Brookside Guide.....Season Twenty Four.....

by the "Brookside Expert "

BROOKSIDE - SEASON TWENTY-FOUR (42 episodes)
[Episodes 960-1001]

The episodes:

Episode 960 (M 01-07-91 "Corpses") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Sammy is in shock over Tim, but things are worse for the Dixons in the aftermath of Mike's car crash. Max resolves to change his attitude, but has he left it too late?

Episode 961 (W 03-07-91 "Deadly Serious") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Mike's injuries are worse than he imagined, and eventually he has to reveal what really happened. Max becomes desperate and puts on a good show, but will it be enough?

Episode 962 (F 05-07-91 "Protecting") Written by Joe Ainsworth - Patricia plans to take the London job, but can Max talk her around at the last minute? Barry decides to make life even more unbearable for Sue, and Jimmy carries on regardless.

Episode 963 (M 08-07-91 "Snatching") Written by Chris Curry - Jimmy shocks Sinbad by revealing the lengths he is prepared to go to. Ron negotiates with Barry for one of the shop units.

Episode 964 (W 10-07-91 "Meeting Someone") Written by Chris Curry - Julia is surprised by who she meets at Cyril's wife's graveside. DD tries to persuade Barry to co-operate. Margaret and Derek have a mysterious meeting arranged, and Gemma has more than one birthday cake.

Episode 965 (F 12-07-91 "Nits") Written by Chris Curry - Ron and Max discover that the wall has disappeared, but will they find out who was responsible? An invasion of nits brings an outbreak of itching.

Episode 966 (M 15-07-91 "Diplomatic") Written by Maurice Bessman - Frank disturbs Sue and Terry's reconciliation. Ron wonders whether to tell Charlie what is going on. Patricia tries to find out tactfully whether the Johnsons are responsible for Thomas's headlice.

Episode 967 (W 17-07-91 "Novice Nun") Written by Maurice Bessman - Ron is not at all impressed when DD reveals her "little" secret. Geoff tells Paula where he is going. Mike makes some decisions.

Episode 968 (F 19-07-91 "Getting In Deeper") Written by Maurice Bessman - There is no sign of Ron, and Jimmy is offered another "job". Patricia feels foolish when the source of the nits is revealed. Chrissy takes control of a young teacher's chaotic class, but will Frank be interested?

Episode 969 (M 22-07-91 "Devious Creatures") Written by Andy Lynch - Patricia comes home to find the previous Mrs Farnham chatting away to Margaret. Ron is adamant that Maria is not welcome in his house until her affair is over. Owen comes round to visit Sammy and apologise for Grace's behaviour. Sinbad goes out to collect chickens.

Episode 970 (W 24-07-91 "Defenceless Animals") Written by Mina Parisella - Sinbad has got the goods for Ron, but they're not quite what he expected. Terry and Mick's latest business plans are frustrated. Frank is surprised to learn that Sammy is seeing Owen again. Chrissy finds it hard to watch Geoff leave for Torquay.

Episode 971 (F 26-07-91 "Compensation") Written by Andy Lynch - Sammy has a devious plan to seduce Owen. Julia confronts Cyril, and he makes a full confession. Arthur's visit to Diana turns into a full-scale police operation.

Episode 972 (M 29-07-91 "Advantage") Written by Barry Woodward - Ron discovers that his chickens have escaped. Rod interrogates Arthur at the police station. DD wonders why Julia has been asking strange questions about Cyril. Mike is concerned that Jacqui fancies Keith.

Episode 973 (W 31-07-91 "Missing") Written by Barry Woodward - Gemma still hasn't been found, and Josie blames Mick for leaving her unaccompanied. Jacqui takes part in the swimming trials, but will her times be good enough to take her to Holland?

Episode 974 (F 02-08-91 "Invited On Holiday") Written by Barry Woodward - There is good news at last for the Johnsons. Max and Patricia decide to get away from it all. Rod wants to tell Diana's father that he is a policeman.

