Brookside Guide.....Season Forty Five.....

by the "Brookside Expert "

BROOKSIDE - SEASON FORTY-FIVE (30 episodes)
[Episodes 1796-1825]

The episodes:

Episode 1796 (F 18-10-96 "Too Late For Talking") Written by Nick Saltrese - Max and Susannah discover that David's radio gear has gone missing from the shed. Ron discovers that Bev has stopped taking the Pill. Bel's bosses find out that she is a sexual deviant. Hearing that Sinbad plans a white wedding, Fee lends a hand. And Mick drops in to see the headmaster, but will he be granted an audience?

Episode 1797 (T 22-10-96 "No Compassion") Written by James Doherty - Bel wants to try to understand what Nat and Georgia have done, while Ollie is keen for one of them to move out. Jimmy finds out that Little Jimmy is in even more trouble than he thought. Fee decides to move away and make a fresh start.

Episode 1798 (W 23-10-96 "Fairness") Written by Maurice Bessman - Bev refuses to allow Josh to be inoculated. Val convinces Sinbad to give Little Jimmy a job. Danny makes a surprising admission, Max tells David that he will play Patricia at her own game, and Ron thinks that Mike is spending far too much time on his book, and should be doing other things - like buying razor blades.

Episode 1799 (F 25-10-96 "Preventative Measures") Written by Valerie Windsor - Bel roots through the past, and wonders what she and Ollie might have done differently. When Bev wants to take Josh to a measles party, Ron disagrees, and seeks Jackie's opinion. Susannah points out to Max that it is clear that Patricia has not received bad news about the cancer and is just trying to teach him a lesson. When Little Jimmy steals from the first house whose windows he cleans, Jimmy decides a new approach is required.

Episode 1800 (T 29-10-96 "Designated War Zone") Written by Chris Webb - Ollie's insistence that life must go on infuriates Bel, who then discovers that Susannah has known Nat and Georgia's secret for a long time. Bev is furious when she discovers Ron has taken Josh for his injections after all. Building work starts on the parade, annoying almost everyone.

Episode 1801 (W 30-10-96 "Illuminations") Written by Chris Webb - After a conversation with Julia, Bel fears that other neighbours may have found out about Nat and Georgia. Ron goes to Blackpool, but not with Bev - and she becomes concerned when he doesn't come home.

Episode 1802 (F 01-11-96 "Roses") Written by Chris Webb - Susannah suggests a possible solution for one of Bel's problems. Danny takes devious steps to ensure that Jules appears at Georgia's birthday party. Terry invites the local businessmen and businesswomen to his birthday do, and Bev finds out who went to Blackpool with Ron.

Episode 1803 (T 05-11-96 "Mission Statements") Written by Julie Jones - Mick attends his first school governors' meeting, and doesn't take long to put his foot in it. Jimmy returns from Basingstoke to find that Little Jimmy's pursuers have caught up with him. At the fireworks night, Jules drops a bombshell.

Episode 1804 (W 06-11-96 "Making Matters Worse") Written by Julie Jones - Nat fears that Jules will tell the police what she knows, but Georgia doubts that she would. A customer telephones Sinbad to tell him that Little Jimmy has done a runner and left the ladders in his garden. Ron is beginning to enjoy his outings with Jackie too much, and they both think they should stop.......

Episode 1805 (F 08-11-96 "Miscellaneous Cash Purchases") Written by Julie Jones - David finds something interesting in the accounts of "Grants". Jackie overhears Little Jimmy admitting that he is back on the smack. Ollie contacts the jobcentre to find work for Bel, and it turns out that a certain local shop is looking for an assistant.......

Episode 1806 (T 12-11-96 "What It Takes") Written by Barry Woodward - Ollie takes steps to prevent Little Jimmy cutting across his lawn. Max and David realise that Matthew and Emily are wearing the uniforms of a different school. Ron refuses to see a doctor at the fertility clinic, and goes to see Jackie instead.......

Episode 1807 (W 13-11-96 "Covering Up") Written by Julie Rutterford - Max and David's attempts to find out how Susannah is financing the school fees are thwarted by Julia. Jimmy discovers that while he has been away stealing cars, Little Jimmy has been robbing closer to home. Nat and Georgia are interviewed by the police. Will either of them crack?

Episode 1808 (F 15-11-96 "Something To Hide") Written by Julie Rutterford - It is Jimmy's birthday, but Ron is trying to convince Jackie to go away with him. When Terry's workmen walk off the job, he has to take drastic measures, with strange consequences. Val wants to take Sinbad for a cheap holiday to the Canary Islands, but he plans to go to Bristol.

