Episode 10201 (23rd December 2020)

## Plot

**Part One:** Gary is taken in for questioning over Rick's disappearance as the police search the flat. Nick and Sam have their own "Christmas Day" together before the Blakemans leave for London. Chesney and Gemma set up their stall at the Christmas market on Victoria Street, with Kirk helping out. Paul takes the afternoon off work to see Will again but realises he can't keep lying to Billy. Todd asks him to leave his name out of it when he tells Billy. Nina proudly shows off her sketch of the Platts only to be told by Shona that she and David have split up. Nick is touched when Leanne lays on a Christmas dinner for him and Sam and wraps all of Sam's presents. DS Willets tells Gary that the evidence points to a body being buried at Beacon Woods and later removed.

**Part Two:** Gary says he wouldn't know as he's never been there. Gemma's sales skills leave much to be desired and Chesney orders her to take a break. Sam tells Nick how miserable he'll be in London, with Natasha working all the time. Daisy offers David a sympathetic ear in the Rovers. She's unimpressed when Gemma introduces herself and says they're practically family through Jenny. Daniel is stunned when Sarah tells him the rumour that Gary buried Rick Neelan in the woods. Sarah thinks Gary clobbered Adam as well, mentioning that she saw Gary acting suspiciously that night when she went out to do some work at the factory. Daniel's immediately suspicious as Sarah had previously claimed to be at home all night. Chesney leaves Kirk alone at the stall. He returns to find all of the stock plus the takings have been stolen. DS Willets asks Maria what she knows about Gary and Rick's relationship. She answers truthfully and is surprised that Rick might have been murdered. Leanne sees Sam taking Oliver's musical box apart and angrily snatches it from him. Paul tells Billy about Will. Maria's conscience gets the better of her and she changes her statement for the night Adam was attacked to say she was asleep and can't account for the whole evening. Willets asks Gary if there's anything he'd like to add. Leanne feels she overreacted to Sam and tells Nick he should move out so that he can be a proper dad to his son.

## Cast

### Regular cast

* Gary Windass - Mikey North
* Maria Connor - Samia Longchambon
* Nick Tilsley - Ben Price
* Leanne Battersby - Jane Danson
* Chesney Brown - Sam Aston
* Gemma Winter - Dolly-Rose Campbell
* Daniel Osbourne - Rob Mallard
* Sarah Barlow - Tina O'Brien
* Paul Foreman - Peter Ash
* Todd Grimshaw - Gareth Pierce
* Shona Platt - Julia Goulding
* Nina Lucas - Mollie Gallagher
* David Platt - Jack P. Shepherd
* Sam Blakeman - Jude Riordan
* Billy Mayhew - Daniel Brocklebank
* Kirk Sutherland - Andrew Whyment
* Daisy Midgeley - Charlotte Jordan

### Guest cast

* DS Willets - James Quinn
* Will - Ben Hackett *(Voice only, uncredited)*

## Places

* Rovers Return Inn - *Public*
* Underworld - *Breakout area and packing area*
* Furniture Shop
* 19a Rosamund Street - *Living room/kitchen*
* Victoria Street
* Roy's Rolls
* 5 Victoria Court - *Living room/kitchen*
* 12 Victoria Court - *Living room/kitchen*
* Victoria Gardens
* Weatherfield Police Station - *Interview room and recording room*

## Notes

* 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.
* *TV Times* synopsis: Gary faces interrogation about Rick's disappearance; Leanne makes an effort for Nick and Sam; and Chesney and Kirk experience a market downturn.
* Viewing Figures: First UK broadcast: 6,321,102 viewers (12th place).