My Seven Corrie Wonders

A very interesting discussion emerged on Twitter this week, which the lovely Graeme has already dedicated a brilliant blog to in Picking Your Favourites. We were asked to do just that, and narrow it down to seven.

A couple of names immediately sprung to mind, and I wondered if I should go with my gut, or give it some thought; after all there are a lot of characters to choose from, and just because they don’t instantly come to mind, might not mean they aren’t a favourite. My seven, as it turned out, arose from a mixture of thought and instinct, and here they are:

Peter Barlow

Todd Grimshaw

Liz McDonald

David Platt

Roy Cropper

Ken Barlow

Pat Phelan

As Graeme says, the exercise did reveal more about ourselves than we might have thought it could, and I managed to surprise not only him with my choices, but myself as well.

The first thing of note was that six out of my seven were men, while most people tweeting on #7favcorriecharacters were choosing women, and almost exclusively at that, including our Graeme. In my case, even the ones I had laboured over, but who didn’t make the list, were mainly male.

As I picked them purely because they are my favourites, I wondered what my choices said about me, and how they might reveal what I enjoy best in a Corrie character. Here's what I learned: 

• My six men all have one thing in common; they’re not afraid to stand up for themselves. My sole lady, Liz, is the same.
• With the exception of Phelan, there is a vulnerability to them.
• I love Phelan regardless.
• My male choices don’t fit the strong women and mithered men trope. Okay, most men on Corrie find themselves henpecked at some point, but these are more likely to resist it, answer back or reach a point where they’ve had enough, and are not afraid to say so. I admire this in them.

So, Graeme has asked you to try and pick your seven favourite characters. What I want you to tell me is, what do you think your selection says about you and what you enjoy in a character?

By Emma Hynes
www.emmahynes.net
Twitter: @ELHynes
Facebook: @EmmaHynesWrites
Instagram: emmalouhynes

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Becky McDonald voted fans' favourite Coronation Street woman

There were polls, there were more polls and then the counting began. Our blogger Llifon has done a great job and I can't thank him enough.

Today, the announcement came in as to who Coronation Street Blog readers had voted as the number one all-time, favourite Coronation Street woman.

Becky McDonald, played by Katherine Kelly, has been voted in at the number one spot.  Read all about Becky here.

Check out the countdown of the top 25 women here.

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 1

1. BECKY MCDONALD (388 VOTES)

Duration: 2006-2012
Played by: Katherine Kelly
2012 character poll position (women): 4

In the course of six years, Becky went from a drug dealer who stole Roy and Hayley’s Morris Minor to a much loved Corrie character. She was brought in as an old friend of Kelly Crabtree who she soon framed for theft. She fled the street but returned and found refuge with the Croppers, but soon took advantage by stealing from the till. As always, Roy and Hayley forgave her and thus began a beautiful friendship. 

Becky soon became the latest in a long line of strong Corrie women who were always knocked down but got up again still fighting. After a romance with Jason Grimshaw, she embarked on an affair with Steve McDonald who was at the time in a relationship with Michelle Connor. They were found out and after much trial and tribulations they finally married. 

Becky and Steve’s marriage was marred with difficulties: Becky’s failure to conceive a child; Becky then buying her nephew Max and then losing him to Social Services; Becky looting from the Corner Shop; Becky’s drunken rampages and being framed by a police sergeant; and Tracy Barlow’s return and her aim at ruining the marriage. 

But side by side with all this drama, Becky would star in humorous scenes involving Roy, Hayley, Ken Barlow and Blanche. By 2011, Becky and Steve’s marriage was over thanks to Tracy and although Becky tried to carry on with her life, Tracy was determined to ruin her life. She lied about Becky pushing her down the stairs which made her lose her and Steve’s twins. When Becky found the evidence, she was triumphant and revealed the truth on Steve and Tracy’s wedding day – after they were married. 

Becky made a tearful farewell with new beau Danny and left for a new life in Barbados, having ruined Tracy’s scheming.

Were you a fan of Becky? Should she be at No.1?

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Top 25 favourite Coronation Street women - as voted by fans

Our blogger Llifon (on twitter @LlifonJ) has done a terrific job with his countdown of our favourite Coronation Street women.  From starting the polls, gathering the votes and writing all of the blog posts, Llifon has really dedicated himself to the task over a period of months and deserves a pint in the Rovers Return for all his hard work!

