As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.
- May Hardman the first death, her daughter Christine had to deal her in a mental hospital but first off she was afraid that people were talking, then she was complaining of Headaches and Christine ignores her, due to her emotional fits, turns out it was a Brain Tumour, in her last moments her vision fades, the sound of the clock becomes unbearable, she bangs on the Hallway wall alerting Florrie Lindley who is followed by Harry Hewitt and Elsie Tanner who find her dead on the stairs.
- Afterwards Elsie tells Esther Hayes, who after the shock first thinks of Christine who returns from the Morgue, speaking to Esther (who takes control) Christine shows regret for her actions that morning, then like anyone else in grief speaks positive of May before breaking down in Esther's arms.
- Later on in the episode The Rovers have their New Year's Raffle Annie Walker is all smiles but when she picks the name out for first prize her smile drops, it's May Hardman's ticket one that Christine brought for her.
- Ida Barlow's death and Funeral from being hit by bus is horrible, she is clearly hinted as dead by the police, without any ID but once Frank and Ken give them a clue does the painful truth be revealed.
- The day of the funeral has most of the street mourning her, with Ken holding it together, Frank is twice as upset that David who was meant to be there had not arrived. As Ida's hearse is driven through the street the Corrie theme is played (Ida is the only cast member to have the honour) and all the neighbours are watching her drive by to pay their respects. At the end it's revealed David was at the funeral but from afar too upset to join the others, Frank forgives him and thanks Ken for being there, who only as it's over breaks down.
- What makes Ida's death also sadder is that none of the cast knew until the week that Ida was going to die.
- In the first Christmas Episode there's a small one, when Minnie Caldwell, Ena Sharples and Martha Longhurst had dinner together Ena and Martha complain about their children yet to visit and Minnie sadly says to them "I have no family, to visit me", while they remind her that they are there for her, it's clear how human the writers made Minnie.
- In 1963 Sheila Birtles was dumped by Neil Crossley and she was unable to deal with the rejection and attempted suicide, however she was unable to go through with it and was discovered before she could try but everyone around her are shocked that they didn't do anything to help her some friends were quite upset.
- However the street's over the top reaction was because in the original filmed episode Sheila was meant to die, but the story was leaked, public reaction meant Granada cut the suicide but could only reshoot Sheila's scenes note so the reaction was taken from the aftermath of her death.
- In 1964 when Martha Longhurst died alone in the snug (whilst oblivious characters were singing in the bar while her best friend Ena played the piano note ). Martha was planning to go to Spain with her daughter before this unexpected incident and even tried to share the fact with other residents she was going abroad but they didn't show interest.
- Also the next episode has a little moment of sadness when Lily (Martha's daughter) admits to her husband of their lack of closeness was because Lily blamed herself for the decay of her parents marriage, remembering the many rows her parents had at night and her listening to them rather than being asleep. However Albert Tarlock reveals to everyone in the Rovers scene of this episode that Martha had lost another child and had married her husband because her first love had been gassed in The Great War.
- When Minnie Caldwell returns from her holiday, in that next episode, it's clear that she doesn't know about Martha so the regulars alert her to the news, first off she was in denial as Martha had sent her a letter the day before, then once they verify the truth her reaction is so painful that they cut to Commercial Break:Minnie: Where's Bobby, I want Bobby!
- In 1966 Jed Stone Minnie Caldwell’s lodger was arrested again, he asked the policemen to pretend to be friends of his as it’s Minnie’s birthday, but she knows and she holds back the tears until he leaves. Minnie treated him like the son she never had.
- When the train crashed in 1967, Annie Walker fears her Jack is under the rubble. Her snapping then breaking down in front of Hilda shows her human side and how much she loved Jack. Thankfully for her he was unharmed.
- However there was one death, Sonia Peters, the moment when her still living fiance tells her Grandmother (the woman that raised her) is painful.
- Ena Sharples when she had her daughter dying of a brain tumour, Ena had to deal with it secretly as the doctor made the decision not to tell Vera and it was painful for Ena. She doesn't even tell Minnie Caldwell for fear of her simple mind and instead tells Jack Walker who managed to slightly help Ena.
