My Seven Corrie Wonders

A very interesting discussion emerged on Twitter this week, which the lovely Graeme has already dedicated a brilliant blog to in Picking Your Favourites. We were asked to do just that, and narrow it down to seven.

A couple of names immediately sprung to mind, and I wondered if I should go with my gut, or give it some thought; after all there are a lot of characters to choose from, and just because they don’t instantly come to mind, might not mean they aren’t a favourite. My seven, as it turned out, arose from a mixture of thought and instinct, and here they are:

Peter Barlow

Todd Grimshaw

Liz McDonald

David Platt

Roy Cropper

Ken Barlow

Pat Phelan

As Graeme says, the exercise did reveal more about ourselves than we might have thought it could, and I managed to surprise not only him with my choices, but myself as well.

The first thing of note was that six out of my seven were men, while most people tweeting on #7favcorriecharacters were choosing women, and almost exclusively at that, including our Graeme. In my case, even the ones I had laboured over, but who didn’t make the list, were mainly male.

As I picked them purely because they are my favourites, I wondered what my choices said about me, and how they might reveal what I enjoy best in a Corrie character. Here's what I learned: 

• My six men all have one thing in common; they’re not afraid to stand up for themselves. My sole lady, Liz, is the same.
• With the exception of Phelan, there is a vulnerability to them.
• I love Phelan regardless.
• My male choices don’t fit the strong women and mithered men trope. Okay, most men on Corrie find themselves henpecked at some point, but these are more likely to resist it, answer back or reach a point where they’ve had enough, and are not afraid to say so. I admire this in them.

So, Graeme has asked you to try and pick your seven favourite characters. What I want you to tell me is, what do you think your selection says about you and what you enjoy in a character?

By Emma Hynes
www.emmahynes.net
Twitter: @ELHynes
Facebook: @EmmaHynesWrites
Instagram: emmalouhynes

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - in full

After nearly 10 weeks, we finally found fans’ favourite Corrie male – Steven James McDonald!

It’s been a fun poll to do and for me, the results aren’t that shocking. The biggest for me was seeing Norris so low.

What did you think of the countdown as a whole? Let us know!

1. Steve McDonald (440 votes)

2. Roy Cropper (408 votes)

3. Jack Duckworth (322 votes)

4. Tim Metcalfe (229 votes)

5. Peter Barlow (205 votes)

6. Mike Baldwin (193 votes)

7. David Platt (191 votes)

8. Fred Elliott (163 votes)

9. Ken Barlow (144 votes)

10. Jim McDonald (143 votes)

11. Curly Watts (127 votes)

12. Graeme Proctor (124 votes)

13. Eddie Yeats (90 votes)

14. Alf Roberts (87 votes)

15. Stan Ogden (85 votes)

16. Kevin Webster (75 votes)

17. Des Barnes; Norris Cole (62 votes)

18. Alec Gilroy (56 votes)

19. Tony Gordon (51 votes)

20. Martin Platt ; Richard Hillman (48 votes)

21. Albert Tatlock (47 votes)

22. Reg Holdsworth (44 votes)

23. Percy Sugden (40 votes)

Hopefully in the New Year I’ll conduct an all-time favourite Corrie female poll. As Corrie is known for its women, I predict that countdown will get everyone talking! 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 1

STEVE MCDONALD
(440 VOTES)

Duration: 1989-

Played by: Simon Gregson  

2012 character poll position (men): 2

Having led the race since the second week, Steve McDonald is at No.1!! I believe his popularity soared when he married Karen in 2001 and thus making him one of the show’s all-time favourites.

Over the course of 26 years, Steve McDonald has gone from a mischievous teen who caused trouble for Alf Roberts to a father, cab firm owner and pub landlord loved by millions. He arrived on the Street with parents Jim and Liz and twin brother Andy. 

For a man who’s only in his forties, Steve has been married six times! First wife Vicky Arden was wealthy and he only married her for her money. When he got into hot water criminally, he blamed her and she quickly filed for divorce. He married second wife Karen Phillips for a bet in 2001 but they fell in love and became popular with fans due to their fiery arguments. The marriage ended due to Karen’s affair with Joe Carter and Steve’s one night stand with Tracy Barlow – resulting in the birth of his daughter Amy. After a few months, Steve and Karen reunited and remarried in 2004 but the marriage soon collapsed and Karen left the Street and they divorced in 2006. 

After relationships with Tracy, Ronnie Clayton and Michelle Connor, Steve married Becky Granger in 2009. Their marriage was also tempestuous with both making mistakes which resulted in their divorce in 2011. Steve then married Tracy when she became pregnant with twins. But when she miscarried, she accused Becky of pushing her down the stairs, a lie to gain Steve’s sympathy. Becky got her revenge though and announced that Tracy was lying and had medical evidence that showed she had had a miscarriage. A furious Steve divorced Tracy. He then returned to dating Michelle. After a tough relationship with Steve hiding his depression from her, they eventually married in 2015.