Cheers, Llifon!

Here's the list of the top 25 as voted for by YOU. Click on the names of each one to read Llifon's blog posts about the character. Each blog post also shows the character's ranking in the last poll of top Corrie women we ran this poll back in 2012.

1 Becky McDonald
2 Blanche Hunt
3 Deirdre Barlow
4 Carla Connor
5 Rita Tanner
6 Vera Duckworth
7 Hayley Cropper
8 Hilda Ogden
9 Liz McDonald
10 Bet Lynch
11 Audrey Roberts
12 Sally Metcalfe
13 Elsie Tanner
14 Eva Price
15 Alma Baldwin
16 Betty Williams
17 Raquel Watts
18 Kylie Platt
19 Karen McDonald
20 Leanne Battersby
21 Ena Sharples
22 Mary Taylor
23 Mavis Wilton
24 Annie Walker
25 Emily Bishop

Notable exclusions from our poll of top favourite Corrie women are Gail 'simpering idiot' McIntyre and Eileen 'mardy drawers' Grimshaw. 

Who do you think will be in the number one spot? Tune in tomorrow, Friday 8 April at 12 noon to find out!

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 2

2. BLANCHE HUNT (377 VOTES)

Duration: 1974-1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1996, 1997, 1998-2009
Played by: Maggie Jones
2012 character poll position (women): 1

Apart from original battleaxe Ena Sharples, nobody has filled the battleaxe role better than Blanche on the cobbles. 

Mother to Deirdre, Blanche had her first stint on the street in the 1970s. A corset maker, she quickly made her mark as nobody to mess with when she slapped Ray Langton for mistreating Deirdre. She was later instrumental in planning Deirdre’s non-wedding to Billy Walker and clashed with his mother Annie. After stints behind the Rovers bar and the corner shop counter, she was whisked away by Dave Smith to run a country club in 1976. She would visit the street in 1977 (for the birth of granddaughter Tracy), 1978 (to console Deirdre during her marriage break-up to Ray), 1981 (for Deirdre and Ken’s wedding), 1996 (Tracy’s wedding) and 1997 (Deirdre and Jon Lindsay’s engagement party).

In 1998, she visited the Barlows once more but decided to stay put and moved into Albert Tatlock’s old room. Thus began Blanche’s tenure as one of Corrie’s classic characters.

Alongside gossipy ally Norris Cole, Blanche would pass comment on the goings-on on the street and didn’t care if residents heard it or not. And it was her family who would suffer the most. Ken and Deirdre had to have elephant skin to deal with Blanche’s acid remarks. But she was as fierce as a lioness when it came to defending the family.

My favourite Blanchisms have to be her condemnation of the Royal Mail and the classic AA meeting. 

Blanche went on holiday to Portugal in 2010 and sadly passed away there.

Were you a fan of Blanche? Should she be No.1? Have you got a favourite Blanche moment?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 3

3. DEIRDRE BARLOW (375 VOTES)

Duration: 1972, 1973-2014
Played by: Anne Kirkbride
2012 character poll position (women): 20

When we think of Deirdre, what comes to mind are the huge glasses she wore for nearly 30 years. As well as the huge glasses, she was also known for her many liaisons with the men of Coronation Street. 

After failing to lure Alan Howard from wife Elsie, Deirdre caught the eye of Billy Walker. They were due to marry but Billy fled to Jersey. Soon enough, Deirdre was dating her boss Ray Langton and they married in 1975. Deirdre gave birth to Tracy in 1977 (who’s served time in jail for murder). Ray left Deirdre for Holland in 1978 and she found comfort in Ken Barlow who she married in 1981. Ken adopted Tracy in 1986. 

In 1982, Deirdre had a headline affair with Mike Baldwin. A furious Ken found out but forgave her. But it was Ken’s infidelity with Wendy Crozier that led to their separation in 1989 and divorce in 1992. She married Moroccan waiter Samir Rachid in 1994 but he was stabbed to death the following year. Her next boyfriend Jon Lindsay led to Deirdre being wrongly imprisoned for crimes he committed but was released and found comfort again in Ken and they remarried in 2005, to everyone’s delight. 

