. Minnie looks for a western for Albert to read and settles on Midnight Cowboy.

E18. Episode 1473 (3rd March 1975)

Mar 3, 1975 · 30m

Mavis is on tenterhooks, expecting Len to replace her with Deirdre. Len and Ray ignore Jerry's rota and carry on as normal. The yard only has one job on for a Mr Wharton. Len agrees to do it whilst the others advertise for new business. Deirdre makes up leaflets for the men to deliver. In hospital, Stan has become fast friends with Ronnie Barnes, especially since he shared his bottle of wine. Len lays on the charm with Mavis, telling her she's his number one employee, which succeeds in mollifying her. Hilda shames the residents for not visiting Stan even though he's not bothered. Tricia and Gail get Jerry and Ray to help them decorate the flat. Bet cooks Len a meal. He's about to leave when he remembers the yard job but ends up staying with her instead.

E19. Episode 1474 (5th March 1975)

Mar 5, 1975 · 30m

Len goes for Ray and calls Jerry an old woman when they tell him they're disgusted with him. Now she's eighteen, Tricia gets Annie to serve her with a Bacardi. Stan returns home. He has otitis media; his balance is disturbed and he's got anaemia and the district nurse is to call on him. Len tells Bet he just wants her as an occasional bit on the side. She tells him to get lost.

E20. Episode 1475 (10th March 1975)

Mar 10, 1975 · 30m

Hilda complains to Blanche about the noise of Tricia and Gail's record player after hours, saying it's disturbing Stan's sleep, and she threatens the police. Blanche agrees to give the girls credit if they'll help out occasionally in the shop. Short of money, they have no choice but to agree. Annie thinks Hilda is avoiding her cleaning duties using looking after Stan as an excuse and gets Betty to ring Bet to find where she's got to. In her flat, Bet ignores the ringing phone. Stan objects to the healthy food that Hilda feeds him. They prepare for a visit from Social Services to see what benefits they're entitled to. Ray is angry with Len for losing a job from Mr Wharton. Ernie's business is down. Annie admires Blanche's courage in leaving the shop in the girls' hands. Len hears from Betty that Bet hasn't turned in. He calls on her. She tells him he's avoided proper relationships with women for years and doesn't know where to start now. Although she liked being with him, his apologetic

E21. Episode 1476 (12th March 1975)

Mar 12, 1975 · 30m

Eddie returns from serving his time, spinning a yarn that he's just come out of the army. Len and Bet have spent the night together and Hilda sees them arriving back in Len's van. With Minnie away visiting friends, Eddie is homeless. Jerry tries to tidy up the yard, much to Len and Ray's amusement. Bet refuses Eddie's requests for digs. Bet tells Eddie that everyone knows he's been in prison. Eddie challenges Len to a darts match for money which he loses. Eddie asks Len for a job at the yard but there isn't enough work on for them. Tricia and Gail are locked out of the flat at night. Ray and Jerry find out about Len and Bet. The girls buy Eddie a drink and ask him to break in for them. A tired Hilda applies for her third job: washing-up in the warehouse canteen. Using the Ogdens' ladder, Eddie gets into the flat. Len and Bet flaunt their relationship in front of the regulars. The girls reluctantly let Eddie sleep on the kitchen floor.

E22. Episode 1477 (17th March 1975)

Mar 17, 1975 · 30m

Blanche opens the corner shop and is worried that she can hear nothing from the flat above. Gail and Tricia have overslept and they try to keep Eddie out of sight of Blanche. They realise that they'll have to lock him in while they go to work after Blanche threatens to return to clean up. The yard has no jobs on so Len, Ray and Jerry play cards in the office. Hilda tries to get Stan to do the housework while she goes out on her various jobs but he settles down to read the paper instead. A bored Eddie spends the morning drinking cider and reading the girls' magazines. Betty is annoyed that Hilda is late coming in to clean the Rovers, especially when Stan calls in for a bottle to take out. Alf warns Len against flaunting his relationship with Bet. The girls return with fish and chips for Eddie, annoyed that Blanche won't leave the shop for her lunch break. Alf thinks he can smell gas in the street. The girls try to distract Blanche into the back so Eddie can get out but Betty comes into

E23. Episode 1478 (19th March 1975)

Mar 19, 1975 · 30m

Ena returns from St Annes. The brewery runs a "Personality of the Pub" contest. Hilda is run ragged looking after Stan. Eddie tries to sell a pheasant, Ken buys it off him. Ena and Eddie both ask Minnie for digs. Bet tries to get Len interested in a foreign holiday. Ena tells Eddie he can stay in the front parlour of No.5 if he gets a job. She tells Minnie that Henry Foster's sister-in-law has taken him over. Stan takes Eddie on to help Hilda with the windows.

