Jamie Baldwin

Jamie Baldwin
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by Rupert Hill
Duration 2004–08, 2011
First appearance 19 July 2004
Last appearance 24 April 2011
Introduced by Tony Wood (2004)
Phil Collinson (2011)
Classification Former; regular
Profile
Occupation Taxi driver
Home Clapham

James Andrew "Jamie" Baldwin is a fictional character in the British soap opera ITV Coronation Street, played by Rupert Hill.[1] He first appeared in 2004 and left in 2008.[2] In March 2011 it was announced that Jamie would return for one episode on 24 April 2011.[3]

Storylines

2004–11

Shortly after his arrival in Weatherfield, Jamie began dating Leanne Battersby. He left her briefly for her enemy Maria Sutherland, but eventually got back together with Leanne again. She then embarked on an affair with his father Danny. When this was revealed, Jamie broke up with Leanne and disowned Danny. Jamie's mother Carol came to Weatherfield and moved in with Jamie and Frankie, who had separated from Danny as a result of his affair with Leanne. He supported her during her attempts to give up drinking, but she tried to destroy his relationship with Frankie, unsuccessfully.

He later failed in a rebound romance with Joanne Jackson, as of his mother's continuing problems, which dominated his life. After Carol schemed to break the bond between Jamie and Frankie by insinuating that they fancied each other,[4] they decided to kick her out and Jamie disowned her.

Jamie begun a relationship with Violet Wilson, following her split from Jason Grimshaw, who had had an affair with Sarah Platt. Violet moved in with Jamie, but Jamie's secret love for Frankie affected their relationship. Jamie and Violet split after a holiday abroad, it was then that he declared his love for Frankie. The relationship lasted for some time, until Danny caught Jamie and Frankie in bed together, and Danny and Jamie ended up fighting, which resulted in him almost killing Jamie, after Jamie was left unconscious in the canal, however, Danny dived in to save him.[5][6]

After another confrontation between them later, Danny "signed" everything over to Jamie. Danny then disappeared. Jamie confessed his affair to Violet after she informed him of her pregnancy, leaving her horrified. With Danny still missing, Jamie and Frankie planned to move to Spain, bound for a new life, and Jamie quit his job at King's Robes. However, on New Year's Eve, Frankie changed her mind and left Weatherfield.

Following his split from Frankie, Jamie was employed at local cab firm StreetCars by Steve McDonald. Jamie expressed disapproval after finding out about Sean Tully, who was homosexual, and Violet's plan to have a baby, but eventually apologized to them for his attitude; however, when Jamie invited Violet to join him at Carol's wedding, there was an obvious attraction between the former couple yet again. Jamie and Violet later reconciled, and planned to raise her and Sean's baby together. Following the baby's birth, they planned to leave Weatherfield and raise baby Dylan in London, excluding Sean. Violet then proposed to Jamie, who accepted, before filling the car with their belongings set to leave.

Violet's sister, Lauren, spotted Jamie fill up the car. He claimed that he was attending a stag do, but she realized their plan when he loaded a babychair. Lauren wasted no time in informing Sean. As Violet and Jamie drove off, Lauren, Sean, and his partner, Marcus Dent, attempted to stop them, but they escaped and Violet disposed of her phone, so that Sean could not get into contact with them again.

In April 2011, Sean goes down to London to visit Dylan and witnesses Violet and Jamie rowing. Jamie reveals that Violet had had an affair with a gardener. Sean decides to take Dylan out for the day with Marcus, who is also living in London. As Sean and Marcus return to Violet's house they witness Jamie leave in a Taxi. Violet reveals that she and Jamie have split up.

Creation and development

Promotion

Before his arrival, the soap's directors considered him a 'sex symbol':[7] in his early weeks on the show, he often took off his shirt. He was initially planned to be arrested upon arriving, after beating Frankie's ex-lover, he was also planned to have a relationship with Leanne Battersby.[8]

Casting

Fans of actor Rupert Hill speculated that he claimed that the plot involving on-screen granddad Mike Baldwin's (Johnny Briggs) death was unpleasant, this even inspired him to raise cash to help individuals diagnosed with such diseases.[9]

Based on the sexual relationship between Jamie's character and his step-mum, Rupert Hill claimed that he wasn't quite sure about Jamie's true feeling for Frankie, though he could clarify why Jamie had such feelings, he was concerned about how the storyline had an uncomfortable atmosphere, he admitted that he and Debra Stephenson, who played Frankie, were wary about filming these scenes, thinking it was sensational and irregular, though the scripts they received were more than interesting. He claimed that it had given he and Debra a new dimension to their relationship, and that the filming was enjoyable as of the deep plot.[4] He also described the plotline as "fantastic".[10]

It was announced on 16 April 2007 that Rupert Hill had decided to leave Coronation Street after his contract expired.[11] Following the character's departure, Rupert Hill considered taking on Hollywood and stated he didn't wish to return to Coronation Street, but also didn't rule it out.[12] In March 2011 it was announced that Hill will return in April 2011 for 1 episode.

