David covers for Joe's absence when Tina is upset at her father's failure to wish her a happy birthday. However, evidence of Gail's lies is about to emerge in the Lake District. Sunita is forced to think on her feet when her aunts discover her and Dev's sleeping arrangements, and Jesse wins on the horses!

7:30pm: Gail and David arouse Audrey's suspicion, but Nick is more interested in Underworld than his grandmother's concerns. Eileen is thrilled by news of Jason and Tina's engagement, but their plan to move back into No 11 does not go down well with Jesse. Becky takes advantage of her pregnancy to boss Steve about, and Dev impresses Sunita's aunts.
8.30pm: Nick and Audrey interrogate Gail, having learned about Joe's debts, but despite everything, she stands by her man and rejects David's pleas to do the right thing. Leanne tells Carla about her history with Nick, Sunita is forced to rein Dev in when he gets carried away with his pretend marriage, and Eileen lays down the law to Jesse.

7.30pm: David forces Gail to get her story straight before they leave the Lakes, but a police officer's visit causes both to fear they are about to be discovered. Peter's repeated attempts to see Simon prompt his family to plan an intervention to stop his drinking, and Dev eagerly pretends he is still married to Sunita when her aunts arrive to stay.
8.30pm: The return of Nick threatens to unravel David and Gail's lies about Joe's whereabouts as they arrive back with a tale to put Tina's mind at rest. Peter refuses an offer of financial assistance from George and instead demands to see Simon, and the presence of Sunita's aunts forces her and Dev to sleep in the same bedroom.
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A panic-stricken Gail calls David up to the Lakes, where she tells him the full story of Joe's scheme. Peter's drinking causes more rows with George and Leanne, causing Leanne to turn to Ken for support. Sunita informs Dev of an imminent visit from her aunts - who do not know the couple have divorced.

Leanne refuses to forgive Peter for his drunken antics leading him to drink once more. Gail travels to the Lake District with Joe, unaware of her husband's plan, and Tina expresses her fears to David when Rick calls at the house again. Gail tries to talk Joe out of his scheme to fake his death, but he sets sail in the darkness regardless, leaving his wife heartbroken on the jetty. Peter turns up drunk at George and Eve's, demanding to see Simon, but while his family tries to think of ways to help, Ciaran encourages him to have a few more beers.. With friends like that....

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After sneaking a drink clearing up the drinks at the hard hat 'party', Peter is determined to prove he can control himself around alcohol. But his drinking is already starting to have an effect.

Betty faces competition for the title of the region's oldest barmaid from Enid Crump (both pictured), Janice continues to flirt around Trevor as they settle into their new living arrangement, and Becky remains terrified by the prospect of motherhood.

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7.30pm: On the second anniversary of Vera's death, Molly prepares to tell Tyrone she is leaving him. Sian's father turns up on the street in a rage after discovering that his daughter is sleeping with Ryan, David plots to put off a couple of potential buyers interested in No 8, and Becky reaches the end of her tether when Steve buys a new set of golf clubs.
8.30pm: Tyrone watches helplessly as Molly walks out on their marriage, after denying she has been having an affair. Kevin tries to ignore events across the street and focus on Sally's cancer treatment, Lloyd warns Steve he is throwing his life away as the arguments with Becky continue, while Anna shows off her photos of Gary in uniform.

7:30pm: Kevin apologises to Sally for his absences as she is admitted to hospital for her lumpectomy operation. She confides to Kevin that she is worried she may have to have a masectomy. Kelly refuses to contribute to a collection for her workmate, saying it would be hypocritical, while Tyrone rejects his new job offer to support his friend. Dev rushes to Sunita's side amid fears Asha has meningitis.
8.30pm: Matt's relief at the discovery Asha is not seriously ill turns to anger that Sunita called Dev rather than him. Gary's party is a lively affair as Anna again reveals her fears about his safety and Eddie breaks the habit of a lifetime. Molly does not allow Sally's health to stop her making a shocking declaration to Kevin.

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Rosie tries to defend Sally from the factory girls' sniping about her 'unauthorised' absence, but ends up revealing more information than she intended.

Matt feels sidelined when Dev successfully organises the twins' birthday party, which also causes Jesse to fear Sean is stealing the limelight. Debt-ridden Joe is thwarted in his efforts to discuss life insurance with Gail.