- When she finally died, Ena was still unable to tell her and tried to get her husband and son to see her beforehand, Vera claims she wants to get rid of her and Ena tries to be polite as she goes to lie down. However, later that evening Ena goes to check as everything is quiet, Jack enters with Brandy seeing the horror on Ena's face and goes to the bedroom to confirm the truth holds Ena's hand in comfort.
- Elsie Tanner returns to the street from America, refusing to leave her house, Len Fairclough enters finding the house in a mess, she was married to Steve Tanner a US sweetheart but after the honeymoon they realised that they made a mistake and he refused to help so when he went to a new job he paid for her to return to Weatherfield much to her shame.
- Later that year Elsie was told that Steve had been murdered, both she and Len were suspects however in 1970, Joe Donelli (Steve's Army friend) confessed to the murder and he took Minnie Caldwell and Bobby hostage before Stan convinced him to take the old lady's place, however it's then that Stan realises that Joe has a gun, he forces Stan to sing Silent Night before the people outside hear a gunshot, Hilda's face is one of fear, thankfully Stan leaves showing that Joe has killed himself.
- The Glad Tidings Mission Hall being demolished in 1968 was heartbreaking for Ena, it was her home for nearly all of her adult life, she had raised her daughters there, had meaning to her life as the caretaker and she walks away too upset to look at it being torn downnote .
- After the coach crash of 1969, a small scene showing the empty street as everyone is in hospital and Bobby the Cat waiting for Minnie sadly meowing before walking off not realising Minnie is in a coma.
- David Barlow and his son Darren are killed in a Car Accident in Australia but Irma survives, Hilda brings her daughter back to Weatherfield where everything reminds her of the past, Irma pretends to her parents that she has recovered but she suffers in silence.
- Valerie Barlow's death is as heartbreaking as any others, she and Ken were about to leave for Jamaina and she was trying to get ready when she was electrocuted by the faulty plug on her hair dryer, then as she knocked over the electric fire causing a house fire as well.
- In 1972 Ena Sharples' Grandson Colin returned to the street with his wife and Ena's Great Grandson baby Jason, however she was not home but since they had no reason to miss her they went into the Rover's Return to wait, however they had to leave Jason outside due to rules and Annie wasn't willing to bend, however a few minutes later Jason was snatched. The police were called and both parents were unable to speak to police, however Jason is found unharmed and despite everyone reviled Annie Walker blames herself and falls ill.
- However the kidnapper is found in January 1973, it turns out to be a woman called Christine Peters, who had lost her own baby and clearly had a breakdown, her sister Jean was looking after her but Christine kept sneaking out when Jean warned her against it and it was Emily who found out where she was and Emily's husband Ernest went behind Emily's back and called the police. Due to her mental health she was given probation but Jean furiously blames Emily and hits her.
- This storyline of a grief-stricken mother kidnapping was a regular plot of Corrie, with 1962 having Christopher Hewitt being the first, then Irma Barlow attempted kidnapping after losing her own and in 1979 Tracy Barlow (Then Langton) being taken just before the Rovers suffered a lorry crash.
- However the kidnapper is found in January 1973, it turns out to be a woman called Christine Peters, who had lost her own baby and clearly had a breakdown, her sister Jean was looking after her but Christine kept sneaking out when Jean warned her against it and it was Emily who found out where she was and Emily's husband Ernest went behind Emily's back and called the police. Due to her mental health she was given probation but Jean furiously blames Emily and hits her.
- In 1973 Minnie Caldwell found a letter when she prepared Ena's flat for the latter's return and when Ena returned Minnie was unusually cold. Upon asking around Emily then visits Minnie and she shows her the letter, it was a love letter from Minnie's husband Armistead to Ena which has upset her.
- Ena upon finding out goes to Minnie and reminds her that the letter was from when he and Minnie had a falling out and she had been a shoulder to cry on that day nothing more. Minnie forgives her but privately Ena admits to Emily it had been much more serious Emily kept it a secret.
- Bet Lynch’s son that she gave away as a teenager is written first as her comforting a grief stricken Irma Barlow note , however a few years later Martin enters the Rovers with a Army friend but upon seeing her dressed in a revealing dress he leaves appalled without revealing to her.
