Top 50 Corrie Couples - Nos. 50 and 49

With thanks to everyone who voted in all of our polls here on the Coronation Street Blog over the last few weeks as we aimed to find out some of your favourite Corrie couples of all time. And now... the poll results in reverse order.

50. Karl Munro and Stella Price/Munro, 2011-2013 (7 votes)

The fact that this couple is at the bottom poll is a clear sign that fans didn’t take to them!

Karl and Stella moved into the Rovers when Stella became the manager. Karl then got a job as a cabby at Streetcars. They later bought the pub from Steve when he was in financial trouble. Karl then later developed a gambling addiction, which included stealing from Stella and the pub profits and was helped by Sunita Alahan, who he then had an affair with. They were found out and Stella kicked Karl out of the Rovers and he moved in with Sunita, who he really only saw as a bit of fun.

He then attempted to woo Stella back – he started a fire at the Rovers and blamed Stella’s boyfriend Jason. But it backfired – Stella was in the pub – he thought she was out! A panicked Karl ran into the fire and saved Stella. Fearing Sunita was going to expose him, he finished her off at hospital. Stella saw Karl as her hero and fell back in love with him and planned to marry. They married but after the wedding Karl was found out as a killer and arsonist. He kept Stella hostage in the Rovers but was later arrested and jailed. Stella was left humiliated and heartbroken.

Should they be in bottom place? Were you a fan?

49. David Barlow and Irma Ogden/Barlow, 1964-1968 (12 votes)

Considering it’s 46 years since they last appeared together, it’s incredible that David and Irma received 12 votes!

Different to his brother Ken, David only married once – to Stan and Hilda Ogden’s daughter Irma. They first met in 1964 when David was visiting the street. Fun-loving Irma was flattered by David’s interest in her and when he proposed to her, she gladly accepted. David wanted a quiet wedding and convinced Irma not to tell anyone. But they were found out and surprised them by showing up at their reception. David soon retired from his career as a footballer due to injury and Irma convinced him to buy the corner shop from Lionel Petty.

Irma later fell pregnant but suffered a miscarriage and this put pressure on their marriage as Irma was convinced that she would never have children. By 1968, David had grown tired of the shop and when he was offered to join a football team in Australia, as his leg was better, he jumped at the chance. Although reluctant at first, Irma agreed and they emigrated, selling the shop to Les and Maggie Clegg. Irma gave birth to Darren the same year. In 1970, they became involved in a car crash and David and Darren were killed. Irma returned to the UK, a widow and childless.

Do you remember them running the Corner Shop?

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The faces of Corrie in 1967

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1967, 103 episodes were broadcast.

1. Annie Walker (90 episodes)
2. Jack Walker (87 episodes)
3. Elsie Tanner (85 episodes)
4. Ena Sharples (84 episodes)
5. Len Fairclough (82 episodes)
6. Irma Barlow (70 episodes)
7. Jerry Booth (70 episodes)
8. Stan Ogden (70 episodes)
9. David Barlow (69 episodes)
10. Albert Tatlock (69 episodes)
11. Valerie Barlow (68 episodes)
12. Lucille Hewitt (67 episodes)

Due to lack of space, Dennis Tanner fails to make the top 12, but he also appeared for 67 episodes

Average age: 43

Note: This is the last time Albert, Irma (to date) and David appear in the top 12

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The faces of Corrie in 1966

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1966, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Len Fairclough (84 episodes)
2.    Elsie Tanner (79 episodes)
3.    Jack Walker (78 episodes)
4.    Jerry Booth (77 episodes)
5.    Annie Walker (75 episodes)
6.    Ena Sharples (74 episodes)
7.    Minnie Caldwell (66 episodes)
8.    Hilda Ogden (66 episodes)
9.    David Barlow (65 episodes)
10.    Irma Barlow (65 episodes)
11.    Ken Barlow (65 episodes)
12.    Valerie Barlow (64 episodes)

   

Due to lack of space, Dennis Tanner fails to make the top 12, but he also appeared for 64 episodes
 

Average age: 42

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

The faces of Corrie in 1965

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next few weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

 In 1965, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Len Fairclough (90 episodes)
2.    Annie Walker (87 episodes)
3.    Jack Walker (86 episodes)
4.    Elsie Tanner (84 episodes)
5.    Stan Ogden (83 episodes)
6.    Irma Ogden/Barlow (81 episodes)
7.    Hilda Ogden (80 episodes)
8.    Minnie Caldwell (70 episodes)
9.    Ken Barlow (68 episodes)
10.    Dennis Tanner (67 episodes)
11.    Albert Tatlock (67 episodes)
12.    Valerie Barlow (65 episodes)

Average age: 43

Note: This is, to date, the last time Dennis appears in the top 12

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Favourite Corrie couples countdown - ninth poll

Hello all! Now, I hope you've voted in the seventh poll of ten because that is now officially closed. But you have until midnight next Monday to vote for two of your favourite couples in the eighth poll.

