N.B. there might (or might not) be spoilers in this article!

In The Day of the Clown Bradley Walsh is particularly creepy as Odd Bob the titular clown (for me, more so than when he’s playing ringmaster Elijah Spellman or the Pied Piper). His performance here must’ve been quite the shock for those who’d previously only seen him as Danny Baldwin in Corrie – but, if nothing else, it’s further evidence of the conveyor belt of talent that passes through Weatherfield!

The Day of the Clown may wear its IT influences a little obviously — clown abducts children after enticing them with red balloons — but it remains an effective slice of children’s TV horror.

“Look at me, with my new Head Teacher cooking me tea. The universe really is a surprising place.”

Clyde, The Day of the Clown, Part Two

Of course, other than to scare us, The Day of the Clown also serves to introduce us to Rani Chandra, whose family has moved into the Jacksons’ old house across Bannermen Road.

There’s much fun to be had when Clyde realises the new headmaster he’s been having run-ins with is Rani’s Dad and, while Luke still misses Maria, he’s paired with Rani for much of this story, which allows their friendship to develop rapidly.

Based on the evidence of The Day of the Clown – and with her desire to be a journalist seemingly making her an apt pupil for Sarah Jane – Rani looks like she’ll fit into Bannermen Road’s gang of adventurers perfectly.