Thx for posting this Mike
it's interesting to compare Bowman's treatment of Kath & Stephen getting married to Smethurst's of Sid Hooper and Ivy Meacher. Bowman invited Lynnette back to play Glenda, Ian Liston to play Kath's son Ron as well as Marion Owen (Kevin & Iris are conspicuous by their absence... I seem to remember hearing a rumour that the actor who played Kevin declined the offer to return & the actress who played Iris wasn't approached as the character was considered unpopular with viewers).
With Sid & Ivy, no one gets invited back. Joe MacDonald is conspicuous by his continued absence from both Sid and Benny's lives and as with Diane's cremation, no characters from the past return. Within 3 weeks, according to my TV Times covering this period, Sid and Ivy would be written out.
I don't know about anyone else, but I'd have prefered to see more of Sid and Ivy instead of the increased focus on Ray & Margaret Grice! Also, looking further on, it appears that John and Jamie Maddingham were introduced to replace Sid and Ivy and the pub (
The Running Stag) replaced not only the
Merry Monarch Bar @ the Hotel but also,
Belleview. Everytime I see the interior of the
Stag I feel certain I can see bits of scenery repainted and re-dressed from the
Bellview set!
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