7.30 David tries to get Nick ('Don't call him Nicky') to confess his reasons for staying around. Rick the loan shark's threats against Tina cast a shadow over Joe's enjoyment of his honeymoon, the Websters are embarrassed when saucy shots of Rosie are used in an advert on the bus shelter, and the factory girls demand to know why Sally is allowed time off.
8:30pm: The argument with Rosie leads Sally and Kevin to realise the time has come to tell the girls of her diagnosis. Mary's return leaves Norris in a panic and vowing not to be alone with her. Guilt gets the better of Molly as she and Tyrone celebrate their first wedding anniversary, while Joe realises marrying Gail has changed nothing.
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7.30pm: Joe believes (wrongly) his troubles are over as his and Gail's wedding day dawns. Tyrone struggles to pluck up the courage to tell Kevin he is leaving the garage, Sally tries to arrange time off work without informing an ill-tempered Carla that it is to attend the hospital, and publicity of Norris and Freda's competition win upsets one newspaper reader!
8.30pm: Tina's attraction to Nick becomes clear to David, while the presence of nasty Rick the loan shark threatens Joe and Gail's reception. Peter's honesty and determination impress councillors at the planning meeting, but Ken remains focused on destroying his dreams for the bar. And Sally sees another side of Carla when she opens up about her health problems.

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Joe resorts to desperate measures to pay his debt before the wedding by trying to get cash from Peter and Ted. Ken is furious with George's latest attempt to take control of Simon's life by putting him through private school while Becky's latest argument with Steve leaves her in turmoil.

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It's been a bad week for the Peacocks, and Friday's double bill saw events culminate in tragic circumstances. Ashley woke up on Peter Barlow's couch, having been banned from returning home the night before. When he headed home, Ashley found Claire had bolted the door and was ignoring him, intent on teaching him a lesson. Unfortunately, events took a turn for the worst when Claire mysteriously collapsed.

Lloyd was troubled as to Claire's absence from work. When he called round he saw an unconcious Claire slumped in a heap through the window, and managed to break in to help her. The ambulance arrived and she was taken to hospital. Ashley was devastated to discover at the hospital that Claire had been pregnant and lost the baby due to a blood clot on the lung. She was left facing potentially fatal surgery to remove the clot.

Ashley and Claire struggled to contain their arguments in tonight's midweek epsiode. Claire was not impressed with Ashley's attitude yesterday, and so Ashley tried his best to patch things up with an unforgiving Claire. She was further unimpressed to hear he had planned a night out with Lloyd and Peter, and insisted he should be home by 8pm as she was going to her mother's. When a tipsy Ashley then ignored Claire's calls and didn't make it back to No13 on time, a furious Claire marched into the Rovers and barred Ashley from returning home!

The Peacocks weren't the only couple falling out, young couple Sophie and Ben rowed again following their argument at Sally's party, and Sophie continued to question his feelings for Rosie. A frustrated Ben stormed out of the Webster's, but not before they both finished with each other. Hoping it isn't a permanent split - they make a good pairing.

Elsewhere, Fiz and Natasha shared a touching moment in the salon, where an emotional Fiz shared the story of her secret engagement. An understanding Natasha supported her, and offered to do her hair on the big day. Ramsay bought Norris some shoes to help his bunion problem, but asked Rita to give them to him, and Jack was given another odd response from Connie when he mentioned visiting her home.

Sally and Kevin returned from their romantic weekend away, but it was clear there was only one thing on Kevin's mind - Molly. It was likewise for Mrs Dobbs, and her relationship with Tyrone was beginning to strain under the pressure. Quick-thinking Tyrone (have those words ever been used together before?) booked a surprise holiday to Tenerife for the two of them, hoping to cheer up an irritable Molly. She was too busy pining over Kevin to take much of an interest, and when a guilty Kevin tried to put a definitive end to their relationship, she was not best pleased. Will their separation last?

Ashley and Claire made a long overdue (proper) appearance, although it wasn't a happy household for the Peacocks. Bran flakes, a holiday in Blackpool, a postage stamp-sized garden and the ever hilarious Graeme caused a series of arguments between the pair, and it looks like a rocky road could be ahead for them.

Episode written by Martin Allen

It's fair to say that Eileen hasn't taken readily to her new sister Julie. In fact she ordered Julie out of the house - she doesn't want to see anyone who'll remind her of Colin. Presumably that doesn't include Colin's grandson Jason, as she let him stay.

Is Ken regretting his decision to let the boat of happiness sail without him? How could he, when Deirdre served him with frozen mini chicken Kievs and the offer of scrubbing her back?

Elsewhere, Jack and Connie are still getting on well. So are Dev and tara - atleast, Dev thinks so, not realising that Tara is busy plotting cold-hearted revenge. And Darryl was feeling insecure about his relationship with Amber.

I'll leave you with Blanche's goodnight wishes: "See you in the morning... if I'm spared."

Double episode written by Chris Fewtrell and Simon Crowther

Ken Barlow passes up a day trip to a cemetery with Deirdre, Blanche and the One O'Clock Club. He resigns from Roy's Rolls. He cancels his Guardian and New Statesman at the Kabin. He consumes his final hotpot. "I bet that's the last hotpot," says Emily, not realising that she's speaking metaphorically as well as literally. They reminisce about Annie Walker's attempt to introduce a cheseeboard to the Rovers. Then Ken swipes a souvenir Newton and Ridley beermat, and leaves.

At home he sits down to write a Dear Deirdre letter to Deirdre, but is disturbed on his way out by Peter and Simon. Peter is a deeply unpleasant person, and tells Ken he won't really leave. "You'll be sat at that table at teatime and at Christmas and every other miserable day for the rest of your life till we put you in the ground."

