WELL, finally, The Street's Dirty Dick did the awful deed, and Emily and Maxine lay in a bloody, bludgeoned heap.

Cut camera to slightly stomach-churning shot of a succulent joint of beef in the Rovers where Maxine's awful mother is enjoying her birthday buffet.

The identity of Richard Hillman's latest murder victim has been revealed and, after more red herrings than a bumper Irish Sea catch, it was a double do of Emily (still alive but injured) and poor Mad Max, who stumbled on to the scene and copped it.

Most impressive on the night -- and likely to be in tonight's episode -- was Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold, pictured). He appeared deeply shocked, and the acting was both restrained and touching.

You felt genuinely indignant when he was taken away for police questioning as a possible suspect (routine, apparently, although the handcuffs were a bit much).

Previously, his little boy tones have been the kind of jokey voice blokes put on after a few pints, but he obviously has hidden depths .

Main emotions for the poor viewers this week seem to be (a) hate for Richard (b) huge sympathy for Ashley

(c) irritation at Gail's blindness.

Don't miss it tonight!