List of Coronation Street characters (1961)
Coronation Street is a British soap opera, initially produced by Granada Television. Created by writer Tony Warren, Coronation Street first broadcast on ITV on 9 December 1960. The following is a list of characters introduced in the show's second year, by order of first appearance.
Originally written by Warren, the series is produced by Stuart Latham until July and then by Derek Granger from July onwards. In January, Latham introduced four new regular characters, the first batch to arrive since Warren's initial creations at the start of the series a month earlier. These were factory workers Sheila Birtles and Doreen Lostock, timid shop assistant Emily Nugent and an extension to the Walker family, Annie and Jack's son Billy Walker. Derbyshire departed from the role of Emily in 2016.
January also saw the introduction of Len Fairclough, a character who would become one of the series' central figures and the show's most prominent alpha male. Adamson continued in the role for twenty-two years. Bryan Mosley also made his first appearance as Alf Roberts later in February, originally a recurring role, Alf was not made a regular until 1971. In April, petty criminal Jed Stone moved in. June saw the show's first birth, as Paul Cheveski was born to parents Linda and Ivan.
Granger took over as producer in July, and he introduces Valerie Tatlock in early August, followed by Bill Gregory in his first of four short stints in October.
Sheila Birtles
Arnold Tanner
Arnold Tanner is the first husband of Elsie Tanner. In January 1961, he turned up on the doorstep of number 11 after an absence of fifteen years in order to meet his two children and ask for a divorce from Elsie so he could marry his new girlfriend Norah Dawson. At first Elsie refused, but was persuaded otherwise when Arnold threatened to cite her wartime romances in their divorce. He was last seen in June 1966.Dot Greenhalgh
Dot Greenhalgh is the long-time best friend of Elsie Tanner. The pair worked together at Miami Modes, a local clothes shop, and eventually Dot was given a promotion to supervisor—but left soon after to work at a department store. Dot had several flings in her time despite being married, and in 1969, her husband Walter finally finished with her and on top of this she lost her fancy new job. Miami Modes took her back, but when she stole stock and then blamed Elsie, her life in Weatherfield came to an end. She admitted her guilt, got the sack and Elsie refused to speak to her ever again.Joe Makinson
Joe Makinson is a plumber who arrives early in 1961 to carry out work for Christine Hardman. Having just dumped her boyfriend Malcolm for his lack of support following her mother's death, and on discovering that May had unpaid debts, Christine's struggle sparked sympathy from Joe, who paid for the plumbing bill himself. Joe then asked Christine for a date and they became an item. After a few months Joe asked Christine for her hand in marriage and they became engaged, but soon after a Christine had decided she needed more excitement in her life and subsequently broke it off with him. Joe was heartbroken.Joe briefly returned in 1963 and resumed his affair with Christine, but he ended it when he realised he meant nothing to her. He returned again in 1970 to settle a debt with Alan Howard.
Beattie Pearson
Beatrice "Beattie" Pearson is the daughter of the late Albert Tatlock, played by Gabrielle Daye. Beattie was first seen on Coronation Street in 1961 visiting her father. Beattie's visits were quite rare usually coming to the street when she wanted something. She attended the wedding of Ken Barlow to her cousin Valerie Tatlock in 1962 and also attended Val's funeral in 1971. She moved in with Albert for a few weeks when she left her husband, Norman, but Albert soon sent her back. In 1975 she along with the rest of the Street attended Albert's 80th Birthday street party. In 1981 on another visit to Coronation Street Beattie was afraid that she would have to have Albert live with her because Ken and Deirdre Barlow were thinking of leaving the Street, but she was glad when they decided to stay. Beattie's last appearance was after Albert died in 1984. Beattie gave Ken his World War one medal at his funeral, saying that Albert always looked upon him as a son.Doreen Lostock
Doreen Lostock and her friend Sheila Birtles first appeared when they worked at Elliston's Raincoat Factory. Doreen briefly dated Billy Walker before he left for London in August 1961, and became the third Rovers barmaid that year. Due to the Equity Actor's Strike, Doreen was absent from the Street from November 1961 until June 1962, but like many others the absence was left unexplained upon her return. Eventually, two weeks after Sheila's suicide attempt forced her to leave the Street, Doreen herself found she had nothing left in Weatherfield and went to join the Women's Royal Army Corps.Len Fairclough
Billy Walker
Billy Walker was the son of Annie and Jack Walker and first appeared 27 January 1961. He was played by actor Kenneth Farrington.Farrington was originally tested for the part of Dennis Tanner; producers felt that he did not suit the role and it later given to actor Philip Lowrie. Farrington told Ken Roche of TVTimes that "they did not think I was right for it, so the wrote me into the series as the son of Annie Walker ". The actor had spent time away from Coronation Street pursuing other projects; he told Roche that he enjoyed the breaks because each time he would return she felt "refreshed".
