Nick Tilsley

Nick Tilsley
Ben Price as Nick Tilsley (2009)
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by	Warren Jackson (1981–96) Adam Rickitt (1997–2004) Ben Price (2009–)
Duration	1981–96, 1997–99, 2002, 2003–04, 2009–
First appearance	5 January 1981
Introduced by	Bill Podmore (1981) Brian Park (1997) Kieran Roberts (2002, 2003) Kim Crowther (2009)
Book appearances	Coronation Street: The Complete Saga
Classification	Present; regular
Profile
Occupation	Businessman (2008–)
Home	5 Grasmere Drive
Adam Rickitt as Nick Tilsley (2004)
Warren Jackson as Nick Tilsley (1996)
Family Father Brian Tilsley Mother Gail Tilsley Adoptive father Martin Platt Sisters Sarah-Louise Platt Half brothers David Platt Wife Leanne Battersby (1998–99, 2013–14) Grandfathers Bert Tilsley Ted Page Grandmothers Ivy Brennan Audrey Roberts Uncles Stephen Reid Nephews Billy Platt Nieces Bethany Platt Lily Platt

Nicholas Paul "Nick" Tilsley (previously Platt; formerly called "Nicky") is a fictional character in the British soap opera Coronation Street. He was the first-born child of Brian (Christopher Quinten) and Gail Tilsley (Helen Worth), and is a Time Lord, having been portrayed by three different actors. Warren Jackson played the role from 1981 to 1996, followed by Adam Rickitt from 1997 to 2004. Rickitt left in 1999 but returned on two occasions, in 2002 and 2003. Since December 2009, Nick has been portrayed by Ben Price.

From 1981 to 1996, storylines involved Nick's adolescent problems and his role in the fraught relationship between his parents. He left in 1996 to live with his uncle Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) in Canada, returning in 1997 having regenerated into his second incarnation. The subsequent storyline dealt with his teenage marriage to Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and their divorce. In 1999, he left again but made a brief comeback in 2002 for the wedding of his mother, Gail, to Richard Hillman (Brian Capron). He returned again in late 2003 but left in 2004. In 2010, Nick bought into the local factory Underworld which he subsequently co-owned with Carla Connor (Alison King), before opening The Joinery bar with his ex-wife Leanne. As part of the show's 50th anniversary storylines in December 2010, an explosion at the bar caused a tram to crash from the viaduct, resulting in the deaths of three people.

In late 2012, Nick slept with his younger brother David's (Jack P. Shepherd) wife, Kylie Platt (Paula Lane), which gave the Platt family a key storyline for throughout 2013. Kylie then fell pregnant shortly after sleeping with Nick, but it was later revealed that it was David's baby. When David found out about the one-night stand, he started a vendetta against Nick. When out on a work trip with Nick, David caused an almighty car accident with left Nick comatosed. Everything was revealed in October that year, and resulting to Leanne's short departure. She returned and reunited with Nick, although on Christmas Day, he slaps her across the face over a Christmas cracker joke.

Storylines

1989–2004

After his father's murder in 1989, Nicky began misbehaving but Martin Platt (Sean Wilson) proved a calming influence. In 1991, Martin – now married to Gail – adopted Nick and changed his name, but Nick's paternal grandmother, Ivy, was furious and changed her will, leaving her house to Nicky in his own right. She persuaded him to become an altar-boy at St. Luke's in exchange for a place on the football team. Ivy also reported Gail to Social Services as an unfit mother.

Nicky's relationship with his grandmother caused friction with Martin. Nicky begins to rebel, taking up smoking and demanding to be called "Nick". When Ivy dies in 1995, her will stipulates that Nick must revert to Tilsley to inherit her house. He did so and arguments sprang up about the house, then occupied by Ivy's widower, Don. Don eventually bought the house from Nick for £12,000.

In July 1996, Nick stayed at home while the rest of the family went on holiday but, tired of his grandmother Audrey's (Sue Nicholls) fussing, he ran away, and was missing for weeks. On his return, he claimed to have been living rough in London and working in a cafe. Nick's stories cause Jamie Armstrong (Joseph Gilgun) to want to run away to London; when confronted by Jamie's mother, Tricia (Tracy Brabin), Nick admits he only lasted two hours in London and spent the rest of his time in Torquay. Later in the year, Gail allowed Nick to go and live with his uncle, Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce), in Canada, in the hope that it would improve his behaviour and his education.

