List of Coronation Street characters (1960)

Coronation Street characters
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964
1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011

Coronation Street is a British soap opera, initially produced by Granada Television. Created by writer Tony Warren, Coronation Street first broadcast on ITV on 9 December 1960. The following is a list of characters introduced by Warren upon the series' inception, by order of first appearance.

These characters include flame-haired siren Elsie Tanner (played by Patricia Phoenix), staunch, up-tight battleaxe Ena Sharples (Violet Carson), typically middle class landlady Annie Walker (Doris Speed), grumpy war veteran Albert Tatlock (Jack Howarth) and university graduate Ken Barlow (William Roache) - all of whom would go on to star in the series for twenty years or more. Also in the original line-up was loveable rogue Dennis Tanner (Philip Lowrie), who is significant for his 43-year gap between appearances. As of 2011, Lowrie and Roache still appear and are the only two characters from 1960 remaining in the cast.

Other significant characters to appear this year include Elsie Lappin (Maudie Edwards), the original owner of the Corner shop and most famous for speaking the first words on the show,[1] Susan Cunningham (Patricia Shakesby), Ken's first girlfriend and the subject of a 2010 storyline in which it was discovered she had later given birth to his son, and May Hardman (Joan Heath), who became the first character to die in the series on 30 December.[1]

Contents


Elsie Tanner

Main article: Elsie Tanner

Ermintrude Tanner

Main article: Dennis Tanner

Linda Cheveski

Linda Cheveski
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Anne Cunningham
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Stuart Latham
Duration 1960–1961, 1962–1963, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1984
First appearance 9 December 1960
Episode 1
Last appearance 20 June 1984
Episode 2423
Classification Former; regular
Book appearances Coronation Street: The Complete Saga
Spin-off appearances The Life and Loves of Elsie Tanner (1987)
Profile
Date of birth 10 January 1940
Home Birmingham

Linda Cheveski (née Tanner) is played by actress Anne Cunningham between 1960 and 1984. The character was created by series creator Tony Warren as part of the original cast, and she appears in the first episode along with family members including her mother, aging 'good-time girl' Elsie Tanner and her 'lovable rogue' brother Dennis. She is later joined by her Polish husband Ivan, and the young couple are central to early storylines as they cope with Linda's pregnancy affecting their marriage.

Cunningham was written out after a year due to a strike at the actor's union Equity preventing new contracts being signed,[2] and the actress chose not to return when the strike ended. This has thus far proved to be Cunningham's last appearance as a member of the regular cast, but she has returned for several short stints since, most recently in 1984.

Storylines

Linda Cheveski first appears in turmoil in the show's first episode, as she has recently left her husband Ivan. Linda's mother Elsie is curious to find out why, and the locals including gossip Ena Sharples take delight in discussing what could be going on. It is later revealed that Linda is pregnant, and as Ivan had been vocal about his desire to wait until the time is right before starting a family, Linda thinks that he wouldn't want their child. With the secret out in the open, the Cheveskis sort out their differences and reconcile. They welcome a son in June 1961, whom they name Paul.

At the end of the year, the Cheveskis make the decision to move abroad to Canada to start a new life as a family. Linda and family return the following year to celebrate Christmas with Elsie, and make further visits a few years later, including for Elsie's wedding to Steve Tanner in 1967. Linda makes her last appearance in 1984, when she returns to sort out the sale of Elsie's house after her mother abruptly leaves the country with her former lover Bill Gregory. Linda reveals that her marriage is over and she makes a pass at Bill Webster, who knocks her back and she leaves Weatherfield again.

Frank Barlow

Main article: Frank Barlow (Coronation Street)

Ida Barlow

Main article: Ida Barlow

Ken Barlow

Main article: Ken Barlow

David Barlow

David Barlow
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Alan Rothwell
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Stuart Latham (1960)
Margaret Morris (1963)
H.V. Kershaw (1964, 1965)
Duration 1960–1961, 1963, 1964–1968
First appearance 9 December 1960
Episode 1
Last appearance 10 April 1968
Episode 764
Classification Former; regular
Book appearances Coronation Street: The Complete Saga
Coronation Street: The War Years
Profile
Date of birth 4 July 1942
Date of death 8 April 1970
Occupation Footballer

David Barlow was played by Alan Rothwell for a period of eight years between 1960 and 1968.

