Blanche Hunt

In her younger years Blanche Hunt (Maggie Jones) loved to chase men. Now she's happiest when others are miserable - but entertaining with it! 'I don't know why I bother,' is one of her favourite laments - but thank goodness she does!

Marriages Donald Hunt (deceased)

Children Deirdre

1974 Occasionally words as barmaid in The Rovers Return and argues with owner Annie Walker about daughter Deirdre getting engaged to her son Billy.

1975 Blanche lets Deirdre and new husband Ray Langton move in. Gives up her corset business and works for Gordon Clegg in the corner shop.

1976 Takes up with old flame Dave Smith and moves to the Midlands to help him run his country club.

1977 Tires of Dave and returns to Weatherfield to look after her new granddaughter, Tracy. Gets engaged to posh vet Steve but they later split up.

1978 Prepares to wave goodbye to Deirdre, Ray and Tracy as they emigrate but Ray leaves alone.

1979 Encourages Deirdre to rekindle her romance with Ken Barlow. Moves away.

1981 Returns briefly to attend Deirdre and Ken's wedding.

1993 Has a stroke and is cared for by Deirdre.

1999 Works at reuniting Deirdre and Ken - again. Moves in with Deirdre. Gets a job in Kabin but Rita sacks her after a few weeks.

2001 Nearly run over by incompetent learner driver Maxine, but pregnant cop Emma pushes her out of the way.

2002 Goes on a drive with Rita Sullivan, Emily Bishop and Betty Williams and is robbed at gunpoint by a hitchhiker. Dates undertaker Archie Shuttleworth but he dumps her after she wrongly accuses him of having an affair with Audrey Roberts.

2003 Dates supposedly rich pensioner Wally, who cheats on her with her granddaughter Tracy! Later buys No7 Coronation Street for a pregnant Tracy, and moves in with her.

2004 Horrified when Tracy sells her baby to the supposed dad, Roy Cropper, and chucks her out. Moves in with Ken and Deirdre.

2005 Sells No7 to pay for hip replacement surgery in Poland and Tracy Barlow's legal costs (when she's tried for murder of Charlie Stubbs).

2006 Inherits her late friend Lena's dog, Eccles, who takes an immediate dislike to Ken!

2007 Decides to have a wake while she's still alive so she can enjoy it. Discovers no one has a good word to say about her! Goes to work in café but moans about how much of a strain it is.

2008 Accuses Ken of having a gay affair with Ted Page. Finds out about Steve McDonald's affair with Becky Granger and blackmails him for free drinks.

2009 Constantly makes digs about Ken's affair with Martha Fraser so Deirdre throws her out - temporarily. Dies in December, leaving an enduring comic legacy and innumerable one-liners...

Played by Maggie Jones

Maggie was born in Yorkshire in 1937 and she won a place at London drama college RADA after leaving school. After touring in Rep for a number of years, she moved into TV and appeared in a variety of shows including The Forsyte Sage, Goodnight... Read More