Episode 975 (M 05-08-91 "Needing A Career") Written by Kathleen Potter - Terry and Sue's anniversary ends disastrously. Frank prepares to go to visit Geoff, but then he has a slight problem regarding his car.

Episode 976 (W 07-08-91 "The Way To A Man's Heart") Written by Kathleen Potter - Diana and Rod invites Diana's father to dinner, so that they can reveal their plans and, more importantly, what Rod does for a living. But who will announce their engagement first? Sue needs a comforting ear, and gets it from an unexpected source.

Episode 977 (F 09-08-91 "Nobody's Perfect") Written by Kathleen Potter - Barry continues to support Sue, but takes advantage when she gets drunk. Rod is determined to find out why Diana's father dislikes policemen do much.

Episode 978 (M 12-08-91 "Set In His Ways") Written by Andy Lynch - Ron Dixon shows his true racist colours. Barry doesn't give up, and although Sue is full of remorse, he just rubs salt in the wound. Frank discovers a Japanese temple in his front room.

Episode 979 (W 14-08-91 "Accountability") Written by Andy Lynch - Mick warns Ellis not to cause any trouble while he is around. Ron admits to his prejudices about Keith, and Jacqui tells him exactly what she thinks about that.

Episode 980 (F 16-08-91 "Old Contacts") Written by Andy Lynch - Sue has decided that she wants another baby, so she needs to convince Terry. Frank and Chrissy can't seem to be able to talk without arguing.

Episode 981 (M 19-08-91 "Brilliant Ideas") Written by Valerie Windsor - Frank is sure that Chrissy is still having an affair. Ellis has a few brilliant ideas, but Mick isn't altogether convinced.

Episode 982 (W 21-08-91 "Cards On The Table") Written by Valerie Windsor - Chrissy and Frank go for marriage guidance. Rod and Tommo begin a new surveillance assignment. The police arrive at the Johnsons' - but why?

Episode 983 (F 23-08-91 "Packing") Written by Valerie Windsor - Mick comes home to discover that Josie is moving out, while Frank will not be persuaded to change his mind, and tells Chrissy to leave.

Episode 984 (M 26-08-91 "Close Enough") Written by Barry Woodward - Daniel is nearly run over by Ron's Moby. When Frank comes home, he is in for a shock. Vinny has another job lined up for Jimmy, which is bigger and better than the last one.

Episode 985 (W 28-08-91 "Anyone I Know?") Written by Barry Woodward - Jimmy gets a shock when he discovers who one of the other gang members is going to be. Sammy tries to reason with Frank, but only succeeds in making things worse for herself.

Episode 986 (F 30-08-91 "Open The Door") Written by Barry Woodward - Sue needs to confide in someone, but her choice doesn't prove to be very reliable. Tommo tries to make Rod reconsider whether he should marry Diana. Jimmy is uneasy about the big job, and events take a dangerous turn.

Episode 987 (M 02-09-91 "Affinity") Written by Susan Pleat - Frank and Sammy build a few bridges that are strong enough for her to give him some advice, and for him to take it. Max assures Geoffrey that he is not betraying Patricia by seeing Susannah behind her back.

Episode 988 (W 04-09-91 "Family Business") Written by Susan Pleat - Jimmy is lying low and running scared. Sinbad finds someone else to share his flat for a few days. Ron and DD find out if their bank manager will give them a loan.

Episode 989 (F 06-09-91 "Nervous Tension") Written by Susan Pleat - It is Danny's second birthday. Frank must decide whether to take a risk. Ron and DD have a night out, but meet someone they know.

Episode 990 (M 09-09-91 "Reformists") Written by Maurice Bessman - Terry and Sue plan a conservatory. Chrissy is annoyed with Frank when he brings Katie into school late. Max and Ron have plans involving DD and Patricia - but what will they say, and in what language?

Episode 991 (W 11-09-91 "Outflanked") Written by Maurice Bessman - Katie confides in her teacher about her family troubles. Ron and DD discover that their shop has been vandalised. Geoffrey ensures that Max is still accompanied to the Round Table function, even though Patricia won't go. Margaret's efforts to see Derek are thwarted.

