Brookside Guide.....Season Twenty Three.....

by the "Brookside Expert "

BROOKSIDE - SEASON TWENTY-THREE (43 episodes)
[Episodes 917-959]

The episodes:

Episode 917 (F 22-03-91 "Women's Guilt") Written by Valerie Windsor - Sammy packs her bags and leaves home to move in with Tim. Terry finds out whether he has passed his sperm test.

Episode 918 (M 25-03-91 "Unwanted") Written by Allan Swift - Sammy has been out on the tiles again. Nikki gets her marching orders. Barry tries to make Terry realise that he has still got problems.

Episode 919 (W 27-03-91 "Maturity") Written by Allan Swift - Tony plans to remove all the Easter eggs from Max's garden. Frank goes to confront Sammy at the hotel. Tracy is not impressed when Mark spends a night out patronising Diana without her realising.

Episode 920 (F 29-03-91 "Greed") Written by Allan Swift - Frank intends to make Sammy even more embarrassed. Barry goes to church, which could lead to some good news for Tracy.

Episode 921 (M 01-04-91 "Ratty") Written by Chris Curry - Josie wants to use Mick's court fund to buy stock for her market stall. The Dixons and Bensons go out for the evening, leaving Jacqui to babysit Tony and Benno. Frank decides to take an overseas run. There are arguments about childcare at the Farnhams'.

Episode 922 (W 03-04-91 "Doubly Sure") Written by Chris Curry - Max's ex-wife telephones asking for more money, which doesn't please Patricia. Barry has another favour to ask of Terry, and Mick discusses his chances in court. Chrissy goes to visit Sammy at Tim's.

Episode 923 (F 05-04-91 "Guilt Trigger") Written by Chris Curry - Margaret's little job on the side isn't going to please Patricia, especially as she is not on very good terms with Josie. Sue offers to help Barry. Chrissy tries to persuade Frank to go to see Sammy before he goes overseas.

Episode 924 (M 08-04-91 "Fountain") Written by Kathleen Potter - Mick is frustrated when he can't find Frank, and Sammy is unwilling to help. Max takes a day off work, and witnesses the arrival of a new monstrosity at the Dixons'.

Episode 925 (W 10-04-91 "Sense") Written by Kathleen Potter - Jimmy tries to persuade Josie to diversify into baby clothes, which he can offer at a reasonable charge. Margaret wonders if Max is doing the right thing by removing the old kitchen units before ordering new ones.

Episode 926 (F 12-04-91 "Not Looking Good") Written by Kathleen Potter - Mick faces up to his court appearance, but doesn't want Gemma and Leo with him. Patricia discovers that Max has applied for another job, and has already handed in his notice at the electricity board.

Episode 927 (M 15-04-91 "Intentions") Written by Maurice Bessman - The noise of the band practising causes annoyance around the Close. The jury arrives at a verdict on Mick. Barry makes a frustrating discovery about Jed Smith.

Episode 928 (W 17-04-91 "Trust And Facts") Written by Maurice Bessman - Josie feels bad about the taxi drivers' money, and won't even have a friendly flutter with Mick. Patricia is finding it hard to convince her boss that she has a brain. Mike considers deferring his college career, but Jacqui doesn't fancy his chances.

Episode 929 (F 19-04-91 "Constricting") Written by Maurice Bessman - Mick discovers that Josie has taken the money. Mike is nervous before his gig at the Legion. Maria feels that she needs a change. Margaret is not pleased when her ex-boyfriend tracks her down.

Episode 930 (M 22-04-91 "Team Games") Written by Barry Woodward - The Farnhams' kitchen fiasco continues as Max enlists Kieran's help with the plastering. Patricia is under enough stress already, with the presentation she is meant to be giving.

Episode 931 (W 24-04-91 "Takeaway") Written by Barry Woodward - Kieran asks Margaret why she is treating him like muck, and she tells him not to trail it through the house. Geoff discovers the truth about Bumper's girlfriend. When the council refuse vans arrive, Max takes matters into his own hands, and Ron isn't going to like what he doesn't find.