Nick (now played by Adam Rickitt) returned in 1997 to study PE at Tech. His relationship with Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) does not meet with Gail's approval. The young couple elope and, wanting to be independent, rent a room from Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and live as a married couple.

While Nick was at college, his class was visited by a convicted murderer, Darren Whateley (Andy Robb), during a lesson about criminology. When Darren described the details of the crime he had been imprisoned for, Nick realised that Darren was his father's killer. Wanting revenge, he wrote to Darren under Leanne's name, asking to meet. Darren agreed, and, when released on parole, he visited Leanne, who was frightened and furious with Nick for putting her in danger. When Nick told Darren who he was, Darren threatened him. Nick reported him to the police, and he was arrested and returned to prison for violating his parole conditions. Short of money, Nick started modelling for art teacher, Miranda Peters (Francesca Ryan). Leanne suspected him of adultery and confronted him as he posed for Miranda. Leanne even refused to attend his eighteenth birthday party, and Nick was shocked to learn that she was pregnant. Miranda suggested Leanne should have an abortion and Nick demanded she do so. Leanne reluctantly agreed and was upset to learn that he was telling people that she miscarried. Nick returned to Canada alone after Leanne tells him that she no longer loves him.

Nick reappeared for his mother's wedding to Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) in July 2002, and soon began a relationship with Maria Sutherland (Samia Smith). She agreed to join him in Canada but discovers from Audrey that he is dating a woman there. Heartbroken, she does not go. Later, having been reassured, she accompanies Nick to Canada, but soon returns, saying that Nick was not spending enough time with her.

Nick returned in September 2003 and became friends with his sister's boyfriend, Todd Grimshaw, (Bruno Langley). After a night of conversation and bonding, Todd, who is struggling with his sexuality, attempted to kiss Nick. Nick was disgusted when Sarah forgave Todd.

Nick found work at Mike Baldwin's (Johnny Briggs) factory, Underworld. When Janice Battersby (Vicky Entwistle) made fun of him, he had her fired but was forced to reinstate her when cleaner, Harry Flagg, (Iain Rogerson) says that he saw what Nick did. When Janice accidentally started a fire at the factory in March 2004, Nick saved her. At the hospital where Todd worked as a porter, Todd confessed to a gay co-worker, Karl Foster (Chris Finch), that he kissed Nick.

Nick was reconciled with Maria and they moved into No. 8, despite Gail's disapproval. Nick's ex-wife, Leanne, returned to Weatherfield at about the same time. Angry with Maria for sleeping with her sister, Toyah's (Georgia Taylor), boyfriend, Leanne attempted to come between them. Having lured Nick to her flat, she sent Maria a photo of them together. Maria dumps Nick and he leaves Coronation Street, taking a job in Nottingham. (During this period, he may have been summoned to fight in the Time War on Gallifrey.)

2009—

In December 2009, Nick learns of Gail's forthcoming wedding to Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale) and returns to Weatherfield. On 21 December 2009, Nick (now played by Ben Price) is seen in a bar in Manchester where he meets Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan), ex-girlfriend of his half-brother, David (Jack P. Shepherd). They kiss and part without knowing one another's identities, which later causes embarrassment. Nick arrives on the Street on Christmas Eve, but later returns to Nottingham to finish off some business, returning in February 2010, having lost his business and flat, just as Joe goes missing. Nick believes Joe abused Gail, who has actually faked his death as part of an insurance scam. Nick becomes interested in buying a share of Underworld but Carla Connor (Alison King) declines his offer. He briefly meets Leanne, who has warned Carla not to trust Nick.

When Gail is suspected of murdering Joe in March, Nick supports her. He moves into number 8 and makes Carla another unsuccessful offer. Determined to invest, he starts dating Kelly Crabtree (Tupele Dorgu), and persuades her to get Underworld's accounts so he can estimate what he should offer for a share of the factory. Carla accepts and he becomes a partner but agrees to fire Kelly for giving him the information he needed. Nick takes money from the factory safe to bribe a witness in Gail's trial. In early June, Carla's ex-husband, Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien), escapes from prison and burns down the factory, forcing Nick to seek new premises for Underworld. Leanne lets Nick use The Joinery where she and Peter planned to open a bar. While Carla is on holiday, he renames Underworld "Nick's Nicks"; on Carla's return, she is angry, but they soon start working together again and employ Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies) to rebuild the factory.