Episode 992 (F 13-09-91 "Caretaker") Written by Maurice Bessman - Max is behaving so strangely that Patricia may become aware of his little secret very quickly. Jimmy looks for work, but nobody wants to know.

Episode 993 (M 16-09-91 "The More The Merrier") Written by Chris Curry - Mick wants to give Leo a birthday he won't forget, and enlists Marcia's assistance. Max is expecting only a few barbecue guests, but Patricia ends up inviting everyone on the Close.

Episode 994 (W 18-09-91 "Soul Of Discretion") Written by Chris Curry - There are more and more unexpected arrivals at the Farnhams' barbecue, making it far from free of drama.

Episode 995 (F 20-09-91 "I Know What You're Up To") Written by Mina Parisella - It's the morning after the barbecue, and Patricia has a few tricky questions for Max. All he can think about, however, is being caught on camera by Ron.

Episode 996 (M 23-09-91 "Obsession") Written by Kathleen Potter - Sammy tells Margaret that she and Owen have slept together. Rod is approached by a suspicious character in the arcade. It is Mike's first day at college, and Graeme continues to pester Sue at work.

Episode 997 (W 25-09-91 "Rules You Don't Understand") Written by Kathleen Potter - Margaret and Derek's friendship is becoming very awkward. Mick has a job interview. Graeme brings Sue's scarf to her home, but she doesn't believe his story.

Episode 998 (F 27-09-91 "Vows") Written by Kathleen Potter - Sue tries to convince Barry that she has not been encouraging Graeme. DD tries to persuade Margaret not to have a relationship with Derek.

Episode 999 (M 30-09-91 "Occupational Hazard") Written by Peter Cox - Graeme is still hassling Sue at work, and she has had enough of him. Chrissy is offered a place at teacher-training college. Rod and Mike both have different reasons for visiting the bank, and a schoolmate pokes fun at Jacqui's trainers.

Episode 1000 (W 02-10-91 "Eloquence") Written by Peter Cox - Marcia gives Sinbad a friendly kiss. Sue confronts Graeme again. Diana becomes frightened after overhearing an argument. DD wonders who Ron will get to open the shop, and why Jacqui has thrown her new trainers in the bin.

Episode 1001 (F 04-10-91 "Over The Edge") Written by Peter Cox - A day off work leads to disaster for Sue.

The cast:

RESIDENTS:
Rod Corkhill - JASON HOPE (963, 966, 969-972, 974, 976-979, 981-988, 992, 996, 999, 1000)
Tracy Corkhill - JUSTINE KERRIGAN (963)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (961-963, 965, 968, 982-990, 992, 1001)
DD (Deborah) Dixon (nee O'Farrell) - IRENE MAROT (960-969, 972, 973, 976, 977, 979, 983-985, 987-991, 993-993, 998, 1000, 1001)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (960-968, 970-976, 978, 979, 981, 983, 984, 988-996)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (960, 961, 972-975, 977, 979-982, 984, 985, 996, 999-1001)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (960-962, 967, 972-975, 978, 984, 998, 999, 1001)
Tony Dixon - GERARD BOSTOCK (993)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (960-963, 965, 968, 969, 972-974, 987, 989-995, 998, 1001)
Patricia Farnham (nee Crosbie) - GABRIELLE GLAISTER (960-963, 966, 968, 969, 972-974, 987, 989, 990, 992-995, 998, 1001)
Margaret Clemence - NICOLA STEPHENSON (962-967, 969, 973, 974, 984, 989-991, 994, 996-998, 1001)
Thomas Farnham (964, 984)
Barry Grant - PAUL USHER (962-965, 973, 976-978, 981, 986, 992, 994, 995, 998, 1000, 1001)
Josie Johnson (nee Christie) - SUZANNE PACKER (961, 963-965, 968, 972-981, 983)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (961, 964, 966-968, 970, 972-985, 993-995, 997, 1001)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA (961, 964, 972, 974, 982-985, 990, 1000)
Leo Johnson - LEEON SAWYER (964, 965, 972-974, 982-985, 995, 1000)
Chrissy Rogers (nee Morgan) - EITHNE BROWNE (968, 970, 971, 975-978, 980-984, 987, 988, 990-995, 999, 1000)
Frank Rogers - PETER CHRISTIAN (966, 968, 970, 971, 975, 976, 978, 980-985, 987-990, 993-995, 999, 1000)
Geoff "Growler" Rogers - KEVIN CARSON (966, 967, 970, 971)
Katie Rogers - DIANE BURKE (960, 961, 970, 971, 983, 987-992, 995, 999)
Sammy Rogers - RACHAEL LINDSAY (960, 964, 966-971, 976, 978, 985-987, 989, 990, 993, 994, 996, 999)
Sue Sullivan (nee Harper) - ANNIE MILES (960-963, 965-967, 969, 971, 973, 975-981, 984-990, 992-1001)
Terry Sullivan - BRIAN REGAN (966, 970, 971, 973-975, 977, 979, 980, 985, 985, 988-990, 992, 994, 995, 997, 998, 1000, 1001)
Daniel Sullivan - SAM EVANS (978, 989, 996, 997, 1001)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (961, 963-965, 967-971, 975, 979, 980, 982, 983, 988, 989, 991, 995, 1000)

