List of ''Coronation Street'' characters (1995)

The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street in 1995, by order of first appearance.

Daniel Osbourne

Daniel Albert Osbourne is the son of Ken Barlow (William Roache) and Denise Osbourne (Denise Black). Daniel was originally portrayed by Lewis Harney from his birth in 1995 until he left with his mother in 1997. Upon his return in 2007, the character was portrayed by Dominic Holmes. The character was recast in 2016, with Rob Mallard taking over the role.^[1]

Born when Ken was 55 years old, there is a 34 year age gap between Daniel and his oldest half-sibling: Lawrence Cunningham (Linus Roache), there is also 30 years between him and his half-brother and half-sister Peter (Chris Gascoyne) and Susan Barlow (Joanna Foster) and there is an 18 year age gap between him and his adoptive half-sister, Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford). His parents, Denise and Ken, only dated for a short time, with Daniel being the product of this relationship. Daniel was born on 4 January 1995 and was one of twins, the other of which died. Daniel was seen again in May 2007 when he agreed to meet his father. At the time, Daniel's interests included heavy metal and football. He and Ken initially got on well, but Daniel began to resent Ken's presence after he began staying with him and Denise. Ken eventually went back to his wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride), leaving Daniel and Denise alone once again. In the intervening years, Daniel is mentioned and Ken occasionally visits him.

In November 2016, Daniel, now 21 years old, visits Ken in hospital following his stroke. Peter, Tracy and Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) visit Ken in hospital. They meet Daniel, who reveals he is Ken's son. Daniel joins his family for a meal. Daniel draws up a rota for Ken's care when he comes home. Daniel is suspected of stealing Adam's car when Tracy and Adam visit his flat and find student debts. Daniel reveals that Denise left him when he was 15 and struggled paying the bills. Daniel has to move out of his flat and admits he doesn't know of Denise's whereabouts, so he reports her to the police as missing. In early 2017, Daniel begins to develop romantic feelings for Sinead Tinker (Katie McGlynn), who is in a relationship with Chesney Brown (Sam Aston), however she wishes to end it. Daniel begins revising with Sinead when she has to work overtime at the factory, and the following day he is mortified when Adam realises that he is still a virgin. That night, however, Daniel and Sinead have sex in the factory store room. Adam reveals this to Chesney, who confronts Daniel at his house, and resulting in Sinead embarking on a relationship with Daniel. Sinead is later stunned to learn that she has fallen pregnant with Daniel's baby, however Daniel assumes that Chesney is the father. They initially agree to have the pregnancy terminated, however after the couple have a heart-to-heart, Sinead and Daniel agree to keep their unborn child. Sinead has a termination after being manipulated to by Ken and tells Daniel that she had a miscarriage. When Sinead feels unwell and Daniel calls for a doctor to come Sinead admits to having an abortion, leaving Daniel devastated, and he ends the relationship.

Later that night, Ken is pushed down the stairs by an unknown assailant, and Daniel returns home to find Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre) standing over Ken's lifeless body. Ken is then rushed to hospital, where Daniel, Sinead, with whom Daniel has reunited with, and the other Barlows are told that Ken fell down the stairs as a result of being struck over the head with a blunt instrument, and that it will now be treated as an attempted murder investigation. Adam soon finds himself prime suspect, and is desperate to shift the blame to anybody else. He later kidnaps Daniel, and tries to force him to confess to the attack, but Daniel believes that this is a pathetic attempt to get himself out of the frame, and that Adam actually is responsible. Daniel then escapes, however Adam manages to get the police to interview Sinead again, and Adam is shaken when Daniel threatens to kill him if he upsets him or Sinead again. When Ken is later apologising to Sinead at the flat over the abortion, he notices Daniel's red shoes, and believes that he is his attacker. However, Ken later notices similar red shoes in Adam's belongings, and so Adam is subsequently arrested and charged with the attack. However, Daniel later returns home and retrieves a bloodstained poetry book, and is revealed as the real culprit, with him striking Ken over the head with the poetry book during an argument at the top of the stairs. Ken later goes to stay with Daniel while he redecorates his old flat, which Daniel is reluctant about, especially when Ken asks specifically about the poetry book that Daniel used to hit him with.