Steve owned the Rovers between 2006 and 2012 and has been since 2013 (albeit a brief period in 2015) and has been running cab firm Street Cars since 2000, enjoying a wonderful camaraderie with Lloyd Mullaney and Eileen Grimshaw. When he wanted money to start the cab firm, he borrowed from drug dealer Jez Quigley. When Steve failed to pay him, Jez sought revenge and beat him up and left him for dead. Steve’s dad Jim sought revenge on Jez by beating him up and this resulted in Jez dying of a punctured lung. 

Steve is of course known on this Blog for his gurns!

Should Steve be at no. 1? Are you a fan? 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 2

ROY CROPPER (408 VOTES)

Duration: 1995-
Played by: David Neilson
2012 character poll position (men): 3

For the first week of the polls, Roy was in first place but then settled for second place. 

Roy was brought into the serial in 1995 as the eccentric neighbour of Deirdre Rachid at Crimea Street. A secondary character for two years, he became a regular in 1997 when he became Gail Platt’s partner at Jim’s Café. As he was the major shareholder he renamed the café Roy’s Rolls. He later bought Gail’s share and relocated from Rosamund Street to Victoria Street. 

Known for his shopping bag, Roy was and still is a popular character, known for his quirky conservations filled with facts and for being a bit serious. Soon after he became a regular he was paired off with Hayley Patterson. She was no ordinary woman – she was a transsexual. But this didn’t stop their romance and they had a blessing ceremony and Hayley changed her name to Hayley Cropper. In 2010, due to a change in the law, Roy and Hayley could get properly married, which they did. For more than a decade, Roy and Hayley established themselves as one of Corrie’s classic couples, side by side to the Duckworths, Ogdens and Barlows and they were well loved by fans. In 2013, Hayley received the devastating news that she had cancer. Over the next few months, the Croppers spent time ticking off Hayley’s bucket list like re-visiting the lake where they first kissed and dancing in the ballroom in Blackpool Tower. Hayley made the controversial choice of wanting to kill herself by taking an overdose. Roy was devastated when she drank the cocktail and slowly passed away.

Roy struggled to move on with his life without Hayley but with the support of friends Carla, Anna, Fiz, Tyrone and Chesney he eventually came to terms with it. A year after losing Hayley he befriended Cathy Matthews on his allotment and their friendship blossomed into courtship.

Roy has starred in many storylines over the years including being tricked by Tracy Barlow; taking in various waifs and strays; being suspected of dealing drugs with Ken Barlow; finding about Hayley having fathered a child; nearly murdered by Tony Gordon; and reuniting with mum Sylvia after many years of estrangement. Not one to show his emotions, Roy showed his caring side when looking out for Becky McDonald, who fondly called him ‘Royston’ and saw him as a father figure.

Should Royston be at 2? Are you a fan? 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 3

JACK DUCKWORTH (322 VOTES)

Duration: 1979, 1981-2010

Played by: Bill Tarmey

2012 character poll position (men): 1

While Jack occupied the top male spot and overall character top spot in 2012, he has been downgraded to third position. I’m sure he feels like David Whitfield felt when Elvis came on the scene in 1957!

First introduced at Brian and Gail’s wedding, Jack didn’t become a regular until 1983 when the Duckies moved into No9. A bone idle layabout, Jack gave Vera a lot of grief but they were married for over 50 years. Jack also played away, mainly with bored housewives while on his window round. He was also one of Bet Lynch’s conquests. 

He was also behind the Rovers bar for nearly 15 years as cellar-man and barman under Alec and Bet Gilroy and then he got his dream job when he became landlord in 1995, beating the McDonalds. But it was Vera’s name above the door as she had a clean record. The Duckworths failed to keep up with VAT payments and were forced into partnership with Alec Gilroy who later bought them out. They then ran a B&B until they returned to the street in 2000 and bought No9 from Gary Mallett.

Jack had a strained relationship with son Terry. While at first he turned a blind eye to Terry’s dodgy dealings, Jack realised that Terry was only using his parents for his own gain. Jack was sickened when Terry sold his son Tommy to his in-laws and Britain cheered when Jack punched him on Christmas Day and disowned him. Whenever Terry returned, Jack was always wary of his motives.

Known for his stuck-together glasses and his love of pigeons, Jack was left bereft when his ‘little swampduck’ passed away in 2008 when they were on the verge on retiring to Blackpool. After her death, Jack led a quiet life with his surrogate son Tyrone and his wife Molly and found companionship with Connie Rathbone. 