Over the years, Deirdre worked at the builder’s yard, the corner shop, the council and as a receptionist at the medical centre. She also shared close friendships with Liz McDonald, Emily Bishop, Frankie Baldwin, Eileen Grimshaw and Bev Unwin.

While Deirdre was always portrayed as a serious character for most of her life on the street, she became a comedy character in her last years and won a legion of new fans. Indeed, she became a natural successor to her mother Blanche.

In 2014, Deirdre went to visit Bev as she was under strain from Peter’s impending court case. She never did return to the street and passed away from an aneurysm in 2015, leaving Ken, Tracy and many of the street’s residents in shock.

Were you a fan of Deirdre?

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street.
Official tribute book available from Amazon.

 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 4

4. CARLA CONNOR (350 VOTES)

Duration: 2006-

Played by: Alison King 

2012 character poll position (women): Not included

The sassy owner of Underworld since 2006. 

Carla’s not had an easy life. She lost first husband Paul in a car crash; she married evil businessman Tony Gordon who eventually tried to kill her; she had an affair with brother-in-law Liam that ended with Tony arranging his death; she was raped by Frank Foster; and she married Peter Barlow who had an affair with Tina McIntyre. Phew!

Carla’s always sailed by the brink in the business sense as well. Many times Underworld’s future has been under threat. But somehow the gods always smile on her as saviours in the guise of Luke Strong, Frank Foster, Tony Gordon, Nick Tilsley and more recently Johnny and Aidan Connor have come to her rescue. It is this aspect of her life that riles arch enemy Tracy Barlow. Despite leading a car crash life, Carla always comes up smelling of roses.

Carla has maintained various friendships over the years. She has always been close to sister-in-law Michelle. They grew up together and they confide in each other. When she first arrived she shared a strong friendship with Leanne Battersby and it reminded me of the friendship of Bet Lynch and Rita Fairclough. But that soon soured when Leanne learnt of Carla’s feelings towards Peter. Although they are on speaking terms now, they aren’t bosom buddies. I would’ve liked to see these women become friends once more. Another strong friendship for Carla was with Hayley Cropper. Despite being poles apart in personality, they bonded and Carla’s vulnerability showed with her chats with Hayley. And since Hayley’s passing, Carla has become a loyal friend and protector to her widow Roy.

Carla has many demons. As well as having an affair with Liam Connor, she has also had a fling with Robert Preston, to Tracy’s wrath! She is fond of the drink and is also a gambling addict. It was her gambling that nearly drove her to bankruptcy in 2015. She also had an interesting dynamic with her brother Rob Donovan. While Carla looked out for him, it was Rob who paid the price in family loyalty when he murdered Tina McIntyre when he discovered about her affair with Peter. In the end, he blamed Carla for his downfall.

Carla is currently on the verge of marrying Nick Tilsley, although her affair with Robert is a dark shadow on proceedings. Blackmailed by Tracy, Carla is on the verge on leaving Weatherfield for good.

Are you a fan of Carla?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 5

5. RITA TANNER (333 VOTES)

Duration: 1964, 1972-
Played by: Barbara Knox
2012 character poll position (women): 3

A personal favourite of mine, Rita first appeared in 1964 as an old friend of Dennis Tanner. She was not seen again until 1972. Over the course of 44 years, flame-haired Rita has matured from saucy songstress to pillar of the community.

After a fling with Ken Barlow, Rita fell for Len Fairclough. They had a tempestuous on/off relationship with Elsie Howard being a thorn in Rita’s side many times. After breaking off their original engagement in 1974, Rita and Len married in 1977. Rita had to drag Len from his bachelor life and forced him to make renovations to their house. Happy with her house, Rita’s mothering instinct came to the fore. Failing to adopt, the Faircloughs became foster parents to the likes of John Spencer and Sharon Gaskell. Their marriage lasted for six years, before Len was killed in a car crash. Rita was devastated when she learnt that he was on the home from seeing his mistress.

After being wooed by Tony Cunliffe and Alf Roberts, Rita became involved in a serious relationship, this time with Alan Bradley. Between 1986 and 1989, Alan cheated and stole from Rita and when she confronted him, he tried to kill her. She escaped to Blackpool and when he chased her across the promenade, he was fatally hit by a tram.

