The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV
soap opera
A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...
Alison Oakley, played by Helen Swift in 1989 and Shelley Willetts in 1998 is a woman who
Brian Tilsley
1978 saw several characters making their debuts on the British Soap Opera '' Coronation Street'', including Ed Jackson, Ida Clough and Brian Tilsley, among others.
Ed Jackson
Thomas Edward "Ed" Jackson was one of two robbers who staged a robb ...
meets in a nightclub on 15 February 1989 after splitting from his wife
Gail
Gail may refer to:
People
*Gail (given name), list of notable people with the given name
Surname
* Jean-Baptiste Gail (1755–1829), French Hellenist scholar
* Max Gail (born 1943), American actor
* Sophie Gail (1775–1819), French singer and ...
. Brian tries to defend Alison against three young thugs who begin harassing her, which results in Brian being fatally stabbed. In her first appearance, she is only credited as "Disco Girl" and not by her name. Nine years later, Brian's son
Nick
Nick may refer to:
* Nick (given name)
* A cricket term for a slight deviation of the ball off the edge of the bat
* British slang for being arrested
* British slang for a police station
* British slang for stealing
* Short for nickname
Place ...
seeks her out at a bar to learn the truth about Brian's death. Alison reveals that Brian had goaded his killer, shattering Nick's illusion of his father.
Darren Whateley
Darren Whateley played by
Ian Aspinall
Ian Aspinall (born 1961) is a British actor. He played Mubbs Hussein in '' Holby City'' from 2001 to 2005, and has also appeared in '' City Central'', ''The Bill'', '' Silent Witness'', ''Peak Practice'', '' Waterloo Road'' and ''Casualty''. He al ...
in 1989 and Andy Robb in 1998 is
Brian Tilsley
1978 saw several characters making their debuts on the British Soap Opera '' Coronation Street'', including Ed Jackson, Ida Clough and Brian Tilsley, among others.
Ed Jackson
Thomas Edward "Ed" Jackson was one of two robbers who staged a robb ...
's killer who stabs him when he defends Alison Oakley, a girl he has met at a club, from Darren and two friends. Darren stabs Brian in the abdomen whilst his friends hold him against a wall and leaves him to die in an alleyway. In his first appearance, he is only credited as "Disco Youth" and not by his name. He is subsequently found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Darren reappears in Weatherfield in 1998, by which time he is about to be
parole
Parole (also known as provisional release or supervised release) is a form of early release of a prison inmate where the prisoner agrees to abide by certain behavioral conditions, including checking-in with their designated parole officers, or ...
d from his life sentence, when he appears at Brian's son,
Nick
Nick may refer to:
* Nick (given name)
* A cricket term for a slight deviation of the ball off the edge of the bat
* British slang for being arrested
* British slang for a police station
* British slang for stealing
* Short for nickname
Place ...
's college as a guest speaker talking about life in prison. Nick, who was eight years old at the time of the murder, then realises that he is his father's killer. Nick then writes to Darren pretending to be his wife Leanne in order to trap him, however, this backfires, when Leanne's life is endangered after Darren arrives at her home. Leanne and Nick report Darren to the police and he is arrested and his parole is rescinded. He is subsequently returned to prison. However, Leanne and Nick's mother
Gail
Gail may refer to:
People
*Gail (given name), list of notable people with the given name
Surname
* Jean-Baptiste Gail (1755–1829), French Hellenist scholar
* Max Gail (born 1943), American actor
* Sophie Gail (1775–1819), French singer and ...
later force Nick to tell the police that he set Darren up.
Tina Fowler
Tina Fowler, played by
Michelle Holmes
Michelle Holmes (born Corinne Michelle Cunliffe; 1 January 1967, Rochdale, Lancashire), is an English actress who has appeared in several television serials.
Career
Holmes performed in a pop band called the Dunky Dobbers. She changed he ...
, made her first screen appearance on 13 March 1989. Tina was employed as a barmaid in ''
The Rovers Return
The Rovers Return Inn is a fictional pub in the long-running British soap opera ''Coronation Street''.
The Rovers Return occupies a corner of the fictional Coronation Street and Rosamund Street set location in the show. The pub was built by ...