In 2010, Jack was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and passed away on his birthday, taking the secret that Molly’s son Jack was Kevin Webster’s and not Tyrone’s to the grave. The secret eventually came out the following month. Vera (ghost) came to collect him and took him to heaven.

Were you a fan of Jack? 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 4

TIM METCALFE (229 VOTES)

Duration: 2013-
Played by: Joe Duttine
2012 character poll position (men): Not included

A male character who has definitely become popular since his relationship with Sally Webster. 

Introduced as the estranged father of Faye Windass, Tim worked as a builder. Despite Faye’s adoptive mother Anna’s initial disapproval, Tim kept in contact with Faye when he got a job with Jason Grimshaw.

Both Anna and partner Owen Armstrong attempted to force Tim out of Weatherfield but he began a relationship with Sally. 

When work dried up with Jason, he established himself as a window cleaner – continuing the lineage of street window cleaners (Stan, Eddie, Jack). His down to earth attitude is a stark contrast to the snobbery of Sally and they are a reminder of Richard and Hyacinth Bucket. In 2015, Tim employed Craig Tinker as his assistant. It was revealed in 2014 that Tim was dyslexic but he has overcome this problem by now.

Surprisingly, Tim has a formed a close friendship with Sally’s ex Kevin. This is a contrast to Kevin’s animosity towards Sally’s men. But this provides and interesting dynamic to the Webster household. Kevin was even best man at Tim and Sally’s wedding in 2015.

Tim is definitely in the mould of Corrie’s classic hapless men – Stan, Jack, Les and Steve and has to be one of the brightest stars of Corrie in recent years after the departures of many classic characters.

Are you a fan of Tim? Are you a fan of his relationship with Sally?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 5

PETER BARLOW (205 VOTES)

Duration: 1965-1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1986, 2000-2003, 2007-2014, 2015

Played by: John Heannau, Christopher Dormer, Mark Duncan, Linus Roache, Joseph McKenna, David Lonsdale, Chris Gascoyne

2012 character poll position (men): 7

One of the twins born to Ken and Valerie Barlow fifty years ago. After appearing sporadically over 21 years, he was re-introduced in 2000 and it is this Peter that has won fans’ hearts.

After Val’s death in 1971, Peter and his sister Susan were packed up to Scotland to be raised by their maternal grandparents. Peter later joined the navy and married Jessica Midgeley in 1990.

Newly divorced Peter returned to the street in 2000. He wooed both Shelley Unwin and Lucy Richards and married them bigamously. He was never punished by the law, only by a punch from Shelley. Lucy gave birth to Simon in 2003 although she refused access to Peter. Peter then left.

He returned in 2007 with Simon, who Peter had to take on after Lucy’s death and bought the local bookies. Struggling with fatherhood and women, Peter became fond of the drink and ultimately became an alcoholic. With the support of his family and girlfriend Leanne Battersby he sobered up. But when Leanne briefly left the street, he nearly killed himself and Simon when he drunkenly left a cigarette to burn in his flat.

Peter also escaped death when a tram crashed into the street. Afraid that he was going to die, he married Leanne. Unknown to Peter, Leanne had been having an affair with her ex Nick Tilsley. When Peter found out he confronted her at their marriage blessing. The marriage survived but Peter then had an affair with Carla Connor.

Peter and Leanne divorced and Peter got engaged to Carla. But then the Barlow gene hit again as he embarked on a fling with Tina McIntyre. Peter and Carla did marry but the marriage ended when the affair was exposed. 

When Rob Donovan pushed Tina off the balcony of the builder’s yard, he framed Peter who spent months in prison. It was Rob’s confession that led to Peter being released. 

Peter left the street once more in 2014 only to return briefly when Deirdre died in 2015.

A fan of Peter? Should he return once more?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 8

FRED ELLIOTT (163 VOTES)

Duration: 1994-2006

Played by: John Savident 

2012 character poll position (men): 6

The booming butcher who had a tendency to repeat everything he said. I say, repeat everything he said!

Fred was introduced as a member of the Weatherfield Square Dealers and was known to Alf Roberts. He was quickly established as a flirt and enjoyed schmoozing Audrey, much to Alf’s chagrin.

He became popular with viewers and so became a regular by romancing Rita. Only after a few months of courtship he proposed only for her to refuse. But Rita was the first in a long line of women that he would propose to: Maureen Holdsworth, Audrey, Doreen Heavey, Evelyn Sykes, Orchid (who was actually con artist Stacey Hilton), Penny King and Bev Unwin. They all accepted but only Maureen and Evelyn actually married him. But both didn’t last long: Maureen left him after a week and Evelyn turned out to be a bigamist!!

