| rdfs:comment | - The Richard Hillman serial killer storyline continued to deliver very strong ratings for Coronation Street as it reached its climax. In January, Maxine Peacock was murdered by Richard in order to silence her while his intended victim, Emily Bishop, survived a blow to the head and recovered. Over the coming weeks, Richard's web of lies collapsed and Gail forced a confession from him in an episode which was mostly a two-hander between Richard and Gail (though Sarah and David Platt made a short appearance). Richard was rejected by Gail but, after spending a few weeks on the run, he returned and tried to drown the family by driving their people carrier into Weatherfield Canal. Richard was the only casualty, with Brian Capron making his final appearance in the series as Richard's corpse.
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| abstract | - The Richard Hillman serial killer storyline continued to deliver very strong ratings for Coronation Street as it reached its climax. In January, Maxine Peacock was murdered by Richard in order to silence her while his intended victim, Emily Bishop, survived a blow to the head and recovered. Over the coming weeks, Richard's web of lies collapsed and Gail forced a confession from him in an episode which was mostly a two-hander between Richard and Gail (though Sarah and David Platt made a short appearance). Richard was rejected by Gail but, after spending a few weeks on the run, he returned and tried to drown the family by driving their people carrier into Weatherfield Canal. Richard was the only casualty, with Brian Capron making his final appearance in the series as Richard's corpse. Tracy Shaw hadn't wanted to leave the programme but, despite an order coming from Granada to spare her, Reynolds ran the storyline regardless. Richard's murders had repercussions for many Coronation Street residents; as well as Maxine and Richard, Maxine's mother Doreen Heavey and rebellious schoolboy Aidan Critchley, who Richard framed for the murder, were written out, while Julia Haworth joined the cast as Claire Casey, Joshua Peacock's new nanny who eventually fell for Ashley. Martin Hancock made a brief return as Spider Nugent, visiting Weatherfield due to the attack on Emily, before reuniting with Toyah Battersby and leaving for London with her to open a juice bar; after playing Toyah for six years, Georgia Taylor left to pursue other acting roles. By this point, Coronation Street's Monday night double-bills were a regular feature, with five episodes shown on most weeks. The programme reverted to four per week between June and August before going back up to five, now permanently, with the fifth episode fixed at 8.30pm on Monday evenings.
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