Peter Barlow (Coronation Street)


Peter Barlow is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, Coronation Street, played by Chris Gascoyne since 2000. The character of Peter was born on screen during an episode broadcast on 5 April 1965, he was born along with his twin sister Susan to parents Ken and Valerie Barlow. Gascoyne made his first appearance in the role during the 40th anniversary live episode airing on 8 December 2000. Gascoyne left the role in 2003 and returned in 2007 for a brief stint before returning full-time in 2008. In January 2014 it was confirmed that Gascoyne would be leaving once again. His final scenes aired on 14 November 2014. In April 2015, it was announced that Gascoyne would reprise the role for two episodes for the funeral of Deirdre Barlow and Peter returned on 15 July 2015 and left once again on 16 July 2015. In July 2016, it was announced that Peter would be returning as a regular character and he returned on 17 October 2016.
Peter's storylines have included a number of affairs, alcoholism and a custody battle involving his son Simon Barlow. Peter became involved in a bigamy storyline when he married Rovers barmaid Shelley Unwin and florist Lucy Richards. Having been discovered, Peter was left alone and fled Weatherfield. He returned briefly in 2007 when his adoptive sister Tracy Barlow was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Charlie Stubbs. He returned for good in 2008 with five-year-old Simon, whom he had by Lucy; who had since died from breast cancer. Peter began a relationship with Leanne Battersby and they married during the 50th anniversary episode; however, they separated after Peter's affair with Carla Connor was discovered. Peter later went on to marry Carla, and then had an affair with much younger Tina McIntyre. Peter was framed for Tina's murder by Rob Donovan and upon his release from prison, his marriage to Carla broke down and he left. When he returned in 2016, it was revealed he had begun a relationship with Toyah Battersby, which they agreed to keep secret from a pregnant Leanne, in order to not affect her pregnancy. Simon and Leanne's sister Eva Price soon discovered this, followed by Leanne, and he and Toyah subsequently purchased The Rovers Return, from Steve McDonald. He and Toyah soon begin family planning, with them beginning surrogacy; as Toyah had multiple failed IVF treatments in the past and was unable to conceive naturally. Their baby son was stillborn, and Toyah and Eva secretly agreed to pretend that Eva and Aidan's daughter, Susie, is Peter's daughter, as Eva does not want to be a mother, but Toyah tells Peter after Eva has a change of heart, resulting in their split. Afterwards, Peter buys 50% of the Underworld factory from Alya Nazir, partnering with Carla, and supports Simon after he is the victim of bullying by former friend Tyler Jefferies, which results in Peter being shot with a paint gun. Peter also sleeps with Abi Franklin and supports Carla after the factory collapses after it is sabotaged by builder Gary Windass, which sees Carla blamed for the death of Rana Habeeb. Carla has a mental breakdown before the couple reunite into another relationship.

Storylines

1965–1986

Peter and his twin sister Susan were born to Ken and Valerie Barlow. Ken and Val planned to emigrate to Jamaica with the twins as Ken had been offered a teaching post there. While Val was getting ready for a leaving party in the Rovers Return Inn for them, she was electrocuted and killed by a faulty hairdryer. Ken then sent the twins to Glasgow to live with Val's parents; he saw them only sporadically as they grew up.
Peter did not attend Ken's wedding to Deirdre Langton in 1981 as he had joined the navy after leaving school, but he visited when Susan married Mike Baldwin. As Ken refused to go to the wedding due to the feud he and Mike had, Peter made an emotional appeal, saying that he and Susan had barely seen their father and that he always assumed Ken would step up if his children needed him and he was able to help. Ken reconsiders and attends the wedding.

2000–2003

Peter returned in December 2000 after leaving the Navy and the collapse of his marriage to Jessica Midgeley, who left him for another man. He accidentally let it be known that Susan had a teenage son, Adam Barlow, fathered by Mike. Deirdre told Dev Alahan, who then told Mike. Susan, who had been visiting at the time, attempted to flee when Mike threatened legal action and she was killed in a car crash. Peter was devastated, blaming himself and Deirdre for Susan's death. He started dating barmaid, Shelley Unwin, but when Peter's old Navy friend, Ciaran McCarthy, visited, he made a pass at Shelley, causing a temporary rift between the couple. Peter later met florist, Lucy Richards, while buying flowers for Shelley. He was attracted to her and a brief affair occurred but Peter chose to marry Shelley.
Lucy, unknown to Peter, hired his stepsister, Tracy Barlow, to work for her, covering her maternity leave. Tracy informed Peter that her employer was pregnant and Peter realised that he was the child's father. He offered to marry Lucy while still engaged to Shelley, promising her that his other relationship was over. Lucy gave birth to a son, Simon. When she discovered that Peter was still seeing Shelley, she threw him out and banned him from seeing Simon. Peter was torn between his son and Shelley, but eventually married her, thus committing bigamy. When both women discover Peter's secret, Shelley threw him out and the two women temporarily took over his betting shop. Lucy told Peter that she and Simon would emigrate to Australia alone, threatening to expose his crime if he contested her decision. Peter resigned himself to the situation and moved back to Portsmouth.

