Elsie Tanner's clothes are shredded and she reaches breaking point (27 April 1981 - 6 May 1981)

Bumper edit of a fortnight's worth of episodes. After being dumped by Wally Randle, Elsie falls into a depression. She agrees to go out for a night out with Bet. Elsie meets Bill Fielding, a real pig of a man. She is disgusted with herself after Bill says she must have been desperate to spend the night with him. Eventually, his wife Muriel tracks him down and promptly trashes No. 11 and slashes Elsie's clothes.

Elsie is distraught. Fashion, and looking a million dollars, defined her somewhat. She becomes even more depressed and disgusted with herself. She can't bring herself to bring the police in as she'd have to relive the events. On top of this, she loses her job at Jim's Cafe.

She receives support from Len and Bet, even Annie Walker is sympathetic. For Hilda Ogden's eyes and ears, vandals trashed her clothes. In a sweet moment, Hilda offers her a blouse and a jumper which Elsie accepts. Elsie goes to stay with her daughter Linda for a short while to get away from things.

Pat Phoenix is absolutely fabulous here. She was reportedly distraught at the clothes being shredded. It was said that this story came about to stop Pat from bulk buying expensive clothes for Elsie (Pat used to buy Elsie's clothes from second hand shops). But what's more, this is a story of a woman who is at rock bottom and doesn't even recognise herself any more. Extremely poignant.

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