Ancient rivalries, unexpected bunk-ups, delusions of grandeur or just a bit too much booze on their wedding day. In Coronation Street’s hands all have provided hilarious storylines.
It’s a show that has never forgotten that for all the drama of everyday (soap) life there are always plenty of laughs to be had along the way.
Nosy Hilda Ogden, caustic Blanche, all of a fluster Mavis, the buffoon-like Reg Holdsworth are all great comic characters that the show’s writers have got into all sorts of trouble.
And as our round-up reveals there are some stories you can return to again and again.
1. The Barlows hijack Alcoholics Anonymous
Peter Barlow’s alcoholism is no laughing matter. We’ve felt Peter’s pain and witnessed the damage it’s caused.
When Ken though belatedly tried to empathise with his son and attend Peter’s AA meeting at the Rita Tushingham Community Centre, with Deirdre and Blanche in tow, it was Corrie comedy gold.
Naturally it was Blanche who kicked things off by revealing Ken’s recent affair with ‘an actress’. “Oh, it wasn’t Nicole Kidman or Glenda Jackson. She lived on a tugboat.”
Then Deirdre got stuck in and we were treated to a Barlows’ free-for-all. As Peter, head in hands, correctly concluded: “Whatever way you look at it, I’m screwed.”
2. Ken gives Raquel French lessons
When barmaid Raquel Wolstenhulme first thought about taking ‘private french lessons’ it was going to be off a woman who had put a little card up in the phone box.
Luckily Ken stepped in and we were treated to one of the show’s funniest and sweetest scenes. Beautifully played by Sarah Lancashire and William Roache it was simplicity itself.
Like Bambi on ice, Raquel tentatively took her first baby steps across the Channel with Ken to guide her. “Je m’appelle, Raquel” is a line that has gone down in soap history.
And there was a great pay-off when we discovered what a cheeky Frenchman Raquel met in Corfu had told her “voulez vous couches avec moi ce soir?” meant.
3. Audrey throws flowers at Claudia
The sparring between ‘Aud’ and ‘Claud’ aka Audrey Roberts and Claudia Colby is always delicious thanks to Sue Nicholls and Rula Lenska.
Claudia has been winding up her old pal/business rival ever since Lewis Archer first came between them.
Their greatest showdown was at the North West Regional Stylist Awards. Claudia thought she’d enjoy Audrey squirm when she secretly put her up for ‘lifetime achievement’.
Instead it was Audrey, having hit the vino early, who stole the show with a bunch of flowers hurled with pinpoint accuracy at Claudia, followed by a mic drop. Supreme.
Read more: Why Sue Nicholls turned down another boozy storyline
’
“’’”
’
’
’
’’’
’
’’“’”“”
’
‘’“’”–
’’
’
’
’’’
&‘’
’’
“’”
’
’“”
“’”