Billy was the son of Jack and Annie, landlords of the Rovers Return Inn. Although he grew up in Weatherfield, Billy moved to London to run a garage in 1961, and only made fleeting appearances in Coronation Street until Jack died in 1970 and Billy returned to help out at the Rovers to ease the burden on Annie. A mechanic by trade, Billy was never happy behind the bar of the Rovers and left Weatherfield several times in the early 1970s to work in London again.
In 1974, Billy became engaged to Deirdre Hunt. With the wedding only weeks away in 1975, Billy called it off and left to take a job in Jersey, which became Billy's new home. In the years that followed, Billy occasionally returned, usually to ask Annie for money for the latest business deal which interested him as he usually gambled his own money away and was always debt-ridden. He kept tabs on Deirdre, despite her marrying and divorcing Ray Langton in his absence, and unsuccessfully tried to convince her to make a new start with him in Jersey.
When Annie retired in 1984, Billy took over the Rovers licence at her request, but after a short time as landlord he was forced out by the brewery for holding after-hours parties and he left Weatherfield again and returned to Jersey. It is not known what has happened to Billy in the years since his departure.
Joan Walker
Joan Davies is the daughter of Jack and Annie Walker. She is one half of the first couple to wed on Coronation Street and moved to Derby with her new husband soon after the wedding. As far as we know Joan and her husband Gordon were still together by the time the last Walker, her brother Billy, left the Street in 1984—making their marriage one of the longest and most successful in the show's history.In 2019, a writer from Soap World included Joan and Gordon's ceremony in their feature profiling soap weddings. They wrote "Joan and the ex-RAF man didn't seem a match made in heaven but went the distance!"
Alf Roberts
Fred Jackson
Fred Jackson was the owner and manager of Jackson's Chip Shop in Victoria Street in the 1960s. He lived in the flat above the shop with wife [|Mary] with occasional assistance from his brother Frank.In 1963, Fred told Doreen Lostock that Len Fairclough had inquired about landlord Wormold's address. Elsie Tanner was trying to find out who tipped off the landlord that she had taken a lodger. On 20 March, Fred was bothered by the music from the Glad Tidings Mission Hall, which he incorrectly attributed to the Over 60s club, unaware that four youths who had just left his shop at closing time had descended on the Mission.
Although not appearing after 1966, both Fred and the shop were mentioned until the mid-1980s.