Sue Jenkins
Susan Elizabeth Jenkins (born 31 July 1955) is an English actress. She is most widely known for her roles as Gloria Todd in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' (1985–1988) and as Jackie Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap opera '' Brookside ...
). She was interviewed by landlady
Bet Gilroy
Bet Lynch (also Gilroy) is a Character (arts), fictional character from the Television in the United Kingdom, British ITV (TV network), ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. Portrayed by Julie Goodyear, the character first appeared on screen dur ...
(
Julie Goodyear
Julie Goodyear MBE (''née'' Kemp; born 29 March 1942) is an English actress. She is known for portraying Bet Lynch in the long-running ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. She first appeared as Bet for nine episodes in 1966, before becoming ...
) in the pub during opening hours and given the job shortly afterwards. Curly Watts ( Kevin Kennedy) set his sights on Tina however she rejected him. ''Rovers'' cellarman
Jack Duckworth
John "Jack" Duckworth is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', played by Bill Tarmey. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 28 November 1979. Jack was introduced by executive pr ...
(
Bill Tarmey
Bill Tarmey (born William Piddington; 4 April 1941 – 9 November 2012) was an English actor and singer, best known for playing Jack Duckworth in the soap opera '' Coronation Street''. First appearing in the role in November 1979, he played ...
) became infatuated with Tina, she kept Jack at bay until one day when, for a laugh, she agreed to go out with him on what Jack thought was a date. Tina was happy to spend Jack's money but when he tried to get frisky with her she demanded he drive her home. Jack's wife Vera ( Liz Dawn) was furious when she found out about Jack and Tina's "date" and was even more furious when Tina revealed that she only went out with him for a joke which resulted in Vera throwing a pint which missed Tina and drenched landlord
Alec Gilroy
Alec Gilroy is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Roy Barraclough. The character made several appearances in the show as a small-time talent agent, the first in 1972, and later as a series re ...
(
Roy Barraclough
Roy Senior Barraclough (12 July 1935 – 1 June 2017) was an English comic actor. He was best known for his role as Alec Gilroy, the devious, mournful landlord of the Rovers Return in the long-running British TV soap '' Coronation Street'', ...
).
Tina won the 'Newton & Ridley's Barmaid of the Month' competition. Tina almost didn't receive the award she got into a row with Alec. She got revenge by arriving late, making Alec worry that she wouldn't turn up and embarrass the Rovers. The award was presented by Nigel Ridley (John Basham), who was impressed by the young barmaid and starting seeing her in secret. As Nigel was a top brewery director, Tina thought she'd struck gold and started taking liberties at work by not turning up for shifts and demanding a raise. Alec wanted to sack her for that alone, but Bet stopped him after seeing Nigel and Tina kissing. However, when Tina, bored of
Percy Sugden
Percy Sugden is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Bill Waddington. He appeared between 1983 and 1997.
Creation
The character was introduced to ''Coronation Street'' as a potential caretaker ...
(
Bill Waddington
William Joseph Waddington (10 June 1916 – 9 September 2000) was an English actor, comedian and co-author who was born in Oldham, Lancashire. In later life he achieved stardom as the pompous ex-serviceman Percy Sugden in Granada Televisi ...
)'s war stories, told the pensioner that he was barred, Bet sacked her on the spot herself. Tina later saw Nigel at a wine bar to complain about the Gilroys, she found him with a girlfriend and, realising she meant nothing to him, threw a glass of wine over him.
Wendy Crozier
Wendy Papadopoulos (also Crozier), played by
Roberta Kerr
Roberta Alexandra Kerr (born 24 May 1952) is an English actress. She is known for her various roles in British soap operas including Sally Haynes in ''Brookside'', Wendy Crozier in '' Coronation Street'' and Jan Glover in ''Emmerdale'', as we ...
, made her first screen appearance on 28 June 1989. Wendy worked for the council and had an affair with
Ken Barlow
Ken Barlow is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by William Roache. He was created by Tony Warren as one of ''Coronation Street''s original characters and December 2020 marked Ken's 60th anni ...
(
William Roache
William Patrick Roache (born 25 April 1932) is an English actor. He is best known for playing Ken Barlow in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' since it was first broadcast on 9 December 1960. He is listed in the ''Guinness World Records ...