At the flat the following week, Daniel tries to persuade Ken to tell the police that he simply lost his balance and fell down the stairs, confusing Ken. When the conversation soon moves to Denise, Daniel becomes furious, so Ken goes for a walk. Daniel is then shown to be self-harming with a small knife. During his walk, Ken uncovers Denise's belongings buried in the garden, and becomes convinced that Daniel has murdered Denise. Upon his return, Daniel holds Ken hostage following another argument, where he reveals that he was the person who pushed him down the stairs. Daniel then reveals that he blames Ken for Denise's disappearance and Sinead's termination, and as their confrontation turns physical, both Ken and Daniel are left stunned when Denise returns. After self-harming with boiling hot bathwater, the police arrive and arrest Daniel for Ken's attack, after Sinead and Chesney find the poetry book in the flat, much to Ken and Denise's horror. He is released when Ken informs the police that he tripped and fell down the stairs, however after revealing to truth to Peter, Adam and Tracy, Daniel is exiled from the family. Denise temporarily moves in with Daniel after Sinead moves out, but after overhearing her say how blissful her life was with no responsibilities, Daniel throws her out. After being rejected by Sinead and a confrontation with Tracy, Daniel purchases cocaine from a drug dealer and overdoses with the drugs and alcohol, and is later found and rushed to hospital by Adam and Robert Preston (Tristan Gemmill), who plead with Daniel to seek professional help regarding his mental health.

Of his casting, Mallard said, "It feels great to be starting work on Coronation Street and I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone. I grew up watching Coronation Street, so the chance to be in it, especially playing a part like Daniel, is very exciting".^[2] Producer Kate Oates said Daniel "is a different Barlow altogether, more sensitive and bookish, he is clearly a chip off the old block, but there is more to Ken’s youngest son than meets the eye. Rob is a talented young actor who is perfect for the role."^[3]

Elsie Duckworth

Elsie Duckworth was the wife of Clifford Duckworth (Dave King), and sister-in-law of Jack Duckworth (Bill Tarmey).

Cliff walks out on Elsie just before Christmas 1994 to stay at No. 9 Coronation Street and reconnect with Jack. However, Elsie tracks him down and, shortly after New Year's Day 1995, barges her way into the Duckworth household. Cliff, having told Jack and his wife Vera (Elizabeth Dawn) that he too was married to a Vera, is shocked. When Elsie introduces herself, Vera says: "I thought you were Vera?" to which Elsie replies, "No, you're Vera!" before dragging Cliff home, with Cliff pathetically promising to keep in touch.

Jack is mortified to hear that, in June 1995, Cliff and Elsie have been killed in a car accident abroad. Vera, who has prayed for money the previous day, is guilt-ridden.

Jack and Vera inherit £30,000 from the couple's holiday insurance.

Josie Clarke

Josie Clarke is played by Ellie Haddington. Josie makes her first on-screen appearance on 16 January 1995, as a taxi fare of Don Brennan's (Geoffrey Hinsliff). Don and Josie begin dating and eventually move in together. However, money troubles and Don's bouts of depression and erratic behaviour force the couple apart and Josie sells the garage to Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) before leaving Weatherfield.

Ashley Peacock

Ashley Peacock was played by Steven Arnold. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 1 February 1995.^[4] On 23 April 2010, it was announced that the character had been axed along with his on-screen family by new producer Phil Collinson.^[5] Ashley was a victim of the tram crash and died as part of the show's 50th birthday in December 2010.

Maxine Peacock

Maxine Marion Louise Peacock (also Heavey) first appears in May 1995 as a college friend of Fiona Middleton's (Angela Griffin), working in Denise Osbourne's (Denise Black) salon. She is very much a good-time girl and has relationships, often one-night stands, with several men, including Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), to get back at Fiona as he is Fiona's ex-boyfriend, and Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy) when she is drunk.

