Reasons to be cheerful in Weatherfield

By the 'eck, Minnie Caldwell, that were a cold Easter! Cold enough to freeze the grease on one of Dev's kebabs. However, I have to admit that last night's helping of Corrie helped thaw me out.

Three hail and hearty cheers for Stephanie Cole and her portrayal of Sylvia. There was always the worry that Sylvia would be a watered down version of the mighty Blanche but I think Ms Cole is playing a blinder. Yes she's a bit of an old bag but she's a many faceted old bag. The hash story is a re-hash as we all know but it is a bit of fun. Her 'pusher', Lollipop Stan is a good addition and Dennis Tanner's 'sweet naughtiness' approach to the situation has been a laugh too.

There were also laughs galore, for me anyway, as the Sisters Grim(shaw) shuffled around in Tina's doorway like a couple of ne'er-do-well Victorian hags. Two characters who I used to love have been treated fairly poorly by recent storylines. Julie is an idiot and Eileen a bore. Here's hoping the latter emerges from her dreary Fireman Sam relationship and sallies forth with a series of her much-loved one liners. No more moping around with that windswept hairdo and the sullen manner. As for Julie? Again, let's hope the producers take the opportunity to 'refresh' the character while the actress is on maternity leave.

Hayley's appearance at Tyrone's fuddle was genius with her ramblings about George Michael. However, ever Hayley scene is tinged with sadness at the knowledge that the countdown to her departure is on. Weep Britain.

Stella is out of hospital and for most of us, the Price is still not right. Thankfully someone managed to nip down to House of Beige for some replacement tops. Boria and Eva shuffled in with what appeared to be a couple of product placement bags and then shuffled out again. Karl slithered by the telly. Sadly, he's another character undergoing "Mollyfication", the process whereby a relatively normal character morphs into someone unknown overnight. His days are numbered.

Comedy Dev has been fantastic value over the past few weeks. His steam train noises by Sunita's bedside, his laissez-faire attitude to fatherhood ("Ice-cream and chocolate for everyone!") and his wonderful belittling of the double-headed MaryNorris monster was good.

Tyrone is free and hurrah for that. I'm probably out on my own with this one but I'm still having trouble thinking of him and Fiz as a couple. Maybe this will sort itself out when they move in together. Here's hoping Fiz can create some order in that claustrophobic death trap of a back room. The morose wallpaper, giant fridge and general clutter don't seem the ideal place for a couple of kiddies. If that corner cocktail bar topples over on to poor Roo-beh . . .


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