Ken really had nothing to stay for. Peter is horrible, Deirdre is horrible, Blanche is horrible, even the dog is horrible. But when it came down to it, Peter was right, and Ken let Utopia leave without him.

Meanwhile, Julie went to visit Colin in hospital. Eddie Windass acquired the password to Roy's cash and carry account from Anna, and helped himself to a load of booze. And Tara organised a grand unveiling of Dev's nude pictures and wound him up about the ones she was supposed to have had taken of herself. "My favourite was the Christine Keeler pose," she said. "The blind girl?" wondered Dev.

Double episode written by Chris Fewtrell and Simon Crowther

Two more brilliant episodes - it's been a classic week on Coronation Street. Rita, Eileen and Julie were all reacting to the shock news about Colin. Rita was in bits in the Kabin, which gave Norris the chance to show that he isn't just a bumbling busybody - he's a kind, sensitive man. Rita gratefully let him look after her, but she wouldn't let him send Colin packing when Colin came to grovel. She let Colin have his say, and then told him to leave.

Colin's next stop was Eileen's, but she was in no mood to listen to his pathetic excuses for what happened, because she'd just had a visit from Paula. Sue Cleaver and Sharon Duce brought tears to my eyes as they shared little reminiscences of their schooldays, and Paula described how all that was ruined by Colin. "We were clueless, Eileen, we were children," she said. "We were children." So when Colin tried to tell Eileen that it had largely been Paula's fault ("she had the body of a woman and the mind of a woman") Eileen was having none of it. Colin started to feel ill, dropped the flowers that he'd brought, and it wasn't long before an ambulance was called to the Street - he'd had a stroke. Eileen refused to go to the hospital with him.

Meanwhile, Ken went back to Utopia to see Martha. "It's not Shangri-La," she advised him, not wanting Utopia to seem too utopian. "That's a chemical toilet back there." Ken apparently isn't afraid to contemplate life without mains drainage. "I've fallen in love with you, not a lifestyle," he said. Martha led him into a back room on the boat. Possibly she was wanting to show him the chemical toilet, but I doubt it because when they came out she was wearing a kimono and he was wearing a smug expression. He now has 24 hours in which to decide whether to sail away with Martha (she's off to appear in An Inspector Calls in Tamworth - she can only take acting jobs near canals) or stay put with Deirdre.

Episode written by Julie Jones

Sometimes it's gobsmacking just what a quality product Coronation Street is. Tonight's episode was an absolute masterclass in tight writing, that trademark mix of drama and comedy, and of course some wonderful acting. Sue Cleaver, Sharon Duce, Barbara Knox and Katy Cavanagh were all brilliant as the women whose lives had been torn apart by Colin Grimshaw, and Ryan Thomas turned in a lovely heartfelt performance too - his scenes with Eileen were just precious.

The script was excellent, going from tragedy ("I've always wanted a dad... but not like this," Julie said) to high comedy, with one of the best lines of the night going to Blanche, who'd been told off by Deirdre for taunting Ken. "I'm old, I'm fragile, I've a dodgy hip. I've got to take me pleasure where I can," she said. Ken could take no more, and went to the canal in search of Martha. Her boat Utopia was there, but at the last minute his nerve failed him and he walked away.

Double episode written by Lucy Gannon

It was Colin's 70th birthday party at the Rovers, and the night that the truth about Julie's parentage came out in spectacular and dramatic fashion. A drunken Paula Carp revealed in front of a pub full of shocked partygoers that, when she was 14, she'd had a relationship with Colin, who left her pregnant with Julie. This all came as a huge shock to Eileen and to Jason (who'd just spent the night with Julie,who turns out to be his sister - but what actually happened after they went upstairs?), to Julie of course, to Colin, who said he hadn't known that Paula was pregnant - and particularly to Rita, who'd just accepted a marriage proposal from Colin...

Tonight's episodes were written by Jonathan Harvey and directed by Tessa Hoffe.

Happy birthday to Kelly! Turns 30 and dresses 16! I agree with Sean, her age has finally reached her IQ. She decides that Luke wants her. In her dreams! A very drunk Kelly is all over Luke later in the pub but he fobs her off.

Tom tells Maria that Tony offered him a good sum to buy him out. Maria's not happy this all happened behind her back. Maria tells off Tony and puts the first smile on Tom's face in days. Tony grovels by telephone and it seems to work. She's not angry anymore and Tom's not best pleased about that. In the pub, Luke backs down and rehires Tony. Tony insists on equal decision making and they shake hands on it as Maria and Tom arrive. She makes friends with Tony again and Tom blows up, accusing them of flirting. He strops off to the bar and accepts Kelly's drunken advances with a tonsil licking snog in front of everyone and offers to take her to the ginnel and indeed we catch a glimpse of them up against the wall when Sean takes the bus into town. Class.