2007–

Peter returns to Weatherfield after Ken contacts him in regards to Tracy's stormy relationship with her boyfriend, Charlie Stubbs. Tracy later kills Charlie, supposedly in self-defence, and Peter decides to stay when she is charged with murder. Peter later has a brief fling with Maria Sutherland, however, once Tracy is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, Peter returns to Portsmouth, taking Adam with him, and ending his relationship with Maria.
Lucy dies from ovarian cancer and Peter is given custody of five-year-old Simon. Due to his business in Portsmouth failing, Peter brings Simon back to Weatherfield, seeking Ken and Deirdre's help but Ken suspects, correctly, that Peter plans to leave Simon with him. Peter changes his mind when he learns that Lucy had left her estate to him, providing that he used it for Simon's benefit. He buys the local bookmakers and renames it "Barlow's Bookies". Peter begins a relationship with Leanne Battersby. Peter and Leanne decide to open a bar, but Ken is hesitant about the venture because of Peter's alcoholism. On the opening night of the bar, Peter falls off the wagon and gets drunk and is forced to go to rehab. Peter and Leanne get engaged, but Peter feels threatened by the return of Leanne's ex-husband, Nick Tilsley, until Leanne convinces him that Nick is just a friend. Nick decides to open the bar and offers Leanne a job as bar manager. Feeling guilty for ruining her previous venture, Peter persuades her to take the job and starts mentoring Leanne's friend, Carla Connor, when he realises that she also has a drink problem. Carla begins to lean on Peter emotionally for support and she later attempts to seduce him. Peter then tells Carla that he cannot see her any more.
Peter celebrates his stag do at his and Leanne's former bar, The Joinery, owned by Nick in December 2010. The premises is destroyed by an explosion caused by a problem with the gas supply. Following the explosion, a tram derails and crashes into the street. The bar is destroyed and Peter is trapped inside. Peter is rushed to hospital with crush injuries to his legs and trauma to his lower back and chest, and suffers a cardiac tamponade. Aware that he is unlikely to survive, he marries Leanne in his hospital bed and goes into cardiac arrest moments after the ceremony has concluded. Fortunately, he survives and leaves hospital in a wheelchair.
Peter supports Carla again after her mother dies, and this makes Leanne, who knows about Carla's feelings for Peter, feel insecure and causes several arguments between the two women. Carla is subsequently raped by crooked businessman Frank Foster and Peter lends much emotional support, to the annoyance of Leanne. Peter begins drinking again and goes to Carla's flat, telling her that she was the woman he loved and that he would leave Leanne for her. He and Carla sleep together that night and an affair begins. Leanne finds out about the affair but offers to forgive him and try to work on fixing their marriage but Peter tells her that he loves Carla. Leanne leaves in a taxi with a tearful Simon running after the car, begging her to stay. Simon then starts misbehaving with Peter as he blames him and Carla for Leanne's departure. When Leanne returns, she fights Peter for custody of Simon and Leanne eventually wins a residency order, at the same time reconciling with Nick. Peter and Carla later get engaged.
Peter begins an affair with Simon's nanny, Tina McIntyre. Carla later finds out that she is pregnant and confides in Michelle Connor that she isn't ready to be a mother. She almost has a termination but cannot go through with it. Carla informs Peter that she is pregnant, and on the same day Tina also tells Peter that she might be pregnant. Tina's pregnancy scare is later discovered to be a false alarm and Peter vows to stand by Carla and raise their child. Tina asks Peter to move away with her to a new life away from Weatherfield. Peter initially agrees, but after realising how much he loved Carla, he decides to stay in Weatherfield. Upset and angry, Tina threatens to tell Carla about their affair and viciously attacks Peter scratching him on the face. Peter leaves and decides to come clean to Carla about the affair before Tina can tell her. He tells her in the Rovers back room and Carla is devastated by his betrayal. At the same time, Carla's brother Rob Donovan visits Tina and begs her not to tell Carla about the affair but Tina refuses and following a confrontation, falls from the balcony of the builder's yard. When she comes round and threatens Rob, he attacks her with a metal pipe. Peter is devastated when Tina is found seriously injured and hospitalised. Carla throws him out the following day, and he is questioned by the police over Tina's attack. He denies being responsible and is released on bail. Tina later dies of her injuries and Peter finds out when he comes into the pub drunk and begs Carla for another chance. She gives him a bottle of wine and tells him to drink himself to death. Carla later suffers a miscarriage and Rob swears revenge on Peter, blaming him for everything.