Maxine then embarks on a relationship with Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold). Seeking security, Maxine marries Ashley in September 1999. The following year, she suspects Ashley of an affair but realises she was wrong and he has been faithful to her. Difficulties in the marriage emerge, however, when Maxine has trouble getting pregnant until it is discovered a simple operation will solve the problem. On the night of his operation in autumn 2001, Maxine sleeps with local doctor Matt Ramsden (Stephen Beckett) and discovers soon afterwards that she is pregnant. Maxine gives birth to her son, Joshua (Benjamin Beresford), seven months into the pregnancy after a confrontation with Ashley when he finds out about her one-night stand with Matt. Ashley is furious but is determined not to let anyone else on the street know that the child might not be his. He is determined to get a DNA test done to be certain of Joshua's parentage, despite Maxine's protestations that it is unnecessary and they can mend their relationship. On the day the test is to be done, however, Ashley realises that Maxine is truly sorry for what has happened and that they can, in fact, be a happy family together. He forgives Maxine and takes both her and Joshua home without getting the test done.

Maxine Peacock's memorial plaque

Maxine's demise comes on 13 January 2003, when she is brutally murdered by neighbour Richard Hillman (Brian Capron). Richard had planned to kill Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) in order to sell the house that she is renting from him, and breaks into Ashley and Maxine's house on a night when Emily is babysitting whilst Maxine and Ashley are at Maxine's mother's 50th birthday party, planning to make it seem as if the elderly woman was killed during a bungled burglary. Maxine returns from the party at The Rovers Return Inn and walks in to find Richard attacking Emily with a crowbar. Maxine's final words are to Richard: "Richard! What the hell are you doing?" to which he replies, "you should have stayed at the party, Maxine." As Joshua starts crying upstairs, Maxine tries to run but Richard kills her instead and Ashley comes home to find Maxine's battered and bloodied body. Emily is injured but survives and makes a full recovery.

Billy Williams

William "Billy" Williams was Betty Turpin's (Betty Driver) wartime sweetheart, and during a party in The Rovers Return Inn to celebrate 50 years since VE day in 1995, he met up with Betty again. Billy proposed to Betty and later that year they were married with Betty's son Gordon Clegg (Bill Kenwright) giving his mother away. Billy, along with Jack Duckworth (Bill Tarmey), Fred Elliott (John Savident), Don Brennan (Geoffrey Hinsliff) and Alf Roberts (Bryan Mosley) was one of the shareholders in the race horse Betty's hotshot. In November 1997, Billy died of a heart attack, leaving Betty after just two years of marriage.

Roy Cropper

Anne Malone

Anne Malone is the former supervisor of Firman's Freezer Centre and is later promoted to the position of assistant manager. She develops a crush on her manager, Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy), but dates and lives with Andy McDonald (Nicholas Cochrane) for a short time. Anne complains of sexual harassment by Leo Firman to her superior Reg Holdsworth (Ken Morley), who is reluctant to report his boss' nephew.

Curly rejects Anne's advances, so she sets out a vendetta to destroy Curly's life. One of her attempts at revenge is to pour WD-40 on fish fingers stored inside Frescho's supermarket's freezer. However, her plans backfire fatally when a security guard unknowingly locks her inside the freezer after seeing the door is open. Anne subsequently freezes to death and her body is discovered the following morning.

Gary Mallett

Gary Mallett is played by Ian Mercer. He moves to Weatherfield with his wife, Judy (Gaynor Faye), on 2 October 1995 and on Christmas Day 1998, Gary becomes a father of twins Rebecca and William. Nine months later, Judy collapses in the backyard and dies after suffering a pulmonary embolism caused by injuries sustained in a road accident caused by Terry Duckworth (Nigel Pivaro). When Terry arrives at his parents', Jack (Bill Tarmey) and Vera Duckworth's (Elizabeth Dawn), house on Christmas Day, Gary punches him and blames him for Judy's death. The following year, Gary decides to leave Weatherfield with Rebecca and William on 1 October 2000. His current whereabouts remain unknown.

