Why it's time for Emily to be killed off in Coronation Street

It's been two years since Emily Bishop moved from Coronation Street to Peru. Two years.  And last night she was given a brief, but important mention in the Rovers Return.

Ken told Sophie that he knew Emily was back in the country, tending to her niece Freda who wasn't well.

Why mention this, I wonder? And why did Ken tell Sophie and not Norris or Rita?

Could it be that Eileen Derbyshire is really going to reprise her role as Emily in the show? I reckon not.  I think the line from Ken was just to keep Emily in our thoughts, as if they would ever go away.

However, it is high time, I feel, for Emily to be killed off - and here's why.

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Tvor @tvordlj on Twitter

Why it's time to say goodbye to Emily in Coronation Street

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog October 2017, reposted to this blog with permission.)


I know it's not even the end of October yet but my thoughts have already turned towards Christmas. I blame Poundland, really. Well, I was in there the other day and there was tinsel and glitter and cards and ribbons and I couldn't help myself, I have to admit, I made a start on my Christmas shopping. And as my thoughts turned to Christmas, I found myself getting a little sentimental about Emily Bishop, as you do in the middle of Poundland on an October Saturday in Sunderland.

In the show, we know that Emily is living in Peru and we hope she's having a good life and she's being looked after well. And in real life, the actress who plays Emily may - or may not - return to the show, we don't know.  It's not our business to know what goes on in the real life of the actors away from the street.

But in the show, we're invested in Emily. Many of us have grown up with her in our lives, watching her faithfully week in, week out, year in, year out.  Do we want her to be happy in Peru, forever? Of course. Is it likely that she will? Of course not. All good things come to an end, and I think it's time that Emily was given the send-off she deserves.

And so, on that sentimental Saturday in Poundland last weekend, I was thinking that Christmas would be the perfect time for a phone call to come in during Norris and Sean's Christmas dinner. It'd be a long distance phone call, from Spider in Peru, giving Norris the sad news that Emily had passed away - happily, peacefully, campaigning to save the Peruvian Whorey Ground Wort.  Norris would raise his glass of sherry and wipe away a tear. Sean would look on with a wistful smile.

At home, watching this unfold on Christmas night when we're stuffed full of chocolates and turkey and Bailey's Irish Cream (other Irish liqueurs are available), we fans would raise our glass too. We'd reminisce about Emily, there'd be an ITV special, the newspapers would be full of pictures and memories, and a framed picture of her would go up in the Kabin.

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Tvor @tvordlj on Twitter

Emily Bishop's return to Coronation Street?

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog May 2016, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Back in November last year, it was reported that Coronation Street actress Eileen Derbyshire, aka Emily Bishop was going to take a break from the show. 

A show source told The Sun at the time: "Eileen asked for a few months off from filming and she is due to leave early in the New Year."

In addition, Kym Marsh (Michelle McDonald) told OK magazine that Eileen was just on a break and she would definitely be returning to the soap.  Writing in her OK! Magazine column, Kym said: “Eileen Derbyshire has taken a 6-month break from the show. I know there’s speculation she won’t return but as far as I know she’s only taking a sabbatical."

Since Emily left the show to travel to Peru to be with her nephew, Spider, she's been mentioned a couple of times. Rita and Norris have chatted about her in The Kabin and Norris has been living on his own ever since Emily left.

But is she coming back... ?




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In pics: Look back at Emily's life on Coronation Street

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog November 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

On New Year's Day, January 1 2016, Emily Bishop will swap the wilds of Weatherfield for the promise of Peru.  She's off to see her nephew Geoffrey, aka Spider, Nugent and help volunteer in a children's orphanage with him.  He's always been a good 'un, has Spider.

Actress Eileen Derbyshire, who plays Emily, is set to take a break from Coronation Street. I do hope she will return, but who knows?

With thanks to Corrie.net and Corriepedia, let's have a look at some of Emily's biggest storylines over the years.

Emily first appeared in 1961 as Leonard Swindley's assistant in clothing shop Gamma Garments.

She was briefly engaged to Leonard Swindley but jilted him at the last minute, deciding to wait to marry someone she loved, despite her worry that she was destined for spinsterhood.

Emily tells Leonard Swindley she can't marry him

Emily with Miklos Zadic

Emily married photographer Ernest Bishop as she entered her forties. They got married in 1972 and had a happy marriage but in 1978 Emily was widowed when Ernest was shot and killed in a robbery at Baldwin's factory.

Emily marries Ernest Bishop

In 1974 Emily was one of eight Street women who flew off to Majorca on holiday when Bet Lynch won the pools.

