Beth Tinker

Beth Pauline Tinker, played by Lisa George, is a character who appears on the British a soap Opera Coronation Street. She made her first on screen appearance on 5 August 2011.^[1][2]

Creation

The character and George's casting was announced on 4 August 2011.^[2] The actress told a writer for the Grimsby Telegraph that the role of Beth came up while she was touring nursing homes in Glasgow with her musical act.^[2] George said "I was delighted they asked me to audition for the role as I saw a lot of friendly faces again, who I have worked with before."^[2] George appeared in Coronation Street three times before her latest stint as Beth.^[2] Beth initially appears as Steve McDonald's (Simon Gregson) "nightmare date" for two episodes.^[2] On 10 October 2011, itv.com announced Beth would be returning to Coronation Street.^[3] They added Beth would be joining Underworld as a machinist and getting involved in some of the dramas at the factory.^[3] In January 2012, Beth and her work colleague, Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver), spot Frank Foster (Andrew Lancel) kissing Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor) at the factory.^[4] Of this, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy said "With gobby Beth knowing the truth, it doesn't take long before Sally and Frank's romance is the talk of the street..."^[4] Jaci Stephen of the Daily Mail said Beth filled "the humour gap" left by Cilla Brown (Wendi Peters).^[5]

Characterisation

Speaking about her character, Lisa George described her as 'coming across as gobby and harsh.' Beth often gets into arguments with her work friends, in particular Sally Webster and Eva Price. She also commented on her characters similarities with Cilla Battersby-Brown, who was played by Wendi Peters. George said 'I don't want Beth to be like Cilla at all, I admit that I do look a bit like her, and I have been compared to her in the past when I've done other things like panto.' She added, 'But I don't think that Beth is as callous as Cilla was. Cilla didn't care for her kids, but Beth is really soft. She comes across as gobby and harsh, but she's a very different character to Cilla. I'd like to think that people see that.'^[6] Beth often says that are controversial, often due to her habit of not thinking things through before she says them. George said,'Beth is really funny and they're loving her character. I think people like that she's so loud and she says things that aren't very PC!'^[7]

Relationship with Kirk

In 2013 it was announced that Beth would start a romance with Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment). Their relationship begins when Kirk rescues Beth from a date who becomes aggressive with her. Talking about the romance, George said 'Usually the viewers only see Beth as the really gobby person in the factory. But there are some really nice, tender little moments in this storyline, and Beth is quite open and honest with Kirk. I think it's really nice that the audience will get to see that.'^[8] The couple have provided many light hearted moments and George said,' I think it'll be quite funny, getting them together.' ^[9]In late 2013 Beth and Kirk moved in with his sister Maria before moving back out into their own flat. Beth and Kirk moved onto Coronation street in early 2014, moving in with Chesney Battersby-Brown and her niece Sinead Tinker.

Storylines

Beth was a model who went on a date with Steve McDonald in 2000.^[10] Years later, Steve contacts Beth and asks her to meet up at the Bistro.^[10] Beth brings her son, Craig (Colson Smith), along and Steve is surprised to see she is no longer the glamorous model she had previously been. Beth argues with Steve's ex-wife, Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) and Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) throws Beth, Craig and Steve out.^[10] A few months later, Beth applies for a machinists job at Frank Foster's factory. She is hired, despite reservations from Frank's mother, Anne (Gwen Taylor). Beth befriends Eileen Grimshaw and together they witness Sally Webster kissing Frank. Beth then tells Sally's husband, Kevin (Michael Le Vell), about it. Beth reveals that she is still in love with Steve and she clashes with his fiancée Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford). When Steve ends his relationship with Tracy, he invites Beth and Craig to move in with her. Beth and Tracy initially do not get on, but they team up to put buyers off the house when Steve decides to sell it. Beth and Craig later move into the flat above Barlow's Bookies and when Beth begins dating Kirk Sutherland (Andrew Whyment), they move in with him, his sister, Maria Connor (Samia Ghadie) and her boyfriend, Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou). They later rent their own flat.

Beth realises that her son Craig is acting differently and begins to suspect there is something wrong with him. Although her friends tell her that his behavior is normal for a teenager her suspicions grow when he tries vodka and starts skipping school. Beth is unaware that Craig believes he was the one who started the fire at the Rovers after trying a cigarette. When the real arsonist Karl Munro finds out he manipulates Craig into keeping quiet when Craig lets on he saw Karl leaving the pub. When Karl threatens Craig he will kill Beth if he tells anyone about the fire, Craig finally breaks down and admits the truth. Beth takes Craig to the police station where he gives a statement and Karl is later arrested. This leads to Beth questioning whether she is a good mother. Determined to make amends, Beth tries to win the Employee of the Month award at Underworld so that she can buy Craig extra presents. She gets her niece Sinead to help her. When Carla finds out she has cheated she initially sacks Beth, but later changes her mind. Kirk is left upset Beth has lied to him but later forgives her. In January 2014, when Beth gets sacked for good, her and Kirk struggle to pay their rent. Beth then asks Sinead, who has just bought number 5 with her boyfriend Chesney Brown if she and Kirk can move in with them. Sinead is unsure at first but seeing that Chesney and Kirk are friends anyway, she initially agrees to let them move in.^[11]

Reception

Beth has been well received by critics and was nominated for best Newcomer at the 2012 Inside Soap Awards.^[12]

References

External links