Jerry Morton
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| Coronation Street character | ||||||||||||
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| Jerry Morton in 2007 | ||||||||||||
| Jerry Morton | ||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Michael Starke | |||||||||||
| Duration | 2007–2008 | |||||||||||
| First appearance | 18 March 2007 | |||||||||||
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| Date of birth | November 12, 1957 | |||||||||||
| Status | Divorced | |||||||||||
| Home | 6 Coronation Street | |||||||||||
| Occupation | Takeaway owner | |||||||||||
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Jerome "Jerry" Morton, played by Michael Starke, is a fictional character on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. He was introduced in March 2007. It was announced in April 2008 that Jerry and the rest of the Mortons would leave the show in Autumn 2008.
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[edit] Character creation and development
In February 2007, it was announced in various British media, that actor Michael Starke, best known for playing Thomas "Sinbad" Sweeney in the Channel 4 soap Brookside, would be joining the cast of Coronation Street as part of a new family, the Mortons.[1] Jerry Morton — the single father of four children — was being introduced as the owner of a fast food takeaway restaurant. The family has been described as "a brash bunch" and it was reported that a "lot of thought [went] into making them a hit family with the viewers...Everyone is always excited when a new character comes into the show but a whole family gives the writers opportunities and we're sure viewers will love the Mortons.... There’ll be some explosive episodes as the Mortons work their way into the hearts, minds and pockets of Weatherfield’s finest. They’re loud, brash and fun and will bring madness and mayhem to the cobbles."[2][3] The rest of the Mortons are Jerry's eldest daughter Jodie (Samantha Seager); his teenage twins Darryl and Mel (Jonathan Dixon and Emma Edmondson); youngest Kayleigh (Jessica Barden); and Grandad Morton (Rodney Litchfield).
Commenting on the role, actor Michael Starke said, "There are going to be parallels between them and other families but the show is so unique I'm hoping we'll create our own niche".[2] He has revealed that getting the part on Coronation Street at this stage in his career was "a dream... I pinch myself every morning. I think how many people would like to be playing my character? I'm the luckiest actor I know".[4]
[edit] Personality
Jerry Morton has been described as "a hard-working man who dotes on his family and has no qualms on dodging the taxman."[1] In an interview, actor Michael Starke has said that Jerry is very outgoing, pushy and totally in charge of his family, "what he says goes."[2] He goes on to say "His kids are the be-all-and-end-all and he'll do anything to support them and keep them going. He has his own set of morals in that respect.... He's not a put upon character... he's a go-getter. He thinks he's a lot younger than he is and he's got an idea of himself that no one else has - that's his talent, he uses it to the best of his ability."[4]
[edit] Storylines
During his first day on the street, Jerry annoyed the Platts by playing The Jam at full volume, followed with a small flirtation with Gail Platt. Later the same day, he officially opened his new take-away business, managing to negotiate the price of the neon sign by claiming it was a different colour than what he had ordered, which was in fact a lie and resulted in him claiming a 40% discount off the original price.
Jerry has won round most of the street with his friendly, charming nature although is having difficultly with Gail, who seems to secretly have a soft spot for Jerry. Jerry is a firm but fair dad, showing his disapproval of Kayleigh and Wilfred's scams and Darryl and Mel tricking Liz McDonald into thinking they were 18 already in order for them to buy alcohol, the week before their birthday.
Even though Jerry tries his best he is naive when it comes to his children's whereabouts and who is looking after them. His daughter was more like a surrogate mother for her siblings, having to look after them as well as run the kebab shop, while he preferred to sit in the Rovers having a pint. This was one of the reasons Jodie left because he ruined her chances of having a relationship with taxi driver Lloyd Mullaney.
He then developed an interest in Eileen Grimshaw and the two went out on a number of dates lasting over a couple of months. After his daughter Jodie left the street he began bringing Eileen over to the family home instead of taking her out. She ended their relationship, feeling as if she was like a surrogate mother to his children and surprisingly to her, Jerry took it really well.
On 28 May 2008, Roy was robbed by three thugs who had previously robbed The Kabin. Jerry and Darryl heard the commotion and gave chase, with Darryl racing ahead and Jerry slumping down against a wall in pain. He went to the Rovers for a drink claiming he was just out of breath, however, he later had a heart attack in the Rovers bathroom. He was found by Lloyd Mullaney, Ken Barlow and Roger Stiles who called an ambulance. He was taken to hospital to find out the location of the clot, but was later exasperated to find ex-wife Teresa Bryant was around after Kayleigh contacted her, believing that the family needed help.
[edit] References
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