- A couple of months later Martin’s friend comes back and tells Bet that Martin is dead, she runs to her flat and is about to end it all but it’s the normally comic Eddie Yeats that listens to her grief and convinces her to keep living.
- The storyline was very personal to Julie Goodyear as her son was born out of wedlock, marrying the father before spilling up, but unlike Bet she had a understanding Mother who cared for him and when Martin’s death aired both of them cried watching it.
- However even posthumous Martin would represent grief for Bet, her flat was robbed and her only picture of him was taken and she realises that the robber wanted the frame, meaning the picture was now gone forever and when Ivy brought a medium she talked about a Martin and Elizabeth making Bet reveal about Martin to Alec.
- A couple of months later Martin’s friend comes back and tells Bet that Martin is dead, she runs to her flat and is about to end it all but it’s the normally comic Eddie Yeats that listens to her grief and convinces her to keep living.
- The final scene of Minnie Caldwell is one when you realise the actress Margot Bryant was suffering from Alzheimer's and has to have the script physically with her in her last scene. The context of the scene is typical Minnie, she is buying an Easter Egg in the Corner Shop for a friend's granddaughter and asks an annoyed Rita which is better (typical of Minnie’s character) but Rita tells her that she hasn't anytime to say which is better of eggs that were near copies so Minnie leaves with one.
- A little one happened a couple of months later when they wrote Minnie out of the series, Ena discovered that she has moved for good to Whaley Bridge with old friend Handel Gartside, he allows Ena and Albert Tatlock to take what they want, as he leaves Ena close to tears asks him to take care of Minnie which he promises.
- Hilda Ogden has one when she discovers Stan took money out of their reserve for Christmas, she is angry that he did it but also that his behaviour means that the Street as well as their own children treat them like a joke and she hates him for it. it's clear that Stan not only feels guilty but hurt by what she says.
- However later that day Hilda can't find Stan anywhere, she has calmed down by now, she only wanted him out of her hair for an hour but now fears he might have gone for good. The ending has her waking up at midnight and realising he hasn't returned. Thankfully he is discovered and they reunite.
- Ken Barlow's second wife Janet was the show's first real bitch, she began as a homewrecker with loneliness issues that could have gone straight with Ken, they separate after she didn't want to be Stepmother (which was the reason they married) to Peter and Susan, then she kept trying to be one better everyone else which Ken was not in favour of. However she returns to Ken after her latest lover refutes her, she begs Ken to take her back but he refuses allowing her to spend the night in the bedroom while he sleeps on the sofa, Janet realising she ruined their relationship by her own flaws takes a overdose.
- The Aftermath however is also quite bitter, Ken finds her dead, then is questioned at home by Police thinking he might have murdered her. However the inquiry realises any suspicion is crushed, but all the time you have Hilda Ogden boasted about being the only person to speak to Janet beforehand causing Emily who was too busy to not helping to break down, which was Hilda at her most unlikable.
- Also think about Ken's despair at this point, as well as Janet, he lost Valerie, his Mother and Fathernote and both his brother David and nephew Darrennote . Poor Ken.
- Ernest Bishop's death is terrible for Emily, he was working at Baldwin when two teenage thieves with a gun made him give them the wages, however Mike entered, bumped the one with the gun, it shot Ernest and soon enough he passed with Emily being told in hospital. The aftermath has Emily heartbroken even regretting her late marriage as she had no children to help soften the blow. She did recover enough to return and even went to the courts to see Ernest's killers go down.
- There is a little one with one of the boy's Mother, she tries to find somebody to blame, rather than her son and tried to get Mike to claim an accident or that it their fault for having money in the building. Anything than to admit that her son and his friend were guilty.
- In 2006 Emily met with Ed Jackson who turned out to be the man that shot Ernest, he had found God in jail and wanted her forgiveness, horrified she tells him to leave, she starts questioning her faith by his appearance, however realising he is looking to end it all she gives in turning the other cheek and giving him one of Ernest's camera's and the promise that he sends her a picture and cards as a possible to stay alive.
