Episode 10208/9 (30th December 2020)

## Plot

**Part One:** Putting on a pretence of friendship, Todd calls for Paul on his way to work. Billy tells Todd how grateful he is that Paul has got both him and Ajay to look after him at the helpline as he's inclined to follow his heart which can get him into trouble. Tim surveys the array of toys Elaine gave him. Sally thinks they ought to display one and put the others in the attic. Daniel isn't pleased that Adam has turned the police's attention on to Gary. Adam assures him that he's not an innocent man. Elaine tells Tim he can do what he wants with the toys. Toyah is missing Mason and admits she needs to get better at saying goodbye. Social services ring Imran with a request for them to take in another child but, without consulting Toyah, he refuses, saying they need a breather. Sarah taunts Gary about Adam talking to the police. Paul takes a call from a distressed Will. Todd urges Paul to go round to his house to help him but to his frustration, Paul decides it's more sensible not to. Arthur calls at the cafe searching for Evelyn as he has a belated Christmas present for her. Todd plays mind games with Paul, convincing him to call on Will. Paul falls for it and drives off in the Underworld van.

**Part Two:** Tim tells an interested Dev about the toys. Evelyn offers to take them to a jumble sale being held at the community hall. To stop Ken saying how selfish Peter is for disappearing, Adam tells him that his son's in hospital. Paul returns, having got no reply at the address that Will gave him, and admitting that he tried to break in the back. The furious houseowner turns up at the factory. Having handed over the toys at the sale, Evelyn calls into the cafe and finds Arthur there. She doesn't want to talk to him. He leaves the present for her on a nearby table. A smiling Todd watches on while Paul accuses the utterly oblivious houseowner of abusive behaviour. Paul loses his temper and punches him, just as the police turn up. Peter discusses his irreversible liver damage with the doctor, just as a shocked Ken turns up. Toyah has developed a far more positive attitude to adjusting to losing each baby. Imran has to confess that he's turned another child down. Dev discovers that one toy Matchbox car alone is worth £2,000 in its mint condition. Exhausted and clearly depressed, Peter tells Ken that after years of self-abuse, it's time to accept that he's dying. Ken's devastated. Craig arrests Paul for assault.

**Part Three:** Todd runs round to the flat and breaks the news to Billy and Summer. Evelyn refuses to listen to Roy's advice about Arthur, but she nevertheless picks up the present as she leaves. When asked, she tells a frantic Tim that she thinks Chesney bought the car. Having called social services, Imran breaks the news to Toyah that he was too late, and they placed the child with someone else. Toyah's furious and Imran knows he's messed up. Todd promises Billy to give the police a witness statement favourable to Paul but does the exact opposite and lies that Paul was like a wild animal, out of control. Chesney denies being the purchaser of the car.

**Part Four:** Paul is held overnight for questioning. Todd offers to help a devastated Summer. Adam confronts Gary in the furniture shop and suggests Gary dug up Rick's body. Faye wonders what's going on but Gary's quick to close the conversation down. Sally is annoyed that Tim gave away Elaine's presents and thinks it will upset her. Summer is devastated to hear about Paul. Todd offers to spend the evening with them. Peter is still depressed and ready to give up. Ken tells his shocked son about his own suicide attempt thirty years ago and how pleased he is that he didn't succeed. His words resonate with Peter. Todd rings Will to congratulate him on his work. Satisfied, he settles down to play a board game with Summer. Elaine is upset when she overhears Evelyn talking to Tim about the toys, saying it was Bernie who bought the expensive car. Crying, she walks out and Tim feels guilty. Imran buys flowers for Toyah to say sorry. They agree to be upfront and honest with each other in the future. Billy thanks Todd for his kindness towards Summer and all the support he's given Paul. Todd smiles to himself. A dejected Paul lies alone in his police cell.

## Cast

### Regular cast

* Todd Grimshaw - Gareth Pierce
* Billy Mayhew - Daniel Brocklebank
* Paul Foreman - Peter Ash
* Sally Metcalfe - Sally Dynevor
* Tim Metcalfe - Joe Duttine
* Faye Windass - Ellie Leach
* Daniel Osbourne - Rob Mallard *(10208 only)*
* Adam Barlow - Samuel Robertson
* Elaine Jones - Paula Wilcox
* Toyah Battersby - Georgia Taylor
* Imran Habeeb - Charlie De Melo
* Sarah Barlow - Tina O'Brien *(10208 only)*
* Gary Windass - Mikey North
* Kirk Sutherland - Andrew Whyment *(10208 only)*
* Roy Cropper - David Neilson
* Dev Alahan - Jimmi Harkishin
* Evelyn Plummer - Maureen Lipman
* Ken Barlow - William Roache
* Peter Barlow - Chris Gascoyne
* Craig Tinker - Colson Smith
* Summer Spellman - Harriet Bibby *(10209 only)*
* Chesney Brown - Sam Aston *(10209 only)*

### Guest cast

* Arthur Medwin - Paul Copley *(10208 only)*
* Bloke - James Ford *(10208 only)*
* Dr Chen - Earl Wan *(10208 only)*

## Notes

* This was a one-hour episode made up of two production codes and transmitted at 7.30pm. P694/10208 was written by Alasdair Morrison and P694/10209 by David Isaac.
* Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this episode made with social distancing rules being observed by both cast and production crew, even when they were playing family members or people who shared residences.
* Paul Foreman goes to 19 Hammond Road to try and help Will. Gail Rodwell lived at 33 Hammond Road from 17th June 1985 to 23rd December 1991 when she was married to Brian Tilsley, and later, Martin Platt.
* Ken Barlow's story about his suicide attempt thirty years ago references events in Episode 3168 (31st December 1990) and Episode 3169 (2nd January 1991).
* *TV Times* synopsis: Todd goads Paul into breaking the law; Ken is devastated by Peter's despondent attitude; and Imran admits turning down a new foster child.
* Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast: 6,689,940 viewers (5th place).

## Notable dialogue

Ken Barlow: "You know, if I had done it - if I’d given up - you think of all the wonderful things I’d have missed. I’d never have had Daniel, reunited with Deirdre, never met Simon or Amy, and thirty Christmases I’d never have seen."

Peter Barlow: "I bet there’s a few you wish you hadn’t seen."

Ken Barlow: "No. Good or bad, they were all worth it. The pain that I felt then was nothing to the joy that I’ve had since."