The first episode of Coronation Street is transmitted
live at 7:00pm on Friday 9th December, and much of the month is
spent establishing the characters. By the end of the December
it has become one of the most popular programmes on TV, and ITV
confirms that the series will continue.
December
Elsie Lappin, who has run the Corner Shop since 1930, retires
to Knott End and hands the shop over to ex-barmaid Florrie Lindley.
May Hardman returns from a mental hosptial, complaining of stabbing
pains in her head. Ken Barlow embarks on the first of his women,
going out with middle-class Susan Cunningham - but is ashamed
of his surroundings.
Elsie Tanner's son, lovable rogue Dennis Tanner returns home from borstal, and
No11 gets a little crowded when Elsie's daughter Linda Cheveski also returns
after leaving husband Ivan - they are reconciled when Linda announces she is
pregnant. At Christmas, Lucille Hewitt runs away from an orphanage to join her
father Harry at No7, but there is a sad end to the year. May Hardman dies of
a brain tumor in the hallway of No13 on New Year's Eve.