The New LandLady - July 2002 (Lillian Spencer Storyline)

When Fred Finally finds a new LandLady To Run the Rovers for him the regulars don't take a shine to her.
Lillian Spencer was an old friend of Fred Elliott whom he brought in as a relief manager of the Rovers Return Inn during July 2002. Lillian felt that the job was beneath her after having worked at the Xanadu Cocktail Bar of the Majestic Hotel in Cleethorpes. She initially brought her Mynah bird, Dinah, with her. Lillian ordered barmaids Shelley Unwin and Geena Gregory to call her "Mrs. Spencer", and on her first day; she barred Norris Cole and Rita Sullivan who had in turn barred Lillian from The Kabin.
Lillian moved her children Timothy and Danielle, an aromatherapist, into the pub. She employed Timothy as potman in place of Jack Duckworth- whom Lillian made redundant on the grounds of ill health and old age, and Danielle as a barmaid. However both were work-shy, as Timothy never washed or collected any pots and Danielle just laid about in her room all day.
By this point, both Shelley and Geena had threatened to leave the Rovers if Lillian and her family were staying, and Fred was getting worried that Lillian was taking over. However, Lillian received a phone call from publican Roger Fairbanks offering her a better job at his coaching inn in Marple, so the family packed up and left Weatherfield without hesitation.
FUN FACT: Lillian Spencer was briefly introduced after Julie Goodyear suddenly pulled out of the programme after just three weeks of a much-publicised return playing Bet Lynch, citing ill health as the reason. Bet was originally scripted to become the manageress of the Rovers Return.
Maureen Lipman would return to the show sixteen years later in the regular role of Evelyn Plummer.

[@JohannaLeigh]

That new land lady reminds me of the Rovers first landlady. A fan just reminded me of the grand dame's name; Annie Walker. Thank you! 👋

[@Agent-cz9rj]

Annie Walker 1960 - 1983.

[@Agent-cz9rj]

John Savident 1938-2024 Rip

[@ismayb754]

As much as we were all disappointed by Bet's short lived return and sudden exit, this was a good last-minute replacement storyline. I just wish she'd got a better/bigger comeuppance.

[@Agent-cz9rj]

Dame Maureen Lipman classy lady she is played such class as Lillian Spencer, I liked her character even if was for a short break. Lillian left quite impression on Coronation Street.

[@leeroynozzaar]

It’s a pity that Lillian didn’t clash more with Blanche,that would have been hilarious, surprisingly they both hit it off great together,very few escaped blanches wicked tongue 😅

[@coronationstreet7690]

When I was doing research the the script of Lillian Spencer was originally meant to be played by Julie Goodyear who plays Bet Lynch and two weeks before this was broadcasted Julie left due to ill health and couldn't keep up with the constant filming so I would of loved to of seen how it would of worked with Bet Lynch being the LandLady and having that slanging match with Rita, Norris and Vera and also two characters you rarely saw together was Bet and Blanche would of loved to off seen them interact with each other instead of Bet leaving straight after the court trial x

[@sashaking1115]

Yeah I agree! Disappointing that Blanche didn’t give her what for

[@leeroynozzaar]

@@sashaking1115 she was awesome Blanche,I would say corries best ever cast member

[@sashaking1115]

@@leeroynozzaar yeah she always cheers me up. Corrie got more depressing after she died

[@paullynton-green6570]

Annie walker was a legend.

[@coronationstreet7690]

FunFact: Lillian Spencer is like my old music teachers twin because they are both snooty 😂 x

[@xiPopCat]

I wonder how things would have played out had Bet stuck around I know we wouldn't have gotten Lillian but would have been nice to see Rita and Bet finally make it up in the end

[@obrien6320]

A bit "bay window" . A saying Ena sharples used to use.

[@passmybongback]

Tyrone’s Nan is the landlady, good move, never liked the old landlady

[@abbieroseholden4174]

The same actress who plays Tyrones Nan

[@Elsiemae_16x]

Does lilian play Eveline now?

[@KKollective]

Yes

[@christinemacleod6771]

Maureen lipman liillian and evelyn the only difference the dog lead.

[@Agent-cz9rj]

Lillian Spencer has a high vocabulary she had good way with words and none of the residents had a leg to stand on. Lillian was right about Shelley she was bitter that she didn’t get the Job as Landlady in all retrospect Lillian has far more experience as Manageress than Shelley has pulling pints.

[@leeroynozzaar]

Shelly was just a trollop

[@JohannaLeigh]

That may be true, but Lillian has all the warmth and friendliness of a female porcupine with P.M.S. She has no people-skills.

[@jaredporikos2197]

@@leeroynozzaar i felt bad for her

[@leeroynozzaar]

@@jaredporikos2197 she would wind up all her husbands/boyfriends so they would get angry with her,her mother was the same

[@LindaAndrews-ly1qf]

4:00 20:35 21:24 45:50

[@PussnBoot2516]

Didn't know she was on Corrie before she was Evelyn Lillian has a touch of the Annie Walker about her.

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Isn't that tyrone's nanna?

[@coronationstreet7690]

Yes it's the same actress who plays evelyn in the now a day corrie episodes x

[@ismayb754]

Same actress, different character. Read the video description

[@user-ir8vq4cs2o]

Just like Annie Walker