), which led to his divorce from his wife,
Deirdre
Deirdre ( , Irish: ; sga, Derdriu ) is the foremost tragic heroine in Irish legend and probably its best-known figure in modern times. She is known by the epithet "Deirdre of the Sorrows" (). Her story is part of the Ulster Cycle, the best-know ...
(
Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride (21 June 1954 – 19 January 2015) was an English actress, best known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in the ITV soap ''Coronation Street'', which she played for 42 years from 1972 to 2014. For this role, she posthu ...
).
When Mervyn Watson joined ''Coronation Street'' as their new producer, he felt that the serial "needed gee-ing up slightly" and set about making changes. He implemented many fast-paced stories, including Wendy and Ken's affair. The storyline began in September 1989, when Wendy is fired from her job at the Town Hall after she leaks information to Ken. He subsequently offers Wendy a job working for his newspaper the ''Recorder''. By October the pair had begun an affair. Kirkbride told
Daran Little
Daran Little (born 11 May 1966) is a BAFTA-winning and Emmy Award-nominated British television writer. He is the only writer to pen more than 100 episodes of both '' Coronation Street'' (from 2000 until 2010) and '' EastEnders'' (from 2010 onwa ...
in his book ''The Coronation Street Story'' that she and Roache were upset by the storyline because it ruined their routine. Roache said that he had a hard time understanding why Ken would be unfaithful again. Wendy and Ken's relationship failed and he attempted to reunite with Deirdre.Little 1995, p. 200. Wendy departed on 7 May 1990.
On 13 July 2012, it was announced Kerr had reprised her role and Wendy would be returning to ''Coronation Street'' later in the year. Wendy reappears again as a potential governor for Bessie Street Primary School and she discovers she is up against Ken for the role. The former couple get reacquainted, but Ken decides to keep Wendy a secret from Deirdre. Of Wendy's return, series producer Phil Collinson stated "Ken's affair with Wendy was one of ''Coronation Street's'' defining stories during the 1980s. Viewers were on the edge of their seats as they watched the disintegration of The Barlows' marriage and over 20 years later I hope they will be again. I'm delighted to welcome Roberta back as Wendy and can assure viewers that her reunion with Ken will be one of many must-see storylines this summer" Wendy returned on 24 September 2012.
While working as a secretary for the Council's Planning Committee, Wendy begins leaking information about corruption to Ken, owner of the ''Weatherfield Recorder''. Ken's wife, Deirdre, who is a councillor, finds out about the leaks and warns Ken and Wendy to stay away from each other. When Deirdre is threatened with removal from the committee, she exposes Wendy as Ken's mole. Consequently, Wendy is sacked from her job. Feeling responsible, Ken gives Wendy a position with the newspaper. Ken and Wendy grow closer and they share a kiss when she cooks him a meal for his birthday. They eventually begin an affair and Wendy decides to leave the newspaper so Ken can use the excuse of having to run the office by himself to stay out late. Wendy starts asking Ken to tell Deirdre about their affair and Ken agrees. However, he does not tell Deirdre and Wendy briefly stops seeing Ken. Deirdre finds out about the affair and throws Ken out. Wendy takes him in and helps him run the newspaper, while he sorts out his finances and the divorce. Deirdre demands half of the ''Weatherfield Recorder's'' profits and Ken sells the paper to the ''Gazette''. He and Wendy are kept on in their jobs by the new owners. Wendy forms a bond with Ken's daughter Tracy ( Dawn Acton). Wendy is offered Ken's job when he leaves the paper and their relationship eventually breaks down. Wendy asks Ken to meet her stepmother, Sylvia (
Avril Angers
Florence Avril Angers (18 April 1918 – 9 November 2005) was an English stand-up comedian and actress. The ''Daily Telegraph'' described her as "one of the most zestful, charming and reliable character comediennes in the postwar London theat ...
), but they end up arguing in front of her. Ken becomes depressed and admits to Wendy that he should not have left Deirdre for her. He then walks out on Wendy.