The Street turns on Peter in the aftermath of Tina's death, with everyone believing him to be responsible for her murder. A bracelet belonging to Steph Britton that Rob had stolen from the flat to make it look like a burglary, is discovered in the Barlows' garden shed where Rob had accidentally dropped it. Peter is arrested after his fingerprints are discovered on the bracelet, after he had moved it into the kitchen. Peter is charged with Tina's murder and remanded in custody. In prison, Peter discovers that Jim McDonald, who is serving a sentence in the same prison for armed robbery, is running an illegal alcohol side venture; hence his nickname "the Landlord". Peter later finds Jim's stash in the prison kitchen, drinks it all and is hospitalised. When he regains consciousness he asks to see Carla and she comes to visit him. Thinking he is going to die, Peter tells Carla that he believes that she killed Tina and that he will take the blame for her and take her secret to the grave. Carla then realises that Peter is innocent if he genuinely believed her to be guilty. Peter recovers and goes on trial. Whilst giving evidence, Carla tells the court that she believes that Peter is innocent. Despite this, Peter is found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of fifteen years before he can apply for parole. Carla eventually discovers that Rob is the killer and reports him to the police. He is arrested and Peter is released from prison with his conviction overturned. He begs Carla for another chance but she refuses, Peter decides to leave Weatherfield and move back to Portsmouth and Simon begs him not to go but Peter convinces him that it is for the best. Peter briefly returned to attend stepmother Deirdre's funeral and briefly sees his ex-wife Carla, before leaving once again.
In October 2016, Peter arrived back on the street, surprising Ken and Tracy. However, when Ken becomes suspicious about his real intentions for returning, an almighty argument ensues between the pair, resulting in Ken suffering a severe stroke. Peter informs the doctors of the argument and worries that this may have contributed to Ken's stroke, however he is assured that the stroke occurred due to Ken's age. He is adamant for Tracy not to find out, however she does so when the nurse informs the Barlows of Ken's progress, and so Tracy orders Peter to leave Weatherfield. As he prepared to leave, Peter bumped into his long-time friend Steve McDonald, who invites him to stay at The Rovers Return. In 2017, Peter buys The Rovers from Steve and his mother Liz, after Steve is ordered to sell up as part of Michelle's divorce settlement. Peter makes his new girlfriend Toyah Battersby the landlady, with Peter acting as pub landlord. In 2018, Peter and Toyah are delighted when they are informed that their surrogate has fallen pregnant with their baby, however Toyah later decides not to tell Peter when she learns that the surrogate has miscarried. Instead, she and Leanne's secretly pregnant half-sister Eva Price decide to pass her baby off as Peter and Toyah's, as Eva decides she does not want the baby. After the baby is born and named after Peter's deceased twin sister Susan, however, Toyah decides to reveal all to Peter, who therefore breaks up with Toyah. He sells The Rovers to Johnny and Jenny Connor and moves back in with Ken.

Creation

Casting

Robert Heanue was the first actor to portray the character from 1965 to 1970. Chris Dormer played the role from 1970 to 1972 when the 7-year-old actor was written out of the soap due to his parents' emigration to Canada. He did not continue to act and reflected on his time as the young Peter in 2001, "I really enjoyed the Street. I remember Pat Phoenix and Julie Goodyear kissing and tickling me because they thought I was cute. Most of the actors were nice, but some weren't. Violet Carson, who played Ena Sharples, was very grumpy. She didn't like children and really scared me." On-screen Peter and his sister Susan were written out of the soap to live with their grandparents when their mother Valerie Barlow was killed off.
One of the seven actors who has portrayed the character is Linus Roache, the real-life son of William Roache who portrays Peter's father, Ken Barlow in the programme. Linus returned to the show in 2010, playing Lawrence Cunningham, another son of Ken Barlow.