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Marcia Barrett - CHERYL MAIKER (961, 963-965, 972-974, 979-983, 988, 989, 993, 995, 1000)
Charlie Benson - ROY BRANDON (964, 965)
Maria Benson - PAULINE DANIELS (965, 969, 989)
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE (963, 964, 968, 969, 971, 972, 974, 976, 995-997, 999)
Arthur Clough - ANTHONY WATSON (965, 968, 970-972)
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) - SUE JENKINS (988)
Owen Daniels - DANNY McCALL (966, 968, 969, 971, 986, 987, 990, 994)
Cyril Dixon - ALLAN SURTEES (971, 972, 974, 976, 977)
Emily Farnham - VICTORIA BENNETT (973)
Matthew Farnham - GARETH RYAN JONES (973)
Susannah Farnham (nee Morrisey) - KAREN DRURY (969, 972, 973, 991, 994)
Geoffrey Fletcher - CHRIS WRIGHT (961, 987, 991, 993, 994)
Joey Godden - CARL CHASE (985, 986)
Paula Heneghan - JODIE DRAPER (967, 971)
Brian "Bumper" Humphreys - JAMES MAWDSLEY (967, 970)
Aunty Lou - JOAN TURNER (964)
Father Derek O'Farrell - CLIVE MOORE (964, 967, 973, 979, 991, 994, 997, 998)
Fran Pearson - JULIE PEASGOOD (960, 961, 967, 985, 986, 993, 994, 996, 997, 999-1001)
Gina Philips (nee Brookes) - JILL BRASSINGTON (977)
Keith Rooney - KIRK SMITH (960, 962, 967, 972-975, 977, 980, 982, 983, 1001)
Tina Shaw - SUZANNE CLEARY (974, 1001)
Sinnott - NEIL ANTHONY (960, 974)
Diana Spence - PAULA FRANCES (965, 966, 971, 974, 976, 978, 979, 984-986, 999, 1000)
Freddie Spence - PETER COREY (976, 977, 979)
Jack Sullivan - WILLIAM MAXWELL (996, 997)
Michael "Tommo" Tomlinson - JOHN O'GORMAN (978, 979, 981, 983-986, 996)
Nikki White - MICHELLE BYATT (963, 978, 985)

NEW CHARACTERS PLAYED BY RETURNING PERFORMERS:
Lucinda Fletcher - RACHEL LAURENCE (991, 994) [ Donna (344) ]
Liz, counsellor - ANN ARIS (982) [ Jane Drucker (212, 213) ]
Father Thornton - JAMES GARBUTT (991) [ Jackie Armstrong (204) / Councillor Alec Redfearn (555, 557, 558) ]
Estate Agent - RONNIE LEEK (976) [ Management Rep (16) ]

