Cosy crimes and gritty sagas by Corrie Blog editor Glenda, published by Headline. Click pic below!

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Top 60 Corrie Characters - No. 4

4. Hilda Ogden 1964-1987 (174 votes)

A true soap icon. Despite it being 25 years since she left, Hilda Ogden still has a place in our hearts and to reach No. 4 is a great feat. On our screens for 23 years, she was leading the soap through its golden age during the late 70s and early 80s. Married to Stan for 40 years, Hilda was known for her curlers, her pinny and headscarf and her warbling singing voice while cleaning and for symbolising the working-class women of Northern England. Hilda and hubby Stan were inseparable, even though life was hard and they constantly bickered. She was a ‘professional cleaner’ throughout her tenure and was employed as the Rovers’ cleaner. Her job was the perfect opportunity to find gossip and be a busybody. She constantly clashed with boss Annie Walker, who looked down on her and Stan but Hilda wasn’t afraid to hit back. As well as Annie, she had catfights with next-door neighbour Elsie Tanner and even accused Elsie of having an affair with Stan! Living at 13 Coronation Street proved unlucky for the Ogdens but it was Hilda’s palace – more so when a 'muriel' was installed and three flying ducks. By 1984, Hilda’s life changed as the people she was involved with during her time on the street left or died. Annie Walker retired to Derby, Elsie Tanner left for Portugal and Stan’s health deteriorated and he sadly died, leaving Hilda heartbroken. After Stan’s death, her soft touch came through when she provided a home for young Kevin Webster and later his wife Sally. Hilda left the street in 1987 to housekeep for Dr Lowther and her neighbours gave her a decent send-off on Christmas Day. Her swansong was Gracie Fields’ Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye.

Should Hilda be at 4? Should she be higher? Were you a fan? Leave a comment!

Check out who's at 5.


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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was sure she would be no. 1! Can't beat a bit of Hilda!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I agree. Only Blanche, possibly, can beat her.

Anonymous said...

Loved Hilda Ogden. It will probably be Blanche at no1, and even though I liked her, she is kind of overrated in my opinion.

BarrieT said...

Hilda was the reason i started watching corrie in 1980. I loved the comedy and Stan, Hilda & Eddie. It was also very touching how she never had any money. it was very realistic and something we rarely see on the street today.

John in Cincinnati said...

I can't believe Hilda isn't #1, but at least she is in the top 5!
My personal list would be
1 Hilda
2 Ena
3 Elsie
4 Stan
5 Mrs. Walker
6 Mrs. Bishop
7 Mrs. Caldwell
8 Mr Walker
9 Bet Lynch
10 Betty Turpin

Anonymous said...

Not only the greatest soap character of all time, the greatest TV character of all time.

GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!

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