Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street is set to reveal a final secret kept by Norris Cole after his sad death.
It was confirmed last week that Corrie would be saying goodbye to cobbles stalwart Norris, after actor Malcolm Hebden decided to retire from acting after 27 years playing the nosy character.
Later this week, Norris's partner Freda Burgess (Ali Briggs) will break the devastating news to his friends that Norris has passed away in hospital after suffering a stroke and next week, a collection of cobbles residents will gather to say goodbye to their much-loved friend.
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As the mourners gather in church for Norris's funeral, Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) passes around a hip flask full of tequila. Mary Taylor (Patti Clare), who had been one of Norris's closest friends, takes a huge swig of the alcohol, with Gail Rodwell (Helen Worth) watching on in concern.
Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) gets up to deliver a heartwarming eulogy about her best friend and Kabin partner, before vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) reads a letter left by Norris. Freda and Mary are both touched by Norris's words.
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However, the letter reading soon takes a twist as Norris takes the opportunity to share some gossip one last time. After teasing that the paperboy statue outside the Kabin contains a secret, Norris's letter finishes with the revelation that Rita secretly used to have her hair coloured by Claudia Colby (Rula Lenska).
Furious Audrey rounds on Rita for her betrayal, irritated that she would visit her long-time hairdressing rival, and the mood at Norris's wake is ruined by Audrey and Rita's spat.
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Later on, the residents turn their attentions to Norris's secret. Mary, Gail, Ken Barlow (William Roache) and Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) gather around the paperboy to try to find out what is hidden inside, but they struggle to get the statue open.
Determined Mary soon tracks down a chainsaw and decides to decapitate the paperboy.
What secrets will Norris's friends find inside?
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Actor Malcolm said in a statement to Digital Spy earlier this year that he had "absolutely adored playing Norris", while producer Iain MacLeod said: "Norris became an all-time great character, whose lemon-lipped barbs will be remembered forever.
"But, in his brilliant double acts with Emily, Rita and more recently Mary, Malcolm has left us with countless fantastic memories."
Coronation Street airs these scenes on Friday, September 24 at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
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Reporter & Sub-Editor, Digital Spy Susannah is a freelance writer and sub-editor, specialising in the entertainment industry. She graduated in 2014, with a BA in English and American Literature and Creative Writing, and an MA in Creative Producing. She’s been writing for Digital Spy ever since, after first getting involved through work experience, and has written hundreds of stories for the site on a range of topics, from The Sims to Doctor Who. Susannah has also written for Reveal Magazine. Her special interests are soaps (her Mastermind subject would be 2000s Coronation Street), Marvel and Star Wars. She can also quote far too many lines from Friends and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