NEW CHARACTERS WITH FULL NAMES:
Graeme Curtis - DAVID BANKS (960, 962, 963, 969, 986-988, 993, 995-997, 999-1001)
Mrs Anne Ford - PENELOPE NICE (991)
Ellis Johnson - FRANCIS JOHNSON (978-981)
Vicky Lomas - LOUISE YATES (998, 999)
John Philips - GEOFFREY HALL (987)

NEW CHARACTERS WITHOUT FULL NAMES:
Mr Crabbe - CLAUDE CLOSE (982, 983)
Craig - PAUL McNULTY (996)
P.C. Gray - DON GALLAGHER (973, 974)
Grace - JENNIFER ASHTON (966, 968)
Kelly - LINDSAY INGLEBY (999)
Lilian - JOAN CAMPION (964)
Motorcyclist - ROY ALON (963)
Policeman - JOHN COLBECK (982)
Vinny - ALLEN MECHAN (965, 968, 984-986, 989)
Waitress - NICOLA HOLLINSHEAD (980)

UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Mr Jenkin, potential housebuyer (976)
Mrs Jenkin, potential housebuyer (976)
Mr Maddock, of Torquay (966)
Mark, in youth club (997)
Satan, dog (965, 968, 970)
Sarah Smith, party guest (964)
Tulula, chicken (971)
Mr Wills, employer (962)
Zoe, party guest (964)

The Magic Rabbits are seen again in episode 972.

The storylines:

After briefly moving out, Chrissy returns to Frank, but the arguments soon start up again. Rod and Diana buy number 10, Mike starts college, Ron and DD prepare to open a shop, Sammy gets back together with Owen, and Jimmy ventures into armed robbery. Sinbad hopes for a relationship with Marcia, Margaret hopes for a relationship with Derek, Julia hopes for a relationship with Cyril, and it looks as if Susannah wants to lure Max away from Patricia. And there are a few departures - Geoff goes to play football for Torquay United, Tracy becomes a hairdresser on a cruise ship, Josie suddenly walks out on Mick, and, after all the torment she has endured from Terry, Barry and Graeme, Sue's pain will soon be well and truly over as "Brookside" passes the 1000-episode mark with one of its most memorable moments.......

The dates:

Based on dialogue and events in other episodes, it is still the same Friday in episode 960 as it was in episode 959; then episodes 961 to 964 are set on the same weekdays as those on which they originally aired. As Paula and Geoff started going out on the Friday after Valentine's Day, 15th February, in episode 902, it must be 17th July in episode 967, when she says they have been going out for five months and two days. Based on dialogue in episode 969, it is Friday in episode 971 and Monday in episode 972; in both of these episodes, and episode 978, it is 1991; and, based on dialogue in episode 973, it is Monday in episode 975. It is a bank holiday in episode 984; Friday evening in episode 986; Friday in episode 989; September in episode 990; and, based on dialogue in episodes 990 and 992, it is Wednesday / Woensdag in episode 991 and Friday in episode 992. In episode 1000 it is October.

Name-checks:

[Officer] Dibble (960); Cilla Black (960); "Cosmopolitan" (960); Paul Daniels (961); Bruce Forsyth (961); "J.R." (962); "Blind Date" (963); "Love At First Sight" (963); "Fantasy Island" (963); "The Godfather Part 3" (965); "Kelly's Heroes" (965); Jeremy Beadle (966, 995); "Prince Charming" (966); Scillachi (966); The Beatles (967, 1001); Harry Line (968); "The Media Show" (969); The "Scarlet Pimpernel" (970); "the Krypton Factor" (970); "Grandstand" (970); "Emmerdale Farm" (970); "Question Time" (970); "The Birdman of Alcatraz" (971); Bernard Matthews, turkey advertiser (971); Dudley Moore (972); George Michael (974); Princess Di (976); Prince Charles (976, 990); Ken Dodd (977); Gyles Brandreth (978); "Countdown" (978); "London's Burning" (978); Hitler (978); Linford Christie and Colin Jackson, athletes (978); Mike Tyson (978); Mohammed Ali (978); Jesus (978); Gorbachev (979); "Coronation Street" (979); Philip Schofield (980); "EastEnders" (980); Rudyard Kipling (980); "Crimewatch" (980); Bette Davis (982); Richard Gere (982); Jacqueline Bissett (982); Tammy Wynette (983); Margaret Thatcher (990); Oates, explorer (991); the Lone Ranger and Tonto (992); the Clampetts (992, 994); Rachman (993); Judge Dredd (993); Clint Eastwood (994); "Dance With The Wolves" (994); Terry Wogan (994); Chesney Hawkes (995); Esther Rantzen (995, 999); Emma, baby rhino (995); Cyril Smith (995); James Herriot (999); Red Rum (1000); Shergar (1000); Quasimodo (1000); Mills and Boon (1000); "Blockbusters" (1000) "Frankenstein" (1000); and Madonna (1000).

Locations:

All of the action in this season is set in Liverpool, except that in episode 962 there is one interior scene, and three exterior scenes, of Max and Patricia near St Paul's Cathedral in London EC4; there are scenes of Julia and Lilian at a cemetery in Morecambe, although not necessarily recorded there, in episode 964; and there are several scenes at Chester Zoo in episode 995.

Births:

Gemma's 5th birthday party is being prepared in episode 961, and takes place in episode 964. She is still 5 in episode 973, but, continuing the trend of ages being misreported by the media, she is 4 according to the newspaper article seen in episode 975! It will be Nikki's birthday on Sunday 1st December in episode 978; it is Danny's 2nd birthday, which is "on Friday" in episode 988, in episode 989; and it is Leo's 7th birthday, which is "on Friday" in episode 993, in episode 995. We are also told that Geoff is 16 (970); Sue is 30 (971, 980); Jacqui is 15 (974, 979) / nearly 16 (976, 979); Sammy is 18 (977); Ellis is 28 (979); Keith is 18 (979); Frank is 44 (980), and was born during the war (978); Chrissy is nearly 40 (980); Josie is 27 (983); Tim is 39 (986); Margaret is 17 (989); and Katie is a teenager (995).

Marriages:

None. Chrissy and Frank have been married for 19 years (982, 983) / 20 years (995), but they talk about being together and supporting each other for "18 years" in episode 999....... Graeme was married to Alice for 4 years (960); it is Terry and Sue's 2nd wedding anniversary in episode 975, which is "on Monday" in episode 973, and they have still been married for two years in episode 1001 [although they won't be for much longer!]; and Rod and Diana plan to get married on Monday 2nd December (978, 979). Cyril has had four wives - firstly Ron's mother Mabel, to whom he was married for 5 years, then three others, all at the same time, until one of them, who was also called Mabel, died much more recently (964, 972).

Deaths:

Three. Arthur's dog Satan attacks Rod Corkhill, and promptly dies of a heart attack in episode 970; then in episode 1001 both Sue and Daniel Sullivan fall to their deaths from scaffolding onto concrete, after an encounter with one of several men clad in white T-shirt and blue jeans who are in the vicinity at the time....... Unseen characters mentioned who are no longer alive are: two of Cyril's four wives, who were both called Mabel - the one who recently died aged 62, according to her gravestone (964); and his first wife, Ron's mother (972); Frank's father (966, 978); DD's father, who died of cancer, and her mother, who slashed her own wrists, when DD was 17 and Derek was 12 (967); Frank's mother (975); Julia's mother (976); and Jimmy's brother Frankie (986, 987).

Toilet visits:

Mike, who passes blood (961); Sue (963, 985); Mick (972); Keith (980); and Sinbad (995). According to Marcia, the kids are needing to go "every 20 minutes" in episode 995.

