Don't hit the road, Jack

spoiler alert: this post makes reference to the June 23 episode on CBC

I'm very happy that Jack Duckworth has met a nice lady friend, Connie. She shares his interests: pigeons, fine Northern cuisine and hard times. Besides, it's good to have a little company and Jack certainly doesn't deserve to be alone in his twilight years. But now, Jack has apparently decided that it's time for him to move out of Number 9 Coronation Street, away from the domestic squabbles of Tyrone and Molly.

But let's not be hasty, Jack! They don't make stone cladding like that anymore (it's considered hazardous waste - ed) and your little house is a testament to you and Vera: bad wallpaper, terrible Terry and a long marriage. Of course, I can certainly understand why Jack might be tempted to pull up stakes and move in with Connie. Connie owns a huge house with all the mod cons, lots of space for pigeons (they can 'drop in' anytime they like - ed) and a pool table. What could be better?

It all reminds me of a similar story involving the legendary Hilda Ogden. Hilda, Corrie's much loved charwoman was left alone on the show after her husband, Stan, died. In the case of Hilda, she left the Street to become a housekeeper for an affluent doctor in Derby, a well deserved reward for a deserving character. Jack's situation is rather similar. He too has the chance to be well cared for and comfortable and no-one could be more deserving -- but I would certainly miss Jack if he moved on and the Street would be a sadder place without him.