Seasons & episodes

Pearl begins to prepare her neighbours for Frank’s arrival when she tells Dawn that her son is thinking of coming to live with her. She avoids mentioning that he’s been in prison. Pearl is horrified and it is a nasty shock when she returns home to find a reporter and photographer on her doorstep.

There is fury among the villagers when a reporter spills the beans that Frank is a convicted rapist. Viv leads an army of outraged locals to Pearl’s house and they hammer on the door as a photographer clicks away.

Pearl is desperate to flee the village, but Len is adamant that he won’t be driven out of his own home. Meanwhile, Viv plans a protest meeting outside Pearl's house, leaving her distraught that her worst nightmare has come true.

When Alan tells Steph that he wants to cut back on the number of pills he's taking, Steph decides to take matters into her own hands. At lunchtime she crushes up one of his pills and adds it to his lunch.

Shelley sits alone in the dark cellar, desperately trying to free herself from the ropes. Steph goes to see her and menacingly tells her she should have stayed away.

At the B&B, Steph covers her tracks by putting Shelley’s belongings out for the dustmen and cleaning the mud off her car. It doesn’t look as if she’s been careful enough though in disposing of the evidence as Shadrach wanders by and helps himself to a lamp and a scarf that’s been left out.

Chloe goes to the pub and hands Chas the letter. Automatically assuming it is from Colleen, Chas is furious and when Chloe not so innocently mentions that Colleen is at the office she storms off to confront her.

Carl is livid when he returns from holiday to find Chas has given his ex-wife a black eye. He does everything he can to appease Colleen, but she insists they start divorce proceedings and is adamant that he cannot see his kids while he is with his aggressive girlfriend. Chas desperately tries to convince

Chloe finds out that the King brothers are planning a lads’ night out and dolls herself up with the intention of accidentally bumping into them. Later at The Woolpack, Chas can’t believe her eyes when Carl stumbles in with the feisty redhead on his arm.

Cain becomes suspicious about Debbie’s whereabouts but Daz covers for her by claiming that she has a meeting at the church. Cain later checks his story with Ashley and is furious to learn that Debbie has not been to the church for weeks.

Hot on Debbie’s trail, Cain drives her to the bus stop in the morning and is waiting for her when she returns after school. He suggests they go into Hotten but wanting to spend time with Andy, Debbie lies that she has a meeting at the church.

With Cain on the rampage, a petrified Debbie runs from her father and hides behind Daz. Assuming he is involved, Cain slams the young boy against the wall and threatens to kill him.

Cain is furious when he catches Debbie trying to call Ethan and takes away her phone, promising that she won’t be seeing him ever again.

Viv and Donna are charmed by Frank as they serve him in the post office, unaware that he is the convicted rapist they are campaigning to keep out of the village.

Viv organises a community action meeting which descends into chaos as the locals vocalise their feelings about sharing the village with a convicted rapist.

Dawn makes it clear to Scott that she does not approve of mob mentality and is shocked when he condones the smashing of Pearl’s window. Later, Len admits to Scott that he suspects he was responsible for last night's attack on the house and tells him to stick his job.

Louise plans a welcome home party for Diane, but when Jack mentions it to his wife she is instantly dismissive. Paul manages to sway his aunty Diane when he insists she either get her dancing shoes on or head for an early grave.

Nicola gives Rodney a hard time for his lack of interest in Paul and isn’t convinced by his claim that it has nothing to do with Paul being gay. Nicola later begs her brother not to leave the village and suggests he try talking to Rodney one more time.

Steph is annoyed when Alan refuses to take his pills, but believes she has won when he pops them in his mouth. Steph is unaware that as she turns her back he defiantly spits them into the bin.

Fearful that his daughter is trying to kill him, Alan seizes an opportunity to flee the B&B when Steph is called to the factory. The locals are stunned when Alan bursts into The Woolpack dressed in his pyjamas claiming that Steph has murdered Shelley. Questioning Alan's state of mind, Paddy and Marlon lead him back to the B&B. He protests, claiming that Steph is drugging him, but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Elsewhere, the Dingles are busy preparing for their party. Lisa gets a shock when she returns home to find all of the furniture has been moved away and is less than impressed at the thought of a house full of extended family members.

Much to Steph’s horror, Lisa calls an ambulance and when Alan gets to hospital he is adamant that his daughter had pushed him. Worried about his mental state the nurse tries to give him a sedative.

The Dingle party is in full swing and Zak takes pleasure in welcoming his guests. However Zak is furious when his arch rival Solomon Dingle arrives and steals his thunder.

The Dingle showdown gets underway as Solomon and Zak battle it out for the title of King. Zak panics as Solomon takes an lead early in the contest but during a quiz round Lisa realises Solomon is cheating and offers a helping hand to get Zak back in front.

Donna heads off to Hotten on her scooter but when the scooter stops working, she is left stranded. Frank is out walking and is concerned to see a tearful Donna on the edge of the road following her accident.