Phil Braithwaite
Phil Braithwaite is first seen in March as a Town Hall employee who Ena Sharples went to complain to about her gas. He next appeared when he moved into the flat above the Corner Shop with his friend Norman. He was potentially a regular character but the Equity Actor's Strike prevented him from appearing just a few episodes after his return, and he was never seen again. Phil and Norman were said to have moved out of the flat in January 1962.Norman Dobson
Norman Dobson is first seen as a Town Hall employee who Ena Sharples went to complain to about her gas supply. He next appeared when he moved into the flat above the Corner Shop with his friend Phil. He was potentially a regular character but the Equity Actor's Strike prevented him from appearing just a few episodes after his return, and he was never seen again. Phil and Norman were said to have moved out of the flat in January 1962.Colin Lomax
Colin Lomax was the son of Bob and Vera Lomax and grandson of Ena Sharples. In the 1960s, Vera occasionally relied on Ena to look after Colin, who didn't object as she could fleece information from Colin about what her family were saying about her behind her back. By 1966, Colin was being raised by Vera alone, although when Vera couldn't cope she left Colin with Bob. Colin and Bob both turned up at Vera's funeral when she died of a brain tumour in 1967.Colin went on to marry Karen and they had a son, Jason. By 1972 the family was living in West Hartlepool. Colin hadn't seen Ena in years, remembering only that he was scared of her, and Ena in turn had no idea that Colin had married or that she was a great-grandmother. In September that year they paid an impromptu visit to Weatherfield and called at Ena's Community Centre accommodation only to be informed by Lucille Hewitt that Ena was away on a Street outing to the Preston Guild and wouldn't be back until late in the evening. With nowhere else to go, they spent the remainder of the evening nursing drinks in the Rovers Return Inn, although as Annie Walker refused to have a baby on licensed premises, Karen volunteered to leave Jason in his pram outside so that she and Colin could stay and wait for Ena. They had only been there a short time when Karen went out to check on Jason and discovered that pram and baby were gone. The police were called immediately and the Street residents who weren't at the Preston Guild rallied round to help the police with their enquiries while Colin and Karen were looked after by Annie and a policewoman in the Rovers back room. When questioned by a detective inspector, Colin was near-catatonic and Karen hysterical. The kidnapping sparked a large-scale search by the police and the army, but fortunately the baby was found after just two days, his pram abandoned on waste ground with Jason unharmed inside. Ena returned in the midst of the investigation having been summoned home from the Preston Guild. The kidnapper wasn't identified until January 1973 when Christine Peters's suspicious behaviour caused Emily Bishop to investigate and discover that she snatched Jason as she had lost her own baby and was suffering mentally from the loss.
Ena spent Christmas with the Lomaxes in Hartlepool in 1972 and also visited them from 1977 to 1978. When Ena returned to the Street, she revealed to her friends that Colin and Karen had asked her to stay permanently but that she had graciously turned down the offer.
Colin is notable for having future Monkees member Davy Jones originating the role in 1961.
Alice Burgess
Alice Burgess is the widowed sister of Harry Hewitt, who moved in and became his housekeeper. Her presence meant that Harry's daughter Lucille could come home from her orphanage, but Lucille was very hostile towards her bossy aunt and after a couple of months Alice packed up and left, prompting Harry to propose to Concepta Riley in the hope of her becoming a new mother for Lucille.Walter Fletcher
Walter Fletcher was a sales rep who met Elsie Tanner working at Miami Modes. He chatted her up and invited her on a date. Elsie was reluctant but agreed to go out with him.By the time their date came round, Elsie had already set her sights on Arthur Dewhurst, so her son-in-law Ivan Cheveski told Walter that Arthur was Elsie's husband and successfully scared him off. Elsie feared that the gossip would spread at work and jeopardise her divorce from real husband Arnold.
Marian Lund
Marian Lund was a librarian who worked at the university which Ken Barlow attended. Despite being eleven years his senior, Marian and Ken began a love affair after he ended his relationship with Susan Cunningham. However, the romance ended when Ken found out that Marian had a fiancé.Ken and Marian next crossed paths 47 years later when a university reunion brought them back together. They briefly hinted at their past relationship, though no direct connection to Marian was addressed.
Jed Stone
Jean Stark
Jean Stark was played by Renny Lister. She first appeared as a workmate of Christine Hardman's and when Jean fell out with her parents it was Christine she turned to for support, who invited her to move in as lodger. She did not stay long, and Christine was left alone once again. In reality, actress Renny Lister was meant to be a permanent cast member but a strike by the actor's union Equity meant that only a few of the main characters could appear for a period at the end of 1961. However, when the strike was over, Lister was not invited back and Jean's disappearance was left unexplained.She also briefly dated Jed Stone, a friend of Dennis Tanner. Their date did not go very well, however the actress Renny Lister is married to the actor who played Jed, Kenneth Cope, known for Randall and Hopkirk, in real life.