In 1961, David is an apprentice engineer but he wants to pursue a career in football. He signs for Weatherfield County FC and in his first match he scores the only goal. He is one of the team's best players and in June a second division London team want to transfer David and offer £1,000 to sign him. David leaves Weatherfield to play for the team and doesn't return until 1963, except for a brief trip up for Ida's funeral, which he watches from afar. By 1963, he is quite well off financially and doesn't fit in with the locals.

He next visits in Christmas 1964 and stays with Ken and his wife Valerie. He doesn't tell them that he is suspended from playing for accepting a bribe, but by February is cleared. He is off the field again in April after tearing a ligament, and stays with the Barlows so he can date Irma Ogden, who he started seeing during his previous visit. By now, Frank has moved away, and Ken is David's only family in the area. David announces he is retiring from football but takes a job as player coach for Weatherfield Athletics. He is also contracted to write for a football gossip column in Weatherfield Advertiser.

David proposes to Irma Ogden. Fun-loving Irma is flattered by David's interest in her and is receptive to his advances. He wants to move the relationship to the next level and asks her to marry him when the street residents go on a trip to the Blue John Mines. Irma accepts.

David has big plans for them to move to Cheshire and Irma's parents are keen for her to have a well-off lifestyle as the Ogdens had always struggled with money. Irma's parents are an old-fashioned couple and her father Stan hits Irma when he finds David in Irma's bedroom. David convinces Irma they should marry quietly and without telling their families, but everybody finds out anyway and surprise them by showing up for a reception.

While playing at a charity football match, David is injured and rushed to hospital, where he is told by the Doctor that he won't be able to play football again. The newlyweds have to cancel their plans to buy a house as he can't continue at the club. With his football career over, he considers a factory job but hesitates as it is such a step down. Irma convinces him it might be a better idea to buy the Corner Shop on Coronation Street as owner Lionel Petty is selling. At first he is too proud to accept living in Coronation Street, which causes a brief split between him and Irma. Ken's wife Valerie talks David round, telling him marriage is sometimes difficult and he has to put the effort in.

David has trouble getting to know the Ogdens. In 1966, Irma leaves the shop to work in the PVC factory across the street as shop work bores her, and David is lumbered with free-loading Hilda Ogden as shop assistant. David is never happy in the shop as it is typically where the women of the Street go to share gossip. Irma soon returns to work in the shop.

In 1967, David considers standing for Council elections, but Irma hates the idea and he eventually decides not to go through with it. New wife Irma tells David she wants to have a baby. She gets pregnant the same year, but has a miscarriage. David reminds Irma that they can try again but Irma is devastated and is convinced this means she can't have children. David is fraught about how to make Irma happy, and goes to an adoption agency to see if that is an option for them. David still hopes Irma will change her mind but at Christmas the couple foster Jill Morris for a few days.

By 1968, David is rapidly growing tired of the shop, and aspires to return to football, still being young enough to have a good career ahead of him. Despite his earlier injury, he plays a game, and his leg is fine. He takes this as a sign that he might just be able to return to the sport full-time, for a team in Australia, but Irma is against it—the prospect of living somewhere where they don't know anyone appeals to David much more than it does to Irma. However, when David is offered the position he wants, he takes it and sets about selling the shop. To interest potential buyers, he has an article published in the Gazette but the article makes it seem as though David and Irma are emigrating because streets like Coronation Street are beneath them. Maggie Clegg eventually buys the shop.

In 1970, the Barlows and their son Darren are involved in a car crash. David dies instantly and Darren dies in hospital the next day from his injuries, but Irma survives and returns to Weatherfield shortly after the crash.

Elsie Lappin

Elsie Lappin
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Maudie Edwards
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960
First appearance 9 December 1960
Episode 1
Last appearance 14 December 1960
Episode 2
Classification Former; guest

Elsie Lappin is the original owner of the Corner Shop on Coronation Street. She speaks the first words in the show, when she is explaining the ins and outs of the shop and its customers to Florrie Lindley, with whom she becomes friendly. Once Elsie hands over the lease to the shop to Florrie, she leaves the Street.[3]

Elsie Lappin (née Castleway, previously Foyle) is the owner of the Corner Shop in Coronation Street from 1945 to 1960. A variety singer in her youth, Elsie's singing days end when she injures her vocal chords at twenty-three. In 1930, she marries widower Tommy Foyle and runs the Corner Shop in Coronation Street with him until his death in 1945. They have two children together, Hilda and Shelagh. Elsie enjoys working behind the counter and takes over the running of the shop when Tommy is confined to bed after a stroke. When rationing laws are in place during World War II, Elsie helps her neighbours by buying black market goods to supplement their allotments. Elsie's scheme is rumbled by the police and she is fined.