Episode 1809 (T 19-11-96 "Procedures") Written by Helen East - Bel and Ollie are called by the police. Jackie threatens to leave Jimmy if he doesn't get Max's car back. Susannah makes another extravagant purchase, and a long-lost stranger arrives on the parade.

Episode 1810 (W 20-11-96 "Car Fairy") Written by Julie Jones - Mick prepares suggestions to combat school bullying, but Ollie doesn't agree with him. Lindsey discovers that Jackie and Ron are together in Southport. Max discovers that his car has come back home.

Episode 1811 (F 22-11-96 "Best Forgotten") Written by Julie Jones - Sinbad is having doubts about his wedding, and Mick gives him something else to think about. David decides to follow Susannah, hoping to find out what she is up to. Little Jimmy returns, after spending all of the stolen money.

Episode 1812 (M 25-11-96 "Cold Turkey") Written by Nick Saltrese - Jackie plans to cure Little Jimmy's addiction once and for all. Max tells Nat and Georgia that he will have to tell the truth if he is called to court. Jack learns from Julia that Terry has had a breakdown, and David plans to investigate the mystery of the body found under the shops.

Episode 1813 (T 26-11-96 "Demons") Written by Nick Saltrese - Little Jimmy's condition deteriorates, and he pleads with Jimmy to give him more drugs. It is Jackie's birthday, but who will she receive cards from? Bev looks over her old photographs with Ron, but are they reaching the end of the road?

Episode 1814 (W 27-11-96 "Ticking Timebomb") Written by Nick Saltrese - Jimmy tries to find his son, while Jackie tells Lindsey that she is thinking of going away with Ron. Julia tells Jack that David is trying to solve the riddle of the mystery body, but why should that worry him?

Episode 1815 (Th 28-11-96 "Ditching") Written by Valerie Windsor - There is anger and bitterness at the hospital when the circumstances leading up to the accident on the staircase of the Dixon home are revealed to Jimmy and Bev.

Episode 1816 (F 29-11-96 "Time's Up") Written by Shaun Duggan - Terry encourages Jack to be more friendly with Julia. Nat and Georgia learn whether they are going to be charged. Jimmy goes out, telling his son he is to be gone by the time he gets back.......

Episode 1817 (T 03-12-96 "Tangled Web") Written by Barry Woodward - Sinbad wonders whether he and Val should postpone the wedding. David meets a woman who believes her late brother may be the body under the parade. Ron reveals to Jimmy that he told two men who appeared to be detectives where to find Little Jimmy.......

Episode 1818 (W 04-12-96 "Pesto") Written by Barry Woodward - Susannah has a new revelation for Max. Jackie tells Ron she can't make any decisions yet. Ollie tells Georgia and Nat that he is doing nothing more to help them, so Nat suggests that he moves in with her. Ron disapproves of Bel's changes to the stock, so she resigns.

Episode 1819 (F 06-12-96 "Going Public") Written by Barry Woodward - Nat and Georgia move in together, although Max warns Terry about what they may be up to. Jackie and Jimmy have a difficult visit to make. Ron apologises to Bel, and asks her to come back to work.

Episode 1820 (T 10-12-96 "Outcasts") Written by Peter Cox - Bel can't face work, but Ollie insists that she goes in. Georgia is determined to face the world, and get her toaster fixed. Jimmy thinks he has found a better way of getting to know his son. Mike unwittingly agrees to help out at the Trading Post. Jack tells Terry some long-concealed facts, and agrees to play Father Christmas again for Julia.

Episode 1821 (W 11-12-96 "Off The Hook") Written by Peter Cox - Ollie tries to be as positive as he can in giving Mike some long-awaited feedback on his book. Nat and Georgia receive a letter from the authorities. David discovers the identity of the mystery investor in "Grants", and finds out that he is being asked to move. Jimmy resolves to do more to help children in need, and no-one notices that Leo has a new face.

Episode 1822 (F 13-12-96 "Starting Again") Written by Peter Cox - Jules returns to the Close, and discovers that everyone knows about Nat and Georgia. DD introduces Ron, Jacqui and Mike to Tom, who reveals his intentions and sense of humour. Sinbad and Val have a big decision to make. David moves out of number 7, but where will he go?