Rita eventually recovered and married Ted Sullivan in 1992, but he died of a brain tumour three months later. After Ted she had numerous gentlemen friends that included Fred Elliott, Alec Gilroy, Anthony Stephens, Archie Shuttleworth, Colin Grimshaw and Lewis Archer.

In 2011, Rita reunited with old friend Dennis and he moved in with her and they fell in love. They married in 2012 during the Diamond Jubilee weekend. Happy initially, Dennis soon grew tired of Rita’s nagging and always having to ask for money. He found solace in Gloria Price and she persuaded him to dump Rita and whisked him away to Spain. Dennis returned a few months later with his tail between his legs and tried to win back Rita’s heart. When she was on the verge of forgiving him, she caught Dennis punching Norris and stealing from the Kabin. She gave Dennis his marching orders and they divorced in 2015. 

Since 1973, Rita has been behind the local newsagents counter, called the Kabin. Her scenes with her loyal assistant Mavis Riley (1973-1997) were mainly of a comedy purpose and this is repeated today with her partnership with Norris Cole. In 2009, she decided to retire and sold her share of the Kabin to Norris and went on a cruise. But when she returned, she found retirement boring and lonely. Norris persuaded her to be his assistant. But Rita still rules the roost!

Childless, Rita has become a mother figure to many over the years, notably Sharon Gaskell, Jenny Bradley, Sally Webster and Tina McIntyre.

Are you, like me, a Rita fan?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 6

6. VERA DUCKWORTH (324 VOTES)

Duration: 1974, 1976-2008, 2010
Played by: Elizabeth Dawn
2012 character poll position (women): 11

For over 30 years, the late Vera Duckworth was an iconic figure on the cobbles of Coronation Street.

Her perm, her foghorn of a voice and huge earrings became legendary. Originally working at the warehouse, she was later hired as a machinist at Mike Baldwin’s denim factory, a post she held for 13 years. For twenty years, her best friend was Ivy Tilsley.

Married to Jack for over 50 years, they constantly argued and their marriage was tested many times. But deep down they were soulmates. Jack and Vera, like Stan and Hilda Ogden before them, were involved in many hilarious antics and their marriage is classed as one of the best partnerships on the soap.

They moved to Coronation Street in 1983, with wayward son Terry. Terry caused heartache for his mother over the years. He broke her heart when he devilishly sold his son Tommy to his in-laws. 

After Vera was made redundant from the factory, she worked at the local supermarket and in 1995; she became the Rovers landlady, following the footsteps of Bet Lynch and Annie Walker. Jack and Vera were behind the bar for 3 years, before going bankrupt and then returning to 9 Coronation Street. Her last job was a cook at the local café, Roy’s Rolls, and when she fell down the stairs, she decided to retire.

Jack and Vera celebrated their golden anniversary in 2007. A few months later, Jack and Vera decided to move to Blackpool. Sadly, Vera died in her armchair before they moved, ending an era on Coronation Street. Vera did appear again in 2010 in ghost form. 

Were you a fan of Vera?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 7

7. HAYLEY CROPPER (320 VOTES)

Duration: 1998-2014
Played by: Julie Hesmondhalgh
2012 character poll position (women): 5

Introduced as a supervisor at Firman’s Freezers supermarket who befriended Alma Baldwin, Hayley caused controversy as being the first transsexual character in Corrie history. But over the years, viewers grew to accept Hayley for who she was and she became a firm favourite.

Soon after her arrival, Hayley and her red anorak were paired off with eccentric greasy spoon owner Roy Cropper and although hesitant at first, Roy also accepted who Hayley was and in 1999, as they couldn’t marry, they were blessed. 

Hayley was soon hired as a machinist at the factory, a job she continued to do until her illness. She also did stints as supervisor. Hayley showed a maternal instinct over the years and took in many including Wayne Hayes, Fiz Brown, Chesney Brown and Becky Granger and became an agony aunt to many of the residents. In her last years, she formed an unlikely friendship with her boss Carla Connor. Despite being chalk and cheese, they respected each other.