The war ends on 8 May 1945, but as the other Street residents celebrate, the Foyles mourn the passing of Tommy who dies from a heart attack. An invalid in his later years, Tommy urges Elsie to remarry so she won't have to run the shop alone after his death, and although she can cope perfectly well at the shop, Elsie does get married again, to Les Lappin in 1947. Elsie is a widow again in 1952 when Les dies from a heart attack.

Hilda and Shelagh remain at the shop until 1957 and in 1960 Elsie decides to retire. Buying a bungalow at Knott End, she sells the shop to Florrie Lindley. After the sale, Elsie remains for a few days to show Florrie the tricks of the trade and warn her about the neighbours. She is never seen again, despite being a popular and much loved resident on the street for over 30 years. She dies in 1991.

Florrie Lindley

Florrie Lindley
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Betty Alberge
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–1965
First appearance 9 December 1960
Episode 1
Last appearance 2 June 1965
Episode 467
Classification Former; regular

Shy, retiring Florrie is a barmaid at the Farrier's Arms on Collier Street before moving to Coronation Street in 1960, buying the Corner Shop from Elsie Lappin and renaming it "Lindley's Provisions". She is worried about moving to a place where she doesn't know anyone, and tells the neighbours that she is a widow, when in fact she is separated from Norman Lindley who has left for engineering work in India. Her first few days in the shop are marred when she is caught by the police selling firelighters after closing time. She is fined £1 in court, but she is mainly worried about the local newspaper carrying the story and sullying her reputation.

Florrie settles in well, making a few friends such as Elsie Tanner and Albert Tatlock, and she hopes romance would be on the horizon with widower Harry Hewitt, but he is largely oblivious to her interest and ends up marrying barmaid Concepta Riley. She has no close friends in the street and usually goes to the bingo when she is lonely.

Sometimes Florrie has trouble paying her suppliers, so to generate a regular source of income, Florrie rents out the flat above the shop, while she lives in the accommodation behind the shop. The first tenants are Phil Braithwaite and Norman Dobson, and they are followed by Sheila Birtles and Doreen Lostock.

In 1962 Florrie and Elsie go on a few blind dates together. Elsie is more experienced at dating than Florrie, and still acts youthful, when actually both are the same age. Florrie ends up seeing Frank Barlow when they are both stood up, but they keep their meetings secret at first as Frank is also recently widowed. His intentions are never more than honourable and it soon dawns on Florrie that Frank wants them to be just close friends. Florrie pours her heart out to him but he still won't open up to her and he later admits that he isn't interested in her romantically. To save face, Florrie says that she feels the same. They remain friends. After one trip to the bingo with Emily Nugent in 1963, Florrie wins £100 but is mugged. She is relieved when Jerry Booth gets her handbag back.

In 1964, Florrie decides to make some changes to the shop, and opens a sub post office, and moving the door to stop the draughts. She takes on Dennis Tanner as assistant, but he isn't up to the job and is replaced by Irma Ogden. However, she is trying to distract herself from the loneliness she feels and occasionally she lashes out at Irma. One particularly bad day sees Florrie have a breakdown in the shop and throw a tin through the shop window, and collapse in a sobbing heap. Shortly afterward things pick up as Florrie returns to the shop against her Doctor's orders and she starts seeing Irishman Tickler Murphy. Tickler is interested in the shop, and keeps up the relationship until Florrie starts talking about marriage, too soon apparently as he is afraid of commitment and flees back to Ireland.

In 1965, Florrie's estranged husband Norman Lindley tracks her down and appears at the shop, seeking a reconciliation. The neighbours are stunned that Florrie isn't a widow as she had always claimed. Florrie isn't sure how to react to him, as he said if she didn't go to Canada with him they might as well get a divorce. Norman's head is turned by Elsie Tanner, and they go out while Norman labours under the impression that Florrie is going to turn him down. Florrie deliberates over it but eventually goes to Canada with Norman after all.