Episode 1823 (T 17-12-96 "Season Of Goodwill") Written by Barry Woodward - Terry can't believe it when Jack agrees to go to Henry Fraser's funeral with David. Ron tries to think of a suitable Christmas present for Jackie - can Bel help? Lindsey starts to re-write Mike's book, and Ollie discovers that he has to play Father Christmas for the school's end-of-term party.

Episode 1824 (W 18-12-96 "Star Prize") Written by Roy Boulter - Ollie finally finds a way of convincing JC to call off his photographers. Some of the raffle prizes cause embarrassment at the Wild West fancy dress party. Ron hears that David plans to evict Jacqui and the girls, and invites him to stay with him instead.

Episode 1825 (F 20-12-96 "Testing") Written by Helen East - Nat is not convinced that Georgia is pregnant. Terry volunteers Jack to help Julia out with her carol singing. David is convinced that the killer will attend Henry's funeral.......and he could be right. Ron makes a frightening discovery when he gets up during the night.

The cast:

RESIDENTS:
Julia Brogan (nee Roberts) - GLADYS AMBROSE (1798, 1801, 1803, 1807, 1810, 1812, 1814, 1816-1820, 1822, 1824, 1825)
Jackie Corkhill (nee Walker) - SUE JENKINS (1796-1819, 1821-1825)
Jimmy Corkhill - DEAN SULLIVAN (1796-1799, 1803-1825)
Little Jimmy Corkhill - GEORGE CHRISTOPHER (1796-1800, 1802-1809, 1811-1816)
David "Bing" Crosbie - JOHN BURGESS (1798, 1800, 1802-1814, 1816-1818, 1821-1825)
DD (Deborah) Dixon (nee O'Farrell) - IRENE MAROT (1821, 1822)
Ron Dixon - VINCE EARL (1796-1825)
Jacqui Dixon - ALEXANDRA FLETCHER (1800, 1801, 1815, 1822, 1824, 1825)
Mike Dixon - PAUL BYATT (1798-1800, 1802, 1806, 1808, 1809, 1811, 1812, 1815-1823)
Max Farnham - STEVEN PINDER (1796-1802, 1805-1807, 1809-1812, 1817-1819, 1821, 1822)
Susannah Farnham (nee Morrisey) - KAREN DRURY (1796, 1797, 1799, 1800, 1802, 1806, 1807, 1809-1811, 1817-1819, 1821)
Emily Farnham - VICTORIA BENNETT (1806, 1825)
Matthew Farnham - GARETH RYAN JONES (1806)
Mick Johnson - LOUIS EMERICK (1796, 1799-1803, 1805, 1808, 1810, 1811, 1823-1825)
Gemma Johnson - NAOMI KAMANGA (1825)
Leo Johnson - STEVEN COLE (1821, 1825) [ Previously played by LEEON SAWYER ]
Bev McLoughlin - SARAH WHITE (1796-1799, 1801, 1802, 1804-1806, 1808-1810, 1812-1816)
Josh McLoughlin (1798, 1800, 1809)
Bel Simpson (nee Pattison) - LESLEY NIGHTINGALE (1796-1806, 1808, 1809, 1814, 1816-1820, 1823)
Ollie Simpson - MICHAEL J JACKSON (1796-1806, 1808-1811, 1814, 1816-1825)
Georgia Simpson - HELEN GRACE (1796-1804, 1806, 1807, 1809, 1811, 1812, 1814, 1816, 1818-1822, 1824, 1825)
Nat Simpson - JOHN SANDFORD (1796-1798, 1800-1804, 1806, 1807, 1812, 1814, 1816, 1818-1822, 1824, 1825)
Danny Simpson - ANDREW BUTLER (1798-1803, 1817, 1821, 1825)
Jules Simpson (nee Bradley) - SARAH WITHE (1796, 1801-1805, 1822)
Lindsey Stanlow (nee Corkhill) - CLAIRE SWEENEY (1807, 1808, 1870, 1811, 1813-1815, 1817-1823)
Kylie Stanlow (1802, 1825)
Terry Sullivan - BRIAN REGAN (1800-1802, 1808-1812, 1814, 1816, 1818-1820, 1822-1825)
Sinbad (Thomas Sweeney) - MICHAEL STARKE (1796-1799, 1802, 1804, 1808, 1811, 1817, 1819, 1820, 1822-1825)

