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Thursday 8 November 2012

An ode to Audrey


Audrey Roberts has long been one of my favourite Corrie characters. Sue Nicholls has appeared as Audrey on and off since April 1979 and she always gives a flawless performance. She plays both comedy and straight drama with great skill and I for one hope she is a fixture on the cobbles for many more years to come. Here's why I am such a fan:

First Appearance

Audrey Potter first appeared on Coronation Street in April 1979, attending Gail's 21st birthday party in the Rovers Select (just where was that barn-like space supposed to be?). She made an immediate impact in several ways. Gail was overly frosty towards her absent mother; Ivy eyed her with a mixture of suspicion and contempt while Elsie Tanner and Fred Gee both took an instant liking to her, both for very different reasons! Audrey hit the ground running and Sue Nicholls managed to quickly establish herself in The Street during a particularly strong period in the programme's history.

Gail Potter/Tilsley/Platt/Hillman/McIntyre

From the word go her relationship with daughter Gail was spikey and strained. The writers gave the pair a backstory implying Audrey had been a less than hands-on mother during Gail's early years. For quite some time Audrey would only appear in Gail's life whenever she needed something or was escaping a dodgy bloke. After becoming a regular cast member in 1985, Audrey began to play a much more important role in Gail's life, offering opinions and advice on her daughter's countless husbands and keeping a watchful eye on her equally troublesome grandchildren. For me the ultimate Gail/Audrey storyline was the Richard Hillman affair. This tested their relationship to the limit and brought out a different, much stronger side to Audrey's character. The ditzy hair stylist who gave Hilda Ogden more than she bargained for was long gone.

Marriage to Alf

One of the best-loved on screen partnerships, it would originally have seemed like a rather left-field idea to put these two, very different characters together. However Audrey's marriage to Alf Roberts was ultimately much more successful than the writers could have imagined. They were a great contrast, Alf's penny pinching ways up against Audrey's constant shopping sprees and expensive tastes. I loved how marriage to Audrey also gave Alf a family. Deep down there was obviously a great deal of affection between them which was often very touching to watch, and is something sorely lacking in some of the on-screen relationships today.

Friendship with Alma

I adored the scenes between Audrey and Alma. In the early days of their friendship they were "gadabouts"; getting up to mischief involving a combination of shopping trips and, on  occasion, other people's husbands. They were always there for each other and the friendship endured. You could also tell both Sue Nicholls and Amanda Barrie got on well and loved acting together. The scenes they shared while Alma fought cancer were some of the best the show has featured.

Longevity

There is a lot to be said for allowing a character to develop over time. Audrey is a great example of this. These days characters tend to have so many outrageous dramas in such a short space of time they either become increasingly unbelievable or just burn out and leave. Audrey has developed from a good time girl in the early days to a responsible mother, grandmother and business woman. And now she is widely regarded as one of The Street's main matriarchs. Going back to 1979, who could have seen that happening?

Manchester Tart

No, not the fragrant Audrey! A lovely example of Gail defending her mother. And a great excuse to show Deirdre getting her just desserts ;)

So let's have your favourite Audrey moments. What do you like most about our Aud? And where would you like to see the character go in the future?


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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent summary of a brilliant character made flesh and magic by the wonderful Sue Nicholls. Too favourite moments spring to mind: The first was with Mike Baldwin in the Lake District when they scattered Alma's ashes and he agreed with her statement that she was much more than a ditzy blonde, the second was after Richard Hillman's crimes came to light and she quietly upbraided Gail for not believing her or taking her side. (It was also a pleasure to see Gail eating Crow Pie).

ChiaGwen said...

Oh I love Audrey too! - brilliant acting whether drama or comedy. I have to say I loved the Gail/Audrey power walking in the counry - fabulous! The Hillman saga also showed off her great acting but the best for me is with Lewis and hopefully he will be back after Panto and not turn out to be a cad again.

Carry On Blogging! said...


I'm not sure what I think of Audrey being with Lewis. I think I'd like to see her take a break from all her romantic exploits. She needs a best friend to have a laugh with - they should bring back Rula Lenska!

Humpty Dumpty said...

I agree Audrey needs a friend as well as a love interest. The female residents are nearly all friendless: Gail, Audrey, Tina, Kylie, Deirdre. We might even have softened towards Tracy if she'd had a mate to confide in about Steve. Surely Audrey would have someone other than her family to have a drink with.

Carry On Blogging! said...


Yes it's weird how the cast is so large yet so many of the characters appear to have no friends!

ChiaGwen said...

Not Rula Lenska - the woman's voice drove me nuts!! Why can't Audrey be friends with Diedre or Anna - or Wendy 'flaming' Crozier for that matter (I'd like to see her stick around). Audrey and Lewis could be a couples' friend for Rita and Dennis

Anonymous said...

Audrey is one of the best characters ever. Sue Nicholls has wonderful comic timing and has also turned in some of the most powerful and understated moments in the show's history. Long may she reign!

Anonymous said...

The great thing about Audrey is that she is very active, running a business and travelling about. She is perfectly plausible popping up in other people's storylines and seems to have more going on than the other older characters. As business people, you'd think that Rita and Hayley/Roy might have more interaction with Audrey and that folk on the Street would spend more time having tea or drinks with each other. I'm with Graham N that I don't particularly like Audrey and her man-hunting, it's what's dragged her away from the Salon and her passion about succeeding on a personal level.

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised that Audrey and Dev never hooked up. Sure, there's the age difference but she would love his OTT romantic gestures, possessiveness and emotion. They'd also be able to commiserate about their business operations.

Carry On Blogging! said...


Audrey and Dev? Please no! i hope she'd have more sense than that! Nigel Havers is bad enough :)

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