Corrie originals - Doreen Keogh as Concepta Riley/Hewitt/Regan

First appeared: 23rd December 1960

Last appeared: 31st December 1975

Doreen Keogh played the role of original Rovers barmaid Concepta Riley/Hewitt/Regan between 1960 and 1964 and made guest appearances in 1967, 1972 and 1975.

Born in Dublin circa 1926, Keogh was trained at the Abbey Theatre School in Dublin before moving to London. She secured roles in repertory theatre and made her TV debut in Lady Precious Stream in 1950. For the remainder of the 1950s, she concentrated on her theatre career and didn’t return to TV screens until an appearance in Emergency Ward Ten in 1960. That year, she was cast in the role of 34 year old Rovers barmaid Concepta Riley in new drama serial Coronation Street. During her time on the cobbles, Concepta’s storylines included marrying Harry Hewitt in 1961; giving birth to son Christopher the following year; having a fraught relationship with stepdaughter Lucille; marriage problems with Harry; and Christopher being kidnapped by an unstable Joan Akers in 1962.

Although she was the first Rovers barmaid, she only stayed in the post until she married Harry and became a housewife and mother. In 1964, in a bid to revamp the show by getting rid of deadwood characters, new young producer Tim Aspinall axed the whole Hewitt family. Lucille was salvaged as ITV bosses felt a street without children was unreal. Harry, Concepta and Christopher were written out in August 1964 when they all moved to Ireland where Harry took over the garage of Concepta’s father. Upon her departure from Coronation Street, Keogh had a one-off appearance in new Midlands soap Crossroads.

While Harry visited Lucille in 1965, it wasn’t until 1967 that Concepta visited for the wedding of Steve and Elsie Tanner. Upon their visit, Harry was crushed to death under a van, leaving Concepta a widow. She left again for Ireland. Keogh returned to the role in 1972 when Concepta announced to Annie Walker and Lucille that she was getting married to Sean Regan who also came to introduce himself. Upon his visit, Sean made a pass at Bet Lynch. Bet didn’t tell Concepta who married Sean that year. Concepta visited the street for the final time in 1975 and admitted to Annie that she was aware that Sean slept around but still loved him. Overall, Keogh appeared in 321 episodes in total.

Since her departure from Coronation Street, Keogh has secured many acting roles over the years including in Z Cars (1974), Minder (1984) and Play for Today (1974-1984). In 1989, she was cast in the role of Mary O’Hanlon in new Irish soap opera Fair City, a role she would play until 1995. In 1998, she appeared in two episodes of hit Irish sitcom Father Ted. She also starred in Irish drama series Ballykissangel as Imelda Egan between 1997 and 1999. Additionally she’s had roles in comedy The Royle Family (1998-2006), comedy-drama Cold Feet (1998-2003), hospital drama Holby City (2004) and made her latest TV appearance in drama Cutting It (2005). She appeared in Irish film How About You in 2007. Keogh as appeared as herself in various Coronation Street linked programmes like Classic Coronation Street (1991), Life after the Street (2001) and Coronation Street Secrets (2003). 

Research from Wikipedia, Corrie Net, IMDB and Corriepedia.

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Top 50 Corrie Couples - Nos. 48 and 47

48. Jason Grimshaw and Sarah Platt/Grimshaw, 2005-2007 (15 votes)

Although they’d had a schooldays fling, they embarked on a real relationship in 2005, after Jason was dumped by Violet Wilson. The relationship didn’t please Eileen or Gail as Sarah had already had a failed relationship with Jason’s brother Todd. Sarah’s insecurity about Jason’s relationship with Violet was an early problem with Sarah dumping him in the Rovers. But, determined to be with her, Jason proposed. The wedding was a disaster as Jason jumped through a toilet window.

But they reconciled and despite David’s sabotaging and scheming, they married on Halloween 2007. But by the end of the year, the marriage was over as Jason decided not to join Sarah and Bethany in Milan when Sarah was offered a job there by her uncle Stephen Reid.

Should Sarah return and put a spanner in the relationship of Jason and Eva? Should the Grimshaws be at 48?

47. Harry Hewitt and Concepta Riley/Hewitt, 1960-1964, 1967 (15 votes)

Considering it’s 50 years since they were in the show as regulars, I’m surprised the Hewitts received 15 votes! I’m glad some older viewers read this blog.

After wife Lizzie was killed in a road accident in 1959, Harry found himself a widower and a single father to Lucille. He put Lucille in an orphanage but by the end of 1960, she returned to the street. Coincidentally, Irish barmaid Concepta Riley returned to Weatherfield after spending some time in Ireland and began a relationship with Harry. He proposed to her in Blackpool and the couple married in 1961. Harry didn’t settle down easily into his second marriage with arguments and his choice of drinking with old pal Len Fairclough rather than spending time with his new wife.

Soon enough, Concepta fell pregnant and Christopher was born in 1962. Christopher was kidnapped on the Hewitts’ first anniversary by Joan Akers but was saved by Elsie Tanner. By 1964, Concepta was worried for Christopher’s health and wished to move to Ireland. Although reluctant and first, Harry agreed and they emigrated. Lucille refused and moved in with the Walkers at the Rovers. Harry and Concepta returned for Elsie’s wedding to Steve Tanner in 1967 but Harry was crushed when a car jack gave way, leaving Concepta widowed.

Should the Hewitts be at 47? Would you like to see Concepta return to the street for a visit?

Check out who was at 50 and 49.