RECURRING CHARACTERS:
Anne Bradley - FAITH BROWN (1811)
John "JC" Bradley - KEN SHARROCK (1802, 1805, 1806, 1811, 1822, 1824)
Cracker - KELLY MALONE (1809 OOV, 1824)
Elaine Davies (nee Charlton) - BEVERLEY HILLS (1796, 1799, 1805, 1808, 1824)
Tom Evans - ROGER MARTIN (1822) [ Previously Kenny Roberts (1024) ]
Fee Phelan - JACKIE DOWNEY (1796, 1797)
Peter Phelan - SAMUEL KANE (1802)
Jack Sullivan - WILLIAM MAXWELL (1809, 1810, 1812, 1814, 1816-1820, 1822-1825)
Mr Dick Thornton - GRAHAM SEED (1803, 1810)
Val Walker - PAULINE FLEMING (1797, 1798, 1802, 1804, 1808, 1811, 1817, 1820, 1822)

NEW CHARACTER PLAYED BY RETURNING PERFORMER:
Stella Campbell (nee Fraser) - MAGGIE SHEVLIN (1817, 1818, 1825) [ Sister Mary Joseph (1283, 1288) ]

NEW CHARACTERS:
Cassie Charlton - EBONY GRAY (1824)
Tanya Davies - HEATHER TOMLINSON (1829)
Carmel O'Leary - CAROL CONNOR (1803, 1810)
Harry - JON KEATS (1805)
Detective Inspector Hawkins - RICHARD COLE (1807, 1809)
Rowlands - PETER RYLANDS (1816)
Nurse Wright - KATE DOHERTY (1815)

UNCREDITED CHARACTERS WITH NAMES:
Andy, head social worker (1797)
John, a "Grants" employee (1805)
Linda, a "Grants" employee (1806)
Moira, a bookshop employee (1821)
Roxanna, a "Trading Post" interviewee (1805)
Steve, a drug addict (1797)

Episode 1813 includes four flashbacks of scenes involving Jimmy and Jackie from earlier episodes, as Jimmy remembers some of his "demons" from the past.

The storylines:

In this short season, Terry's plans to expand his business empire, with Jacqui and JC as investors, lead to the discovery of a dead body and the return of his long-lost father - events that are not absolutely unconnected. Georgia and Nat desperately want to remain connected, despite resistance from their parents, a suicide attempt by Jules, the threat of police charges, and even a possible pregnancy. Meanwhile, Susannah ousts David to take charge of "Grants" and employs Julia as her housekeeper, Bel gets a job at the "Trading Post", and Sinbad and Val abandon their plans to marry, but Mick begins to get to know his future wife, Elaine! And, when Ron's long-lasting relationship with Bev runs into real difficulties, just as Jimmy's marriage breaks down again as his desperate attempts to rehabilitate Little Jimmy finally come to nothing, he has high hopes for a better future with Jackie. After all, haven't they always got on like a house on fire.......?

The dates:

It is the 90's in episode 1798; the clocks go back on Saturday in episode 1799; and it is 5th November in episode 1803. Based on dialogue in episode 1807, it was Wednesday 6th November in episode 1804, and it is Friday in episode 1808. Based on dialogue in episode 1818, it was Friday in episode 1817; it is two weeks until Christmas in episode 1820; and, based on dialogue in episodes 1823 and 1824, it is Friday in episode 1825.

Name-checks:

The Queen (1796); "Beau Geste" (1796); "Casanova" (1796); "The Waltons" (1797); "Richard and Judy" (1798); "Punch and Judy" (1798); "Lord Snooty" (1798); "Robinson Crusoe" (1798); Hitler (1799); "Oklahoma" (1799); "Whitaker's" [reference work?] (1799); the "Bay City Rollers" (1799); the "Righteous Brothers" (1799); "Long John Baldry" (1799); Bob Dylan (1799); the "Walker Brothers" (1799); Scott Walker (1799); "Dixon of Dock Green" (1799, 1810); "Two-Way Family Favourites" (1799); the "Scarlet Pimpernel" (1800); "Speedy Gonzales" (1800); "Florence Nightingale" (1800); "Hetty Wainthrop Investigates" (1801); Nell Gwyn (1801); James I (1803); "Bamber" [Gascoigne] (1804); the "Clampetts" (1806); Terry Waite (1807); Pamela Anderson (1808); Chubby Checker (1808); Stephen King (1808); "Long John Silver" (1808); "Artful Dodger" (1808); Brad Pitt (1809); Lord Lucan (1809); Shergar (1809); Ricki Lake (1810); "The X-Files" (1810); "Rambo" (1810) "Shirley Valentine" (1810); Brian Keene [author] (1812); Einstein (1812); "Hercule Poirot" (1812); "Magnum" (1813); "Holmes" and "Watson", "Bodie" and "Doyle", "Starsky and Hutch" (1814); Joe Stalin (1815); "You've Been Framed" (1815); "Columbo" (1817); Agatha "Crispin" (1817); Frankie Howerd (1818, 1819); Celia Johnson (1818, 1819); "Brief Encounter" (1818); "Close Encounters...." (1818); "Scrooge" (1819); Jeffrey Archer (1820); Beryl Bainbridge (1823); Randolph Scott (1824); Lee Van Kleef (1824); "Ali Baba" and the forty thieves (1824); Billy Ray Cyrus (1824); "Yul" [Brynner] (1824); and Josef [bloody] Mengele, child-killer (1825).