Characterisation

Upon the character's return to the show in October 2008, Chris Gascoyne spoke of his character's destructive personality in an interview with Digital Spy, he stated, "He's been trying against the odds to sort his life out, but he can't. And when it doesn't work and it all goes wrong for him, he has a drink. There are hurdles in his way all the time. He's stubborn and resents people telling him what to do. He'll listen to advice, but he won't take any notice if he thinks the person giving it isn't in a place to do so. That happens a lot with Ken."

Development

Leanne Battersby

Peter returns to Weatherfield with his recently discovered son, Simon Barlow, and Leanne helps Peter as he struggles with fatherhood.> Leanne is still "reeling" after her ex-boyfriend, Dan, ends their relationship. Peter returns to Weatherfield a "broken man" and finds fatherhood difficult. Gascoyne told Digital Spy that Peter has not thought about how his relationship with Leanne is progressing. Gascoyne explained that Peter is taking it "step by step", saying "Peter knows that Leanne gets on really well with Simon and I think Peter's nicely surprised by that. Leanne kind of has the upper hand on him and in a strange way, Leanne's a moral voice."
In December 2008, Gascoyne revealed that an upcoming storyline would see Peter enter a rehabilitation facility for his alcohol dependence. Leanne tells Peter's family that she is going to reconcile with him rather than accept a job offer from her friends in Leeds. However, a woman named Christina arrives and claims that she met Peter on her father's yacht recently and decided to visit him. Leanne discovers that Peter left rehab early and she decides to leave. The story arc was implemented to facilitate Danson's temporary departure from the show to take maternity leave. Digital Spy reported that Leanne becomes "fed up" with Peter taking her for granted and finds employment in a restaurant in Leeds. Peter attempts to prevent Leanne from leaving by getting Simon to beg her to stay. Despite this, Leanne leaves for Leeds. Leanne's departure was broadcast on 9 March 2009. Leanne made her full-time return on 11 September 2009 when Peter finds her in Leeds. Peter and Leanne later reunite their relationship.
After Peter becomes disabled, Gascoyne said that Peter will be unable to be a proper husband to Leanne. Leanne and Peter's wedding day is coming closer, and Leanne is still having an affair with Nick. When asked to sum up Peter and Leanne's twelve months of marriage, Gascoyne said: "It's been very rocky to say the least. There was the stuff with Nick, Peter was very ill and had to get back on his feet, and there was all the guilt of Ashley dying, so it started off badly and carried on badly. And Peter says he's forgiven Leanne for Nick, but in his heart, it still niggles him." Danson said: "It's not been the best, has it! They had the blessing, where Peter found out about Nick, and then her mother turned up and they argued over that, then she got pregnant and had about half an episode of happiness, and then she lost her baby. And in the middle of all this, Carla's been hovering in the wings..." It was announced in September 2010 that Peter's father, Ken, will catch Leanne in bed with Nick. An insider commented: "Leanne is wracked with guilt over the affair," a source told the paper. "She loves Peter, she loves his son Simon and they've been through a lot together – but Nick was her first love and she never got over that." It was later revealed that Peter will find out from his sister Tracy Barlow that Leanne is sleeping with Nick.

Alcoholism

In an interview with ITV Chris Gascoyne said, "Drink is becoming an issue and his self-esteem is low. He can’t see a way out and he can’t imagine doing this for the rest of his life." During the storyline he described his character as being seen as a coward, adding, "He has the potential to be a very good dad but at the minute he feels like everything is conspiring against him and he hasn’t got the confidence or the self-esteem to cope."

Carla Connor

In September 2010, it was reported that Carla Connor would fall for Peter. These events happened on screen in November 2010. It was reported that the pair apparently grow closer as Peter helps Carla overcome her boozing and comes to her aid when she is arrested for drink driving. A source said: "Carla is feeling vulnerable and Peter is there," a source told the paper. "They soon become more than friends. He's stunned when she tells him she hasn't felt like this about anyone since Liam." Asked what is attracting Carla to Peter, King replied: "In Peter she has found someone who understands what she is going through." Carla's best friend Leanne who is in a relationship with Peter would tell Carla that she is in love with her ex-husband Nick Tilsley, "This storyline will really put the cat among the pigeons," the source added.
Alison King later told Inside Soap that she wants Carla's friendship with Peter to develop even further as he helps her to battle an alcohol addiction. King said: "I think she should definitely get her claws into Peter. They've got a nice friendship and some good banter going on. They're equals, and I think it's the first time Carla's felt that way with someone since Liam died. They could be a great coupling – but it would turn into a nightmare if they both fell off the wagon."

