Page "Annie Walker" Paragraph 2

Annie was one of the original characters in Coronation Street when the show began in 1960.

Creator Tony Warren wrote the part with Doris Speed in mind, having worked with her before when he was a young actor on radio play Children's Hour.

As the immaculately-kept manageress of the Rovers Return Inn, Annie appeared in the very first episode, recorded live on 9 December 1960 and in the following episode her mild-mannered husband of over twenty years Jack ( Arthur Leslie ) was introduced.

The pair went on to become the first great ' double act ' of the series, and following the series ' early success, Jack and Annie's two children were introduced-Billy ( Ken Farrington ) and Joan ( June Barry ), who arrived for Joan's wedding to teacher Gordon Davies ( Calvin Malone ) in 1961.