Florrie is mentioned by friends a few times after her departure from the Street. In 1967, she sends a telegram to congraulate Elsie on her wedding to Steve Tanner. Emily Bishop mentions Florrie when she dies in 1991 and Ken Barlow mentions her name in 2007 while in the Corner Shop, now the domain of Dev Alahan.

Ena Sharples

Main article: Ena Sharples

Annie Walker

Main article: Annie Walker

Albert Tatlock

Main article: Albert Tatlock

Susan Cunningham

Susan Cunningham
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Patricia Shakesby
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–61
First appearance 9 December 1960
Episode 1
Last appearance 6 January 1961
Episode 9
Classification Former; guest
Book appearances Coronation Street: The Complete Saga
Profile
Date of death Late 2000s

Susan Cunningham attends university with Ken Barlow and becomes his first girlfriend. She appears in the very first episode of Coronation Street and makes her last appearance in early 1961. Ken and Susan break up due to their backgrounds being so far apart.

Almost fifty years have passed in 2010 when newsagent Norris Cole, who now lives in the Barlow family's former home, finds a letter under his skirting board addressed to Ken from Susan in which Susan states that she was willing to give things another go. Upon reading the letter, Ken attempts to track down Susan and finds that she died a few years earlier, but also makes the shock discovery that they shared a son, Lawrence, born eight months after the pair split in 1961.

Ivan Cheveski

Ivan Cheveski
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Ernst Walder
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–1961, 1962–1963, 1966, 1967
First appearance 14 December 1960
Episode 2
Last appearance 27 December 1967
Episode 734
Classification Former; regular
Book appearances Coronation Street: The Complete Saga

Ivan Cheveski played by actor Ernst Walder until 1967. He is a Coronation Street resident in the early 1960s, and the husband of Elsie Tanner's daughter Linda. He and Linda originally move to Warrington but buy a house in Coronation Street when Linda wants to be closer to her family. Ivan, Linda and their newborn son Paul move to Canada in 1961, making the occasional visit to Weatherfield on their return to the UK in 1966.

Born in Poland, Ivan and his family leave their home during the war as Ivan's grandparents' shop is burned down by the Nazis when they are found to be harbouring a Jewish doctor. After the war, Ivan emigrates to the UK, and finds a home in Warrington with his uncle Rizhard. On 1 April 1958, Ivan marries 18-year-old Linda Tanner and the pair settle in Warrington. Hard-working Ivan sees it as his duty to provide for his wife and prefers that Linda doesn't work. Linda flees to her home town Weatherfield to stay with her mum Elsie Tanner, telling her she isn't returning to Ivan, but when he follows her to get her back, she admits she is pregnant. Ivan is thrilled and agrees to stay in Coronation Street—the couple move into 9 Coronation Street, and Ivan buys it.

While Linda and Elsie prepare the house for the baby, Ivan concentrates on money. He works in Warrington, and keeps up the job while living in Weatherfield. For extra money, he takes an evening job as potman at the Rovers Return Inn. Linda convinces Ivan to take a day job in Weatherfield, at an ironworks.

In June 1961, Linda gives birth to a baby boy—Ivan wants to name him Rizard after his uncle, but they settle on Paul.

The new parents are worried when Paul develops a lingering chesty cough, and it makes them realise how unhealthy living the inner city is. When Ivan receives a letter from one of his workmates in Canada, he becomes taken with the standard of living his friend had and when offered a job that would see him earn just as much as his friend, Ivan convinces Linda that they should emigrate. Linda agrees, for better or worse, and the family move.

The Cheveskis make several return visits to Weatherfield, including once for Christmas in 1962 and again in 1966 when Ivan has set his mind on moving to Birmingham. The marriage is in crisis as Linda had had an affair with a Canadian and returned to Weatherfield. Ivan gets a job in Birmingham and waits for Linda to come to her senses. It takes an accident in which Paul falls into a canal to bring Ivan up to Weatherfield, and the Cheveskis get back together after all. Ivan is furious when he finds out councillor Len Fairclough has voted against the erection of a fence by the canal, and hits him when drunk, blaming him for what could easily have killed his son.

Ivan and Linda have a second son, Martin, in 1964 and stay in Birmingham, next visiting for Elsie's wedding to Steve Tanner in 1967.

