No 4 Hilda Ogden We are on safer ground with this one I think! Like Madonna, Kylie or Cher, a single name sufficed to identify this iconic figure. Think of Corrie from the 70s and Hilda's not far behind! She was a stalwart of The Street from 1964 to 1987 and for many, me included, it has never been the same since.
I would have loved to have seen her grow older gracefully, propping up the bar and reminiscing with Betty. Last seen in a brief return in 1990, Hilda Ogden and her malapropisms are much missed.
But Jean Alexander had left of her own accord and went on the record to say she didn't approve of some of the racier storylines of modern times. So it was a proper tarra Chuck to the woman who would be voted Greatest Soap Opera Star of All Time by these nice people in 2005.
So, do you think Our 'Ilda should be higher up the list? Tell us what you think! Check out the rest of the Top 50 here. [Linda]
Most famous for: Her love of Stan despite his failings, a wonderful singing voice and her beloved "muriel."
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hilda was absolutely the best ever, and in my book should be number one. Pathos, humour ...she had it all. To me she 'was' coronation street. Her relationship with Stan, Eddie Yates and of course Elsie Tanner was nothing short of brilliant. Jean Alexander is a first class actress , having gone on to many totally different and successful roles after her almost quarter century with Corrie.
What is this 1990 return I keep hearing about?!!?!??
I would have put her at number one, possibly too. She came back in 1990 after she was proposed to and felt she had to ask Stan's permission. I sort of remember it, but not very well!
Hilda could have been #1 for me too! Hilda was one of the characters that I thought the show could not survive without. In fact when I started watching Coronation Street in the late 1970's, initially, I thought she was really about her.
Question: Can anyone answer how many characters and actors have there been in total on Coronatio Street over the years?
(in first entry I made a booboo - see correction in CAPS below)
Hilda could have been #1 for me too! Hilda was one of the characters that I thought the show could not survive without. In fact when I started watching Coronation Street in the late 1970's, initially, I thought THE SHOW was really about her.
Question: Can anyone answer how many characters and actors have there been in total on Coronatio Street over the years?
I do not remember this at all, any any Coronation Street books and sources I own make NO reference to this. It would have been a pretty big thing, even only 3 years since Jean Alexander left.
If anyone can find a reliable source for this then I'd be most happy!
Do you think I have made a mistake believing Wikipaedia? Am very sorry if so...
Got 2 love hilda- a great coro actress and icon. i wonder now who's the top 3
3-(which 1)
.Rita
.Blanche
.Karen
2-Bet gilroy
1-Elsie Tanner
Hi Elsie,
It's true, I saw it ! Hilda did return, but it was almost a case of blink-and-you-miss-it.
Her return featured in a "special" episode broadcast as part of the 1990 ITV Telethon. It is pretty much left out of any official history of the show, as I don't think they really classed it as a "proper" episode - can't quite remember how long it was, but I don't think it was a full half hour.
As Linda has already indicated, I'm sure this had to do with a proposal from Dr Lowther. Hilda was shown arriving in a taxi, looking in awe at the newly-built houses where the factory once stood. She popped into the Rovers for a quick chat, and was then seen talking to Stan as she lay flowers at his grave.
If I find any links to verify this information, then I promise I will post them within this comments page. For the time being, I'm afraid I can only give you my word !
[Great post, Linda !]
Thanks Sky :)
Hey Jack - close but no cigar, you have named one in the position she appears!
Not quite sure if this constitutes proof, but this link makes reference to the 1990 appearance.
http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/632131
LOl Hilda would be my top 4 as well and a great job to Jean who plays her! we all miss you Hilda!!
I love Hilda! So sorry she has gone. I would have put her at number 1.
Even seeing her picture at the top of the column made me smile!
Yeh I was happy to see Hilda face on the top 4 list and I hope Elsie is the number 1 spot becauase who can be number 1 instead of Elsie?? really who ever doing the 50 countdown make sure Elsie is in it because she is the bomb!!
I'm a new poster so go easy on me please!
After reading the wonderful Top 50 countdown and the controversy that has surrounded some of the characters and their placings, I have had a more interesting and maybe less controversial idea if you'll bear with me.
there could be 2 top 50s - one featuring legendary characters from 1960-1985; the other featuring 'newer' characters from 1985 to the present.
the reason I chose 1985 as a changing point is that there was a definite change in personell around that time with many older ones leaving,allowing others such as Curly,Kev,Sally,Norris and Blanche to come to the fore - so they could be put in the second list.
After making the 2 lists the bloggers could then use the first list as a base and then assimilate the characters from the second list into this list to get an overall top 50 - I guarantee that more legendary characters will remain in the final list as the 'newer' characters would have to 'fight' for their places - what do you think? Or of course both lists could be put on corrieblog and the bloggers could assimilate them themselves. Am I crazy,or just boring? Take care and thanks for reading!
John, I like your idea of the two Top 50 Countdown lists etc.
Hey John - neither boring nor crazy. An actual poll would be interesting too.
It's a good idea, John. And even though the show has changed a lot, and there have been off periods, it somehow still manages to recover and win you back to it, thanks to its memorable characters.
Good to have you on board!
I would like the opportunity (on this great blog) to be able to vote for favourite characters past and present.
I really feel Blanche and Karen should have made the countdown. As well as Sarah Platt as she has fundamental to Corrie the past 7 years.
Number 4? Hilda WAS Coronation Street. As good as Bet and Elsie were, they can't surpass Hilda and as for Rita - sorry but definately in the wrong position at number 1!
I agree with Joyce "Hilda WAS Coronation Street"
There is an online petition posted on the Downing Street website asking for that grand dame of Corrie to be made a real dame. Sign up in support of Dame Jean (Hilda) Alexander.