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The faces of Corrie in 1963

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next 10 weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

 

 

 In 1963, 104 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Valerie Barlow (91 episodes)
2.    Harry Hewitt (91 episodes)
3.    Ena Sharples (90 episodes)
4.    Annie Walker (90 episodes)
5.    Martha Longhurst (89 episodes)
6.    Concepta Hewitt (89 episodes)
7.    Elsie Tanner (89 episodes)
8.    Minnie Caldwell (88 episodes)
9.    Len Fairclough (88 episodes)
10.    Albert Tatlock (87 episodes)
11.    Jack Walker (87 episodes)
12.    Florrie Lindley (85 episodes)

Average age: 50

Note: This is the last time Martha, Harry, Florrie and Concepta (to date) appear in the top 12.

 

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The faces of Corrie in 1962

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next 10 weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1962, 105 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Len Fairclough (95 episodes)
2.    Ken Barlow (94 episodes)
3.    Albert Tatlock (94 episodes)
4.    Harry Hewitt (93 episodes)
5.    Elsie Tanner (93 episodes)
6.    Jack Walker (93 episodes)
7.    Concepta Hewitt (92 episodes)
8.    Ena Sharples (92 episodes)
9.    Minnie Caldwell (91 episodes)
10.    Martha Longhurst (91 episodes)
11.    Annie Walker (91 episodes)
12.    Frank Barlow (90 episodes)

Average age: 50

Note: This is the last time Frank appears in the top 12.

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All original work on the Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

The faces of Corrie in 1961

If you remember, last year I had a series of posts looking at the top 12 faces of each Corrie decade - the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s. For the next 10 weeks or so, I’ll be looking at the top 12 faces of each year between 1960 and 2013.

With thanks to Corriepedia for the information.

In 1961, 102 episodes were broadcast.

1.    Elsie Tanner (85 episodes)

2.    Annie Walker (84 episodes)

3.    Ena Sharples (83 episodes)

4.    Jack Walker (83 episodes)

5.    Concepta Riley/Hewitt (78 episodes)

6.    Harry Hewitt (77 episodes)

7.    Martha Longhurst (76 episodes)

8.    Minnie Caldwell (75 episodes)

9.    Dennis Tanner (70 episodes)

10.    Albert Tatlock (69 episodes)

11.    Frank Barlow (62 episodes)

12.    Ken Barlow (60 episodes)

Average age: 47

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Favourite Corrie couples countdown - first poll

Who's your favourite Corrie couple? As Elsie Tanner once said: now there's a question. Can anyone choose only one couple out of the tens that have appeared on the cobbles for over 50 years?

Over the years, there have been countless polls asking people for their favourite Coronation Street couples and I thought it would be fun to include one on this, the ultimate website for hardcore Corrie fans.

There are 50 couples in all in my poll and the first five are below. There'll be a new batch of couples every week so vote for your favourites. I've tried to separate the most popular couples but it was no easy task, believe me! And I know I'll have forgotten some but I think there's a representation for every commenter.

You can vote for 2 couples every week.

Now then, who's in our first batch?

Len Fairclough and Rita Littlewood/Fairclough (1972-1983) - Their love story dominated Corrie storylines between 1972 and 1977 that culminated in their ratings winner wedding. Their relationship was tempestuous and fiery and consisted of various arguments, tiffs, broken engagements and walk outs. The Faircloughs are also remembered for fostering various children in the early 80s. Len died in 1983.

Chesney Brown and Katy Armstrong (2010-2013) - They met at Chesney's birthday party and they were attracted to each other. But they soon had to grow up when Katy fell pregnant and gave birth to Joseph in 2011. Despite the struggles of being young parents, Chesney and Katy seemed to accept it and still loved each other. That was until Katy fell for Ryan Connor and his 'young and free' attitude. Katy's adultery led to the break-up of a couple that could've gone on to be one of the stablest in the street.

Derek Wilton and Mavis Riley/Wilton (1976-1979, 1984-1997) - If there was any couple destined to be together - here they are! Both nervous and ditherers, they first planned to marry in 1984 but they both jilted each other! They finally married in 1988 and settled into a marriage consisting of gnomes and budgies. Derek also had a rival for Mavis' affections in the form of Victor Pendlebury. Derek died in 1997.

Alec Gilroy and Bet Lynch/Gilroy (1986-1992) - She spent years on her quest for a hubby, and in 1987 Bet finally got married - to stingy and bumbling Alec Gilroy. Considering her previous conquests, Alec was a surprise choice and street residents and viewers alike questioned the pairing. The pair ran the Rovers together and the marriage was filled with sarcastic banter which made the marriage popular. Although seen at first as a marriage of convinience, when Bet suffered a miscarriage, the Gilroys' affection towards each other was evident. The marriage ended when Alec left the Rovers for a job in Southampton, leaving Bet behind. 

Harry Hewitt and Concepta Riley/Hewitt (1960-1964, 1967) -  Harry met Concepta in the Rovers and proposed to her in Blackpool and they married in 1961 - the first regular characters to marry. Like any other couple, the Hewitts had arguments over Harry spending more time in the Rovers with pal Len than with his wife. Concepta fell pregnant and gave birth to Christopher in 1962. By 1964, Concepta was worried about Christopher's health and persuaded Harry to move to Ireland. The Hewitts returned to Elsie Tanner's wedding in 1967 and while fixing a van, Harry was crushed to death when the jack slipped. 

So vote now for 2 of your favourites out of those five!  Voting for this poll closes on Monday, 11th November.

And if you want to say who you've voted for and your reason for doing so, well leave a comment below! Check in next week to see who'll be in the next batch. 

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