Episode 932 (F 26-04-91 "Got You") Written by Barry Woodward - Kieran gets his marching orders. Tracy is worried about Barry's hairdressing job. Ron and Max clash over the disappearance of certain things.

Episode 933 (M 29-04-91 "Break") Written by Andy Lynch - Mick has a go at Frank, Patricia meets an important client, and Nikki moves in with the Corkhills. Margaret encourages Sammy to talk to her father again.

Episode 934 (W 01-05-91 "Walls") Written by Andy Lynch - Aunty Lou is discharged from hospital and moves in with Mick and Josie, but is the constant stream of visitors a help or a hindrance? DD makes plans to hold a tarot night in the Close.

Episode 935 (F 03-05-91 "Erection") Written by Andy Lynch - The Farnhams return home to find that Ron has been busy, and Max is careless in his choice of words when seeking DD's opinion of her husband's handiwork.

Episode 936 (M 06-05-91 "Griffins") Written by Valerie Windsor - When Nikki wakes up, she finds that Rod is eating her face-pack. Max decides that a trellis is the most appropriate response to the Wall of Doors. Patricia has to decide whether to take on a job in London. Ron finds his fountain.

Episode 937 (W 08-05-91 "Subtlety") Written by Valerie Windsor - Patricia makes a decision. Frank and Geoff have a chat. Everyone stays in for the night at the Corkhills', but a card game turns nasty.

Episode 938 (F 10-05-91 "In The Wrong") Written by Valerie Windsor - Frank agrees to go with Chrissy for a meal with Sammy and Tim, but ends up wishing he hadn't. Patricia sets off for London.

Episode 939 (M 13-05-91 "Personae Non Grata") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Sue finds Barry's new girlfriend in the house. Frank decides he wants nothing more to do with Sammy and Tim. Rod is annoyed to find that Mark has spent the night at the Corkhills'. Max gives Margaret the week off.

Episode 940 (W 15-05-91 "Big Brother") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Max is beginning to miss Patricia, and is struggling to look after all of his children at the same time. Rod and Barry try to warn Tracy off Mark, but she isn't prepared to listen. Carla's presence continues to irritate Sue.

Episode 941 (F 17-05-91 "Jealous") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Sue tells Terry he is going to have to choose between her and Barry. Sammy gets her own back on Chloe at the meal out, and Mark is furious when he finds that someone has scratched his car.

Episode 942 (M 20-05-91 "Locked Out") Written by Susan Pleat - Diana has big news for Rod. Terry has to tell Barry he's got to go.

Episode 943 (W 22-05-91 "Seeds") Written by Susan Pleat - Katie and Siobhan write to a magazine's problem page about their family troubles. Rod tells Diana that he will do the decent thing and marry her.

Episode 944 (F 24-05-91 "Lovelorn Look") Written by Susan Pleat - There is good news and bad news as Terry gets the results of his latest sperm test, and Geoff finds out whether he has been accepted by Tranmere Rovers.

Episode 945 (M 27-05-91 "Days Out") Written by Peter Cox - The residents are out and about on the bank holiday, and for some it's not pleasant. Sue talks about her career, and shocks Terry.

Episode 946 (W 29-05-91 "Marked Man") Written by Peter Cox - Geoff needs encouragement to get on with his life, but Frank has other ideas about how he may become involved in the football industry. Sue doesn't know where to turn, and can't win either way.

Episode 947 (F 31-05-91 "Respect") Written by Peter Cox - Barry decides that intimidation is the best approach, but he succeeds in causing a lot of trouble for everyone. Sue's decision forces Terry to take drastic action.

Episode 948 (M 03-06-91 "No Chance") Written by Barry Woodward - Geoff comes to a decision about his future, and acts on it. Chrissy discovers what Katie has done. DD plans to surprise Ron with an unusual wedding anniversary present.

Episode 949 (W 05-06-91 "No Good") Written by Barry Woodward - Rod makes his feelings plain to Mark. It is Barry's 32nd birthday. Geoff runs out of the examination room, and Ron plans to find a new home for the stone lion.