Locations:

There are several scenes in which Ron and Jackie are seen in Blackpool in episode 1801, but the rest of this season is set in or near Liverpool, the furthest afield that anyone else goes being Southport (in episodes 1809 and 1810).

Births:

None. Georgia believes she is pregnant in episode 1824, and confirms it by taking a pregnancy test in episode 1825. It is the birthday of both Terry and Georgia in episode 1802; it is Jimmy's 45th birthday in episode 1808, which is "this Friday" in episode 1807; and it is Jackie's birthday in episode 1811. Ron will be 50 next year (1799, 1815), whereas Georgia was 13 and Nat was 11 in 1986 (1799), Terry was "about 3" thirty years ago (1812), and, according to a newspaper report, Harry Fraser was 25 in 1966 (1818). Jackie is 43 (1803), Bev is 24 (1804), Daniel is 14 (1809), and Little Jimmy was 22 when he died (1823).

Marriages:

None - although Sinbad arranges to marry Val on 21st December in episode 1804, he remains single yet again. Jules and Nat married three months ago (1807), Elaine separated from her husband a year ago (1808), and Lindsey implies that Jackie and Jimmy have been married for 22 years (1823).

Deaths:

One - At the age of 22 (1823), Little Jimmy repays a debt to drug dealers with his life in episode 1816, which was "last Friday" in episode 1818 and "a month ago" in episode 1826. Unseen characters mentioned who are no longer alive are Ron's auntie Beryl, who had TB (1798); Susannah's uncle Teddy in Australia, who emigrated there after the war and died in July of this year (1806); Henry/Harry Fraser, Stella's brother (1823), who died 30 years ago (1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1823, 1825); and Stella's mother and father (1818).

Toilet visits:

Only four - Julia (1803), Little Jimmy (1812), Ron (1813), and Jackie (1816).

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

Elaine's daughter / Tania (1796 / 1799, 1824); Terry's late mother (1820, 1823); and Elaine's mother (1824).

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

Patricia Farnham (1796, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1805, 1810, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1821); Thomas (1796, 1798, 1808); Alice (1796, 1798, 1808); Martin (1797, 1828); Jean (1798, 1816); Mandy Jordache (1798, 1799, 1808, 1816); Ruth/ie (1798, 1799, 1808); Eric (1798); Billy (1800, 1802, 1803, 1807); Renee [Doreen] (1803); Timothy O'Leary (1803, 1810); Bev's mother (1803, 1809); Dolly Sparrow (1803, 1818); the Pope (1805, 1822); Macca (1805); Sammy Daniels (1806); Sue (1809, 1812); Danny (1809, 1810); Warren (1810); Barry Grant (1811, 1817); Cyril (1816); Lyn (1816); Tony (1817, 1821); Trevor Jordache (1823); Gary (1823); and the Banks' (1824).

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

Chris Harty, who Andy refers Jimmy to (1797); Little Kelly from the nursery, measles sufferer (1799); Elaine's husband / Tania's father (1799, 1808 / 1829); Mrs Brown at number 15, on Sinbad's window round (1802); Arthur, an acquaintance of David (1803); Mr S. Dyson, who has left the parent governors (1803); Ted of Portland Road, another customer on Sinbad's window round (1804); Carol, a "Grants" employee (1806); Justine, who a wrong-number caller asks Jimmy for (1808); Teddy and Amanda, mentioned by a television announcer (1809); Jackie's mother (1810); Vanessa, a friend of Susannah (1811); Nigel, Susannah's solicitor (1811, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1821); Philip, a friend of Danny (1817); Tom Riley, a local window cleaner (1817); Graham, who Stella courted after Henry disappeared (1818); and Old Mrs Jones from round the corner, a "Trading Post" customer (1818).