Twenty-two years later, Ken runs for the Chair of Governors at Bessie Street School and is shocked to learn Wendy is also a governor at the school. Things between them are initially awkward, but they go for a drink and agree to put the past behind them and focus on the school. Wendy tells Ken that a year after they parted, she married a man called Christos Papadopoulos and moved to Norfolk. However, Christos got sick and died fifteen years later, so Wendy moved back to Manchester. Now remarried to Deirdre, Ken initially tries to keep Wendy's return a secret from her, but she suspects something and follows him to Wendy's house. When Deirdre confronts Ken, he assures her the relationship is purely professional, with Deirdre reluctantly accepting this. However, Wendy later misconstrues Ken's friendliness and makes a pass at him. Ken politely but firmly turns her down, reasserting his love for Deirdre.
Sally Carman
Sally Carman-Duttine is an English actress. She is known for portraying the roles of Kelly Maguire in the Channel 4 comedy-drama series '' Shameless'' (2005–2013), and Abi Franklin in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' (2017–presen ...
) is placed under the supervision of Wendy - now an experienced foster carer - as part of her attempt to regain custody of her infant son, Alfie. Wendy is unnerved to hear Abi lives on Coronation Street and tries to hide her reluctance to accompany Abi to visit her husband, Kevin Webster ( Michael Le Vell). Abi notices Wendy is uncomfortable on the street, and is shocked when they run into Tracy and she is abusive to Wendy, demanding she stays away. Wendy later admits to Abi that she has 'history' with Ken. After being encouraged by Abi to go and see Ken, she pays a visit to No. 1 and the two agree to put things behind them and become friends. She later develops feelings for Ken and after realising that he feels the same way about her, they decide to rekindle their relationship. Following the return of Ken's ex-lover
Martha Fraser
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' in 2009, in order of first appearance.
Martha Fraser
Martha Fraser, portrayed by Stephanie Beacham, made her first appearance on 26 Janua ...
, she ends their relationship, having felt a lack of romance between them.
Reg Holdsworth
Reginald "Reg" Holdsworth, played by Ken Morley, made his first screen appearance on 25 October 1989.
Supermarket manager Reg was married to Veronica; however, she left him after discovering his affair with a store detective. Rather than slink off wounded into the sunset, Reg approached several of the single women of Coronation Street, starting with Rita Fairclough. They attended a couple of tea dances together and struck up a friendship. To secure his relationship with Rita, Reg rigged a trolley race at the supermarket so that Rita would be the winner. When Rita discovered this, she dropped him and donated the trolley race winnings to a local charity.
In 1993, Reg recognized his former girlfriend Maureen Naylor, stacking shelves at Bettabuy. They had first met in Llandudno in 1968 and fell in love. Now, after 25 years, they began a new relationship. However, Maureen's mother,
Maud Grimes
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' in 1993, by order of first appearance.
Maureen Holdsworth
Maureen Webster (also Grimes, Naylor, Holdsworth and Elliott) was played by S ...
, had always disliked Reg, and tried to break up their relationship. Reg, desperate to consummate the relationship, finally lured Maureen to his waterbed, which burst and flooded the shop below. Reg and Maureen married in January 1994 and bought the corner shop from Alf Roberts for £68,000. Maureen managed the shop with her mother behind the till. The three lived in relative harmony - Reg as a member of the Square Dealers - until he was posted to Firman's Freezers to their Lowestoft branch, which meant a long commute. There he began another affair, with Yvonne Bannister. Reg left the street and a heartbroken Maureen behind, to start a new life with Yvonne who was pregnant with his child.
Morley later crossed over his role of Reg into the 1999 ''
Emmerdale
''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British soap opera that is broadcast on ITV1. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, ...
'' video spin-off ''Emmerdale: Don't Look Now! - The Dingles in Venice''. He also reprised the role in 2010 for the DVD special ''A Knight's Tale'', in which he worked for former colleague Curly Watts as an event planner at Tatlock Towers, a medieval castle and tourist attraction. He got sacked after an incident at the event, but was rehired again by Curly. He was attracted to Mary Taylor, who in a December 2010 episode received a Christmas card from him.
Liz McDonald
Liz McDonald, played by
Beverley Callard
Beverley Jane McEwan (''née'' Moxon; previously Atkinson, Sowden and Callard; born 28 March 1957) is an English actress, known for her role as Liz McDonald in the long-running ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' and Flo Henshaw in '' Two P ...
