Top 60 Corrie Characters - Nos. 24 and 23

24. Alma Halliwell (known as Baldwin) 1981-1982, 1988-2001 (73 votes)

Audrey’s best buddy for many years, Alma first appeared when she hired Elsie Tanner as a waitress at Jim’s Café. Originally she was married to café owner Jim Sedgewick but following their divorce in 1982, she moved to Florida, before returning in 1988. She became a partner at the café with Gail Tilsley and soon fell for Mike Baldwin, who she eventually married in 1992 after a long and tempestuous on/off relationship. A popular couple, they were married for seven years until Mike’s affair with Julia Stone. Alma was quite prominent in the storyline when Don Brennan tried to kill Mike and she was kidnapped by him before driving into the canal. Both survived. Don eventually died when he crashed Alma’s car into the viaduct. When she sold the café to Roy Cropper, Alma secured a job at Firman’s Freezers, where she befriended Hayley Patterson. Alma played Cupid between Roy and Hayley and was overwhelmed when they married in 1999. In 2001, Alma received the devastating news that she had incurable cervical cancer and she died at Audrey’s house, surrounded by her loved ones – Audrey, Gail, old flames Mike and Ken and boss Curly.

Should Alma be at 24? Were you a fan of her and Mike’s relationship? Leave a comment!

23. Eileen Grimshaw 2000- (77 votes)

Brought into the serial with sons Jason and Todd, Eileen is depicted a strong, no-messing character, following the footsteps of a distant relative – the legendary Elsie Tanner! Like Elsie with Ena, Eileen found a nemesis in Gail Platt. Constantly clashing over their children’s relationships (Todd and Sarah and then Jason and Sarah), the two are very similar – they’re like lionesses defending their young. A memorable scene is Eileen and Gail brawling in the street – Corrie at its best! Never married, Eileen has had many boyfriends that include Dennis Stringer (who left her for Janice Battersby), Ed Jackson (who turned out to have murdered Ernest Bishop in 1978) and Jesse Chadwick. She’s currently dating fireman Paul Kershaw who also has a wife who suffers Alzheimer’s. Previously working at the switch in the cab office, she’s now employed at the factory as a machinist. Eileen has starred in many storylines including discovering Todd was gay, Jason’s failed marriage to Sarah and finding out that dad Colin slept with best friend Paula in 1977 which resulted in friend Julie actually being her half-sister!

Should Eileen be at 23? Are you a fan? Leave a comment!



Check out who's at 26 and 25.

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