Roy and Hayley were one of soap’s most secure couples but it wasn’t always plain sailing for them – Hayley went to prison for kidnapping; Roy attempted suicide due to toxic Tracy’s torment when she lied about Roy fathering her daughter Amy when it was in fact Steve McDonald; the revelation that Hayley had fathered a son; and Roy being nearly drowned by Tony Gordon.

In 2013, Hayley received the devastating news that she had terminal pancreatic cancer. With only months to live, she made up a bucket list which included dancing in Blackpool Tower and dipping in the sea; and re-visiting the place where she kissed Roy for the first time. Hayley made the controversial choice of ending her own life by taking an overdose. Roy was devastated when Hayley passed away in her arms.    

Were you a fan of Hayley?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 8

8. HILDA OGDEN (284 VOTES)

Duration: 1964-1987

Played by: Jean Alexander

2012 character poll position (women): 2

One of Corrie’s most iconic characters. 

Married to Stan for 41 years, Hilda was known for her curlers and her warbling singing voice while cleaning and symbolized the working-class woman of Northern England. Hilda and hubby Stan were inseparable even though life was hard and they constantly bickered.

She was a cleaner and throughout her tenure she was employed as the Rovers cleaner. She constantly clashed with the formidable Annie Walker, who looked down on her and Stan. Hilda wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. 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. Eddie Yeats lodged with them between 1980 and 1983 and the trio were very much a part of Corrie’s golden age. 

By 1984, Stan’s health deteriorated and he sadly died, leaving Hilda heartbroken. After his death, her soft touch came out when she provided a home for young Kevin Webster and later his wife Sally.

Hilda left the street in 1987 and her neighbours gave her a farewell party on Christmas Day. She led the regulars in a sing-song of ‘Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye’ and went to housekeep for Dr Lowther in Derbyshire.

Were you a fan of Hilda? Should she be higher?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 9

9. LIZ MCDONALD (241 VOTES)

Duration: 1989-1998, 2000-2001, 2003-2011, 2013-
Played by: Beverley Callard
2012 character poll position (women): 13

The barmaid who’s been the Rovers landlady on and off since 2006.

Originally married to Jim and mother to twins Steve and Andy, Liz embodied the strong woman that had been the core of Corrie’s success since the beginning. A no-messing character, upon her arrival she struck up a friendship with Deirdre Barlow that lasted until Deirdre’s death.

Before she became the Rovers landlady, she did have a brief stint as landlady of rival pub The Queens in the 1990s.

Like every Corrie woman, she suffered lots of drama and heartache: she lost her daughter Katie prematurely, Jim abused her, she divorced and remarried and divorced Jim and she married drummer Vernon Tomlin only to divorce him as well.

Her conquests over the years include Colin Barnes, Michael Wall, Charlie Stubbs, Harry Mason, Lloyd Mullaney, Derek the drayman, Owen Armstrong and Tony Stewart.

She fulfilled her dream of running the Rovers in 2006 and did so until she left in 2011. She returned in 2013 and has since been a strong presence behind the bar and many say that she echoes the qualities of Bet Gilroy as landlady. Despite nearing 60, Liz isn’t going to grow old gracefully with her questionable choice of clothes and shoes. She is indeed the best landlady the Rovers has had in a while.

Are you a fan of Liz?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 10

10. BET LYNCH (228 VOTES)

Duration: 1966, 1970-1995, 2002, 2003
Played by: Julie Goodyear
2012 character poll position (women): 7

Bet is not only the most famous barmaid of the Rovers Return, but in British soap history.

Hired by Billy Walker in 1970, Bet served behind the bar for 25 years, 10 of those as landlady. Following the footsteps of Elsie Tanner, she became the Street’s siren and her conquests include Len Fairclough, Mike Baldwin and Jack Duckworth.

While putting on a steel appearance in public, underneath it all lay a vulnerable woman. She had to give up her son Martin when she fell pregnant in her teenage years and was heartbroken when she heard that he died in action in Ireland in 1975. Many times she confided in fellow barmaid Betty Turpin about her fear of loneliness and how men used her. 

After 17 years of trying to find a husband, she married Alec Gilroy. They became popular due to their sarcastic banter. In 1988, Bet fell pregnant but they united in grief when she suffered a miscarriage. When Alec’s granddaughter Vicky became an orphan, the Gilroys took her in and became her surrogate parents. Their marriage lasted five years, and ended when Bet refused to move to Southampton with Alec.