Mentioned, not yet seen, but appearing later:

Josie's father (963); Margaret's mother (973); Josie's mother (974); Thomas's Gran/Patricia's mother (984, 991); Gary [Stanlow] (988); Owen's mother and father (990); and Michael Parkinson (995).

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

Rob (960); Tim Derby (960, 966, 967, 970, 976, 978, 984, 985, 987, 994, 996); Mr "Pony-tail" Smith (963, 965); Alex (963); Sheila (963, 968, 984); Claire (963, 992); the Pope (967); Harry Cross (968, 976, 977, 978, 980, 981); Billy Corkhill (968, 986, 987, 990, 992); Kathy (968, 988); Cousin Don (968, 987); Arthur's dad (970, 971, 972); Martin (975, 976, 998, 1000); Kevin [Cross] (977, 978); Ralph (978); Siobhan (978, 983, 989, 991, 995); Dr Joe O'Rourke (980, 981, 983, 984, 985); Mark (984); Barnie (984, 985); Kirsty (985); WPC Emma (985); Katie's Grandad (987); Sue's mother (987, 988); Lindsey (988); Mr Philips [Nigel] (989); Carla (989); Simon [Benno] (989); Mr Knight (989); and Kieran (996, 998).

Also mentioned, but destined to remain unseen forever:

Keith's father (960, 961, 962, 967, 975, 977, 978, 980), who was once in a pop group, the Neverly Brothers (980); Graeme's ex-wife Alice (960); Old Father Ryan, and the twins he once dropped into a font (964); Steve Hannay, Liverpool footballer previously with Skelmersdale United (966); Keith's kid brother (967, 978) and his other brother (978); Peter, Maria's man (969, 987, 989); Susannah's father, who is paying the bulk of her children's school fees (969); Mr O'Keefe aka "Old Scrooge", a teacher who bought Geoff a 45p card (970); Polo, Arthur's mate (971); Bernard Matthews, who sells newspapers outside Lime Street (971); Ricky Chambers, Keith's cousin (972); Marcia's father (972); the two wives of Cyril who are still alive and may or may not share the name "Mabel" with the two who have died (972); Margaret's father (973); Keith's mother (975); Sue Marsden, an engaged girl at Jacqui's school (975); Diana's mother (976, 977, 979); Keith's sister and her husband, a fireman (978); PC Alan Lane aka "Bronco" (978); Tony, Josie's ex-boyfriend (979, 980, 982, 983, 984, 988); Diana's Auntie Winnie (979); Sinbad's sister (982); Siobhan's mum (983); Julie, Nikki's friend (984); Kath Livsey, swimming drop-out (984); Taki Nikoladas, owner of "The Pink Flamingo" (984); Sandy, Owen's boss (986); Jacko, a policeman whose birthday it is (986); Mr McFarlane and Mr Davis, among the solicitors who Sue works for (987); John's brother Ian (987, 988); Mr Morris, teacher (988); Owen's auntie Elsie (990); "Bimbo", who, according to his graffiti on Ron's wall, is cool (991); Brian Parsons, new Round Table member (991, 993); Mrs Palfrey, parishioner (991); Paul Reid, flirt (994); the Simpsons, who Max and Susannah used to dine with (994); Mrs Quinn, babyminder (997); Margaret's nan (997); Max's mother, whose birthday is next week (998); Mary Parkin, who recently left Sue's office (999); Kelly's auntie Mavis (999); Vicky's dad, a vet (999); Vicky's mum (999); Vicky's brother (999); Rosie and Molly Sharrock, who were Julia's bridesmaids (999); and Marcia's mother (1000).

Meadowcroft Park is mentioned again in episodes 970, 972, 973, 977 and 994 ("Meadi Park"), and some images of characters from the series are seen in episode 964, on a tape on which one of the other Dixons has recorded an episode over a film that Ron was hoping to watch.

Goofs:

Margaret adds an extra "all" in episode 973: "The police have been all there all day".