Goofs:

In episode 1825, Nat refers to the genetics book he has obtained using a different title from that which appears on its cover, and garbles his reason for having it: "I've just been checked about it.".

Trivia:

Jackie's favourite subject at school was Art (1801). She was 16 when she first met Jimmy (1815), who spent time in Walton jail (1820), and whose voluntary work is for the "Straight 8 Project, Information and Counselling Service" (1797). It is more than 13 years ago that he was caught with Val by Little Jimmy (1811), and the telephone number of Chris Harty, who Andy advises him to call, is 775 2617 (1797). Kylie's favourite doll is called Blodwyn (1811).

Nat consults a book, "Genetics and Family Biology" (1825). Jules's address, at which Danny sends her roses allegedly from Nat, is Mallam House, Churchill Quay (1802). Her apartment number is 86 (1805). The branch of Elton's bookshop at which Ollie works is "just down from Lord Street" (1821). Bel used to work for "Niven's" (1796, 1805, 1806), at which Bev and Ron bought their four-poster bed (1806). According to Ron, Bev reads "Cosmo" (1810). The book Mike has written is called "The Fear Within" (1809). Tom is an accountant with the Diocese, and compere at St Mary's Catholic Club (1822).

Susannah and Max's old house was in Fornby (1818). Susannah has committed Matthew and Emily to a year at King's Elm Grammar School (1806), and has been shopping at John Lewis (1819). David spent some time in Aden with the army medical corps (1798). Henry Fraser, last seen alive down at the "Red Lion" pub, is to be buried at St Peter's (1823), and his sister Stella is from Childwall (1817). Julia claims that the last time she won a raffle was in 1948 (1824).

The letterhead of the "Contract of Sale of Ownership", which Susannah has already signed and dated 11/12/96, and which David signs in episode 1821, is from "Meale, Manton & Co, Solicitors", of 14A North Bank Road, Southport, Lancashire PS17 0QT - Tel./Fax 01704 951674, Telex 452290 Southport. It is dated 3rd December 1996, and shows the postcode of Brookside Close as L43 6TZ. There are typos in the first line ("between" is omitted) and in the address ("Park" is shown as "park")!

The "For Sale" sign erected outside number 10 in episode 1822, which is still there in episode 1823, bears the estate agents' name "Haskayne Brimstage" and the telephone number 0151 269 4000. Jimmy's skip bears the telephone number 051 489 1522 (1823). He is left-handed (1797), and so is Mr Thornton (1810); while Sinbad (1798), Mick (1799), Susannah (1810, 1821), Max (1811, 1812, 1819, 1821), David (1821), Lindsey (1823), and Georgia (1824) are all right-handed.

A sign is erected on the parade in episode 1800 giving full details of JC's company: "J.C. Bradley (Construction) Ltd, Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Specialists, 0151 692 3109". This is seen again in episodes 1812, 1817, 1823 and 1824, and fleetingly on a van driving past in episode 1802; and other signs, showing just the company name, can be seen in episodes 1818, 1820 and 1822. A "Fletchers" sign can be seen again in the distance in episodes 1819 and 1823; and a newspaper extract headed "Manor Park mystery body id[entified]" seen briefly on-screen in episode 1818 starts off well, but soon turns into something else:

"HENRY FRASER has been named as the mystery body found during building work under La Luz nightclub, Manor Park. Fraser, a 25-year-old sailor from West Derby, went missing in 1966 It was the third such tragedy on Merseyside in 18 months. Anthony is thought to have touched the 750 volt third.......which powers the trains. His father, electrician .......Lewis, from the Aintree ........., told the ECHO "Anthony.......a lovely lad. We are absolutely devastated. We only recently allowed him to go playing ......... further. He had always been ....... not to go near the ....... line. "

Further cuttings, including one headed "LOCAL MAN MISSING", are also seen, but luckily not quite as close-up, in episode 1819.

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

From the moment at which Julia enters the employ of, and should therefore show respect to, Max and Susannah Farnham, she pronounces their surname as if it is double-barrelled.......except for one occasion in episode 1825, when she forgets and reverts to "Farnham" instead of "Farn-Ham"!

The end-of-season cliffhanger:

Having left Jackie watching a late film downstairs, Ron's attempts to get to sleep are disturbed by Kylie crying. He gets up out of bed, opens his bedroom door, finds that the landing is full of smoke and the staircase is ablaze, and frantically calls out to Mike and Lindsey that the house is on fire.......

Season Forty Six.......