Personality

Jamie appears to be loyal and caring in both his relationships and friendships. He is also naive and gullible, resulting in him not being informed as to what happens.[2]

Departure (2007)

In April 2007, it was announced that Rupert Hill has decided to leave to pursue other acting opportunities. Speaking of his decision a spokesperson for Coronation Street told showbiz website Digital Spy: "Rupert has indicated to the producers that he intends to leave the show at the end of his current contract but the length of this contract means that he will remain with the show until about this time next year."[13] In May 2010, Hill revealed that leaving Coronation Street was a big risk for him, Reflecting on his stint on the soap opera, Hill told the Birmingham Post: "I got paid incredibly well, and starring in Coronation Street was a very enjoyable job, and I made really good friends. But I've always wanted to be an actor. And part of what attracted me to the profession was the diversity of roles you can get. In the end I accepted that I was going to have to take a pay cut and face up to the possibility that I might never work again. It didn't matter, though. I had to take a risk and leave Corrie in 2007 because I didn't want to play Jamie Baldwin for the next 25 years."[14]

Return (2011)

In March 2011, it was announced that Hill along with former co star Jenny Platt who played Violet Wilson were to return for one episode set in London in which Sean Tully played by Anthony Cotton would go to visit them. Speaking of this a Coronation Street spokesperson said: "It will be a real treat for Corrie viewers to see Sean exploring the sights of London, whilst at the same time Todd returns to Weatherfield to catch up with his mum. Sean is desperate to be a real dad to Dylan so when Violet says he can visit he is thrilled, but when he arrives in the capital he is in for a few surprises."[3]

Reception

The storyline in which saw his character and Frankie have an affair, was considered "sick" by many viewers.[15]

The level of fame that came with appearing in the ITV soap never appealed to actor Hill, which led to his exit, also bound to pursue different roles in acting.[11][16] Co-star Jenny Platt also announced her exit, alongside Jamie.[17] After confirming his exit from the soap, he revealed that before his arrival he was nervous to film his scenes for the character, as he was convinced that his fans would mob him.[18]

Awards

In the British Soap Awards 2007, Rupert Hill was in the top category for the 'sexiest male', but Rob James-Collier (Liam Connor) won the award.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Jamie Baldwin". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Jamie Baldwin". ITV.com. 2007-05-22. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Corrie heads south for Easter special - Coronation Street News - Soaps - Digital Spy
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "A family affair". The Metro. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  5. ↑ Brian Roberts (2006-11-17). "CORRIE BLIMEY!". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  6. ↑ "Danny explodes as affair revealed". The Metro. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  7. ↑ "Chip off the old Baldwin". The Sun. 2004-04-10. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  8. ↑ "Sex, cops and Street fights". The Sun. 2004-07-08. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  9. ↑ Brian Roberts (2006-03-18). "MIKE'S FALL INSPIRES RUPERT". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  10. ↑ Daniel Kilkelly (2006-10-22). "Corrie actor praises "fantastic" plot". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kris Green (2007-04-16). "Rupert Hill to leave 'Coronation Street'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  12. ↑ "Rupert's Hollywood ambition". The Metro. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  13. ↑ Rupert Hill to leave 'Coronation Street' - Coronation Street News - Soaps - Digital Spy
  14. ↑ Rupert Hill: 'Leaving Corrie was a risk' - Coronation Street News - Soaps - Digital Spy
  15. ↑ Kevin O'Sullivan (2006-11-26). "SON-THINGS ARE TOO SICK". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  16. ↑ Kris Green (2008-01-29). "Violet and Jamie's Weatherfield escape". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  17. ↑ "Rupert quits Coronation Street". The Sun. 2007-04-16. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  18. ↑ Nadia Mendoza (2007-07-12). "Rupert scared to act in Corrie". The Sun. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  19. ↑ Kris Green (2007-05-27). "The British Soap Awards 2007: The Winners". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-12-23.

External links