, made her first screen appearance on 27 October 1989. Callard previously appeared in ''Coronation Street'' as June Dewhurst in 1984. A few years later, Callard's agent called and told her that the soap's series producer, Mervyn Watson, wanted her to come in for an audition as he had remembered her. The actress won the regular role of the McDonald family matriarch, Liz. The character was married to Jim McDonald (
Charles Lawson
Quintin Charles Devenish "Charlie" Lawson (born 17 September 1959) is an actor, from Northern Ireland, who is best known for playing Jim McDonald on the long-running ITV soap opera, ''Coronation Street''.
Early life and education
Lawson was b ...
Simon Gregson
Simon Alan Gregory (born 2 October 1974), better known by his stage name, Simon Gregson, is an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Steve McDonald in the long-running ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' since 1989. He has re ...
) and
Andy
Andy may refer to:
People
* Andy (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters
* Horace Andy (born 1951), Jamaican roots reggae songwriter and singer born Horace Hinds
* Katja Andy (1907–2013), German-American pianist and pi ...
(
Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Marc Cochrane is an English actor, known for his role as Andy McDonald in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street''.
Career
Cochrane had appeared as an extra on TV for ''Coronation Streets production company, Granada TV, prior to hi ...
). During Liz's tenure, she endured being beaten up by Jim, divorce, catfights and numerous love affairs. The storylines made her "one of the Street's best-loved characters."
Jim McDonald
Steve McDonald
Steven James "Steve" McDonald, played by
Simon Gregson
Simon Alan Gregory (born 2 October 1974), better known by his stage name, Simon Gregson, is an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Steve McDonald in the long-running ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' since 1989. He has re ...
. The character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 6 December 1989. He arrived as part of the McDonald family introduced by producer Mervyn Watson along with his twin brother
Andy
Andy may refer to:
People
* Andy (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters
* Horace Andy (born 1951), Jamaican roots reggae songwriter and singer born Horace Hinds
* Katja Andy (1907–2013), German-American pianist and pi ...
(
Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Marc Cochrane is an English actor, known for his role as Andy McDonald in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street''.
Career
Cochrane had appeared as an extra on TV for ''Coronation Streets production company, Granada TV, prior to hi ...
) and parents
Liz
Liz is a female name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God's Promise". It is also a short form of Elizabeth, Elisabeth, Lisbeth, Lizanne, Liszbeth, Lizbeth, Lizabeth, Lyzbeth, Lisa, Lizette, Alyssa, and Eliza.
People
* Liz Balmaseda (born 1959), Pu ...
(
Beverley Callard
Beverley Jane McEwan (''née'' Moxon; previously Atkinson, Sowden and Callard; born 28 March 1957) is an English actress, known for her role as Liz McDonald in the long-running ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' and Flo Henshaw in '' Two P ...
Charles Lawson
Quintin Charles Devenish "Charlie" Lawson (born 17 September 1959) is an actor, from Northern Ireland, who is best known for playing Jim McDonald on the long-running ITV soap opera, ''Coronation Street''.
Early life and education
Lawson was b ...
). Steve's storylines include his many marriages to
Vicky Arden
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' in 1990, by order of first appearance.
Vicky McDonald
Vicky Arden (also McDonald) was played by Helen Warburton in 1990 and Chloe Newsome ...
(
Chloe Newsome
Chloe Newsome (born 1 December 1976) is an English actress who is best known for starring in the long-running ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', appearing on and off between 1991 and 1998. She was the second actress to portray the role of Vi ...
Suranne Jones
Sarah Anne Akers (née Jones; born 27 August 1978), known professionally as Suranne Jones, is an English actress and producer. She rose to prominence as Karen McDonald in ''Coronation Street'' between 2000 to 2004. Upon leaving, she furthered h ...
) twice,
Becky McDonald
Rebecca McDonald (also Granger) is a fictional character from the British soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Katherine Kelly. Becky was created by producer Tony Wood, and made her debut in the episode airing on 5 February 2006. Kelly w ...
Tracy Barlow
Tracy Lynette McDonald (also Barlow, Preston, Cropper and Langton) is a fictional character and a main antagonist from the British ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street''. She was born on-screen during the episode broadcast on 24 January 1977. ...