Tina McIntyre

It was announced in September 2013 that Peter would begin an affair with Tina McIntyre following his marriage to Carla Connor, and will go on until her exit in the summer of 2014. Producer Stuart Blackburn told Inside Soap: "Tina's had a hideous old year with the surrogacy drama and losing Tommy – but she's no saint. She's capable of making mistakes and falling in love with the wrong person. She'll start a feud with Tracy and Rob, before falling into Peter's arms. Unfortunately for Tina, she'll find herself in a place where both Tracy and Carla have reasons to hate her!" Speaking about the story, Gascoyne told TV Times: "Peter is really lustful for Tina. I think he almost sees a younger Carla in her. He found it really exciting when she put up a fight against Tracy. He admired her spirit and started to see her in a different light. Peter adores Carla, but he feels a bit neglected. He even tells Tina that, despite everything Carla has done for him, he's still not happy. Peter knows it's not a good idea to be around Tina, but he really doesn't want to stop seeing her." Gascoyne added: "Put it this way, Peter Barlow and a wedding is bound to spell disaster. It certainly won't be dull. Whatever happens, it will be brilliant. Peter's had a good go at weddings – this will be his fifth. That tells you something." Michelle Keegan revealed that Tina's fling with Peter could be her most passionate relationship yet. Speaking to TV Times about the story, Keegan explained: "Peter had never been on Tina's radar, but suddenly she feels completely out of control. She's never felt like this about anyone before. She didn't really have a passionate relationship with Tommy, but she can see herself having one with Peter." She continued: "Tina is troubled by her feelings because she really likes Carla and she's not the sort of girl to do that to another woman. It's hard because she finds herself weakening whenever Peter is around. It gets to a point where Tina tells Peter that it might be best if she stops looking after Simon because she feels so out of control around him." As the story progresses, Tina begins to hope that Peter will not go through with his wedding to Carla. Keegan added: "If he does, I'm not sure Tina will enjoy sticking around to watch the marriage unfold. The thought of being 'the other woman' pains her."

Departure

In December 2013, it was rumoured that Gascoyne may take a break from the soap. Gascoyne said: "I've signed a new contract that takes me to August 2014 – and at this moment I don't know what will happen beyond then, Maybe I will take a break. The character loses something by being here all the time and being ordinary. I'd like to do other stuff. It's like anything – we can get stuck in one place, and that's not necessarily a bad place, but it's not always good for us, is it?" he went on to say: ""I took a four-month sabbatical from the show last summer and spent some time at a Buddhist retreat – and that was a big changing point in my life," he added. "Peter can be a very negative character – and although the storylines were fantastic, I lost myself. Having that break made me realise I can do the same job and still be happy." Gascoyne announced his exit in January 2014 and left in November 2014, he made a guest appearance in July 2015 for Deirdre's funeral.

Reintroduction

In July 2016, it was confirmed that new executive producer Kate Oates would be reintroducing Peter, which again would be on a permanent basis. His half-brother, Daniel Osbourne, now portrayed Rob Mallard, was announced to also be returning, as well as his nephew, Adam Barlow, with Sam Robertson reprising his role. Peter returned to the programme during the episode broadcast on 17 October 2016.

Reception

Ahead of the fire storyline in March 2009, the fire minister Sadiq Khan said: "I would like to thank Coronation Street for highlighting this very important issue. Peter Barlow's actions show how dangerous it is to go to sleep while smoking, putting not only his but his son Simon's life at risk too". The episode in which the fire was screened drew in 10.3 million viewers in March 2009.
In February 2011, Gascoyne was nominated for Best Actor at the 2011 All About Soap Bubbles Awards for his portrayal of Peter. He was nominated in the category of "Best Actor" at the 2011 British Soap Awards. In 2014, Gascoyne has been nominated for "Sexiest Male", "Villain of the Year" and "Best Actor" at The British Soap Awards
Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap said that Peter was great to watch when he is with Carla. She also opined that the pair are "like a car crash waiting to happen".