I can hardly stand the sight of Liz lately and I don't think I've seen her in a good scene for years. I'd love her to disappear from the cobbles forever - riding off into the sunset with Jim would do, but I'd prefer she was run over by a steam roller or something really dramatically unpleasant.

Liz is so hateful and hard-faced right now, and really judgemental too with her nearest and dearest. Is she supposed to be a good pub landlady? She never seems very welcoming to the customers, or much fun. She's only 'nice' if there's a bloke she wants to get her hands on.

For me, apart from her hilarious clothes and hair, Liz adds nothing good to Corrie and I wish she'd clear off. I can't even see how the character could be improved by moving her out of the pub or whatever. Maybe Kate Oates will be able to salvage something, but if not I hope she just has her written out.

hope she takes sean with her if she goes

The abattoir.

She could get a job there - as long as it's miles away from Weatherfield

A decent hairdressers, Audrey has made a reet mess of Elizabeth's hair, so she has.

Who knows?

I wouldn't like to see her leave as I am fond of Liz but there are three things that have shaped the character over the years that none of the production team seem able to manage...

Jim
The main feature of Liz's character through her first decade on the show was her volatile relationship with Jim. That defined both Bev Callard and Charlie Lawson from the late 80s right through to the end of the 90s. When Liz first left in 1998 they realised that Jim was a lost character and Charlie left within a few years of Bev. Every time Liz made a subsequent return the writers have failed to bring back that initial spark. Watch any scenes from the mid-90s and you'll see that Liz is a completely different character. Bev Callard really gets into the part and puts in some fantastic performances, a far cry from the stuff she regurgitates these days. Bev and Charlie were one of those rare soap couplings that really work and each character ultimately fails without the other.

The Vernon years
The closest Liz got to being a decent character in her own right was around 2000 - 2001 when she was a clapped-out divorced barmaid trying to rebuild her life after 20 odd years married to the volatile Jim. Her brief return in 2003 was great as were the early days of her full-time return in 2004 as she was put against Karen but as time went on the character weakened massively. Then, by 2005 she was teamed up with the abysmal Vernon and three years of cringeworthy plots ensued for Liz. She's been been on life support for me ever since then. Liz has never quite recovered from that period.

Owner/landlady of the Rovers
Once Vernon had cleared off, Liz went into freefall, with some very trashy plots involving her failed attempts at dating other men. Anyone remember when she was locked on the balcony in her knickers? Or when she got involved with the guy who was into dogging (I think it was dogging, it was so memorable I can't remember)? Or when she bonked Jim Fenner from Bad Girls?

More than any of this, having her take over the Rovers was the biggest mistake, as the character had always worked well when she was on her arse and not making a success of things. Giving her the stability of owning the Rovers took the character in a direction that has made her appear bitter and judgemental to her family (to repeat you've already said, sam_gee) for no good reason. At least when we saw Liz struggling to get by and find a direction in life, some of the bitterness and judgments could be accepted. Now she just struts around like a crow on steroids, cawing at anyone she crosses paths with.

I think that this problem extends to Steve as well, not just Liz. Steve has also suffered from the relative stability of owning and living in the pub. His character was always best when he was ducking and diving. Bringing the McDonalds back into the Rovers was a disaster for Steve and Liz and also for the Rovers itself.

Liz needs David, Audrey or Maria to sort her bloody hair out. She looks like an extra from an 80's daytime soap.

Thought it was Dusty Springfield in her eighties hey day on my screen last night. She certainly looks like her.

Where next for Liz?

The poodle parlour for a trim perhaps...

A good question, she must be getting sick of the same old with many of the locals dropping by for a pint and coming through her bar flap and into her back room. Where exactly is there left to go that she hasn't already explored though?

Its not just McMutton but Steve has to go as well

He's carved out a career as a gurner. Pulls funny face here, pulls funny face there.

The Rovers needs an overhaul..

Maybe a new bloke who turns out to be a wrong'un. Hasn't been done before.

I think it's time for her to join bar flappers anonymous. Hello, my name's Liz and I'm a barflapper.

Until the next visit of the Health Inspector, he will close the place down as a health hazard.

Monty Don and his team would do a better job than this lot.

To a farmer with a set of sheep shears so he can sort out that mess on her head.

I agree. Awful actor, Practically plays himself anyway.

I completely agree and even posted a thread about that once, I think.

Liz in the 90s, when she lived in the terraced house with Jim, Andy, and Steve, was such a different character. She was gritty, real, watchable, sympathetic, and had real relationships with the other characters on the street.

Now, I honestly don't know who she is. I don't get any sense of character from her.

I always think of these scenes when I think of 90s Liz and Jim. These are some of the most powerful domestic-based drama Corrie has ever produced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AIe2y2NrFs

Such an interesting post

I agree that, apart from when she's been with Jim, Liz works better when she's on her uppers - she's awful as the landlady of the pub. She does come across as really bitter - I hadn't thought of that before and it's made me look at her a bit more sympathetically, as maybe she's like she is because life has dealt her so much shit. (This must be just what the writers intended )

I guess Liz is supposed to be a 'tart with a heart' character like Bet Lynch or Elsie Tanner, but she doesn't seem to have much of a heart to me. Bet and Elsie were tough, but they were sweeties too - so kind and vulnerable. Liz just comes across as hard and mean.

It's a shame Deirdre is no longer around as Liz needs scenes with a close friend so we can see some different facets of her personality. I don't think she and Eileen work well in this way; Erica might be ok, but these things take time to establish...

Maybe she should get back with Jim - I love him and would be happy if he returned - and they could be one of those great Corrie couples the writers are always trying to create, as long as the magic is still there

The McDonald clan should be moved out, and get someone in who actually cares about the pub. Couldn't give a toss about Michelle and Steve's marital problems which goes round and round in circles. Michelle wants something, Steve doesn't but instead of admitting to it goes away and gurns and avoids responsibility. Michelle gets upset and throws a strop and runs to Maria (previously Carla) to complain. Steve makes up with her claiming he will change, until the next incident where we get an exact repeat.

Liz and Steve are awful in the pub. I liked it when Stella and Karl took over. Maybe Steve could sell to someone else (he needs money to fund Michelle's excessive baby related demands maybe ), though God knows where they'd all live then (it would have to be local) - the flat over the taxi office perhaps? Fat Brenda can emigrate or something so Liz can work the switch at Streetcars

What happened to the Chris, the grey-haired man who brought his "son" in who was Amy's friend. Didn't he and Liz both pretend to be the kids parents. Maybe I missed a bit but it seemed to end abruptly and he was never seen again.

I don't either. She just has different parts to play in whatever plots she's involved in at the time. I guess you have to blame the writers for that - it takes time to establish convincing characters.

Yes, like you I don't recognise this character anymore. It's like they stripped her back and left all the undesirable traits.

Liz was one of my favourites when she first joined. With very little bar work experience, she proved it was possible you could climb the ladder and there was none of this implausibility we have now with certain characters.

The McDonalds are wasted in the Rovers. I would have liked to see Stella and Liz have a go at it as landladies.