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Friday 4 September 2015

Goodbye Andrea Beckett - for now


In October 2013, I interviewed Hayley Tamaddon, who playsAndrea Beckett. Now, just a month shy of a 2 year stint, she will leave, newly pregnant, with Lloyd, in the live episode, to be broadcast on Wednesday 23 September.

I had such high hopes for the character Andrea Beckett, especially because the initial storyline entailed Andrea going all out to claim Steve MacDonald. You’ll remember that Amy was involved in a history project at school and her father couldn’t properly answer her questions. It was this inability to help, which steered Steve towards college and taking a course in history. In his class was Andrea and the initial storyline was that Andrea would become totally infatuated with Steve and would stop at nothing to claim him. Not Michelle, not Liz and not his mates would dampen her ardour. Sadly and most disappointingly, that storyline disappeared. After a bit of laughter and banter, accompanied by Michelle’s questioning as to who exactly Andrea was, and whether or not she was attractive, that plot was clearly sidelined.

Instead, what did happen, and this was quite unpalatable at the time, was that Michelle, with sidekick Liz, mocked Steve for trying to better himself. Michelle, in particular, treated him as an exasperating child, rather than the man who was her life partner. Maybe it was jealousy on Michelle’s part and maybe Liz sided with Michelle as she was hoping that Steve and Michelle would stick together. Michelle was particularly put out when she learnt that the green blouse Steve had bought her was purchased on a shopping trip with Andrea. Whatever the reason though, Michelle and Liz did themselves no favours at that time and they lost a few fans through their ignorance and ridiculing of Steve.

Had that original storyline gone ahead it would have caused some real upset and some terrific drama. If drama is conflict, as the great dramatists claim, then there would have been enough for all. Originally, Andrea was to dress like a femme fatale and to make it crystal clear to Steve that she wanted him. She was to flaunt herself in The Rovers and have an - ‘All’s fair in Love and War,’ attitude towards her attempt to ensnare Steve.

It’s such a shame that it did not materialize and instead we were granted dreary, confused, Neil and a steady (ish) relationship with lovely Lloyd; at least until she stole Lloyd’s prize record to flog, to help out the mysterious, never seen, Jess.  It is worth noting that Steve appeared to be a little bit jealous of Lloyd when he started going out with Andrea.


Just a quick note here too about Todd - I interviewed BrunoLangley who plays Todd, the same day as Hayley Tamaddon. Bruno stated that viewers would find out what had turned Todd bad; it was to something in ‘that London’ that had traumatised him, explaining why he had undergone a metamorphosis.

As far as I know, we’re still waiting…

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11 comments:

Zagg said...

I really liked her character when she came to the street. It's too bad they sidetracked her and added Neil. That was a disaster. I liked her with Lloyd but I think she was better with Steve. They should have ditched Michelle at that point. I still don't think they work together.

Joseph said...

I liked Andrea when she first came on but I'm glad she's leaving. There's nothing really there. If I'm being bluntly honest, she's just been a grinning moron propping up the bar since January. With good writing, that might have worked. Andrea was not gifted with good writing. A shame really.

vintgal003 said...

I think that Andrea and Lloyd made a great couple....and truly hoping that they both will rtn. to the cobbles down the road with their 'little one'......

Sevin said...

So they've revealed that they leave together? Can't ITV just be spoiler free?

Catman said...

With her face and body, are you serious about her as a femme fatale? The snivelling theif with a whining voice, deserves no further thought. Somebody who steals a dollar, will steal a million, and deserves no second thought.

Beryl Ament said...

I applauded Andrea for going to college (and Steve while it lasted.) Why is lack of education considered grounds for praise and education something to be made fun of. Whatever happened to LaToya?

Anonymous said...

Andrea and Lloyd could have been great together, the actors have chemistry and they came across as one of the more genuine and affectionate couples on the street. They didn't nag or belittle each other as so many of the other pairings do. However their relationship has been undermined by making her character unsympathetic. First she lied about her marriage, then about the record. Can it really be considered a 'happy ending' that Lloyd has essentially been pushed back into being with a woman he cannot trust, who has lied to and stolen from him, just because she is now pregnant? That doesn't feel right or romantic to me.

Anonymous said...

Another pregnancy ... original writing skills come to the fore! I couldn't care less..the actor has a revolving door on this program..comes and goes every few months. As for Anrea? Who gives a toss.

Pootle5 said...

I agree with the failure of Corrie to ever allow anyone to become educated. I hope Craig Tinker is allowed to develop and they'll have the debate about whether he can afford the uni fees etc - but it gets sorted and he can go to Manc uni, do art or media degree (the graduation day will be a laugh with his family) and how about he gets a job at Media City... He can still live on or around the Street, bring in uni mates etc but not go off the rails. Just for a change?

Catman said...

Well thought-out.

BT Vision said...

Andrea was another character that began with such potential but quickly became very annoying and pointless, after the ridiculous Neil stalking debacle which should have been the end of her. But she keeps coming back like a boomerang when there really is no reason to and she is neither likeable nor interesting and is just a thief. I hope when she goes with Lloyd its for good.

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