Summary[]
Mary starts a new job at the launderette following Dot being sacked after the paper published news of her recent court appearance. Darren is chastised by Carmel for his wheeling and dealing antics in the Square. To make up for his ways, he organises and hosts a children's Christmas party at the café. Arthur gets a top-up loan from the private money lenders. The Fowlers' cooker gets condemned due it it leaking gas. The Fowlers start to prepare to relocate to Pete's house for their Christmas Day dinner.
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Chris drives to Albert Square from Stockport in a hire car, planning to take Mary and Annie up there for Christmas. Mary tells Chris she will not be going back up to Stockport. Darren continues to do "business" in the Square. Barry cries after telling his father he is gay. Colin tries to support him but Barry wants to be alone. Arthur takes out the £200 top-up loan. Ian and Pete complain of Number 45 smelling of smoke once again, but Arthur continues to tell them it is the coals he is using. Darren persuades Ali to let him organise and host a children's Christmas party at the café. Dot tells Charlie that she pawned some of her jewellery and got £10 for it, of which she has used £5 for their Christmas meal. Charlie tries to get hold of the other £5 but Dot insists it is so she can buy him a Christmas present. Arthur gives Pauline the £200 he has taken out, but when Pauline learns how he got it she is furious. Darren pays Junior to dress up as Santa Claus for a promotion he is doing for the children's Christmas party. Junior goes round the Square in a sleigh with a goat promoting the Christmas party. Duncan and his mother, Joan, prepare the church for the Christmas service. Sharon attends the Christmas service at Duncan's church. Pauline remains angry at Arthur for what he has done, before telling him their cooker has been condemned because it is leaking gas, meaning they cannot hold Christmas at their house. The children's Christmas party at the café gets underway. Chris phones Edie to tell her Mary is refusing to go up to Stockport with Annie. Angie admits to Kathy she is bothered about Den spending Christmas with Pat instead of her. Pauline tells Lou the Christmas day dinner will be held at Kathy and Pete's flat as their cooker is leaking. Lou refuses to spend Christmas away from the house, but her mind quickly changes when she does not get the attention she hoped for. Dot is upset to find Mary running the launderette but understands why she has taken over. Chris walks in on the children's Christmas party and eyes up Annie. The Beales and Fowlers start moving everything for Christmas over to Kathy and Pete's flat. Carmel and Sue cannot find Annie at the party. Chris has kidnapped her. Carmel rushes to get Mary, as Chris starts driving away. Ali, Carmel, Darren and Mary run after Chris's car. Chris speeds and crashes into a postbox. |
Credits[]
Main cast[]
- Mary Smith - Linda Davidson
- Chris Smith - Allan O'Keefe
- Ethel Skinner - Gretchen Franklin
- Dot Cotton - June Brown
- Charlie Cotton - Christopher Hancock
- Sue Osman - Sandy Ratcliff
- Ali Osman - Nejdet Salih
- Pauline Fowler - Wendy Richard
- Arthur Fowler - Bill Treacher
- Michelle Holloway - Susan Tully
- George 'Lofty' Holloway - Tom Watt
- Sharon Watts - Letitia Dean
- Colin Russell - Michael Cashman
- Barry Clark - Gary Hailes
- Angie Watts - Anita Dobson
- Kathy Beale - Gillian Taylforth
- Pete Beale - Peter Dean
- Ian Beale - Adam Woodyatt
- Darren Roberts - Gary McDonald
- Carmel Roberts - Judith Jacob
- Junior Roberts - Aaron Carrington
- Lou Beale - Anna Wing
- Duncan Boyd - David Gillespie
- Martin Fowler - Jon Peyton Price (uncredited)
- Vicki Fowler - Emma Herry (uncredited)
- Annie Smith - Samantha Crown (uncredited)
- Aisha Roberts - Aisha Jacob (uncredited)
Recurring cast[]
- Winston - Ulric Browne (uncredited)
- Maude - Doreen Taylor (uncredited)
Guest cast[]
- Alan McIntyre - Pip Miller
- Joan Boyd - Maggie Ford
- Boy Reader - Jamie Lehane
- Girl Reader - Kathryn Ludlow
Locations[]
- Albert Square
- The Queen Victoria - Public
- 45 Albert Square - Kitchen and backroom
- Bridge Street Market
- Launderette
- Al's Café
- The Dagmar - Bar
- Playground
- Unknown church - Exterior, altar and nave
Notes[]
- Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) is credited but does not appear.
- Radio Times synopsis: 'I've never wanted anything else, Charlie. I couldn't be happier even if the Archangel Gabriel walked through that door.'
- Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 23,200,000 viewers (chart placing unknown).
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