- Elsie Tanner had a sad one in the 70s, when after her divorce to Alan Howard had finalised she went to a bar and being mistaken for a prostitute was kicked out by the man and the staff, she decides not to go to work and Mike Baldwin goes to see her, she tells him what happened and is depressed and really hurt by the whole thing realising the woman she was has gone. Pat Phoenix shows how talented she was.
- Pat Phoenix's death 2 years after her last appearance as Elise Tanner was one for the UK, she might have been difficult on set but she was a wonderful friend and very charitable, but her death announcement resulted in Granada airing a tribute after the night's episode at short notice note , it had William Roache speaking of his co star and clips from her best episodes, then during the Granada close-down announcer Jim Pope reflected on Phoenix's encouragement on his future career and his regret in not thanking her in life (with his voice breaking).
- Len Fairclough's death was a sad one an car crash, but poor Rita spends the whole next episode face tired and pale from all the tears, however it's the scenes with Elsie Tanner and Emily Bishop that are the best, Elsie was Len's best friend telling her those 7 years of marriage was better than the 60 years of mistakes she had and Emily as someone who was in her shoes a few years before reminds her that there is a future with the memories which helps her no end. The episode ends with Rita in Len's yard crying as memories playback in her head.
- However after the Funeral Rita finds evidences of what Len was doing the day he died, slowly enough she finds a phone number and calling realising it belong to a former customer, however every-time Rita calls her, she puts the phone down. But finally the woman arrives in Weatherfield and tells Rita the truth she and Len had an affair, but hearing her story Rita forgives her, she wasn't a bad person, just a widow whom Len was comforting and she knew Len made her happy.
- Fan favourite Hilda Ogden opening a parcel containing her recently deceased husband (and fellow fan favourite) Stan's glasses, and her subsequent breakdown into tears, she had been able to hold it together at the funeral and now the realty has hit her.
- The filming of the scene itself had everyone off-screen crying as well, Jean Alexander kept crying until she heard cut.
- In 1988 Bet Gilroy as she was then, discovered she was pregnant by Alec which shocked them, but they came round to it, sadly however Bet miscarried as she and Alec mourning the child it's clear how happy they could have been written as a happy couple.
- Mavis Wilton left in 1997 to open a B&B her last scene is heartbreaking especially with Rita crying it’s not acting Barbara Knox was truly upset especially since her friendship with Thelma Barlow was real.
- Alma Halliwell's death from Cervical Cancer, she missed a smear test and was misdiagnosed, by the time they found it, it was too late and viewers watched as she passed away at home.
- Audrey Roberts felt guilty for having not been there in time before she died and her ex Mike Baldwin was upset for being a bad husband, however after the funeral, Alma had recorded a tape she made when she was able to say goodbye to them. Audrey and Mike then go together to scatter Alma's ashes.
- Vera Duckworth's death.
- The death of her husband Jack some time later, especially in its presentation. Jack is relaxing in his living room listening to records when Vera wakes him up and badgers him to get himself ready to leave, with him snarking back as the two would when she was alive. The scene fades out with the two of them dancing to the music, and returns when their surrogate son Tyrone comes home, find Jack has died in his sleep, and quietly whispers "goodbye, Dad" as the scene ends.
- Sally telling Rosie and Sophie that she has breast cancer. The scene was the first one Sally Dynevor filmed after finding out that she had breast cancer in real life, a discovery she only made because she was doing research for the storyline; her tears were brutally genuine.
- The Fiftieth Anniversary. Explosion, train crash, deaths, war flashbacks, fires, injuries.
- John Stape's death. Even though he did kill or was complicit in the deaths of three people and various other crimes, it still was sad seeing him dying before his wife and daughter. Also, while Fiz was rightfully angry with him, her telling him "You'll always be my John" and sobbing on his chest after he died was gut-wrenching.
- Hayley Cropper's death. Oh dear GOD.
- Deirdre Barlow's death, especially with Anne Kirkbride's death occurring months earlier. Everyone's reactions, particularly Ken and Tracy's, say it all: while the latter is crying "I want my Mum!" after bringing out the cake for Deirdre's 60th birthday, the former was crying in Steve's presence (who overheard his cries and went to console him) and asking him, "What am I going to do without her?"
