This is a long edit of Bet Lynch's 2003 return to Coronation Street for a special set of episodes in Blackpool.
After her premature departure in 2002 (the, sadly, not so successful comeback), Julie Goodyear agreed to return as Bet Lynch in 2003 for a week's worth of special episodes set in Blackpool. The episodes also saw a return for Beverley Callard and Charlie Lawson (Liz and Jim McDonald).
In the story, Liz meets Bet again at a Newton and Ridley function in Blackpool and are instantly thrilled to see each other again. At the function, they also meet Fred Elliott. Bet is reacquainted with Cecil Newton who is immediately smitten with her. Meanwhile, Liz is having problems with a 'fella' while Jim has escaped from prison and wants to be with Liz again. Steve and Karen take him to Blackpool. Cecil's son, Philip, feels Bet is about to con him out of his money and hires a private detective to follow her.
Bet also gets tangled up with Liz and Jim's problems and the private detective captures the two of them pretend kissing as Jim is trying to evade the police. Cecil asks Bet to marry him. She turns him down at first, but eventually agrees to marry him. Philip is furious and presents Cecil with photographs of Jim and Bet kissing. Cecil confronts her before Liz reveals the truth. Their wedding back on, they make it to the church but have missed their time and the ceremony is postponed. On the day, Philip tries to stop the wedding but the commotion causes Cecil to collapse with a heart attack. In hospital, Bet is fraught with worry and is later devastated when Cecil dies.
Jim and Liz plan to escape to Ireland on Cecil's boat (that Bet told Jim to hide in), but the police catch up with them and Jim is sent back to prison. Bet remains devastated at the death of Cecil as she tells Liz, Steve and Karen of what happened. Liz and Bet later discuss the future and Bet persuades her to go back to Brighton with her. Liz agrees and she and Bet leave Blackpool for Brighton, all smiles.
And with that, that was the last time we see Bet Lynch in Coronation Street.
The episodes were a real return to form for Bet, it was the Bet that we knew prior to 1995. Not as bitter or hard in 2002, more joyous and easy going. Julie Goodyear gave us some lovely scenes in this return. And if this ends up as the final departure for one of the greatest characters in TV history, it is a lovely end. Despite knocks, Bet ALWAYS had a smile and had her head held high. Just how she should be. To quote Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders from 2016 "I will go as I have lived. Straight back, head high. Like a Queen". And Bet will always be the Queen. Thanks Julie, kid.
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