Episode 950 (F 07-06-91 "Lennie") Written by Barry Woodward - Rod is reluctant to accept an engagement present from Ron. Tracy insists that Barry takes no revenge on Mark. Sinbad accuses Jimmy of stealing people's memories.

Episode 951 (M 10-06-91 "Brooding") Written by Kathleen Potter - Margaret wonders if she and Max will end up in London with Patricia and most of Max's CDs. Jimmy fears that he will end up in prison again. DD prepares and distributes invitations for her tarot night.

Episode 952 (W 12-06-91 "Tarot Night") Written by Kathleen Potter - The residents look into the future at the Dixons' tarot evening, but Sue isn't happy with hers. Chrissy is sure of what she has seen, but convincing Sammy is another matter. Sinbad insists that Jimmy lets him tidy up the flat, but who is the visitor he is expecting?

Episode 953 (F 14-06-91 "Spare Part") Written by Kathleen Potter - It's Fathers Day, and Katie tries to heal the rift between Frank and Sammy. DD confides in Derek about Maria's infertility. Jimmy receives a card, but wonders if it is too late for a fresh start with Lindsey. A man and a dog arrive looking for Rod, and Barry can't decide which one is the uglier.

Episode 954 (M 17-06-91 "To Keep A Secret") Written by Andy Lynch - Barry severs his partnership. Sammy starts to realise that Tim means what she says. When Maria spends a lot of time on the phone, Ron jokes that she may have another man.......

Episode 955 (W 19-06-91 "A Man Alone") Written by Andy Lynch - Jimmy has an unexpected visit from his wife, and she reinforces what Lindsey has said, making him feel even more low. Tim makes his feelings clear, but Sammy still doesn't get it.

Episode 956 (F 21-06-91 "There For Her") Written by Andy Lynch - Jimmy can only watch his daughter's wedding from a safe distance. Julia plans to show Cyril how discreet she can be by following him. Mike's band practice is interrupted by Tina's boyfriend, whose face is familiar.......

Episode 957 (M 24-06-91 "A Bit Wet") Written by Allan Swift - Mike prepares for a race, and Max prepares Patricia's breakfast. Tim tries to convince Sammy that it's all over between them, but will having a bucket of water thrown over her help to make her understand?

Episode 958 (W 26-06-91 "Serious Money") Written by Allan Swift - The Dixons are in a racing and betting mood. Father Derek visits Margaret again.

Episode 959 (F 28-06-91 "The Race") Written by Allan Swift - Sammy resorts to desperate tactics to get Tim back, but can he overcome them? Barry becomes the owner of the new shops, and gives Max something to think about. Jacqui's interference in the race causes a terrible accident.

The cast:

RESIDENTS:
Rod Corkhill - JASON HOPE (918, 919, 931, 936-940, 942-945, 948-950)
Tracy Corkhill - JUSTINE KERRIGAN (917-920, 930-933, 935-944, 946-950, 953)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (925, 927, 930, 931, 936-938, 948-959, 955, 956, 958)
DD (Deborah) Dixon (nee O'Farrell) - IRENE MAROT (920, 921, 929, 932, 934-936, 948-957)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (920, 921, 924, 926, 927, 929-937, 948-955, 957, 959)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (921, 928, 951, 958, 959)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (924, 926-929, 950, 954, 956-959)
Tony Dixon - GERARD BOSTOCK (918-923, 946)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (917, 919, 920, 922, 924-926, 930-941, 951, 953, 954, 956, 957, 959)
Patricia Farnham (nee Crosbie) - GABRIELLE GLAISTER (917, 920-922, 924-928, 930-938, 953, 954, 956, 957)
Margaret Clemence - NICOLA STEPHENSON (918, 921-925, 929-933, 936, 939, 951, 953, 955, 957, 958)
Thomas Farnham (921-923, 927, 930, 932 OOV, 933, 940)
Barry Grant - PAUL USHER (917-920, 922-924, 927-932, 935, 939-942, 944-947, 949, 950, 953-956, 959)
Josie Johnson (nee Christie) - SUZANNE PACKER (921-930, 932-935, 937, 949, 951, 958)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (921-930, 932, 949, 958)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA (923, 924, 926, 927, 930, 958)
Leo Johnson - LEEON SAWYER (924, 926, 927, 930, 958)
Chrissy Rogers (nee Morgan) - EITHNE BROWNE (917, 918, 921-923, 933, 935, 936, 938, 939, 942, 944-953, 956)
Frank Rogers - PETER CHRISTIAN (917-921, 923, 933-939, 942-946, 948, 950, 953, 955, 956)
Geoff "Growler" Rogers - KEVIN CARSON (930-932, 937, 939, 940, 943-949, 951, 952, 956)
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (918, 919, 921, 934, 939, 943, 947, 950, 951, 953, 956)
Sammy Rogers - RACHAEL LINDSAY (917-920, 922, 924, 928, 933, 938, 941, 951-955, 957-959)
Sue Sullivan (nee Harper) - ANNIE MILES (917, 920, 923, 925, 928, 939-948, 952, 956, 957, 959)
Terry Sullivan - BRIAN REGAN (917, 918, 920, 922-926, 929, 939-945, 947, 948, 953)
Daniel Sullivan - SAM EVANS (920, 944, 945)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (927, 931, 933, 936, 938, 950-952, 955, 958)

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Alex - TIM BERRINGTON (923, 928, 930, 933, 934)
Marcia Barrett - CHERYL MAIKER (926, 927, 930)
Charlie Benson - ROY BRANDON (921, 929, 952, 954, 955)
Maria Benson - PAULINE DANIELS (921, 929, 952, 954, 955, 957)
Benno (Simon Benson) - ANDREW FEARON (919-923)
Sam Bishop - DAVID ROPER (918, 920, 923, 935, 946)
Kenneth James Brady (926, 927)
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE (943-948, 952, 954-957, 959)
Arthur Clough - ANTHONY WATSON (953)
Carl Crawford - NICHOLAS McKENNA (927, 929)
Paul Cunningham - DAVID JOHN POPE (923, 928, 930, 933, 934)
Tim Derby - CHRISTOPHER BLAKE (917-920, 922, 928, 938, 941, 953-955, 957, 959)
Cyril Dixon - ALLAN SURTEES (944-947, 954-956)
Emily Farnham - VICTORIA BENNETT (920, 940)
Matthew Farnham - GARETH RYAN JONES (920, 940)
Geoffrey Fletcher - CHRIS WRIGHT (925)
Paula Heneghan - JODIE DRAPER (917, 931, 932, 940, 945, 951)
Brian "Bumper" Humphreys - JAMES MAWDSLEY (917, 930-932, 940, 945, 947)
Father Derek O'Farrell - CLIVE MOORE (936, 939, 953, 955, 958)
Togga (Tommy O'Grady) - RAYMOND LIVINGSTON (919, 922, 923)
Gina Philips (nee Brookes) - JILL BRASSINGTON (942, 945)
P.C. Mark Potter - PAUL CROSBY (919, 920, 937-939, 941, 943, 945-949)
Greg Sinnott - NEIL ANTHONY (956, 958, 959)
Siobhan - JOANNE BIRCHALL (943, 947)
Jed Smith - DAVID COLE (919, 922, 935, 954)
Diana Spence - PAULA FRANCES (919, 937, 942-945)
Michael "Tommo" Tomlinson - JOHN O'GORMAN (936-938, 944, 949)
Nikki White - MICHELLE BYATT (917, 918, 932, 933, 935-937, 944, 949)
Radio voice - ROGER PHILLIPS (948)