Emily remained devoted to Ernie years after his death but allowed herself to fall in love again in 1980 when she met and married pet shop owner Arnold Swain.

Emily marries bigamist Arnold Swain

Only a short time into the marriage, Emily found out that Arnold was still legally married to his first wife. Arnold later died in a psychiatric hospital.

Emily with lodger Curly Watts

Emily was joined at No.3 Coronation Street by lodgers including Curly Watts, Percy Sugden, Norris Cole, Ernie's niece Freda Burgess and her own nephew Geoffrey "Spider" Nugent, who she was especially fond of as she regretted never having children. Spider even convinced Emily to join him in a protest against renovating the Red Rec.

Spider and Emily in the Red Rec protest, 1998

Emily was almost killed by evil Richard Hillman who was after her money.  Twice, he tried to do her in. Twice, she survived!

Ed, the killer of Emily's husband Ernest arrived and Emily found it in her heart to forgive him.

Emily was always a good friend to Deirdre Barlow, godmother to Tracy Barlow. She's also the person who has delivered one of my favourite, ever, Coronation Street lines. 

"I've always wanted to be stormy, passionate and tempestuous. But you can't be. Not when you're born with a tidy mind."

I shall miss her a lot and hope she might return, even briefly to say goodbye, after the actress takes her well-deserved break. 

See also: Is Emily's exit a fitting farewell?

See also: Emily Bishop: Born with a tidy mind




Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.


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Eileen Derbyshire taking break from Corrie

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog November 2015, reposted to this blog with permission.)

The Sun today have a story that says Eileen Derbyshire, who plays Emily Bishop, is taking a break from the soap.

We have no idea if this is true or not, so take it with a pinch of salt until or if ITV confirm this story. 

The Sun say that Eileen Derbyshire will leave early in the New Year for six months. Mr Curry Sauce tells The Sun that she may not return.

Eileen Derbyshire, 84, is the longest-running female cast member on Coronation Street and has been in Corrie since 1961.




Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.


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Emily Bishop: Born with a Tidy Mind

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in December 2015, reposted with permission.)

With the imminent departure of the wonderful Eileen Derbyshire, I wanted to write a blog about the great lady and her longstanding Coronation Street character, Emily Bishop. However temporary this departure is (and I really hope she does come back next year) it does mark the end of an era as yet another long serving cast member says goodbye. Earlier this year I posted this blog singing the praises of both Emily and Eileen. It seems a fitting tribute to them both again now. 

Emily Bishop has had some cracking little scenes in Coronation Street recently. Having done one of her numerous disappearing acts these days, she has bounced back with aplomb.

I make no secret of the fact it has taken me a while to appreciate the quietly plodding Emily. However Eileen Derbyshire is such a subtle, skilled actress that this, together with her lack of interest in any publicity whatsoever, can often mean her contribution to Corrie is overlooked. 

Some people criticise Miss Derbyshire for keeping herself to herself or find it weird in these social media days however I think it's quite refreshing for someone in the public eye to decide not to share the contents of their breakfast with all and sundry. 

I remember the fabulous Kathy Burke praising Eileen Derbyshire in an interview some years ago, saying she was an underrated actor who never received the plaudits she was due. After all, she has been with Coronation Street since January 1961 which is quite an achievement. Many see her as surplus to requirements these days, a relic of a bygone era perhaps? I disagree. 

Last year Eileen Derbyshire appeared in only 39 episodes compared to Alison King's 163 and Kym Marsh's 152 but it doesn't really matter. We collectively shout "Emily!" whenever she suddenly appears. I can understand that it is only right Eileen may opt for a reduced workload these days given the pressures of filming, but I still think the character of Emily has much to contribute.

Emily is often classed as dull and uneventful. She once said:

"I've always wanted to be stormy, passionate and tempestuous. But you can't be. Not when you're born with a tidy mind."

A beautiful line. However it's not always been sweet sherries and charity work. She narrowly escaped marrying Leonard Swindley in the 60s; saw her beloved husband Ernest killed by armed robbers in the 70s; married a deranged bigamist in the 80s and coped with Percy Sugden for far too many years. She protested up a tree in the 90s and took in a rather familiar looking Mel Hutchwright and his Hard Grindings in the 2000s. 

Every long running serial needs its constant, steady Eddie characters and in this regard Emily is invaluable. She is a vital link to the established narrative of Coronation Street and despite first appearances I really do see her as a classic strong Corrie woman. She bounced back remarkably from Richard Hillman's attempt to kill her and to this day stands up for what she believes in. Eileen Derbyshire is capable of a broad range, from light comedy when disapproving of Norris or a raised eyebrow at Rita's chequered past to powerful, moving scenes when she confronted Ernie's killer many years on.

