They were three of the most prominent characters on Coronation Street in the late 70s and 80s.
No, not the Duckworths, the three flying ducks that famously hung on Hilda Ogden ’s “muriel”.
So it’s charming to see a sweet nod to the trio back on the Cobbles.
New family the Baileys have a wall adorned with three flying birds in homage to Hilda’s retro ceramic wall mounts, which eagle eyed fans at the Coronation Street blog spotted this week.
Insiders say bosses wanted to remember Jean Alexander, who died in 2016 aged 90, as well as the famous Rovers Return cleaner.
With one crooked flier - which Jean personally ensured was always on the wonk - the ducks cheered headscarf-wearing Hilda so much she once described their significance in a poignant speech.
“I’ve come in here more times than I care to remember, cold, wet, bone-tired, not a penny in me purse,” she said.
“Seeing them ducks and that muriel… they’ve kept me hand away from t’gas tap. And that’s a fact.”
Husband Stan was less enthusiastic.
The mallards made their last appearance on Christmas Day 1987, when 27 million viewers tuned in to see Hilda depart for Derbyshire, after telling Sally Webster of her ducks: “They’re beautiful.
“I just wish that middle one would buck itself up a bit.”
Jean Alexander played the legendary Coronation Street character for 23 years.
Her sharp-tongued antics won her an army of fans, who were left devastated at her death just days after she celebrated her 90th birthday.
It is understood the star had been treated for an infection.
Jean was taken to hospital on her 90th birthday.