NEW CHARACTERS WITH FULL NAMES:
Carla Casey - GAIL DAVIDSON (939-941)
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) - SUE JENKINS (955)
Jane Connor - RACHEL DAVIES (926)
Susannah Farnham (nee Morrisey) - KAREN DRURY (940 stand-in)
Michael Harvey, Defence Counsel - PHILIP RIAM (926, 927)
Mr David Hughes - DAVID LUMSDEN (933)
Sharon Jones, playing "Sharon Worthing" - INGRID WELLS (933)
Jim McCabe - ROSS DAVIDSON (944)
Fran Pearson - JULIE PEASGOOD (943, 944, 946, 952, 959) [ Not the same character as the previous Fran Pearson ]
Susan Robinson - SHEILA FERGUSON (933, 934)
Keith Rooney - KIRK SMITH (954, 956, 958, 959)
Tina Shaw - SUZANNE CLEARY (954, 956)
Lindsey Corkhill - CLAIRE SWEENEY (952, 953)

NEW CHARACTERS WITHOUT FULL NAMES:
Kieran - ANDREW SHAKOS (929-932)
Liquidator - ROGER DELVES-BROUGHTON (955)
Aunty Lou - JOAN TURNER (927, 930, 932, 934, 935, 952)
Mr Radcliffe - DUNCAN DUFF (922)
Rob - JAMES MANSFIELD (957)
Willy The Whiff - BILLY B BOUTON (921)

UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
"Bomber", drummer (929)
Billy Byron, actor (933)
Mr Davies (943)
Adam Derby (941)
Chloe "Coco" Derby (941)
Ian, pilot (923)
John, acquaintance of Ron (929)
"Kirby Coyotes", band (921)
Mr Lewis, manager (919)
Mike/Michael, barman (952)
Satan, dog (953)

There are brief roles in this season for Ross Davidson, a member of the original cast of "EastEnders", and Sheila Ferguson, who was previously one of "The Three Degrees" !

The storylines:

Sammy moves in with Tim, but it all ends in tears. And broken windows. Tracy discovers Mark is certainly not the one for her, but Margaret finds an unlikely soulmate, and after Diana mistakenly thinks she's pregnant, Rod decides they should get married. Mick appears in court and is acquitted, Jimmy is not wanted at his daughter's wedding, Barry becomes a property owner, and Terry has an operation, but Sue then decides she doesn't want a baby yet after all. Patricia is working away, Max is not working at home, and Ron builds a wall, unaware that several members of his family are keeping secrets from him - including Mike, who is putting his life at risk in a bid to score over Sinnott.......

The dates:

It is Easter in episode 918; Good Friday in episode 920; April Fool's Day in episode 921; and Friday in episode 923. Based on earlier and later dialogue, it is Thursday in episode 925 and Friday in episode 926, in which it is mentioned that Mick's encounter with Brady, seen in episode 875, was on December 14th 1990. In episode 927, the incident was "four months ago" and "before Christmas", and it is now April. It is Friday in episode 930, in which a poster on the wall states that the "murder weekend", seen in episode 933, is on May 4th; based on dialogue in episode 930, it is Thursday in episode 932; and it is a bank holiday, and 63 years since women got the vote, in episode 936. It is the Monday, and the Wednesday, before cup final Saturday in episodes 939 and 940 respectively, and in episode 940 it is "nearly summer". Based on dialogue in episode 942, it is Monday in episode 944; and it is still Monday, and a bank holiday, in episode 945. It is Sunday, and Father's Day, in episode 953; and it is the middle of summer in episode 955. In episode 956 it is Saturday, and, based on dialogue from episode 948, 21st June [which isn't a Saturday, unfortunately]. Based on dialogue in episode 949, it is Wednesday in episode 952. It is 1991 in episode 957, and, based on dialogue in that episode, it is Friday in episode 958.

