Vote for Corrie's best Mum - Deirdre & Tracy

Deirdre and Tracy unaware of what lies ahead

As you will hopefully have seen, earlier today I've  launched my first poll on the Coronation Street Blog. I hope you've all been voting! 

In order to help you make up your minds on your favourite Corrie mum, I'm going to post some blogs on the contenders this week, highlighting some of their strengths and weaknesses. 

I shall try to take an even handed approach (not easy).

So to our first two contenders: mother and daughter team, Deirdre and Tracy Barlow.

Deirdre's finest hour

Let's kick off with sexy specs herself, Deirdre Barlow. A long time resident of Coronation Street, I think it's fair to say Deirdre has learnt all of her mothering skills from her own late mother, the magnificent Blanche Hunt. Deirdre's private life has been somewhat tumultuous, first marrying Ray Langton, after Billy Walker mysteriously disappeared. 

With a little help from Ray, Deirdre produced the sweet, innocent Tracy Lynette, after which for some strange reason, Deirdre decided to abstain from further child bearing. After Ray left her for a life among the tulips, Deirdre hooked up with Ken Barlow and the rest, as they say, is history. Best not mention that time she slept with Dev though. Woops! So what are Deirdre's strengths and weaknesses as a mother?

Who can blame her?

Strengths:
Loyal to her daughter without reproach

Will defend her daughter to the hilt Is always there to look after her granddaughter

Weaknesses:
Will defend her daughter to the hilt
Loyal to her daughter without reproach
Is a soft touch when it comes to babysitting duties

Like mother, like daughter

Now, let's take a look at Deirdre's loving daughter, Tracy Barlow. 

Born to doting parents Deirdre and Ray Langton in 1977, Tracy was a quiet child, disappearing upstairs to play her tapes for years on end. She has also changed heads four times, probably as a reaction to her parents' sometimes baffling behaviour. Ken Barlow married Deirdre in 1981, adopting young Tracy several years later. 

Tracy's life has not been easy. She's taken drugs, lost a kidney, been married and divorced, had a daughter who doesn't speak and slept with Roy Cropper for a bet. She's also had a weird obsession with Steve McDonald since he was a 1990s sex symbol. 

So what are Tracy's strengths and weaknesses as a mother?

Happy Families?

Strengths:
Will stand up for herself at all costs
Is constructive when it comes to finding a father figure for her daughter
Believes in family

Weaknesses:
Is always in a scrap with whoever gets in her way
Will go with anyone who owns a bulging wallet
Has sponged off her parents for 30 years

So there we go - our first two contenders. Let me know what you think about Deirdre and Tracy Barlow by leaving a comment below. 

And don't forget to vote for your favourite Coronation Street Mum before the winner is revealed on Sunday 10 March. 

Tracy asks Gail if she can borrow her get out of jail free card

Next up will be Michelle Connor and Gail McIntyre! Won't that be fun!


You can follow us on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog and Facebook: CoronationStreetBlog

And you can follow me on Twitter @Edgeof31


All original work on the Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License