Tom Hayes
Thomas "Tom" Hayes was the surprisingly wayward brother of the more staid and proper Esther Hayes. He spent many years in London, leaving Esther to look after their bed-ridden mother, drifting from one job to another. Released from prison and with nowhere else to go in May 1961, he foisted himself upon his sister, disrupting her life and routine. Post-prison schemes to make money included trying to sell a fruit machine to Jack and Annie Walker, and attempting to persuade his sister to invest in jukeboxes. Eventually a confrontation with [|Brian Foley], Esther's boss and friend, was what persuaded him to leave her alone. He disappeared overnight without explaining to Esther why he was going, nor where to.Nancy Leathers
Nancy Leathers was the mother of resident Ida Barlow and grandmother of Ken Barlow and David Barlow. Nancy had been widowed when her husband George, Ida's father, had been killed in action during the First World War. Nancy lived with the Barlows for some time during 1961 before moving into an OAP bungalow. She made her last appearance at Ken's wedding to Valerie Tatlock in 1962. It is assumed she died before the birth of her great grandchildren Susan Barlow and Peter Barlow.Paul Cheveski
Paul Cheveski was the son born to Ivan and Linda Cheveski in 1961. He was the first baby to be born on Coronation Street and moved to Canada with his parents shortly after his birth. Paul made his last appearance in 1972.Mario Bonarti
Mario Bonarti was an Italian immigrant who bought the lease to Snape's Café, and opened up a new Italian restaurant with his father Leo as head chef. Ena Sharples was strongly against the restaurant, but won a free meal in a raffle and did not see the sense in depriving herself. Mario was instantly attracted to Christine Hardman, but she found him too possessive and dumped him after a while.Valerie Barlow
Valerie Barlow is Ken Barlow's first wife and featured in the programme for nearly ten years before being killed by an electric shock when using a faulty electrical outlet in her home.Valerie Tatlock was born on 26 November 1942 to Alfred and Edith Tatlock, and grew up in Glasgow. Her uncle, Albert Tatlock, lived in Coronation Street in Weatherfield, and she was a successful hairdresser. Valerie took up residence at Albert's home at Number 1 Coronation Street for a few months in 1961. She immediately caught the eye of student Ken Barlow, who lived next door. They went on a date, but Valerie was not as keen on a relationship as Ken. She felt that Ken would not be happy with her because he was university-educated and aspired to live above the working-class values which Valerie was comfortable with. When Ken's mother Ida was killed in September 1961, Valerie spent more time with Ken and they soon began a relationship. As the pair grew closer over the next few months, Valerie had to return home to Glasgow. Valerie returned a year later after Ken proposed to her in Scotland. She accepted after he made it clear that he was not looking for a mother figure to replace Ida, as Val initially feared. They got married at St. Mary's Parish Church on 4 August 1962, and took their honeymoon in London, which was paid for with the money Ken raised from selling his motorcycle.
The Barlows moved into 9 Coronation Street when they returned from their honeymoon. Valerie converted the front room of the house to a salon, earning extra income for the couple. Married life was not always easy for Valerie. Ken's ambitions sometimes got the better of him — later in 1962, he wanted to give up teaching to focus on writing, meaning the pair would be relying solely on the money Valerie was bringing in. He later had a change of heart and stayed in teaching. Despite his commitment to her, Valerie often felt Ken had settled for second best. She was jealous of Ken's friendship with Christine Hardman before Christine got engaged to Ken's father, Frank. Valerie also felt out of her depth intellectually when the Barlows entertained Ken's middle-class friends. Valerie tried to make the relationship work, but Ken did not make it easy, always pondering intellectual issues and oblivious to Valerie's troubles as she took care of the house.
In 1963, one of Ken's teaching friends, Dave Robbins, moved into the Barlows' house as a lodger. Ken and Dave were putting their careers in jeopardy by giving a TV interview arguing for a school crossing after a pupil was knocked down in Bessie Street. At the last moment, Dave pulled out, and Ken lost out on a promotion as he gave the interview without the school's permission. Dave blamed himself for the child being hit, and was comforted by Valerie. As Ken despaired about losing the promotion, he told Valerie they should not have married as Valerie did not really understand him. By the time Ken next returned home, Valerie had left him for Dave. Ken confronted the pair, and it transpired Dave was not interested enough in Valerie to fight for her. Heartbroken, Valerie begged Ken to take her back, and he did. To help things get back to normal, the pair went on holiday.