- A real-life one for the cast after Anne Kirkbride's death was announced, to the point that the day's filming had to be scrapped.
- Schmeichel, Chesney's dog that he has had since he was a puppy, being put down.
- David and Kylie Platt talking about their recent plans for starting a new life with their young family, where they could be safe and happy, while the latter is bleeding to death on the street after being stabbed in the chest by a random thug.
- Ruairi Mcdonald's death and Michelle subsequent complete meltdown over the following weeks, which is made even worse with the Reality Subtext.
- The death of Billy Platt, Todd and Sarah's newborn son, in 2004. First, you had poor Todd rushing to the hospital to see him, only to have Audrey (whom he was on the phone with prior to coming over after she told him about the birth and he had hung up on before she could fully explain what happened) tell him that the baby didn't make it. Then, there was the funeral itself, with both of his parents and the extended families saying their tearful goodbyes, Sarah having a breakdown and Todd putting the teddy bear he brought for him on top of his casket. The scene was so emotional, that Tina O'Brien, Sarah's actress, was still crying for several minutes after the cameras had stopped filming.
- Andy Carver's kidnapping and imprisonment in the cellar at the hands of Pat Phelan in 2017. He spent ten months in there, in which he made many attempts to escape, appeal to Phelan's (lack of) better nature in a hope of gaining his freedom, mostly being mocked and taunted for giving his hopes up. During the course of this he reaches breaking point and even contemplates committing suicide to end the torment, and even writes a heartfelt letter for his girlfriend Steph (even though she won't receive it). And worse of all whilst this all goes on, those he once knew are getting on with their lives without a care in the world, assuming that Andy had simply left the area. And despite all he has been through, he believes he has finally earned his freedom when he kills Phelan's former partner in crime Vinny Ashford in desperation, only for Phelan to take the gun back and shoot Andy dead in cold blood. Andy's final moments are heartbreaking as he breaks down and (once again) tries to get through to Phelan's better side by informing him he wasn't really a murderer, only for Phelan to prove the contrary. Phelan then convinces himself that Andy's death was necessary as he wouldn't have been able to live with the trauma of what he has been put through.
- David Platt's rape at the hands of his apparent best friend Josh Tucker in 2018.
- Aidan Connor committing suicide in May 2018. The entire next episode is everyone on the street reacting to it, starting with his father discovering the note and his horrified screams when he discovers the body. The reactions of Johnny especially reminded people of their own experiences with depression, whether suffering or suffered it themselves or supporting someone who has or had it.
- Anytime anyone dies just before or as they're about to embark on happiness or have a long-overdue happy ending, like the aforementioned example with Kylie:
- Lisa Duckworth (Tommy's Mom) was ready to leave her short, unhappy marriage to jailbird louse Terry and was starting a new relationship with Des Barnes and her infant son when she was struck and killed by a car in 1993.
- In 1999, Judy Mallett was Happily Married to Gary and after years of trying, were blessed with twins, a boy and a girl the Christmas before when she was in a minor accident from a dodgy car sold to Vera Duckworth by her son Terry. She had what was initially thought to be a slight pain in her leg was actually a blood clot that killed her within a week, all while her babies were crying out for her.
- Samir Rachid's life and death. He was by all accounts a Nice Guy yet no one approved of him or his marriage to Deirdre due to him being much younger and Moroccan. As he experiences contempt from virtually everyone he meets, he can't understand why people are treating him that way. He then meets his end after going to donate his matching kidney to Tracy (who suffered renal failure due to an overdose of Ecstasy), only for him to be brutally beaten by some thugs (who for all we know was never caught) and on life-support. After learning that there was no hope of his recovery, Deirdre tearfully has his kidney given to her daughter and taken off the machines. Tracy survived, but the death caused a permanent strain between them and as much of an unrepentant Jerkass she is, this remains one of the few things she feels remorse for.
- Sinead Tinker developing cervical cancer whilst pregnant with her second child, and then forced to make a choice between herself and the baby. Daniel was originally kept in the dark but he eventually discovered the truth and is completely destroyed the scenario. Despite a confounded Daniel begging her to take chemotherapy, Sinead refuses the treatment and wants to have her baby. The situation is difficult because of the treatment since it will prevent Sinead from having another baby. All Daniel can do is stand by Sinead's decision and stay with her.