In 1984, Ivan and Linda split up, apparently for good.

Christine Appleby

Main article: Christine Appleby

Harry Hewitt

Harry Hewitt
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Ivan Beavis
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–1964, 1965, 1967
First appearance 14 December 1960
Episode 2
Last appearance 6 September 1967
Episode 702
Classification Former; regular
Book appearances Coronation Street: The Complete Saga
Profile
Date of death 6 September 1967

Harry Hewitt is played by actor Ivan Beavis. Bus conductor Harry is introduced as a single parent to Lucille Hewitt, who he had put into an orphanage after his wife died. When his sister, Alice Burgess, comes to stay, he decides that Lucille should stay with him. After Alice leaves, Harry finds love with Concepta Riley, who gives birth to Christopher Hewitt. There is a panic when Christopher is kidnapped, but Elsie Tanner finds out who the culprit is, Joan Akers. Concepta then becomes worried with Christoper's health, and after much nagging Harry, Concepta and Christopher move to Ireland. However, Lucille decides to stay and sit her exams, but stays for later than planned in the end. Harry, Concepta and Christopher return in 1967, but Harry dies after his van falls on him when the jack slips.

Esther Hayes

Esther Hayes
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Daphne Oxenford
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–1961, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972
First appearance 14 December 1960
Episode 2
Last appearance 5 April 1972
Episode 1171
Classification Former; regular

Esther Hayes is played by Daphne Oxenford. Esther lives at Number 5 Coronation Street, she is a spinster who has looked after her family and was living alone by December 1960. Esther was a kind and friendly person who would come to the aid of anyone who had a problem. During her time on the street she was a listening ear to the likes of Christine Hardman, Ken Barlow and Lucille Hewitt, she moved into a luxury flat on the other side of Weatherfield in 1962, although she returned to the street for different occasions, her last visit was for the wedding of Emily Nugent and Ernest Bishop in 1972.

Jack Walker

Jack Walker
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Arthur Leslie
Created by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–70
First appearance 14 December 1960
Episode 2
Last appearance 24 June 1970
Episode 983
Book appearances Coronation Street:
The Complete Saga
Coronation Street:
The War Years
Profile
Date of birth 26 April 1901
Date of death 8 July 1970
Occupation Pub landlord (former)

John "Jack" Walker is portrayed by Arthur Leslie between 1960 and 1970. Jack was born on 26 April, 1901 in Accrington, Lancashire. He was born to parents Joan and Amos, who was a veterinarian. Jack married the love of his life Annie Beaumont in 1937, and shortly afterward the couple bought the Rovers Return Inn. They ran it together and Annie fell pregnant and gave birth to a son, Billy, in 1938 and later a daughter Joan, the apple of Jack's eye. Jack soon had to go and fight for his country in the Second World War and Annie was left to run the pub on her own until Jack returned. Jack was a long-suffering husband as Annie was a snob and saw herself as a more educated person than the rest of the people on Coronation Street, Jack had to put up with Annie's antics and enjoyed watching his daughter Joan marry in 1961.

Jack and Annie were also offered the Royal Oak by the brewery but the decided that their heart belonged in the Rovers Return. In 1964, Annie left Jack after she suspected him of cheating on her. Jack remained calm as he knew that her accusations were untrue and he had not been having an affair. Annie soon realised her error and returned to the Rovers. Three years later, Annie again suspected that Jack was having an affair, this time with Elsie Tanner, in 1967, but Annie had incorrectly interpreted the situation as Jack wanted Elsie to make some clothing for Annie. Jack also helped his good friend Ena Sharples recover from the death of her daughter in 1967.

In 1969, the residents of Coronation Street arranged a trip but the coach crashed and Jack was left in a bad way, which left Annie in tears. But Jack recovered in time to serve behind the bar again. Jack and Annie had run the Rovers for 33 years when Jack fell ill and went to stay with his daughter Joan in Derby. Jack died of a heart attack while staying at Joan's house after a bout of ill health. His death occurred happened off-screen, the result of actor Arthur Leslie dying. At the time his death was a huge shock as Jack was the first major character on Coronation Street to have to be written out because of an actor's death. Jack left a devastated street of residents and a heartbroken wife, but as Jack would've wanted, the Rovers remained open and Annie continued to be landlady for another thirteen years.