In July 1964, Valerie found out she was pregnant. Ken was upset, but later became thrilled by the news. To prepare for the birth, Valerie closed down the salon and converted it into a nursery. In April 1965, Valerie went into labour and was driven to hospital in Len Fairclough's van. She gave birth to twins — a girl and a boy. The babies were christened at the same church Ken and Valerie got married in and were named Peter and Susan. Valerie's life changed completely as all her time went towards looking after the twins. She still had to pander to Ken's ego — he did not change his lifestyle after becoming a father, and continued his intellectual pursuits. The Barlows had many friends in the Street, and could easily find babysitters, allowing Valerie to attend evening classes in Sociology. In November 1965, while Valerie was at a class, Ken was looking after the twins, but when he stepped out to The Rovers Return Inn for a few minutes, a piece of coal fell from the fire, filling the house with smoke. Valerie returned home before Ken had put the fire out, but was outraged that he had left the babies alone while he went out to buy cigarettes. Valerie told Ken she would leave him if he ever smoked again.
In 1966, Ken had a fling with reporter Jackie Marsh, and was ready to leave Valerie for her until he realized what a good thing he had in Valerie, who was willing to assume all the domestic responsibilities and wait on him hand and foot. Valerie briefly left him and returned to Glasgow with the kids, but returned when he phoned her and convinced her to return, intending to be a more devoted husband from then on. The following year, Ken was arrested for attending an anti-Vietnam demonstration and chose to go to prison rather than admitting he was wrong and paying a £5 fine. Ken's principles were very important to him, but Valerie was disappointed that he chose his principles over his family, leaving Valerie to take care of the kids herself for a week. Valerie had considered paying the fine behind Ken's back, but could not bring herself to betray him. In 1968, the Mission of Glad Tidings and Elliston's Raincoat Factory across the Street were torn down to make way for a block of maisonettes. As they were being demolished, Ken and Valerie realised the twins were missing. They were found in the factory just before the wrecking ball hit — the parents were relieved.
Valerie thought about reopening the Salon as the twins grew older, but instead started working in the Corner Shop for Maggie Clegg. 1968 also saw a change of address for the Barlows; after seeing an artist's impression of the maisonettes, Valerie told Ken she wanted to move into one, as it had modern conveniences the 70-year-old Number 9 lacked. Ken did not want to move, and during a fight accused Val of having an affair with builder Ray Langton. Valerie then made Ken feel guilty by reminding him of his affair with Jackie. Ken eventually relented and the Barlows moved into Number 14. Shortly after the family moved in, convict Frank Riley held Valerie at gunpoint while Ken was away. Riley, a convicted rapist, demanded money and sex from Valerie, but was caught by the police before he got the chance after Valerie called for help by tapping an SOS on the pipes under the sink in the kitchen, which was heard by neighbor Ena Sharples. After the ordeal, Valerie told the police and Ken that Riley had not touched her, but Ken refused to believe her. This almost split the couple up.
In 1969, Valerie's mother Edith stayed with the Barlows, and tried to convince them to leave Weatherfield. When Edith took the twins out to the fair, she lost them, but they were found by an elderly woman who had taken them in and not contacted the family. Later that year, Alan Howard offered Valerie a job as head hairdresser at a new salon for £14 a week. Elsie Tanner had been appointed manager, and she and Valerie fought for superiority. Ken had thoughts about buying the Salon from Alan, but when he chatted about it with Dave Smith, he later found out that Smith had usurped him and bought the Salon first. Smith initiated a wave of changes at the Salon, offering Valerie a pay rise but sacking other staff. Valerie walked out along with the remaining staff members, convincing Smith to reinstate everybody. In November 1969, a coach trip took some of the residents of the street to Windermere. Whilst on the way back to Weatherfield, the coach crashed into a tree killing the driver and injuring Valerie and Ken. They soon recovered. In 1970, Ray Langton taught Valerie to drive while Ken was away on holiday. When he returned, he received a letter warning him that Valerie and Ray were having an affair. It transpired that Emily Nugent had written it, but she realised she was wrong and apologised.
