| Marcus Dent | |
|---|---|
| Charlie Condou as Marcus Dent (2007). | |
| Coronation Street character | |
| Portrayed by | Charlie Condou |
| Introduced by | Steve Frost (2007) Phil Collinson (2011) |
| Duration | 2007–08, 2011— |
| First appearance | 7 September 2007 |
| Classification | Present; regular |
| Profile | |
| Date of birth | 29 May 1978 |
| Home | 11 Coronation Street |
| Occupation | Midwife |
Marcus Dent is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Charlie Condou, the character first appears on screen during the episode airing on 7 September 2007 and leaves during an episode airing on 5 September 2008 but returns on 24 April 2011.
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Marcus is initially a sonographer at Weatherfield General Hospital, introduced when Violet Wilson (Jenny Platt) goes for a scan. He gives his number to Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) who is also present at the scan. The two start dating but Sean is unsure how the relationship should progress. Sean tricks Marcus into revealing the sex of the baby to him after he wants to know and Violet doesn't. This leads to a rough patch in the relationship, but it is overcome and the couple remain together happily. Marcus and Sean deliver Violet and Sean's son when Violet goes into labour in The Rovers on 22 February 2008. He is by the side of Maria Connor (Samia Smith) as she gives birth to her stillborn baby in April 2008. Marcus quits his sonographer job to try to find more fulfilling employment. He and Sean plan to move into their own flat, but Sean briefly loses his job at Underworld putting their plans on hold.
On 27 August 2008, Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) receives a call from her son Todd (Bruno Langley) saying that he has seen Marcus in a nightclub in London, in the company of another man. Eileen subsequently tells Sean who initially dismisses it but becomes increasingly more paranoid and angry. When Marcus discovers that Sean has made a pass at Tom Kerrigan (Philip McGinley), he punches Tom after he suspects that Sean has slept with him. Marcus later tells Sean that he is fed up of his jealousy and calls a cab to take him to London. Sean pleads with Marcus but he says an emotional goodbye to Eileen, Maria and Liam (Rob James-Collier) before departing for London, leaving Sean devastated. When he leaves he promises to keep in touch with Eileen and Maria as he has been through so much with them.
In April 2011, Sean travels down to London to visit Violet and Jamie (Rupert Hill) so he can see his son Dylan. After witnessing them row he decides to go and join Dylan in the kitchen and is shocked find Marcus is there with Dylan. They decide to put the past behind them and have a day out in London with Dylan. When they return from their day out they witness Jamie leaving in a taxi and try to comfort Violet but Sean leaves after Violet is homophobic towards him. As Sean gets on the coach and the coach leaves Marcus arrives with some flowers for Sean but he is too late.
Several weeks later, Marcus returns to Weatherfield and catches up with Sean, hugs Eileen and meets Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) and Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston). He announces that he has a job interview and is hoping to stay in Weatherfield. Eileen then organises a blind date for Sean which turns out to be Marcus, and they go on a date to Nick (Ben Price)'s bar, Marcus later kisses Sean and they decide to give their relationship another go.
In June 2011, Sean gets news that Violet has had a car crash and is in need of someone to look after Dylan. He decides immediately that he must look after Dylan but does not tell Marcus as he had recently booked a holiday. However, Eileen tells Marcus about Dylan, Marcus is supportive of Sean and they decided to go and collect Dylan but after Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) makes a remark about Sean and Dylan and Sean begins to have seconds thoughts but Marcus evenually persuades him to go and collect Dylan.
In April 2008, it was announced that Charlie Condou is quitting the show after a year playing Marcus Dent. A show insider said : "Charlie's very popular among the cast and he'll be missed. His character has made a big impact over the last year, quite ground-breaking really - no doubt there will be a juicy exit for Marcus. The likelihood will be a love triangle."
Speaking of his departure Condou said: "I have had a fantastic time in Coronation Street, but as a jobbing actor I believe it is time to move on. There are a few things in the pipeline, one of which is a feature film which is being made abroad. But all that's under wraps at the moment." A Corrie spokeswoman said : "We'll be sad to see Charlie leave. The decision was a mutual one."[1]
In January 2011, it was confirmed that Marcus would return to Coronation Street, Charlie Condou left the soap in 2008 but has confirmed he will be returning to the role of Marcus. A statement of the show's official website said: "There are eventful times ahead for Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) as his old flame Marcus Dent returns to the cobbles. Marcus, arrives back in Weatherfield, on 13th May 2011 and the relationship between him and Sean is rekindled."[2]