- Rana dying in the factory collapse and Carla's mental breakdown as a result.
- Roy and Hayley losing Patience (Amy) when Tracy decided to take her back, not just because of their heart-wrenching reactions of breaking down and crying, but because that was their last chance to become parents, something that both of them wanted so much and knew they would be unable to experience otherwise.
- You can tell how upsetting it is when Blanche Hunt has to say sorry to Roy.
- The death of Ray Langston, Deirdre's first husband and Tracy's biological father. Regardless of how you feel about the man, him meeting his daughter and granddaughter to make peace with them and Deirdre as he was terminally ill with stomach cancer then dying in the Rovers at her and Ken's wedding reception was pretty sad, especially when Tracy realizes that he's dead then cries for him and hugs his body.
- Liz's discovery that Hannah had been posing as her long-dead daughter, Katie, and that her ex-husband, Jim, had defiled their daughter's life just so he could get revenge on Liz. Katie's death was a large factor in their divorce, as Jim couldn't cope with her death and he shows guilt for his scheme. The real heartbreak is in Beverley Callard's performance, as she replicates a sense of fury and pain that only a parent can feel and understand. As she condemns a self-loathing Jim for performing something so cruel for money. While she contemplates beating him to death for this, she instead tells him this, when he tries to tell her that he loves her, no matter what she does to him.
- The death of Oliver Battersby, Leanne Battersby and Steve McDonald's 3 year old son. Leanne's reaction to this is just emotionally heartbreaking, especially Steve, who had to accept how bad the condition is on Oliver and has no other choice but to let his son's suffering end.
- The 2021 "Horrornation Street" special
- Johnny Connor's death on 18th October 2021. He went down the sewer via the sinkhole in the Platts' garden to rescue Jenny who fell into the sewers as a result of the storm causing sinkholes to appear in the street. Though he manages to save Jenny, Johnny loses consciousness and drowns to Jenny's overwhelmed grief and horror.
- Natasha Blakeman's death that following day after the aftermath of the storm. She was severely wounded after being shot by drug lord Harvey Gaskell, mistaking her for Leanne and despite all the nurses could do to stop the internal bleeding, they were unable to save her. The silent expression on Sam's face when he hears the news about his mother's death is very emotional and heartbreaking.
- When Sam goes with Nick to see his mother's body in the coffin, he was so emotionally grief-stricken that he doesn't say a word at all after that.
- During Harvey's escape, Asha, Aadi, and Dev are in a car crash and Asha falls unconscious from the crash while Aadi is trapped because his seatbelt won't open. In a heartbeat, Dev saves the unconscious Asha and doesn't even try to help Aadi or even speak to him as Aadi struggles to get out. After getting Asha to a safe distance, the car suddenly explodes and both Dev and Asha assume the worst. Aadi does actually survive this but he fully remembers how his own dad abandoned him in favour of his sister, leading a heartbroken Aadi to assume that Asha was always Dev's favourite.
- Tina McIntyre's death. Regardless of how you felt about her, it was still incredibly sad. Aside from the heartbroken reactions of David, Steph, and especially Rita (particularly since their last conversation was a fight), the medical staff worked tirelessly for near a half hour to try and resuscitate her to no avail.
- Also of note, Tina died without anyone by her side other than the staff and none of those with her in her final days were blood relatives: her Dad drowned four years earlier and it's implied that she and her Mom had a strained relationship.
- When her death reached the Rovers via David, the patrons are shocked and horrified, but no more than Carla. Once Peter learns about her death from her, he's devastated. She then bitterly throws the affair back into his face, accuses him of killing her, and shoves a bottle of vodka in his face and tells him to drink himself to death. The overall situation is so sad, that not even Tracy can quip about it and she even looks like she's going to cry alongside her brother. Even though Rob was eventually found out to have killed her, it still didn't end well for either of them; the stress of the affair, the murder, and being accused caused her to miscarry their unborn daughter and the fallout causes him to go off the wagon again and be hospitalized with alcohol poisoning.