(
Kate Ford
Kate Ford (born 29 December 1976) is an English actress. She is known for her portrayal of Tracy Barlow in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' (2002–2007, 2010–present).
Ford was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. She attended Qu ...
) and
Michelle Connor
Michelle Connor (also McDonald) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', portrayed by former Hear'Say singer, Kym Marsh. The character first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 3 April 2006. ...
(
Kym Marsh
Kimberley Gail Ratcliff (''née'' Marsh, previously Ryder and Lomas; born 13 June 1976) is an English actress, television presenter and singer. In 2001, she won a place in the band Hear'Say as a result of appearing on the reality television ser ...
), as well as Tracy giving birth to his daughter Amy (Elle Mulvaney) and also depression. In September 2015 Gregson announced a break due to personal reasons, and Steve was off-screen from October 2015 to 22 April 2016 after going to
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
to visit Andy.
Andy McDonald
Andrew “Andy” McDonald, played by
Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Marc Cochrane is an English actor, known for his role as Andy McDonald in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street''.
Career
Cochrane had appeared as an extra on TV for ''Coronation Streets production company, Granada TV, prior to hi ...
, debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 6 December 1989. He was a regular character from 1989 until 1997, and made guest appearances in 2000, 2004, 2009
Andy was introduced as part of the McDonald family consisting of parents
Liz McDonald
Elizabeth 'Liz' McDonald (also Greenwood and Tomlin) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. She is portrayed by Beverley Callard. She made her first appearance on 27 October 1989. Callard opted to lea ...
(
Beverley Callard
Beverley Jane McEwan (''née'' Moxon; previously Atkinson, Sowden and Callard; born 28 March 1957) is an English actress, known for her role as Liz McDonald in the long-running ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' and Flo Henshaw in '' Two P ...
Charles Lawson
Quintin Charles Devenish "Charlie" Lawson (born 17 September 1959) is an actor, from Northern Ireland, who is best known for playing Jim McDonald on the long-running ITV soap opera, ''Coronation Street''.
Early life and education
Lawson was b ...
Simon Gregson
Simon Alan Gregory (born 2 October 1974), better known by his stage name, Simon Gregson, is an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Steve McDonald in the long-running ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' since 1989. He has re ...
). Cochrane and Gregson were chosen by producer Mervyn Watson and casting director James Bain from their school in Manchester. Teachers informed them of the chance to join the cast of ''Coronation Street'' and they had photographs taken of themselves. One week later they were called to attend an improvisation session with Callard and Lawson who had already been cast in the parental roles. They chose which two actors they liked the most from thirty that auditioned. While their characters are twins, Cochrane was one year older than Gregson.Little 1995, p. 197.
Cochrane told a reporter from ''
Look-in
''Look-in'' was a children's magazine centred on ITV's television programmes in the United Kingdom, and subtitled "The Junior ''TVTimes''". It ran from 9 January 1971 to 12 March 1994.nda bit of a rogue". Andy has "brains and knows it" but often he does not use them. He added that Andy "always enjoys himself, but hates to be told things. He's a sound character, a bit like me, but with brains." However, Andy got on the actor's nerves at times because he acts "like a wimp and never sticks up for himself". While he is gifted in the "brains department" he is easily led into trouble by Steve. Cochrane explained that the only way to end Andy's "problems" would to be given "a good steady girlfriend to sort him out". Gregson told the writer that "the good thing" about the McDonald brothers is that "they stick up for each other ..they get on most of the time".
Cochrane's first fight scene as Andy occurred when he and Steve clashed over a girl. The actor was sixteen at the time and he told Paul Byrne from the ''
Daily Mirror
The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily tabloid. Founded in 1903, it is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the title on its masthead was simply ''The Mirror''. It had an average daily print c ...
'' that it was his "first taste of proper action". The pair had "great fun" as they memorised fight sequence choreography to make it appear as though Andy and Steve were "having a real go at each other". Cochrane and Gregson ended up damaging the set during filming and incurred costs to the props department.