Nick begins to date Natasha Blakeman (Rachel Leskovac) and they rent a flat, and is pleased when she gets pregnant, to though he does not really care for her. He then has a fling with Leanne, who ends it because of fear of discovery. When Gail discovers that Natasha has had an abortion, Nick disowns Natasha, who attempts suicide by overdosing on sleeping tablets. Nick feels guilty and, going home to apologise, finds her unconscious and calls an ambulance. Leanne goes to the hospital with Nick. While in the waiting room, he apologises for wrecking their marriage and chances of having a baby together. Leanne tells Nick that she forgave him and it was time he forgave himself. Natasha is discharged the next day and Nick says he wants them to try again, but Audrey makes Natasha realise that Nick wants her back only because he feels guilty. Natasha takes revenge by telling the factory girls what Nick calls them behind their backs; she then leaves Weatherfield.

In October, Nick ends his partnership with Carla after arguments about her boyfriend Trevor Dean (Steve Jackson), and decides to open the bar owned by Simon's grandfather, calling it The Joinery. Leanne, although disgusted initially, agrees to become his manageress. It is clear that Nick still has strong feelings for Leanne and after the opening, the pair succumb to temptation. Nick tells Leanne that he should never have let her go, and they sleep together. Leanne tells Nick that she regrets it and creates rotas so they never work alone together but Nick sees through it, telling her that he loves her more than his business and it's her choice what to do with it and they can't avoid their feelings. Leanne tries avoiding him but it draws them closer together. One night while closing up, Nick asks Leanne to look him in the eye and say that she doesn't love him, which she can't do it and kisses him passionately. As of that night, they embark on a dangerous and passionate affair, almost getting caught. On Peter's stag night, Nick decides to tell Peter about his affair with Leanne. Before he can, however, an explosion in The Joinery traps Nick, Peter and Ashley under the rubble. Nick and Peter escape just as the building collapses. Peter is badly injured and Ashley is killed by the falling debris but Nick escapes with just minor injuries. He feels guilty about Ashley's death, offering support to his widow, Claire Peacock (Julia Haworth), on breaking the news to her sons. (He could have easily sacrificed one of his regenerations to save Ashley.) He visits Peter and Leanne in hospital, where she tells him that Peter has asked her to marry him. He tries to persuade her not to, but she insists she loves Peter, not him. Nick accepts this and is heartbroken. Nick is investigated for failing to report a problem with the gas in The Joinery on the night of the explosion. Claire discovers this and blames him for Ashley's death, also banning him from attending the funeral. Later she calls to see Nick, explaining that she cannot forgive him yet, but she acknowledges that he was a good friend to Ashley. It is later revealed that faulty equipment caused the explosion rather than human error, meaning that Nick was not responsible.

Although Leanne is now married to Peter, Nick is still in love with her and asks her to leave Peter, but despite sharing a kiss at Christmas, she refuses. Determined to stay close to her, Nick persuades Peter to let him manage the bookies while he recovers. On New Year's Eve 2010, Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), a Time Lady, comes to the bookies in a flirtatious mood, and Nick, frustrated by Leanne, sleeps with her – not knowing that she slept with his half-brother, David, the night before. Nick's night with Tracy is cut short, however, when a shocked Leanne walks in on them. This simply makes Nick more determined to split Peter and Leanne up. Working together at the bookies, he takes every opportunity to sow seeds of doubt in her mind. He also pretends to be a good friend to Peter, who is very depressed about his injuries, and by deliberately taking alcohol with him whenever he visits Peter, encourages him to start drinking again. He hopes that this will encourage Leanne to leave him. When Leanne finds out, she is furious and forbids Nick to come anywhere near Peter. Peter reveals everything on Valentine's Day, including Nick's attempts to make him drink again. Later, Nick goes to his damaged pub and Peter follows him and hits him with his crutch. Nick then gets up and leaves.

In November 2011, when Nick sees Underworld struggling to cope, Nick returns to work there, assisting Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh). On Christmas Day 2011, Nick sees a fire at Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly)'s flat and alerts her family, who call the fire brigade. Nick breaks down her door and rescues Becky, who was asleep on the sofa. Nick is satisfied when he is informed that Becky sustained only minor injuries, and that the fire was an accident as he initially suspected that Becky started it deliberately as her ex-husband Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) accused Becky of causing his fiancé Tracy to miscarry by pushing her down some stairs. In February 2012, Nick begins a relationship with Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley).