Judy Mallett

Judith "Judy" Mallett (also Smedley) is played by Gaynor Faye from October 1995 until September 1999.

She moves to Weatherfield with her husband, Gary (Ian Mercer) in October 1995. She and Gary are happy together, but Judy longs for a child. Sadly, nothing happened so when she meets Zoe Tattersall (Joanne Froggatt), a young woman who was considering giving her baby up for adoption, Judy convinces Zoe to allow her and Gary to adopt the baby; a girl who she and Gary name Katie Joyce. Zoe, however, regrets her decision and soon takes Katie back and renames her Shannon. Judy and Gary are heartbroken by this, and this did not improve when Shannon died of meningitis a few months later. Eventually, Judy discovers that she is pregnant and is thrilled to discover that she is expecting twins. On 25 December 1998, she gives birth to Rebecca and William Mallett.

Judy dies in her backyard whilst hanging out the washing on 24 September 1999, the victim of a pulmonary embolism that developed as a result of an injury she sustained to her leg in a road accident caused by Terry Duckworth (Nigel Pivaro).

On 1 October 2000, Gary decides to leave Weatherfield. In his last appearance, he is shown looking at a photograph of Judy in his wallet before he and their children, Rebecca and William, leave forever.

Tony Horrocks

Anthony James "Tony" Horrocks is a young mechanic who starts working as Kevin Webster's (Michael Le Vell) apprentice at MVB motors. In July 1996, Tony nearly goes into partnership with Don Brennan (Geoffrey Hinsliff), who buys the garage from Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs). Tony's father, Nick, offers to lend Tony the money to buy into the business, but he withdraws his offer when he sees the books and Don's financial problems.

Tony begins dating Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin) and is angry when she visits her ex-boyfriend, Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), in prison. He then dates her colleague Maxine Heavey (Tracy Shaw) but it does not last long. Tony also hands in his notice at the garage after arguing with Don.

Tony goes to work at the local exhaust centre and is joined by his friend and former colleague, Kevin, when the garage goes bust. In August 1996, Don's former business partner and girlfriend Josie Clarke (Ellie Haddington) sells the garage to Kevin and Tony for £25,000 and they become business partners. In December 1996, Tony begins dating a girl called Jill, who is one of Maxine's friends whom he met at Fiona's 21st birthday.

In February 1997, Tony runs over and kills Joyce Smedley (Anita Carey) in his car after she runs in front of him while walking her dog. Tony is racked with guilt, and states he is never going to drive again and insists to his father that he takes his car to the wreckers for him.

Tony then sells his share of the garage to his mother Natalie (Denise Welch) and bids farewell to Kevin before moving to Leeds. Off-screen, Tony becomes involved in drug dealing after suffering financial problems. He returns in October 1998 for Natalie's wedding to Des Barnes (Philip Middlemiss), before leaving again. The following month, he arrives on Natalie's doorstep asking her for help. A gang of drug dealers, to whom Tony owes money, arrive at Natalie's house and attack Tony in the living room. Des arrives home and comes across the fight. He goes to help Tony, but is severely beaten by the gang. Des later dies of a heart attack and Natalie blames Tony for his death and disowns him. After leaving in December 1998, Tony is never seen onscreen again.

In March 2000, Tony's badly decomposed corpse (originally believed to be that of a victim of a local serial killer some 100 years earlier) is found in a cellar by Natalie's then boyfriend Vinny Sorrell (James Gaddas) on a building site where he was working. He had been beaten to death by drug dealer Jez Quigley (Lee Boardman) sometime during the previous 15 months. Jez himself finally dies six months later after being attacked by Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson) in revenge for beating up Jim's son, Steve. Natalie is left guilt-ridden as she disowned him just because his stepfather died defending him.

Others

References