So, who's in our penultimate poll?

David Barlow and Irma Ogden/Barlow (1964-1968) – Irma was flattered by David’s interest in her and gladly accepted his marriage proposal. They had a quiet wedding, only for the whole street to turn up at their reception. David retired from football and they bought the Corner Shop in 1966. Irma later suffered a miscarriage. By 1968, David had grown tired of shop life and decided to return to football and was offered a place on an Australian team. The Barlows sold up and emigrated. Irma gave birth to Darren that year. Sadly, Irma returned alone in 1970 – both David and Darren had died in a car crash in Australia.

Ashley Peacock and Maxine Heavey/Peacock (1997, 1999-2003) – Although mismatched, they loved each other. After an on/off romance, they married in 1999. The marriage did have problems, like Maxine having problems getting pregnant by Ashley. While Ashley was having an operation, Maxine drunkenly spent the night with GP Matt Ramsden and fell pregnant. Joshua was born in 2001. Although angered that Matt was the father, Ashley brought Josh up as his own. By 2003, the Peacocks were happy but tragedy happened when Richard Hillman murdered Maxine after she interrupted him attacking Emily. Ashley was left a widower at 26.

David Platt and Kylie Turner/Platt (2011- ) – Gail and Audrey were shocked when David returned from Tenerife with Kylie in tow, saying they were engaged. They had a double wedding with Graeme and Xin that year and Kylie and David soon regained custody of Max. The couple had a happy period until David started pressurising Kylie to have a baby and they briefly split up. A fed up Kylie confided in Nick and they slept together, but agreed not to tell David. Kylie later fell pregnant and was worried who was the father. A few months later David found out and secretly sabotaged Nick’s business and when he confronted him, he nearly killed him in a van/lorry crash. David found out he was the father and hoped Nick wouldn’t remember. But he did and told Kylie. Since then, David and Kylie have separated as David tries to win her back.

Jack and Vera Duckworth (1979, 1981-2008) – One of Corrie’s most iconic couples who were a part of our lives for over 25 years. Jack was a layabout who liked nothing more than supping in the Rovers, while Vera was loud, brash and nosy. They made their mark on the street by installing stone cladding on No.9. Vera was elated when her father falsely told her the family was in the royal lineage and she put on airs and graces when she became Rovers landlady in 1995. During their time behind the bar, they shared many a classic moment like Vera’s attempt at seducing Jack or Jack pinching Betty’s bum. They moved out of the Rovers in 1999 and over the next few years they still bickered – be it over Vera’s decision to rename their house ‘The Old Rectory’ or Jack becoming a nude model. ‘Our Terry’ was also a point of debate between them. Sadly, the partnership ended with Vera’s death in 2008. Jack was lost without his little ‘swampduck’.

 
Jason Grimshaw and Sarah Platt/Grimshaw (2005-2007) – Although they had a schooldays fling, they embarked on a real relationship in 2005, after Jason was dumped by Violet Wilson. The relationship didn’t please Eileen or Gail as Sarah had already had a failed relationship with Jason’s brother Todd. Sarah’s insecurity about Jason’s relationship with Violet was an early problem with Sarah dumping him in the Rovers. But, determined to be with her, Jason proposed. The wedding is a disaster as Jason jumps through a toilet window. But they reconcile and despite David’s sabotaging and scheming, they marry on Halloween 2007. But by the end of the year, the marriage is over as Jason decides not to join Sarah and Bethany in Milan.

Have you got favourites in this five? Well, vote for two of them and we'll see where they'll be in the countdown! The poll closes at midnight on Monday, 6th of January.
 

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Corrie A-Z: C is for the Corner Shop (Part 1: 1960-1980)

With thanks to Daran Little’s Coronation Street: Around the Houses for all the info on the history of the Corner Shop prior to 1960.

 

For many years, the Corner Shop was a staple in every Corrie episode, where characters were seen talking and gossiping about goings-on in the street. And the shopkeeper had an integral part in the community: be it Florrie Lindley back in the early 1960s or Alf Roberts in the 1980s. But in recent years, the Corner Shop has lost its status and has dwindled into extinction, apart from the odd scene here and there.

 

At one time, the Corner Shop played a vital role in many episodes. Indeed, it played the central role in the very first episode back in December 1960 when Elsie Lappin handed the business over to Florrie Lindley after 30 years. It was through Florrie’s eyes that we met the characters as they came to the shop to introduce themselves to the new shopkeeper.

 

Prior to Coronation Street’s on-screen debut in 1960, the corner shop had proprietors since 1902. The first owners were Cedric and Lottie Thwaite who ran the shop until 1915. The Foyle family (including Tommy, Amelia, Lil, Elsie, Hilda and Shelagh) ran the shop from 1930 to 1947. Elsie, and her husband Les Lappin, bought the shop in 1947. Les died in 1952 and Elsie continued behind the counter until she sold the shop to Florrie Lindley in 1960.