In early 1971, Ken was offered a teaching position in Jamaica and Valerie agreed to emigrate. The residents of Coronation Street threw the pair a going-away party in The Rovers the night before their planned departure. Valerie was rushing to get to the party, and she tried to fix the plug on her hairdryer by tightening it with a potato peeler. Knowing it was still shoddy, she attempted to use it anyway. Valerie plugged it in and was given a severe electric shock which killed her instantly. As she fell to the floor, she knocked a portable heater into a packing crate and started a blaze. By the time rescue came, it was too late for Valerie. The street watched in horror as the house was left on fire.
Nona Willis
Nona Willis was a new barmaid installed at the Rovers to replace Doreen Lostock, who had just quit. Cockney Nona was not easily accepted by the locals after she had told of her past as an exotic dancer and found life in Weatherfield hard. She eventually gave Jack her notice, citing that she found the northern accents difficult to understand.DS Sowman
Detective Sergeant Sowman was the policeman on duty when the call came through that Ida Barlow was missing. When he matched the description Ida's husband Frank gave him to an earlier incident, he sent an officer around to give the Barlows the news that Ida had died. He was next seen as the police officer on scene when Christine Hardman threatened to jump off the factory roof. Luckily however, Christine was talked down by old friend Ken Barlow.DS Sowman last appearance came as he attempted to track down Elsie Tanner, who had fled the scene of a car accident of which she was involved in with Robert Maxwell.
Bill Gregory
Bill Gregory is a recurring character played by actor Jack Watson between 1961 and 1984. Navy officer Bill first appears when he meets up with old friend Len Fairclough, who he served with in the war. Len introduces Bill to his friends and neighbours on Coronation Street, including his best friend Elsie Tanner. Bill and Elsie are quickly caught up in a love affair, with Bill neglecting to tell her that he is married — but the affair ends abruptly when Elsie receives a poison pen letter warning her against it. She decides to end it with Bill to save complicating her pending divorce from Arnold Tanner. In reality, actor Jack Watson had to leave his role without any on-screen resolve, due to the Equity actor's strike of 1961.With Elsie's divorce finalised, Bill returns in July 1962 to pick up where they left off and learns Len is close to beating him to it, having spent a lot of time with Elsie. Bill warns Len off but Len insists they are just friends. Ena Sharples later discovers Bill writing to his wife Phyllis, and tells Len he must inform Elsie. Believing his excuses that they are separating, Len decides to keep quiet, so Ena tells Elsie herself. After confronting him, Bill tells Elsie that he is separated, but when Phyllis turns up Bill is forced to make his choice. Elsie tells him she can not make up his mind for him, and so he leaves with Phyllis to give their marriage another chance.
Bill returns once again after an eight-year absence with the news that Phyllis has since died. With Elsie now being courted by Alan Howard, Bill faced competition for her heart and proposed almost immediately. Elsie waits to make up her mind, while Alan fights to keep her in his life. He succeeds when she turns Bill down and he returns to service. Elsie later marries Alan.
Thirteen years on, and Bill returns from his Portugal home to pay his respects to Rita Fairclough on hearing of the death of Len. Whilst in Weatherfield, Bill is stunned to learn that Elsie is back living on the Street as he thought she was still happily married with Alan in Newcastle. He wastes no time in going round to see Elsie, and takes her out for a meal to catch up. He tells her of his new life in Portugal, but informs her that he must return there the next day, and Elsie is shocked when Bill asks her to come with him. After hours of soul-searching, Elsie decides she's wasted enough of her life and packs her things. After a final walk down Coronation Street, Elsie climbs in the taxi and she and Bill head off for their new life in the sun.
In 2011, as Dennis Tanner returns to the Street, he tells Rita that Elsie and Bill were married after settling in Portugal and that after twenty happy years together they died holding hands in a car accident in 2004.