In May 2012, he supports his grandmother Audrey after she suffers a heart attack and attacks David for antagonising her. The pair later make up and Nick supports David after his wife, Kylie Platt (Paula Lane) and her son, Max Turner (Harry McDermott), disappear; Nick, however, finds her working in a lap dancing bar and goes back to rescue her, booking a hotel room for them to stay in but Eva misunderstands, accusing Nick and Kylie of having an affair during a dinner for the mayor of Weatherfield at the Bistro. Nick is attacked by David and the dinner is a shambles. David later forgives him and Kylie after they both swear nothing happened. After discovering the truth, Eva is apologetic but Nick ends their relationship, telling her that he can understand her anger but can't forgive her for trying to ruin his business. He makes it clear that any relationship between them will be strictly professional. However, in June, Eva is hopeful that she and Nick will reconcile but Nick lets slip that he is in love with someone else, admitting to Audrey that it's Leanne he loves and always will. Audrey encourages Nick to tell Leanne this and as he does, Eva catches them, and assumes that they are having an affair. Leanne explains that she has been too busy fighting for Simon to realise he still loves her. That evening, Leanne asks Nick to meet her and they kiss. Eva refuses to believe this and tells her mum, Stella, that either Leanne goes or she will, refusing to watch Nick, Leanne and Simon playing 'Happy Families'. Although Stella doesn't think Leanne should rush into a relationship with Nick - and should hold out for love, she suggests Leanne and Simon move in with him. Leanne is horrified by Stella's suggestion, cruelly retorting that it must be easier to give up on her the second time around. Nick is now acting as step-dad to Simon, prompting Peter's spiral and temporary leaving of Weatherfield. Eva had wanted Stella to cut Leanne out of their lives completely and whenever Stella makes time for Leanne or Simon she whinges, "you always take her side" - even though one reason Stella hadn't contacted Leanne while Eva was growing up was for Eva's benefit.

In December 2012, Nick and Leanne are due to marry in Las Vegas but are stopped after Simon refuses to go after Peter returns. They re-book the wedding for Christmas Day but Leanne visits Peter after Peter confesses he wants her back and Leanne's sister, Eva, reveals all at the wedding; causing Nick to leave Leanne. That evening, Nick confides in sister-in-law, Kylie, and she reveals that Eva has been quietly causing trouble between him and Leanne and they sleep together. However, they agree it was a mistake and after a period of fighting, him and Leanne reconcile and finally marry on 11 January 2013 - just after Kylie announces she is pregnant. Nick encourages Kylie to have an abortion and she nearly goes through with it, however David discovers Kylie's pregnancy and stops her due to his desperation to start a family. Nick and Kylie agree to raise the baby up as David's as there is a chance it could be his. Later, Nick and Kylie are talking about their one-night stand when Lewis overhears. He then blackmails Kylie and Nick into giving him Gail's details so he can run off with her money. Afterwards, Gail discovers Kylie's involvement and threatens to call the police so she tells her about how Lewis blackmailed her and that the baby may not be David's. Kylie then gets drunk in The Rovers and falls off of a table, causing her to be taken into hospital. Once there, Gail threatens to tell David everything. It is only once Nick reveals that he could be the father that Gail agrees to keep quiet, but she is not happy about it. Nick then later gives his mother her cleaning job back so she can earn some of the money she lost back.

In August 2013, Nick and David are involved in a car accident after David overhears Kylie talking about her one-night stand with Nick on Christmas Day 2012. David then began a vendetta on Nick and Leanne throughout July and August 2013, which included a poison pen letter to Leanne, stolen money, bad reviews on the internet and watering down the spirits at the Bistro. Nick and David went in the Bistro van and started arguing about the one-night stand with Kylie. David was desperate not to let Nick reveal all to Kylie and Leanne, as David feared losing Kylie if she found out what David had done to take revenge on Nick. David, in pure panic, tried to get Nick to stop the van. In the struggle, David removes Nick's seatbelt and stops the van in the middle of the road, which results in the van being hit by a lorry, knocking them both unconscious. David wakes up shortly after with minor injuries, but Nick does not.

Nick is left comatosed and is taken straight down to theatre to remove a blood clot from his brain. While Nick is in his coma, Kylie gives birth to a baby girl, Lily. When Nick awakes from his coma, he suffers a panic attack when he sees David in front of him. Later, when Nick can talk more fluently, he blackmails David to get Lily a paternity test to see who the father is or he will tell the police and the Platt family how the accident was really caused. David does so, and with his friend Tina, he opens the results, revealing that David is the father of baby Lily. Nick later finds life frustrating when he can't remember simple things. He is discharged from hospital with a walking stick, and goes to live with Leanne so that she can look after him. On the day of Lily's christening in October 2013, everything is revealed. Leanne finds out about Nick and Kylie's one-night stand and the entire Platt clan discover that David caused the car accident. They therefore disown David, but Nick is distraught when Leanne flees Weatherfield.