Martha Longhurst

Martha Longhurst
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Lynne Carol
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Stuart Latham
Duration 1960–1964
First appearance 14 December 1960
Episode 2
Last appearance 13 May 1964
Episode 357
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Date of birth 2 September 1899
Date of death 13 May 1964
Occupation Cleaner

'Martha Longhurst (née Hartley) is a fictional character on the UK television ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She is played by Lynne Carol from the show's inception in 1960 until her controversial death in 1964.[3]

In 1960 Martha and Ena Sharples argued over Martha's decision to take Ena's old job as the caretaker at the Mission Hall, and, in 1963, Martha became resident cleaner for the Rover's Return. In 1964, Australian millionaire Ted Ashley returned to Weatherfield for the first time in 50 years, and, in a last ditch pathetic attempt to find love, Martha threw herself at him, only to be rejected at a subsequent date in London. In May 1964, Martha was invited on her first foreign holiday abroad—a week-long trip to the Costa del Sol with her daughter and family. Though she was invited so she could babysit her grandchildren, Martha was thrilled at the prospect (despite being chided as being frivolous by Ena), and, on the night before her departure, celebrated her holiday in the snug with her friend Ena, (Minnie was away). During the celebration, the Street residents gathered to wave off another long-time favourite, Frank Barlow. During a sing-a-long organised to bid him farewell, Martha collapsed and died of a heart attack, just hours before she was due to travel to Spain.

The 1964 episode of her death, however, was not the last time Martha Longhurst featured in a Coronation Street storyline. Over 10 years after her death, Betty Turpin, barmaid at the Rovers Return, reported hearing a voice like Martha's in the snug. Ena Sharples claimed later in the storyline that she had seen the ghost of Martha Longhurst in the snug on several occasions. The residents used a ouija board to try and call Martha from beyond the grave. The storyline concluded with Martha's glasses being found in the Snug of the Rovers Return, in the exact position they were when they toppled off her face as she suffered a heart attack at the same table ten years previously. This was referenced again almost 40 years later, on 2 September 2011, when Dennis Tanner joked that a mysterious voice Roy Cropper could hear was "Martha Longhurst's ghost".

Minnie Caldwell

Minnie Caldwell
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Margot Bryant
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Stuart Latham
Duration 1960–1976
First appearance 14 December 1960
Episode 2
Last appearance 7 April 1976
Episode 1589
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Date of birth 26 September 1900
Date of death Prior to 2008
Home Whaley Bridge
Occupation Mill Worker

Minnie Caldwell (née Carlton) is one of the original characters in the long-running British soap opera, Coronation Street.

Minnie, played by Margot Bryant from 1960 to 1976, was a timid and lovable elderly woman who went about with the more dominant characters of Martha Longhurst and Ena Sharples. Minnie was known to be very indecisive, which often led Ena to label her as slow-witted or "daft".

From 1960 to 1962, Minnie lived with her bossy mother, Amy Carlton. When Amy died, Minnie moved from Jubilee Terrace to No 5 Coronation Street, where she lived with her cat, Bobby. Bobby, an orange tabby, was played by many cats over the years, and a storyline was created to explain the obvious differences in appearance: another character, Albert Tatlock, had accidentally killed the real Bobby in 1969 and replaced him so as not to upset Minnie.

Minnie considered marrying Albert in 1974 but realised that she would be financially burdened by Albert, as Ena told her that she would receive just £1,250 for a married couple while she already received £775 in pensions as a single occupant. She also found that Albert annoyed her considerably. It was the usually indecisive Minnie who called off their engagement, ending what became one of the Street's best-remembered early storylines.

An old flame, Handel Gartside (Harry Markham), came back to woo her in 1970 after he had made much money in a business venture in Quebec. She flirted with him for a while but he was eventually driven off by crooked business with Billy Walker (son of Annie Walker). In 1970, Minnie's old lodger, Joe Donnelli, came back to the Street and held her at gunpoint, as he became nervous about being prosecuted for the murder of Steve Tanner. Stan Ogden came to Minnie's house, ready to fight with Joe as he had had a dalliance with his daughter Irma. Joe made Stan sing Christmas carols at gunpoint, and eventually Joe shot and killed himself.

In 1976, Handel Gartside returned and Minnie accepted his offer to live with him in Whaley Bridge. She left her friend Ena and was never seen on the programme again.