Name-checks:

Vidal Sassoon (917); Hale and Pace (917); Mary Poppins (918); Neil Sedaka (918); Frei Otto, Munich Olympia designer (918); Renzo Piano, designer (918); Desperate Dan (920); Saddam Hussein (920); Bugs Bunny (920); [John] Major (921); Florence Nightingale (925); "L.A. Law" (927); Danny La Rue (927, rhyming slang); the [Rolling] Stones (927, 938); Bobby Darin (929); the Clampetts (929); Vera Lynn (929); Capone (931); Kray (931); Corlione (931); Dickens (931); Thackeray (931); Agatha Christie (932); Tom Cruise (932); Glenn Ford (934); Henry VIII (934); King John (934); Cilla [Black] (935, 936), "Blind Date" (935); Bernard Manning (936); Winston Churchill (936); Kevin Costner (936); Robin Hood (936); Meryl [Streep?] (936); Gerry Marsden (938); the Mamas and the Papas (938); the Beach Boys (938, 946); Simon and Garfunkel (938); Manfred Mann (938); the Spencer Davis band and its individual members (938); The Beautiful South (939); Paul Simon (939); Bob Dylan (939); Erik Estrada (940); Adolf Hitler (941); Eva Braun (941); William Shakespeare (943); Richard Burton (945); Elizabeth Taylor (945); Maradona (945); Dr Spock (945); Desperate Dan (947); Mozart (951); Elgar (951); Suzanne Vega (951); Sylvester Stallone (952); "Arnie" Schwarzenegger (952); Gunga Din (954); Kipling (954); Tennyson (954); the Queen (954); James Dean (956); Stirling Moss (956); Rip van Winkle (956); Richard Gere (956); Tom Cruise (956); George Michael (956); Mel Gibson (956); "Prince Charming" (957); "Sleeping Beauty" (957); Moses (958); and Sir Galahad (959).

Locations:

All of the action in this season is set in or near Liverpool, except that there are scenes of Ron, DD, Maria and Charlie on holiday in Wales in episodes 954 to 956. However, they are only ever seen in their caravan or in the field in which it is parked, and a Welsh field probably looks much the same as one near Liverpool.......

Births:

None. It is Rod's 23rd birthday in episode 944, which is "on Monday" in episode 942; and it is Barry's 32nd birthday in episode 949, and in episode 954 he has just turned 32. Less helpfully, it is not Tracy's birthday in episode 946! We are also told that Tim is nearly 40 (918, 956) and 20 years older (935, 942) than Sammy, who is 17 (919, 922, 936, 938) / 18 next week (953) / 18 today (955) / 18 (956) / 18 going on 50 (959); Margaret is 17 (923); Gemma is 4 (926, 927); Leo is 6 (926, 927); Chloe is 19 (928); Adam is 17 (928); Nikki is 19 (933); Thomas is nearly 2 (933); Katie is 14 (943); Jimmy is nearly 40 (951, 958); Lindsey is 19 (952); and Danny is nearly 2 (957). Cyril says Ron would have been in a pram in 1953 (956).

Marriages:

One - Lindsey Corkhill marries Gary Stanlow at St Kentigan's on 21st June (948) / "next week" (953) in episode 956. We are also told that Tim has been married (918), and has now been divorced (919) for four years (918); Sam's unseen daughter is getting married (918, 920) on April 26th (920); it is the Golden Wedding of unseen couple Jimmy and Rose Rowan in episode 929; Fran, now divorced (943, 959), was married for two and a half years (959); it is Ron and DD's 19th wedding anniversary tomorrow (948) / today (949); Charlie and Maria have been married for 24 years (954); Cyril married Ron's mother, Mabel, "just after the war" (956); and Rob is divorced (957).

Deaths:

None. The following unseen and never-to-be-seen characters who are no longer alive are mentioned: Margaret's grandfather, who died of a brain tumour (924); Ted, Aunty Lou's husband (927); Stanley from Accrington, whose death Lou predicted (934); Nan Rogers, who used to have an apple tree (936); Frank's mother and father (937); Julia's father (946); Julia's late husband Albert, who died 18 years ago (947); Cyril's late wife Mabel, who has died after 30 years with him (947), and whose funeral he attends (956); Ron's mother, also called Mabel, who has been dead for "donkey's years" (959); Mr Edward Towns, who was murdered by Brian Carr, according to a radio news bulletin (948); and DD's grandfather (957).

Toilet visits:

Paul Cunningham (928); Barry (935, 944); Mark (938); Terry (940, 947); Matthew (940); Sammy (941); Chloe (941); Gina (942); Geoff (944); Diana (944); and Julia (952). And, as he is about to go to court, Mick is "practically living on the toilet", according to Josie (926).