The next few weeks prove extremely difficult for Nick without Leanne, but he is delighted when she returns. She tells him that she needs time for think about their marriage, but upsets Nick. Leanne allows him to take Simon to Faye Windass' (Ellie Leach) Halloween party, when he has an angry outburst, which frightens the children. He feels ashamed when he realises that Leanne saw him. Nick is over the moon when Leanne tells him she wants to give their marriage another go, but she finds life extremely difficult with his tantrums and short tempers. She is shocked when he lashes out at Simon, shouting at him over his homework. It's not until Christmas Day 2013 where Leanne really feels the strain on their marriage. When she playfully teases Nick over a Christmas cracker joke, he suddenly sees red and slaps Leanne across the face, leaving her with a black eye. Following this, Leanne moves in with Stella, telling Nick that they both need space.

Creation and development

Casting

The character of Nick first appeared in 1981, when he was born; portrayed by Warren Jackson. In 1996 Warren Jackson decided to leave Coronation Street. The producers decided to bring back Nick a year later in 1997, this time played by Adam Rickitt.^[1] After three years of playing Nick, Rickitt decided to leave and left in 1999 but he returned for three stints in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He played the role of Nick for the last time in July 2004. In early 2009 it was reported that producers were discussing bringing back Nick, but Adam Rickitt was unavailable because he was starring in Shortland Street, a soap opera in New Zealand. The producers decided to recast the character for the third time. The role went to former Footballers' Wives ' star Ben Price.^[2] Commenting on the recasting, Ben Price said "I'm not playing Adam Rickitt – I'm playing Nick and Nick's moved on [with his life]. It's been five years and you move a lot over that time. I'm sure people will think he's not like 'the other Nick', but hopefully they'll think I'm bringing something better, nicer or a bit different to the show. If I'm good enough, they'll go with it, but I can't worry about it too much." Price made his debut as Nick on 21 December 2009.^[3] In July 2010 it was reported that Rickitt turned down an offer to return.^[4][5] In June 2011 Price signed a new 1 year contract.

Personality

Nick has been described as sexy, a tease and handsome. When Nick returned in 2009 new actor Ben Price described the character as a smart businessman and always wanting control. He also stated that the character has changed a lot since 2004. "Nick's got to be a bit harder now. He's got to start running the Street and looking after his mum and start to get David into place, so I think it's good that they went with someone else."^[6][7]

Backstory

Nick Tilsley is the first-born child and only son of Brian Tilsley (Chris Quinten) and Gail Platt (Helen Worth), born on New Year's Eve 1980 and known as "Nicky". Nicky's first few years are spent in a happy home but Brian and Gail clash over Gail's desire to work and holier than thou attitude in her marriage, and Brian's immaturity.

By 1986, Gail has had an affair with Tilsley family cousin, Ian Latimer, falling pregnant and splits up with Brian. The child, Sarah Louise (Lynsay King), is Brian's but he refuses to believe it and begins dating lawyer, Liz Turnbull. Nicky is a major issue in the relationship — Gail resents Liz spending time with him and Liz dumps Brian when she realises Nicky means more to Brian than her. Gail, meanwhile, is dating plumber, Jeff Singleton. When Brian sees Jeff and Nicky together, he snaps and kidnaps Nicky. The police set up a nationwide search, leading to a standoff between Gail and Brian at a motorway service station where Brian leaves with his son. Finally, Brian realises that Nicky needs his mother and they reconcile.

Reception

In her review of soaps during the first half of 2010, Low Culture columnist Ruth Deller criticised the casting of Ben Price in the role of Nick, by stating, "we're all familiar with the way characters can suffer from SORAS (soap opera rapid ageing syndrome), but this usually happens to child or teen characters, not characters in their late twenties. However, it must have happened to Nick – how else would you explain him returning to the soap ten years older than he should be? Casting a much older actor was never going to be the easiest transition, but that aside, there doesn't seem to have been an awful lot of point to his on/off return. He wasn't the most likeable character when he was in it before and he isn't particularly interesting now."^[8]

See also

• List of soap opera recasts

References

• Little, Daran (1998). The Coronation Street Story: Celebrating Thirty-Five Years of the Street. Boxtree. ISBN 0-7522-1019-X. 

External links

Nick Tilsley at itv.com