 

Let’s take a closer look at who was behind the counter between 1960 and 1980:

 

Florrie Lindley 1960-1965

 

Florrie was a typical shopkeeper: a kind, caring and compassionate soul. During her stint behind the counter she installed a new window and doorway and opened a sub-post office. Irma Ogden became her assistant in 1964. But loneliness ate away at Florrie and led her to have a nervous breakdown and she wrecked the shop. In 1965, estranged hubby Norman re-entered her life and persuaded Florrie to join him in Canada. She agreed and sold the shop to Lionel Petty.

 

Lionel Petty 1965-1966

 

Petty was an ex-Army officer and ran the shop in an efficient but military way and his approach towards the customers was a stark contrast to Florrie. Even assistant Irma stayed off work to avoid him and when he was short towards Ena Sharples many of the residents boycotted the shop. As well as Irma, his daughter Sandra worked behind the counter as did Dennis Tanner. After only a few months, Lionel sold up the shop and returned to his native Wales.

 

David and Irma Barlow 1966-1968

 

Petty sold the shop to young married couple David and Irma. The first thing the Barlows did was close the sub-post office that had been in the shop since 1964 but in recent months had become unprofitable. They settled into shop life and were popular with residents. But within a few months Irma had grown bored and left the shop to work as a machinist at the PVC factory while mother Hilda took up the job of shop assistant, to David’s chagrin. Irma soon returned the shop and life was good until 1968 when David craved for a return to his football career. And when he was offered a place in an Australian team, he persuaded Irma that they should immigrate and sold the shop.

 

Les Clegg 1968-1970, Maggie Clegg 1968-1974, Irma Barlow 1970-1972 and Gordon Clegg 1974-1976

 

The Cleggs bought the shop as a new start due to Les’ alcoholism and a chance for him to stay sober. They arrived on the street with their ‘son’ Gordon. They were happy for two months before Les fell off the wagon and assaulted Maggie and thus ended their marriage. Needing help, Maggie took on Ena Sharples and Valerie Barlow as her assistants. Maggie’s overbearing sister Betty Turpin arrived on the street in 1969 to help her sister out but Maggie persuaded her to get a job as a barmaid at the Rovers. Valerie left her post as assistant at the end of 1969 when she got a job at Alan Howard’s hair salon. In 1970, Les and Maggie divorced and Maggie was given the shop in the settlement. Soon after, a widowed Irma returned from Australia and entered into a partnership with Maggie. As a result, Ena left her post as shop assistant. Hilda helped out now and again; Janet Reid was briefly an assistant in 1971 and Lucille Hewitt from late 1971 to early 1972. Irma sold her share to Maggie and moved to Llandudno in 1972.

 

Maggie was now the sole owner of the shop and took on Norma Ford as her assistant who stayed until the end of 1973. In 1974, Maggie appreciated the help of Alf Roberts. When he proposed, she rejected stating she only saw him as a good friend. But within a few weeks she married Ron Cooke and they immigrated to Zaire. Maggie passed the shop on to Gordon but when he clashed with Betty, he left for London and rented the shop to Welsh couple Idris and Vera Hopkins who moved to the shop with their daughter Tricia and Idris’ mother Megan. But they had a short stay when Megan found out that Betty was Gordon’s real mother and tried to blackmail Gordon into selling the shop to them at a lower price. Gordon had been told that Betty was his mother by Maggie when she visited in early 1975. As a result, the Hopkins were evicted and left in a midnight flit. Gordon did let Tricia stay in the shop flat with her best mate Gail Potter and they ran the shop until mid-1975 when Blanche Hunt took the reins with the young girls her assistants. When Blanche left the street in early 1976, Tricia and Gail took care of the shop. As Gordon was in London, it was Betty who looked after the shop’s financial side and reported to Gordon of any problems. In mid-1976, Gordon sold the shop to Renee Bradshaw.

 

Renee Bradshaw/Roberts 1976-1980

 

Renee took over the shop to be closer to her brother Terry. She soon sacked Tricia and Gail for being terrible assistants and Tricia left the area. Renee soon applied for an off-licence and waged a war against publican Annie Walker and won. Bet Lynch moves in as a flat tenant and Renee becomes her confidante. Alf Roberts romances Renee and they marry in 1978. When Alf is injured when a lorry ploughs into the Rovers, he retires from the GPO to help Renee at the shop. In 1980, the Roberts decided to sell the shop and move to run a sub-post office in Grange-over-Sands. But on the way from Grange, Renee is killed in a lorry-crash collision. Alf decides to stay put on the street and continue behind the counter.

 

To be continued...

 

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