So, the Man from U.N.C.L.E (or Hustle, depending on your vintage) has joined Coronation Street. What a coup for Corrie to land bona fide Hollywood actor Robert "Napoleon Solo" Vaughn to guest star as American smoothie Milton Fanshaw the 3rd.
He rolled up, dapper in cravat, to surprise cruise squeeze Sylvia at the Rovers and join her in her tuneless banjo rendition of Ain't She Sweet. Milton then ordered "a round of boozes all round" for the impressed regulars - Rita in particular had an interested gleam in her eye.
Old pro Vaughn looks like he is enjoying himself hugely and it seems there will be some fine comic moments with besotted admirer Sylvia, whose battle-axe exterior melted like butter at his unexpected arrival. Although it looks like she told him a few porkies about her job and son's business in Weatherfield, as suave Milton said he was looking forward to "moseying along" to "Roy's place for some haute cuisine". Not sure Roy's fry ups will quite cut it in the Michel Roux stakes. But the question is, will Milton turn out to be yet another a charming conman, as most male Corrie guest stars seem to end up being, such as Ian McKellen, and Nigel Havers? Let's hope not, he seems so nice!
Meanwhile Ken Barlow, invigorated despite his hangover from his male-bonding whisky sleepover with new confidante Steve (more of this pairing, please) decided it was time to throw lying stepdaughter Tracy out of his home. The "Teflon-coated" (as Ken called her) madam threw the usual tantrum before discovering a solution - brazenly breaking into estranged new husband Steve McDonald's house with a chicken madras bubbling on the stove (let's hope it wasn't poisoned) as he arrived home. Steve understandably did not look too impressed as she offered him a poppadum.
Eileen and Paul came out proudly (on her part at least) as a couple in the Rovers but she seemed a tad surprised that most of the regulars, including sister Julie, disapproved of her openly canoodling with a married man with a sick wife.
Cheating matching black-dressed adulterous pair Peter and Carla (do this couple ever wear any other colour?) snatched a night away from poor, unsuspecting Leanne in a posh hotel in Chester, only to be caught red- handed on camera smooching by Frank's lady detective. I don't really see Frank's twisted logic that unmasking Carla as a love cheat will make any difference to his imminent rape trial. Hats off however to Gwen Taylor as Frank's smothering, interfering mother who is very convincing as an unpleasant, neurotic character.