Only this week she stole scenes from everyone around her during Sean Tully's daft rant at her in the Rovers. As Sean jumped to conclusions Emily was quiet and calm in her defence while still leaving everyone in no uncertain terms as to who had won the argument. It was a delight to watch. 

I am so glad Eileen Derbyshire still pops up in Corrie from time to time and I for one will always look forward to her scene stealing cameos. 

Follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82 

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.


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Emily Bishop: Born with a tidy mind

(This post was originally posted by Graeme N on the Coronation Street Blog in March 2015.)

Emily Bishop has had some cracking little scenes in Coronation Street recently. Having done one of her numerous disappearing acts these days, she has bounced back with aplomb.

I make no secret of the fact it has taken me a while to appreciate the quietly plodding Emily. However Eileen Derbyshire is such a subtle, skilled actress that this, together with her lack of interest in any publicity whatsoever, can often mean her contribution to Corrie is overlooked. 

Some people criticise Miss Derbyshire for keeping herself to herself or find it weird in these social media days however I think it's quite refreshing for someone in the public eye to decide not to share the contents of their breakfast with all and sundry. 

I remember the fabulous Kathy Burke praising Eileen Derbyshire in an interview some years ago, saying she was an underrated actor who never received the plaudits she was due. After all, she has been with Coronation Street since January 1961 which is quite an achievement. Many see her as surplus to requirements these days, a relic of a bygone era perhaps? I disagree. 

Last year Eileen Derbyshire appeared in only 39 episodes compared to Alison King's 163 and Kym Marsh's 152 but it doesn't really matter. We collectively shout "Emily!" whenever she suddenly appears. I can understand that it is only right Eileen may opt for a reduced workload these days given the pressures of filming, but I still think the character of Emily has much to contribute.

Emily is often classed as dull and uneventful. She once said:

"I've always wanted to be stormy, passionate and tempestuous. But you can't be. Not when you're born with a tidy mind."

A beautiful line. However it's not always been sweet sherries and charity work. She narrowly escaped marrying Leonard Swindley in the 60s; saw her beloved husband Ernest killed by armed robbers in the 70s; married a deranged bigamist in the 80s and coped with Percy Sugden for far too many years. She protested up a tree in the 90s and took in a rather familiar looking Mel Hutchwright and his Hard Grindings in the 2000s. 

Every long running serial needs its constant, steady Eddie characters and in this regard Emily is invaluable. She is a vital link to the established narrative of Coronation Street and despite first appearances I really do see her as a classic strong Corrie woman. She bounced back remarkably from Richard Hillman's attempt to kill her and to this day stands up for what she believes in. Eileen Derbyshire is capable of a broad range, from light comedy when disapproving of Norris or a raised eyebrow at Rita's chequered past to powerful, moving scenes when she confronted Ernie's killer many years on.

Only this week she stole scenes from everyone around her during Sean Tully's daft rant at her in the Rovers. As Sean jumped to conclusions Emily was quiet and calm in her defence while still leaving everyone in no uncertain terms as to who had won the argument. It was a delight to watch. 

I am so glad Eileen Derbyshire still pops up in Corrie from time to time and I for one will always look forward to her scene stealing cameos. 

Follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82 

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Queens of Corrie at Buckingham Palace

(This post was originally posted by Flaming Nora on the Coronation Street Blog November, 2010, reposted to this blog with permission.)

Barbara Knox (Rita), Eileen Derbyshire (Emily) and Anne Reid (Valerie Barlow) were at Buckingham Palace last November being awarded their MBEs for services to drama.  Watch them on the MEN video.

Speaking after the Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony, Barbara said: "It's very overwhelming quite honestly because it's something I've done all my life and loved and suddenly I've got an honour. I suppose we do give a service, so many millions love the programme, so there you are - it's still very surprising."

Asked whether the Queen is a fan of the soap, Barbara replied: "I'm rather led to believe she does watch when she has time and she has visited the Street so she does know about it."

Both actresses praised fellow cast members and the work of those behind the scenes from the director and writers to make-up artists for making the long-running series a success.

Barbara said: "They are a great team of actors and they are portraying marvellous people with great humour. We have marvellous storylines, very strong ones, and we have hit a nerve with the nation for almost 50 years and that's pretty special for a programme to do that. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, all these places adore the Street so we must be doing something right."

Find out more about the MBE awards to the Coronation Street actresses, here.