In 2008, former lodger Jed Stone reappeared after an absence of over 42 years, clutching a cat, as Minnie often had, and with a framed photo of her in his home. He and Emily Bishop talked about her briefly, where Jed mentioned that he had regretted getting arrested on Minnie's birthday in 1966. Jed also has a box containing photos of him and Minnie.

Its unknown when exactly Minnie died, but was dead by 2008, when Jed Stone visited her grave.

Leonard Swindley

Main article: Leonard Swindley

May Hardman

May Hardman
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Joan Heath
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960
First appearance 16 December 1960
Episode 3
Last appearance 30 December 1960
Episode 7
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Date of death 30 December 1960

May Hardman (née Mason) is the first resident of number 13 Coronation Street along with her daughter Christine Hardman. Prior to the series' start May had spent a few weeks in a psychiatric hospital, but when she returns home in the third episode she starts suffering headaches and eventually dies in her own home on New Year's Eve, in the seventh episode, from what is discovered to be a brain tumour. This is the first death in the history of Coronation Street.[4]

Lucille Hewitt

Lucille Hewitt
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Jennifer Moss
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–1961, 1962–1968, 1969–1974
First appearance 21 December 1960
Episode 4
Last appearance 1 July 1974
Episode 1404
Classification Former; regular
Book appearances Coronation Street: The Complete Saga
Profile
Date of birth 4 May 1949
Home Ireland

Lucille Hewitt is the daughter of widowed bus conductor Harry Hewitt and is the Street's only child character at the show's inception. Lucille had spent several years in an orphanage, but ran away to see her father for Christmas and never went back. In 1961, Harry marries barmaid Concepta Riley and the following year she gives birth to a half-brother for Lucille, Christopher. When Christopher goes missing, a jealous Lucille is blamed. By 1964 the Hewitts had decided to move to Ireland, due the sacking of the actors who played Harry and Concepta. However, Lucille was kept in the series, it is believed due to the intervention of Granada Television boss Cecil Bernstein who thought it would be ridiculous to have a street with no children. In the storyline, Lucille refuses to go to Ireland and she is fostered by Jack and Annie Walker.

By the end of 1968, Lucille is engaged to Gordon Clegg. A wedding is planned for the following year but the storyline had to be dropped when actor Bill Kenwright, who played Gordon, quit the show. Lucille remained at the Rovers Return where she lived with the Walkers, but by 1973 Lucille had tired of Annie's interference. She leaves The Rovers and moves in with Elsie Howard. Lucille leaves the street in 1974 to live in Ireland with her former stepmother Concepta after Gordon returned to the area and she was never seen again.

Concepta Regan

Concepta Regan
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Doreen Keogh
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–1964, 1967, 1972, 1975
First appearance 23 December 1960
Episode 5
Last appearance 31 December 1975
Episode 1561
Classification Former; regular
Book appearances Coronation Street: The Complete Saga
Profile
Date of birth 15 January 1926
Residence Ireland
Occupation Barmaid

Concepta Regan (née Riley; previously Hewitt) was one of the original characters in Coronation Street, played by Doreen Keogh. Concepta came to Weatherfield from Ireland, and became a resident barmaid at the Rover's Return. Jack and Annie Walker looked upon her as a daughter. In 1961 she started a relationship with Harry Hewitt and after a trip to Blackpool Harry proposed; they married later that year, and Concepta moved into Number 7 Coronation Street with Harry and his daughter Lucille. Harry and Concepta had a son, Christopher, born in 1962. Concepta's biggest storyline in the show was in 1962 when Christopher was kidnapped. The Hewitts decided to move to Ireland in 1964, leaving Lucille in the care of Jack and Annie Walker. Concepta and Harry returned to Weatherfield in 1967 for Elsie Tanner's wedding to Steve Tanner. During their visit to Weatherfield, Harry was killed when the jack slipped and a van under which he was working fell on him. A devastated Concepta returned to Ireland with Christopher. In 1972, Concepta visited Annie and Lucille to tell them that she was getting married to Sean Regan, whom she had met in Ireland. In 1975, the Regans made another visit to Coronation Street, where Sean made a pass at Bet Lynch. Bet threatened to tell Concepta but Annie talked her out of it. Concepta left Weatherfield for the last time unaware of what her husband had done.

