The Coronation Street Character Collection

10.0
1994

Judy Finnigan presents this 20 part TV series based on the main characters in 1995. With her narration and clips from the show, we are guided through the characters lives during their stay on the street.

Seasons

20 Episodes • Premiered 1994

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 1: Bet Gilroy

1. Bet Gilroy

Bet always latched on to losers. She rented from Mike Baldwin and thought he would give her his house, but he threw her out. As a barmaid at the Rover's, Annie looked down on her until she met Alec Gilroy, a much older man. She was his arm candy and eventually they married. He left her and she became owner of the Rover's.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 2: Ken Barlow

2. Ken Barlow

Ken Barlow was a ladies man in his youth, but as he got older he became safe and educated and Deidre settled in with him until she realized he had no excitement to offer her.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 3: Annie Walker

3. Annie Walker

Annie Walker always thought she was above it all and her long suffering husband Jack was mates with everyone. Annie would dish out advice and her memories to anyone who would listen, and pass judgment on everyone who walked through the pub doors.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 4: Elsie Tanner & Ena Sharples

4. Elsie Tanner & Ena Sharples

If you ever wanted to see women battling in the street, this is it. Ena Sharples thought Elsie Tanner was a tart, and Elsie thought Ena was an interfering old bag.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 5: Elsie Tanner & Len Fairclough

5. Elsie Tanner & Len Fairclough

Many residents of the street thought Len and Elsie were having an affair, but Elsie was having none of it. They were friends, but when Len got his divorce papers, he asked her to marry him. She refused and he married Rita, and they remained pals until the end.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 6: Ena Sharples, Minnie Caldwell & Martha Longhurst

6. Ena Sharples, Minnie Caldwell & Martha Longhurst

These three pals cornered the best part of the pub. This is where the gossip started and usually ended with a fight on the other side of the bar. They made you laugh as Ena was the Alpha of the pack, and they all complied.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 7: Emily Bishop & Mavis Wilton

7. Emily Bishop & Mavis Wilton

Two spinsters who had their chances at love, but the men were all cads. Emily finally found love in Ernie Bishop and Mavis in Derek Wilton. Both men died and the women never remarried. They remained friends.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 8: Alf & Audrey Roberts

8. Alf & Audrey Roberts

Audrey was flighty and a party girl. Alf was an honest and solid citizen. Audrey married Alf and got respectability and status, but grew to love him. He gave her the money to set up her hairdressing business, which she still has.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 9: Rita Sullivan

9. Rita Sullivan

Rita was attracted to Len Fairclough, and married him. Len was on his way to a girlfriend's house when he was killed in a traffic accident. He left Rita everything, but when she knew the truth she was bitter. A series of men came her way, and not knowing, they married her for her money.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 10: Stan & Hilda Ogden

10. Stan & Hilda Ogden

Hilda always wanted something better, and Stan could not give it. She settled for less and had three jobs, Stan had one. Her brother Archie died and left her money and Stan took her money to go to the pub. She really loved him and let it happen. They were dynamic together, Hilda was a gossip, and Stan was a pal to everyone. A lot of comedy between the two.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 11: Alec Gilroy

11. Alec Gilroy

We follow Alec's life from his first appearance as the talent agent at the Grafitti Club, to his courtship and marriage to Bet Lynch/Gilroy, to his departure from the street.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 12: Deirdre Barlow

12. Deirdre Barlow

Men have been fighting over Deirdre since she showed up. Ray Langton vs Billy Walker, Ken vs. Mike. In the end she chose Ken over Mike and remained with him till her death.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 13: Gail Platt

13. Gail Platt

Gail married the town hunk but got the in-laws from hell. Her husband Brian Tilsley was murdered and she married Martin Platt. He ran off with a nurse from work and she married more times to men who were murderers, cheats and thieves.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 14: Jack & Vera Duckworth

14. Jack & Vera Duckworth

The battling Duckworth's, adding the comedy relief. From Jack always trying to be smooth with the ladies, to Vera's big mouth getting her into trouble. Nothing ever worked out for them.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 15: Ken Barlow & Mike Baldwin

15. Ken Barlow & Mike Baldwin

Ken and Deirdre were married because she wanted stability for her daughter Tracy. It became clear that Mike Baldwin wanted Deirdre, and the rivalry of the century began.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 16: Curly Watts

16. Curly Watts

Curly is the guy who never gets the girl. All the old folks love him and treat him like a son. Then he meets Raquel Woolstenhume at Bettabuys and his life changes forever.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 17: The McDonalds

17. The McDonalds

They crashed onto the street, just like the Barnes. Liz and Jim had twin 16 year old boys. The first thing Steve did was steal a bulldozer and crash into Alf Roberts corner shop. He has been trouble ever since. Andy likes his books, and Steve likes causing trouble.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 18: Reg Holdsworth

18. Reg Holdsworth

Reg is an over the top character. While his wife Patricia is in New Zealand, he chases Rita. When his wife returns and wants a divorce, he chases Maureen. His work with Curly at Bettabuys is some of the best comedy you will ever see.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 19: Raquel Watts

19. Raquel Watts

All the married men were attracted to Raquel, she was beautiful, but a bit dim witted. She fell for every man that was nice to her. She worked with Curly at Bettabuys and he fell in love with her. He convinced her that he would never cheat on her and he didn't.

Still image for The Coronation Street Character Collection season 1 episode 20: Des Barnes

20. Des Barnes

Des and Steph Barnes landed on the street with a bang. They battled each other and the neighbours, especially Mavis and Derek Wilton. They were so jealous of each other, they accused anyone that was looking at them of having an affair with their spouse.

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Reviews

N

Peter McGinn

10/10

I don’t know if it is easy or even possible to purchase or watch this particular series about the long-running British dramatic serial Coronation Street. I purchased them many years ago and don’t see where they are available now.

This is not a series you sit down and watch for dramatic value or even complete stories. They are retrospective looks at the more popular characters, one per episode. I especially wanted to obtain these dvds because even though we have tried to watch all of the classic Coronation Street programs, that is not quite possible and these DVDs contained some clips we had not seen.

So this series is great to fill in more details about the characters and to provide nostalgic entertainment and can be approached as such.

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