Diana calls Tommo "Neil" several times in episodes 985 and 986, and the only reason she gives is that it's a much nicer name than "Tommo"! We never hear Tommo tell her, or even imply or acknowledge, that this is his real first name - maybe because, based on the only previous occasion on which it is mentioned (in episode 417), it is "Michael".......

Jacqui invents a new phrase by switching a couple of consonants around in episode 1000: "slabe lavour".

Trivia:

For their latest surveillance exercise, Rod is "Davis" and Tommo is "Higgins" (982). Jimmy, who first slept with Jackie when she was 18 (988), is fined £750 (961), and robs Beckett's The Jewellers (963) to raise the money to pay it. Joey says that killing Frankie cost him "10 years" inside (986). Julia hates plain chocolate (974). Freddie "lost" his wife when Diana was 4 (976), because she ran off with a police sergeant (977)! Sinbad used to be in charge of the hens at the orphanage (971).

Ron's alarm for the Moby is from Foxguard Car Alarm Services (993). His mother's grave is in Kirkdale Cemetery (971). DD spent 18 months in a psychiatric hospital (967), where Maria was a cleaner (968). Mike, who was a joyrider when he was 15 (972), played football for the school for a year (973), and reads the book "The Catcher In The Rye" by J.D. Savinger (962). He passes 4 "A" levels, with grades including 2 Cs and a B (983), and both he and Keith play with a "Nintendo Game Boy" (967). Jacqui has been in the swimming club for 5 years, since she was 11 (972). She originally painted the whale on Ron's Moby (972), and currently spells her name "Jackie" (977). The waitress who serves Jacqui and Keith earns £2 per hour (980). Tina has a dog (974). Vicky has booked a band called "The Golden Horde" to play on Friday 4th October (999).

Chrissy attends a course called "Exploring The Chalk Face" (975). Frank was working, and playing for Oakfield in a Sunday football league, when he was 15 (968). Geoff passed two of his exams (983). Sammy was a drunk when she was 16 (967). In his "A" levels, Owen gets a B in English, a C in History and a C in Politics (990). Grace has been with Owen for three months (966). Anne Ford has been Katie's year teacher for three years, and has taught her history for two years (991). Katie, now in the fourth year (991), doesn't like Chesney Hawkes (995). The "Brookside Comprehensive" sign appearing previously (in episodes 870, 888 and 889) can be seen much more clearly in episode 990, listing the headmaster as Mr J.W. Woodcock and, in much smaller lettering, Mr Barnett as the caretaker.

Max, whose pronunciation of the Dutch words he is trying to learn in episode 990 is dreadful throughout, is to be the Round Table Chairman in 1992 (991). As a student, he did a placement with a firm in Clapham for a few weeks (961). Margaret was a bridesmaid once (997). Derek is based at St Andrew's Church (984, 991). Gemma has a doll called Cerys (973). Ellis worked at the NAAFI in Berlin (979).

Terry, who hates Manchester United (990), has no "O" levels (975). The estate agent who visits unexpectedly in episode 976 is from "Binenans", who Harry Cross is using to sell number 9. On the "For Sale" sign, the name "Binenan Estates" is accompanied by the telephone number 051 259 9106 (977, 978, 983, 993, 995, 1001). Fran needs the "Maddox file" (986), Graeme wants the "Marlow file" (996), Sue has worked on the "Kelsey files" (999), and Fran has the "Thompson paperwork" (1001). The scaffolding which proves seriously dangerous to Sue's health is from Carlo Scaffolding, and bears two 051 phone numbers: 448 1666 and 722 8838. The phone number of the callbox from which a call is made following her fall in episode 1001 is 722 0370.

The end-of-season cliffhanger:

The band stop practising in the flat above Ron's shop, as Tina thinks she has heard something outside. It is Sue's scream, as she falls from the scaffolding above, her baby in her arms, after an encounter up there with someone she knows who is wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. Another unseen figure dressed in the same way dials 999 from the call-box on the parade, as Sue and Danny lie dead after landing on the concrete below.......

Season Twenty Five.......