E24. Episode 1479 (24th March 1975)

Mar 24, 1975 · 30m

Hilda and Eddie work well together. The residents are annoyed at the way Stan is using Hilda. Len begins to feel trapped by Bet when she buys him a sweater. Eddie runs a book on the "Personality of the Pub" competition. The residents are amazed at Stan's cheek as he drinks in the Rovers. Eddie is entertained by Clara Regan inside 19 Inkerman Street. Ken tells Len that at their age women want commitment, not friendship. Hilda and Eddie do better than Stan. They only give Stan £1 from their £9 earnings. Bet plans a night at the pictures with Len. Annie counts the votes and Betty is the winner. Len stands Bet up.

E25. Episode 1480 (26th March 1975)

Mar 26, 1975 · 30m

Eddie tells Carlos he is Bet's husband. Deirdre is annoyed that she is still engaged and not married. Len tells Eddie he doesn't mind if he takes Bet out. Billy tells Deirdre he's worth £526; he can't afford to marry. Deirdre says she'll willingly live in the Rovers if she has to. Eddie tells Bet that Len gave him the go ahead. She is furious. Billy and Deirdre fix the date - 1st June. He tells Annie it will be a full white wedding.

E26. Episode 1481 (31st March 1975)

Mar 31, 1975 · 25m

Rita is certain Bet and Len won't last long. Billy decides not to tell Annie he's going to pay for the wedding and not Blanche. Len refuses to commit himself to Bet; he just wants her at the moment. She tells him she'd like them to live together. When it is clear he wants the occasional one night stand she tells him she's having none of it. Annie is horrified that Billy is to foot the bill. She announces the date to the regulars. Steve Baker arrives looking for Bet.

E27. Episode 1482 (2nd April 1975)

Apr 2, 1975 · 30m

Steve Baker asks the regulars when Bet will be coming in. Annie is annoyed that she is late for work and aims to have it out with her. Albert bores Steve with war talk while he waits. He is bitter about his work in Northern Ireland and annoys Ernie when he blames religion for the conflict. He apologises to him when he hears that he's a preacher and asks him for his experiences of breaking bad news to people. Betty and Alf recognise Steve from the last time he came into the Rovers. Bet arrives for work to hard words from Annie. Steve asks for a word with her and takes her to a side table. As the regulars chat, Steve breaks shocking news to her and she flees into the back room where Betty finds her in a state. Steve reveals to Annie, Betty and Billy that Martin Downes, the lad he was with on his last visit, has died and he was Bet's son. Stunned, Annie and Betty go to comfort Bet but she has gone to seek refuge in her flat.

E28. Episode 1483 (7th April 1975)

Apr 7, 1975 · 30m

Annie doesn't expect Bet to come into work. Billy thinks they shouldn't pussyfoot round her when she does come in and they and Betty agree to tell all the regulars simply that she's had a bereavement in the family. Annie takes it upon herself to arrange Billy and Deirdre's wedding photographs. Eddie calls round to see Bet while he's on his round. She can't face the outside world. He tries to force her to get ready to go to work but she claims she has no clean tights to wear. He tries to cheer her up with talk of hope for the future. While Bet takes a call for Carlos, Eddie pinches her dirty tights. Deirdre and Billy go to see the vicar to organise the wedding. Bet is touched when Eddie washes her tights in a launderette so that she can go to work. Alf takes Albert to task for missing ping-pong balls from the community centre. Albert demands help if Billy and Deirdre have their reception there. Bet walks into the Rovers with a smile on her face. Distracted,

E29. Episode 1484 (9th April 1975)

Apr 9, 1975 · 30m

Annie has gone to stay at Joan's. Eddie helps Hilda to clean the Rovers so they can get on the window cleaning round quicker. Betty tells Hilda that Stan is taking her for a mug. The packing department at the warehouse is put on a three day week. Tricia worries that she will lose her job in the cuts. Len and Ray think Jerry is becoming too homely and wifey. Stan tells Hilda the doctor has given him another sick note. Ivy asks Ken to find out about their job security. Betty wonders if Eddie is helping Stan in order to case houses to burgle. Jerry cooks a nice pie for Len and Ray. Ken finds out that Marcus Berlin is on his way up from London and wonders why. Stan tells Eddie the doctor says he can return to work. He doesn't tell Hilda though as he doesn't think he's fit enough yet. Marcus fobs Ken off about the redundancies.

E30. Episode 1485 (14th April 1975)

Apr 14, 1975 · 30m

Ivy and the girls push Ken for news of the redundancies. Jerry enjoys doing the housework rather than the yard jobs. Ivy thinks Ken is stalling her on the redundancies. Betty tells Hilda she's overdoing it and agrees to keep it quiet from Stan that she's going to the doctors for a tonic. Billy pokes fun at Ray and Len about Jerry's housekeeping. Betty tells Stan about Hilda's visit to the doctor. He starts to panic. Stan offers to take on some of Hilda's workload. She's grateful but refuses and insists on keeping her appointment at the doctor's. Marcus Berlin tells Ken that 20% of the workers have to go. Ray tells Jerry that Billy is laughing at his domesticity. He takes offence. Hilda discovers Stan has been signed off. She goes for him in the Rovers. Marcus tells Ken that he's one of the staff that has to go as they will need less management.