I might have missed something here. I might not have been paying enough attention if the episode wasn't grabbing me and had one eye on my smartphone...

But am I right in thinking Paul's mother doesn't even know he's dead? And that Paul didn't ever find out what his gran did? Seems like a whole story was being set up then they more or less brushed it under the carpet?

I thought the Les and Pam exit was actually written really well, given a chance to say goodbye properly, used to set up some other storylines and look at how retirement and moving away affects people emotionally, but presumably DTC was planning more for them...

Like I say I might have just missed something important in which case apologies for this entire thread!

Paul's Mum was clearly only ever brought in as a red herring. To make us think Paul still had unfinished business that would keep him in the soap so that when he was misidentified as Ben Mitchell we would believe it.

I agree it is odd though that Les and Pam didn't even consider getting hold of her to at least let her know that he was dead- considering she had visited a week before his death.

Maybe she was told but just didn't mind. It was only Paul after all.