Classic Scoop
OVER 20 YEARS AGO, THIS PLUCKY PENSIONER WAS AS WOKE AS ANYONE THESE DAYS...
CLASSIC CORONATION STREET | ITV3
Corrie underwent a revolution between 1997 and 1998. Much has been written about the behind-the-scenes drama, as a new producer swept his new broom right up that dusty old Street, determined to lure back audiences who’d abandoned the Rovers for the Queen Vic.
But while we all know about this controversial period in the soap’s history – when viewers lapped up Kev falling under the spell of Natalie’s welcoming lips, but loathed the loud-mouth Battersbys, etc – there is one reimagining which isn’t talked about nearly enough: the transformation of Emily Bishop from community coffee morning monitor, to radical sexagenarian eco-warrior.
Swept out of the dustiest of character corners by the new regime, Emily was polished up with the arrival of nephew Spider. Soon, Aunt Emily was grabbing Spider’s didgeridoo (not one of the new sexed-up storylines, FYI!) and throwing herself on to the front line of an environmental protest. With the Red Rec under threat, the eco-gang held a sit-in on councillor Alf and wife Audrey’s posh front lawn in protest – and soon, left-wing do-gooder Emily was swapping insults with posho capitalist Audrey. As the spat turned physical, Emily even hit the front page of the Gazette. And this was just the start – we last saw Emily in 2016, leaving for Peru to work with Spider. By then she was 87. What a legend!
FRAUD SQUAD!
Elsewhere, the penny finally drops for Deirdre – with quite a thud! Mainly because it’s less of a penny, more tens of thousands of pounds. With ‘true love’ Jon disappearing, it’s up to old loves Ken and Mike to save Deirdre. As she considers moving south to Tracy (things must be bad), Ken offers her a place to stay, while Mike gets his lawyer on the case. But the hopeful mood changes as the charges are formally listed: obtaining a credit card by deception; procuring a mortgage by fraud; eight counts of illicitly withdrawing £500; and two counts of obtaining goods on a fraudulent credit card. Suddenly, Team Deirdre seem a little less confident…
WRAPPING UP…
I would like to see an episode of EastEnders in which Peter keeps his clothes on. We’ve seen enough of his body now, and remember it’s still cold outside – please keep your trousers on for the summer! I’ve seen enough flesh on Albert Square already with Kat and Phil.
| Kevin, Staffordshire