Famed for her beehive and leopard print coats, Bet continued behind the bar until 1995, when she went into debt. When Vicky and old friend Rita refused to lend her money, she left the cobbles. 

Since her departure, she has made two comebacks. In 2002 she returned to wish Betty well on her retirement (which she didn’t) and attempted to make amends with Rita but no avail, and in 2003 when she helped out Jim and Liz McDonald and had a whirlwind romance with Cecil Newton. Cecil died of a heart attack before the wedding ceremony. Bet then returned to Brighton with Liz.

Were you a fan of Bet?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 11

11. AUDREY ROBERTS (226 VOTES)

Duration: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985-

Played by: Sue Nicholls

2012 character poll position (women): 8

Audrey first appeared when she came to daughter Gail’s engagement party to Brian Tilsley. After the turning the heads of the street’s menfolk and annoying the women she made fleeting appearances until she married Alf Roberts in 1985.

Alf brought Audrey the stability she needed after living a single life for so long. Although chalk and cheese, with Audrey infuriating tight-fisted Alf by spending money on shopping and clothes. Originally a floozy hairdresser, her marriage to Alf made her of a higher status. She was in her element as Alf’s lady when he became mayor in 1994, but was miffed when Alf sacked her and appointed Betty Turpin in her place. Audrey and Alf were married for thirteen years and she was devastated when he died of a stroke in 1999.

Soon after Alf’s death she was charmed by booming butcher Fred Elliott and they became briefly engaged only for her to rebuff him as she felt she was unfaithful to Alf. Other dalliances since then have included Archie Shuttleworth, Keith Appleyard, Bill Webster, Lewis Archer and Marc Selby. She is currently smitten with recently widowed Ken Barlow.

In 2002, she fell victim to son in law Richard Hillman’s clutches. He convinced her that she was losing her mind and even tried to kill her by setting her house on fire. Audrey’s accusations led to Gail banning her from family occasions and sided with Richard. When Richard confessed, Gail felt guilty and apologised to her mother.

In 1998 Audrey bought the salon from Fiona Middleton which she still runs today and has employed the likes of Maria Connor, Candice Stowe, David Platt and Kylie Platt. She also won Alf’s seat after he retired in 1998 and represented the area until she lost to Curly Watts in 2001. 

She shared a wonderful friendship with Alma Halliwell for many years and was heartbroken when Alma lost her battle with cancer. She also shares a strong friendship with Rita Tanner despite her jealousy of Alf and Rita's close friendship. But it is her scenes with Gail that are best remembered as they give each other honest advice and speak their mind. 

Are you a fan of Audrey?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 12

12. SALLY METCALFE (209 VOTES)

Duration: 1986-
Played by: Sally Dynevor
2012 character poll position (women): 18

Introduced as a girlfriend to Kevin Webster in 1986. While initially not welcomed by Kevin’s landlady Hilda Ogden, they warmed to each other. After only a few months of courtship Kevin and Sally got married.

Daughters Rosie and Sophie were born in 1990 and 1994 respectively. The Websters lived a happy and quiet life until Kevin had an affair with vamp Natalie Horrocks in 1997 which led to them divorcing. 

Between 1997 and 2002, Sally had relationships with Greg Kelly, Danny Hargreaves and Martin Platt amongst others. In 2002, she remarried Kevin (for the sake of the girls initially). In 2005, Sally had a fling with Ian Davenport. While Kevin forgave Sally, she couldn’t forgive him when he had an affair with Molly Dobbs that resulted in baby Jack. 

As she grew older, Sally stepped into the shoes of Annie Walker with her delusions of grandeur and snobbishness. She enrolled Rosie to private school Oakhill and convinced the family to move across the street to 4 Coronation Street as it had a conservatory and a garden.

In 2013 she began a relationship with Tim Metcalfe and a classic Corrie couple was born. Sally’s snobbishness is a stark contrast to Tim’s down to earth nature and is much very reminiscent of Jack and Annie Walker back in the 1960s. In 2015, Sally married Tim. I was surprised that she didn’t change her surname to Webster-Metcalfe considering that a double barrel name sounds posher. 