Harry Bailey

Harry Bailey
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Ray Mort
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–1961, 1962, 1964
First appearance 23 December 1960
Episode 5
Last appearance 16 November 1964
Episode 410
Classification Former; recurring

Harry Bailey (originally credited as Ron Bailey) is an insurance agent who originally arrives in the Street to investigate May Hardman's health, but usually spends most of his day in the Rovers. He returns briefly in 1962 with a different forename, but no explanation is given for the change. In his final stint in 1964 it transpires that he is in a relationship with Len Fairclough's wife Nellie, who subsequently leaves her husband and the pair flee to Nottingham with Nellie's son Stanley. Harry and Nellie later marry off-screen.

Vera Lomax

Vera Lomax
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Ruth Holden
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960, 1961, 1963, 1966–1967
First appearance 23 December 1960
Episode 5
Last appearance 16 January 1967
Episode 635
Classification Former; recurring
Profile
Date of birth 19 March 1921
Date of death 16 January 1967

Vera Lomax (Played by Ruth Holden) is the daughter of Ena Sharples. Vera pays occasional visits to her mother, but doesn't see her half as much as Ena would have liked, not that she would admit it. At Christmas 1966 Vera makes her last visit, she is suffering from a terminal brain tumour which only Ena knows about. Vera dies a month later, leaving Ena devastated.

In 2004, decades after her death, Norris Cole believes The Kabin is haunted by her ghost. The Kabin stands on the same site as the mission of Glad Tidings. A seance is held, but Norris later discovers the "haunting" is caused by damp.

Malcolm Wilkinson

Malcolm Wilkinson
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Antony Booth
Created by Tony Warren
Introduced by Tony Warren
Duration 1960–1961
First appearance 23 December 1960
Episode 5
Last appearance 4 January 1961
Episode 8
Classification Former; guest

Malcolm Wilkinson dates Christine Hardman for a few weeks in 1960 until his decision to stay away following the death of Christine's mother May leads to her ending the relationship.

Others

Character Date(s) Episode(s) Actor Circumstances
Policeman 14 December
15 May 1961
9 August 1961		 2; 44; 69 Bill Croasdale An undercover policeman who reported Florrie Lindley for breaking licensing laws at the Corner Shop by selling firelighters to them after 7pm.
Policewoman 14 December 2 Penelope Davis An undercover policewoman who reported Florrie Lindley for breaking licensing laws at the Corner Shop by selling firelighters to them after 7pm.
Children 16 December 3 Pamela Barnett
Sam Clarkson
Doreen Jones
Anthony Lees
Jennifer Smet
Howard Sutcliffe		 A group of children who sang Cliff Richard's Living Doll in the street. When Christine Hardman told them to move on, they taunted her about her mother's recent stay in hospital.
Day Nurse 23–28 December 5–6 Christine Shaw A nurse who tends to Ena Sharples during a stay in hospital.
Night Nurse 23–28 December 5–6 Louise Jervis Another of Ena's nurses during her stay in hospital.
Children 23–28 December 5–6 Elisabeth Butler
Joy Nicholson		 A couple of schoolgirls seen playing by the Mission Hall.
St John's Church Choir 23–28 December 5–6 St John's Church Choir A choir who sang Christmas carols at the hospital before Ena Sharples, and again on Coronation Street.
Dr Tinsley 30 December – 13 January 1961 7–11 Cyril Luckham The local GP, Dr Tinsley attends to Ena Sharples after she discharges herself from hospital without the doctor's permission. He is later called to see to Albert Tatlock after a sudden collapse in January 1961.

References

  1. ^ a b Ogelthorpe, Tom (3 September 2010). "Coronation Street 50th birthday: 124 deaths (including 16 murders), 86 marriages, 52 barmaids - 'ey oop chuck, it's 50 years of Corrie". Mail Online. Daily Mail and General Trust. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1308570/Coronation-Street-50th-birthday-124-deaths-86-marriages-52-barmaids.html. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
  2. ^ Kershaw, H.V. (1981). The Street Where I Live. Granada Publishing. pp. 51–58. ISBN 0246117346. 
  3. ^ a b Little, Daran (2000). 40 Years of Coronation Street. Granada Media. ISBN 0233998063. 
  4. ^ Little, Daran (1995). The Coronation Street Story. Boxtree. ISBN 1852834641.