Characters mentioned, so far unseen, but who will be appearing later:

Josie's mother (921); Margaret's mother (924, 925, 932, 939, 940, 951, 955); Patricia's mother / Thomas's grandmother (931); Gerry Marsden (938); Lucinda, Geoffrey's wife (940, 956); Sinbad's mother (951); Gary (952); and [Little] Jimmy (953, 956).

Gone but not forgotten - seen previously and still mentioned occasionally, but not reappearing in this season:

Mr Coulter (917); the Pope (917); Doreen (917); Billy (917, 931); Owen (918); Mr Knight (921, 922, 924, 944); Mr Fowler (924, 928, 929); Martin (924, 931); Harry Cross (926, 947, 949); Richard (928, 930); Anthony (931); Joey Godden (931, 953); Dr Choi (931); Kirsty (937, 944); Paula's dad (940); Chrissy's dad (942); Nigel (942); the "Fisher Brothers" (942); Omo (943, 944); Riordan (carelessly, 943); Jack Sullivan (944); Karen (949); Matty (949); Lenny (950); and Kath[y] (955).

And those that are also mentioned, but are destined to remain unseen forever:

Mrs Dowie, hair customer (917); Stephanie, 29 and Liz, 34, who Tim has gone out with for 3 and 8 months respectively since his divorce (918); Tim's ex-wife (918, 928, 941, 953); Sam's wife, Mrs Bishop (918, 930) and their daughter (918); Togga's grandparents (919); Benno's grandparents (919); Togga's sister Angela (919); Benno's sister (919); "Bad Pint", plasterer (919); Togga's parents (920); Siobhan's father (921); "Babblington" friends of Susannah (922); Jacko, Lindford and Paul, possible witnesses for Mick (924); Margaret's father (925, 932); Margaret's sister Janet (925); Lennie, who Mick and Josie first lived with (925); Geoffrey's father (925); Max's father, who has lived in the same house all his life (925); Tony, Josie's ex-boyfriend (925, 926); Jimmy and Rose Rowan (929); Carl's mother (929); Barbara, hairdresser (931); Bumper's parents (931); Kieran's parents (932); Angie/Angela, who works shifts and lives in the flat downstairs from Auntie Lou (932); Nikki's dad (933, 935); David's sister, who runs a local choir (933); Max's uncle, who has a caravan (934); Kenny Ford, Round Tabler (935); Sister Mary of the Immaculate Conception, who DD had a crush on when she was 14 (936); Micky O'Rourke and Davver Hughes, policemen (938); Mark's mother (938, 943); Carla's father (939, 941); Diana's auntie, whose birthday it is (939); Gina's parents (942); Jill Mason, whose leaving party is on Friday (943); Fran's ex-husband (943, 944); Mark's dad (943); John, on the phone to Jim McCabe (944); Degsy, a mate of Barry who has a yard (947); Tommy Arslainen and Steve Owen, mates of Bumper (947); Brian Carr, 20-year-old killer (948); Ken Sumner (948, 949, 950, 952); Gerry, a mate of Ron (949); Sinbad's little sister (950); Margaret's gran (951); Mr Jones, scary teacher (952); Mrs Carney, Derek's housekeeper (953); Gary's separated mum and dad (953); Miss Taylor, Ron and Charlie's English teacher (954); Polly Sparrow on the estate (954); Tommy Atkinson, in a story told by Cyril (954); Keith's dad, who owns a garage (954,957, 958); Peter, who Maria is seeing (955); Mr Steve Molineux, Physics teacher who Katie used to have a crush on (956); and Pat, Mabel's sister (956).

"Meadowcroft Park" is mentioned again in episodes 932, when we are told it is on on Mondays, and 943. Television images of the series, including an "End of part one" caption, are seen, and some characters' voices are heard, in episode 951, in which Max is watching it (without understanding why); and further voices are heard in episode 955, in which Jimmy is watching it, and DD says she thinks it is shown on a different day in Wales.