Sally has held many jobs over the years: barmaid, shop assistant, machinist, PA and factory supervisor. In 2016 she delved into the world of politics as she stood to become a local councillor. 

Are you a fan of Sally? 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 13

13. ELSIE TANNER (200 VOTES)

Duration: 1960-1973, 1976-1984

Played by: Pat Phoenix

2012 character poll position (women): 10

The original street siren and femme fatale. 

On-screen for 21 years, Elsie worked her way through four marriages and nearly 20 boyfriends. Married to Arnold for 23 years (although estranged for 16), then Steve Tanner for a few months, Alan Howard for 8 years and Bill Gregory for 20 years (as revealed by son Dennis in 2011). Mother to Linda and Dennis, she also became a mother figure to the likes of Suzie Birchall, Gail Potter and Marion Willis.

Among her many boyfriends there were Dave Smith, Len Fairclough, Ted Brownlow, Bill Fielding, Robert Maxwell, David Maxwell and Ron Mather.

As well as her romantic liaisons, Elsie is also best remembered for her legendary catfights with the likes of Ena Sharples, Hilda Ogden and Annie Walker. She also had a love/hate relationship with Rita due to her close friendship and past dalliance with Len. Elsie saw Len as her confidante and not her hubby and he was there for her during her turbulent marriages to Steve Tanner and Alan Howard. Elsie was genuinely happy when Len married Rita Littlewood (who saw Elsie as a threat) and was devastated when he died in 1983.

Elsie also had many jobs over the years: shop manageress, salon manageress, warehouse and factory supervisor, barmaid, café manageress and machinist. 

Elsie left the street for the first time in 1973 when she joined husband Alan when he got a job in Newcastle. She returned alone in 1976. In 1984 she was offered the chance to join old flame Bill Gregory in Portugal. Jobless and having lost old pal Len, she felt there was nothing left for her in the street and did a midnight flit. Asked by the taxi driver if she was to return, she gave a knowing smile and uttered: “Ah, now there’s a question!”. With Phoenix’ death in 1986, sadly Elsie never did tread the cobbles again. 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 14

14. EVA PRICE (186 VOTES)

Duration: 2011-
Played by: Catherine Tyldesley
2012 character poll position (women): Not included

Introduced as Rovers landlady Stella Price’s daughter. She secures a job at Nick’s Bistro and soon embarks on a relationship with Nick. When she finds out that Leanne Barlow is her half-sister, she is initially wary but over time they form a close bond.

After being dumped by Nick, she then begins a relationship with Rob Donovan. But when she realises he’s been cheating on her, she sets her sights on Nick who is now on the verge of marrying Leanne. Knowing that Leanne confided in Peter, Eva sabotages their wedding and it is called off. But Nick and Leanne marry the following month.

After a karaoke night in the Rovers, Eva spends the night with Jason Grimshaw and they embark on a relationship. The relationship is strong until Jason mistakenly believes that Eva is having an affair with his father Tony in 2015. Eva leaves the street briefly to visit her grandmother in Spain. She later returns and catches the eye of factory owner Aidan Connor.

Jobwise, after leaving her post at the Bistro she has been working on and off at Underworld as a machinist and briefly as PA and she’s also a member of the current bar staff at the Rovers. Her lovable persona and questionable outfits has seen her been compared to both past barmaids Bet Lynch and Raquel Wolstenhulme.

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 15

15. ALMA HALLIWELL (181 VOTES)

Duration: 1981-1982, 1988-2001
Played by: Amanda Barrie
2012 character poll position (women): 15

Introduced as the wife of café owner Jim Sedgewick and later takes over the café when they divorce in 1982. After immigrating to Florida, she returns to Weatherfield in 1988 and takes a more hands-on role in the business. She forms a business partnership with Gail Tilsley in 1989 and over the years they become close friends.

Upon her return, she begins an on/off relationship with Mike Baldwin. After being dumped by him for Jackie Ingram in 1990 and briefly dating his nemesis Ken Barlow, Alma and Mike marry in 1992. The marriage was popular with fans as Alma’s sympathetic and liberal-minded persona clashed with Mike’s capitalism and greed. The Baldwins were married until Mike had an affair with Julia Stone in 1999.