In one storyline Andy decides to drop out of university. But Jim was not happy with his son's decision and they argued. Cochrane told Rob Sharp in the book ''The Official 1997 Annual of Coronation Street'' that he loved arguing with Lawson during filming. He explained that Jim's attitude to his decision "infuriated Andy so much that he turned on his dad and branded him a failure". Cochrane enjoyed the scenes because he felt that it "really pushed" him as an actor.Sharp 1996, p. 15. Their relationship came under more strain when Andy began drinking which led his alcoholic father back into drinking. The scenes featured Jim challenging Andy to a drinking session. Cochrane told the ''Daily Mirror's'' Byrne that it "really frightened Andy to think his dad was going back on the bottle". The pair end up fighting, Crochane and Lawson had rehearsed the scene prior to the actual shoot. He said that he was "in awe" of Lawson's performance; during the shoot "the adrenaline was pumping" for Cochrane so much that he ripped Lawson's shirt.
In 1997, the serial's new producer axed the character during his revamp of the series. Cochrane was filming a scene in the Rovers Return when he was called in to see Park who informed him that he had lost his job. The actor was being paid £60000 to play Andy and he initially worried about his mortgage. He Byrne that Lawson, Callard and Gregson were supportive towards him after they read about his sacking in the national newspapers. Park informed Cochrane that Andy "was in a rut" and they were "struggling to find storylines" for him. Cochrane admitted that he was already aware of this because Andy "was too much of a goody two-shoes". Park suggested that the character needed a break from the series with possibility of a future return. The actor added that "looking at it now, I realise it is probably best for both me and the character."
He makes occasional returns to his former home, attending remarriage of his parents and the wedding of his twin brother, Steve, where he serves as best man. During his return in 2000 for his parents' wedding he has a
one-night stand
A one-night stand or one-night sex is a single sexual encounter in which there is an expectation that there shall be no further relations between the sexual participants. It draws its name from the common practice of a one-night stand, a single ...
with
Toyah Battersby
Toyah Habeeb (also Battersby) is a fictional character from the British soap opera ''Coronation Street'', played by Georgia Taylor. Toyah and her family were introduced to the serial by executive producer Brian Park in a bid to increase falling ...
(
Georgia Taylor
Georgia Taylor (born Claire Jackson; 26 February 1980) is an English actress. Her TV roles include Toyah Battersby in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' (1997–2003, 2016–present), Ruth Winters in the BBC One medical drama series ' ...
) and then when he returned in 2004 for Steve and
Karen
Karen may refer to:
* Karen (name), a given name and surname
* Karen (slang), a term and meme for a demanding woman displaying certain behaviors
People
* Karen people, an ethnic group in Myanmar and Thailand
** Karen languages or Karenic l ...
(
Suranne Jones
Sarah Anne Akers (née Jones; born 27 August 1978), known professionally as Suranne Jones, is an English actress and producer. She rose to prominence as Karen McDonald in ''Coronation Street'' between 2000 to 2004. Upon leaving, she furthered h ...
)'s wedding he is reprimanded by Toyah's mother
Janice Janice may refer to:
* Janice (given name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name)
* ''Janice & Abbey'', a reality TV series
* Processor codename of the Samsung Galaxy S Advance Android smartphone
* Janice, Łódź Voivodes ...
(
Vicky Entwistle
Victoria Entwistle (born 15 September 1968) is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Janice Battersby in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''.
Early life
Entwistle grew up in Accrington; her father owned a newsagen ...
).
In June 2008, Steve goes to Spain to visit Andy for their 34th birthday and returns to the Street in July. Andy does not appear on screen. In April 2009, Liz visits Andy after he has injured himself and stays there for several months. In 2009, Andy and Liz return to the Street for Steve and Becky ( Katherine Kelly)'s wedding. He leaves Weatherfield with his dad Jim McDonald (
Charles Lawson
Quintin Charles Devenish "Charlie" Lawson (born 17 September 1959) is an actor, from Northern Ireland, who is best known for playing Jim McDonald on the long-running ITV soap opera, ''Coronation Street''.
Early life and education
Lawson was b ...
) a week after the wedding.
Others
References
*
*
*
{{Coronation Street characters, year, state=expanded
1989
File:1989 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The Cypress structure collapses as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, killing motorists below; The proposal document for the World Wide Web is submitted; The Exxon Valdez oil tanker runs ...