Goofs:

While referring to his father in episode 925, Max says "he lived...." rather than "he's lived....", which may give the mistaken impression that his father is no longer alive, even though his continued existence is confirmed at other times both earlier and later in the series.

Mike adds an extra syllable in episode 926: "A shop in the offERing".

Having told Chrissy he has lived where he is now for about two years in episode 922, Tim claims in episode 938 that he has lived there for about four years. [Perhaps a few weeks of living with Sammy has seemed more like two years!!]

Bumper misses out the middle word, "do", in episode 940: "I like seeing him what he does best".

The radio broadcast heard in the background in episode 943 is the same one that Billy was seen listening to in episode 502, which refers to the robbery of supermarket manager Riordan!

Trivia:

Rod has been to four of the last seven cup finals (939). Tracy is right-handed (943), whereas Barry (919) and Jimmy (950) are both left-handed. Gary, who Lindsey marries, works in a building society (952). Ken Sumner, with whom Jackie has been living for 18 months (955), is a newsagent (949). Diana lives in Fairfield (920). Mark is an only child (943).

Ron and DD didn't originally have a honeymoon (949). Derek is DD's "little" brother (953). Charlie is a postman (921). Mike's band is called "The Brave Intention" (929). Tina used to sing with the "Fairburgers" (954). Willy the Whiff has haemhorrhoids (929), and claims not to have smoked since 1987 (921).

Aunty Lou brought up "all the Johnsons" (927), including Mick, who is 6'2" tall and weighs 15 stone (926). His full name is Michael Andrew Johnson (926). Josie, who used to run for her school (928), runs stall 12 at Tuebrook Market (930). Brady was in hospital for 3 days after his encounter with Mick (926). Sinbad, who is right-handed (958) and has a savings account with the Post Office (958), went to Europe once, and didn't like the toilets (933).

Patricia originally worked for Richards Neeve (917). Max, whose CDs include the Mozart Horn Concerto, Elgar Cello and Suzanne Vega (951), previously worked at "Preston's" (930). They spend a weekend at the Green Tree Hotel (930). Thomas is one of the 266 illegitimate births out of 1000 (954). Margaret is an atheist (935). The telephone number on the door of the taxi which picks her up in 4807777 (939). Geoffrey's extension number is 2412 (940).

A disc on Tim's car indicates that he works for the Westerley Hotel (952). He had a vasectomy five years ago (959), he plays bowls on Mondays (933), and his ex-wife was half Italian (953). His "for sale" sign bears the name "Binenan Estates" and the telephone number 051 259 9106 (959). Chloe is in her first year at college (941). Frank's band, the Scotty Dogs, were big in Bootle (938). Bumper, who is right-handed (940), goes to chess club on Wednesdays (931). Omo has now been offered, and signed for, a YTS with Tranmere (943). Katie and Fran are both right-handed (943).

The films showing at "Showcase Cinema", from which Paula and Geoff have to choose in episode 931, are "Dances With Wolves", "Three Men & Lady", "Awakenings", "Highlander 2", "King Ralph", "Quigley Down", "Godfather 3", "Bonfire Vanities", "Scenes from Mall", "Look Who's Talking", "Desperate Hours" and "Sleeping Enemy".

"Blink-and-you-miss it" moment:

Susan refers to her employers as "Smith Filed and Mullaney" in episode 934, whereas everyone else in this and other episodes calls them "Smiths Foulds and Mulvaney". As it later emerges that she is actually an actress on a head-hunting exercise, it would appear that she is deliberately giving Patricia a clue that all is not as it seems. Patricia doesn't ever point out the discrepancy, but becomes more suspicious of Susan, and of the whole situation, after this conversation!

The end-of-season cliffhanger:

As they prepare for their race, Sinnott suggests that the winner should be the one whose car goes through a narrow gap first. Jacqui unsuccessfully tries to persuade Mike that he should withdraw, as Sinnott is trying to kill him. The race begins, and Jacqui can only watch as the cars build up speed, and crash.......

Season Twenty Four.......