In 1997 Alma was kidnapped by Don Brennan in an act of revenge against Mike for ruining every aspect of his life – job, business and love life. Don drove his taxi into the canal but both Alma and he survived. 

As well as Gail, Alma formed a close friendship with Gail’s mum Audrey Roberts. They enjoyed socialising over a gin and tonic in the Rovers and shopping in Manchester, but to the annoyance of their respected hubbies Mike and Alf. Both confided in each other about their problems although the friendship was tested when Alma revealed that she’d made a pass at Audrey’s son Stephen in 1996.

Alma sold her share of the café in 1996 to Roy Cropper and got a job on the tills in Firman’s Freezers, much to Mike’s chagrin. She was eventually promoted. She was involved in an armed siege in 2000 but escaped unhurt.

In 2001 Alma received the devastating that she had terminal cervical cancer. Now living with Audrey, she is nursed and care for by her friends and ex Mike is also by her side. She opts to die at home and she passes away surrounded by friends Audrey, Gail, Ken, Curly and Mike.

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 16

16. BETTY WILLIAMS (175 VOTES)

Duration: 1969-2011
Played by: Betty Driver
2012 character poll position (women): 6

Introduced as the sister of Maggie Clegg who ran the corner shop, Betty was soon hired by Jack Walker as a barmaid at the Rovers – a job she held for 43 years!

Known for her matronly manner, no nonsense Betty initially clashed with landlady Annie Walker but they both grew to respect each other. Betty also didn’t approve of Bet Lynch at first but over the years they became lifelong and best mates.

Unlike other classic Corrie women, Betty led a quiet life. Until 1974 she was married to policeman Cyril Turpin. She was heartbroken when he died of a heart attack. 21 years later she was startled to meet up with old flame Billy Williams. After a whirlwind romance they married. But the marriage only lasted until Billy’s death in 1997. 

The only scandal that she faced was in 1974 when it was discovered that she was indeed Gordon Clegg’s mother and not his aunt as everyone had been led to believe. But after the revelation, they formed a close relationship and Betty would often visit Gordon and his family in Wimbledon. 

Famed for her hotpot, Betty’s dish was often scrutinised by the likes of Alec Gilroy, Vera Duckworth and Vernon Tomlin but it is still being served even after Betty’s death through Sean Tully. She also walked out many times from the Rovers due to numerous reasons – accused of stealing, accused of being too old and just clashing with various bosses.

Betty holds two Rovers records: the longest serving barmaid and the oldest barmaid. She pulled her last pint when she was 91. While she had only worked part-time since the mid-80s, her presence was known. Betty passed away in 2012 and her memory lives on as her photo is displayed in the Rovers, as if she’s still keeping watch on the goings-on in the pub. 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Females - No. 17

17. RAQUEL WATTS (173 VOTES)

Duration: 1991-1996, 2000

Played by: Sarah Lancashire

2012 character poll position (women): 23

Introduced as an assistant at Bettabuys supermarket, working alongside the likes of Curly Watts, Reg Holdsworth, Vera Duckworth and Ivy Brennan.

She was later hired as a barmaid at the Rovers and formed a close friendship with landlady Bet Gilroy and fellow barmaid Betty Turpin. She also dabbled in modelling.

Soon enough, Raquel was in a relationship with Des Barnes. She was heartbroken when ex-wife Steph turned up as he hoped for a reconciliation. Time and time again Des and Raquel would rekindle their relationship, only for Des for dump her when he got a better offer. 

After failed relationships with Gordon Blinkhorn and Wayne Farrell, she married friend and confidante Curly in 1995. But the aching truth was that she didn’t love him. She still loved Des, for all his faults. 

She confessed to Curly her real feelings, but he forgave her. They had a happy marriage until she left him – not for Des, but for a job in Malaysia. She made a brief return in 2000 to let Curly know that they had a daughter called Alice. Raquel was by then living in Paris.

Ditzy Raquel’s notable scenes during her tenure include having French lessons with Ken Barlow in the Rovers backroom and having a conversation about football with Alma Baldwin and Denise Osbourne in the Rovers bar. She is undoubtedly a classic Corrie character.

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