THE UNFORGETTABLE PARTNERSHIPS

KEN BARLOW & MIKE BALDWIN

Ken and Mike (Johnny Briggs) spent 20 years at each other’s throats. Often their fistfights (right) were over women, such as Mike’s affair with Ken’s wife Deirdre and Ken dating Mike’s ex Alma, who was won back by Mike. But their relationship ended poignantly when Mike died in Ken’s arms on the cobbles after a heart attack.

ENA, MINNIE & MARTHA

These elderly widows (played by Violet Carson, Margot Bryant and Lynne Carol) would sit round that small table in the Rovers snug, gossiping, in the early years. When Martha died of a heart attack in the snug in 1964, Ena was heartbroken – and so were millions of viewers.

JACK & VERA DUCKWORTH

Pigeon fancier Jack and gobby Vera (Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn) became an iconic couple over their 30 years, known by their first names alone. Son Terry was a rogue, but Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) later became like a son after he began lodging with them.

STAN & HILDA OGDEN

Workshy Stan and busybody Hilda (left, played by Bernard Youens and Jean Alexander) bickered a lot. But heartrending scenes after his death in 1984 showed Hilda’s love for him, as she sat by his grave to say she’d never remarry.

Adapted from 60 Years Of Coronation Street by ITV Ventures Limited and Abigail Kemp (Hamlyn, £20). © ITV Ventures and Abigail Kemp. To order a copy for £17.60, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193. Free UK delivery on orders over £15. Offer price valid until 14/11/2020.