ALEC GILROY (56 VOTES)
Duration: 1972, 1975, 1986-1992, 1995, 1996-1998
Played by: Roy Barraclough
2012 character poll position (men): 21
Introduced as a theatrical agent who had a number of acts on his books, including Rita Littlewood.
After years of absence he returned to our screens as the manager of the Graffiti Club. When the Rovers was closed after the fire, the regulars frequented the Club. Alec and Bet Lynch, who was Rovers manger, were friendly rivals. When Bet ran into financial trouble, she asked Alec for help which he did.
When Bet left the street due to money problems, Alec stepped up and became Rovers licensee. He tracked Bet down and proposed marriage. Bet and Alec were married in 1987, to the chagrin and amazement of many of Bet’s friends.
The marriage did last longer than many thought it would do. Their marriage included Bet falling pregnant and suffering a miscarriage; Alec finding out he had a granddaughter and various Rovers involving storylines. The marriage became one of Corrie’s golden double acts with Alec’s tightfistedness being ridiculed by a sarcastic Bet.
The Gilroys were together until 1992 when Alec left the street for Southampton to manage cruise liners entertainment. Bet refused to go with him.
Alec returned briefly in 1995 and then permanently in 1996, running a branch of travel agents Sunliners. When he was sacked for being too old, he set his sights on the Rovers and became a partner with the Duckworths before becoming sole owner later on. He also romanced Rita.
He sold the Rovers and left the cobbles for Southampton in 1998 after a run-in with the Duckworths and Rita and hasn’t returned.
Were you a fan of Alec?
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