Fond of his scotch and threat, Fred ran the local butcher shop with son Ashley (until 1999 Ashley thought Fred was his uncle). He also bought the Rovers in 2001 only to be bought out by Duggie Ferguson. He regained the pub in 2002 and owned it until his death in 2006.

He was about to embark on a fresh start with fiancée Bev in 2006 when he collapsed and died in Audrey’s house. He was on the verge of signing the Rovers over to Steve McDonald. Luckily, Ashley gave his blessing and the sale went ahead.

A fan of Fred? 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 14

ALF ROBERTS (87 VOTES)

Duration: 1961-1963, 1967, 1971-1999

Played by: Bryan Mosley

2012 character poll position (men): 18

My all-time favourite male character.

First appeared as a GPO worked with Ken Barlow’s dad Frank. He was a recurring character until 1971.

Thrice married, first wife Phyllis died in 1972. He married Corner Shop owner Renee Bradshaw in 1978. Accidents played an active role in their marriage: Alf was injured when a lorry crashed into the Rovers in 1979 and Renee was killed in a car/lorry collision in 1980. Alf inherited the shop upon Renee’s death and thus became the king of Corrie’s Corner Shop for nearly 15 years.

Third wife Audrey Potter was quite different to Renee. She was flighty and enjoyed spending all of Alf’s money. As Alf was a frugal man, Audrey was his perfect foil. Viewers enjoyed their marriage as it included a lot of humour and they had the chemistry that Alf and Renee lacked. Audrey was annoyed that she often came second best in Alf’s life, behind the shop. The shop was Alf’s world and he was sad when Audrey persuaded him to retire in 1993. But upon new owner Brendan Scott’s death, he purchased it again but sold it to Reg Holdsworth in 1994.

Alf’s other delight of course was being a Weatherfield councillor, a job that he held between the late 1960s and 1987 and then from 1991 to 1998. He lost his seat in 1987 to his former shop assistant Deirdre Barlow. The shock of losing triggered a heart attack. He successfully regained the seat from Deirdre in 1991. He was elected as mayor twice: in 1973 and 1994. Annie Walker was his first mayoress and then Betty Turpin (replacing Audrey). Alf retired from the council in 1998 and wife Audrey succeeded him.

Despite being thrice married, Alf also had two significant relationships with other Corrie women. He befriended shopkeeper Maggie Clegg in 1971 and even proposed marriage in 1974, only for her to reject. Then in 1984 he fell for recently widowed Rita Fairclough and proposed to her in 1985. She also rejected and told him she considered him a very dear friend. But despite later marrying Audrey, he often told Rita that she was the woman for him and would happily leave Audrey for her. Rita rebuffed every time.

By the 1990s, Bryan Mosley’s ill health greatly reduced Alf’s scenes, which ultimately led to Alf retiring from the shop. Worried about his health, producers decided to write Alf out in 1998 and he peacefully passed away on New Year’s Day 1999. Sadly, six weeks later Mosley himself passed away. 

Were you a fan of grocer Alf and his trilby hat?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 15

STAN OGDEN (85 VOTES)

Duration: 1964-1984

Played by: Bernard Youens

2012 character poll position (men): 10

Henpecked husband of Hilda and resident Rovers supper.

After years of being a lorry driver, he spent his time on the cobbles drifting from one job to another: milkman, ice cream van driver, labourer and most famously window cleaner.

The Ogdens’ marriage was one of the street’s most solid, despite their public and private arguments. They were a source of comedy in the show for years, but they also starred in many poignant and heart-wrenching moments. Despite it being over 30 years since they last appeared together, Stan and Hilda are still fondly remembered.

Stan was often ridiculed by the menfolk of the street for being henpecked and lazy, often complaining of a bad back. The likes of Ray Langton and Len Fairclough enjoyed stirring it so Stan could get into trouble with Hilda. A recurring joke between 1968 and 1983 was Stan’s relationship and possible affair with Clara Regan in 19 Inkerman Street! 

Stan was in heaven in 1976 when he was locked in the Rovers cellar all night with Albert Tatlock. Hilda was not a happy bunny when she found out she had been sick with worry all night and her husband was more than merry in the morning!

When Eddie Yeats moved into the street, he befriended the Ogdens and later lodged with them and soon enough Stan was embroiled in Eddie’s dodgy schemes. Examples include Eddie selling beer in an ice cream van and of course the installation of hens in the back yard.

Bernard Youens’ ill health was reflected on-screen. While it wasn’t addressed that Stan had suffered strokes, his speech was slurred from 1976 onwards and by 1983/4, his dialogue was reduced greatly due to difficulty understanding him. 

Stan passed away in 1984, sadly the same year when he could actually do nothing as he received a state pension. When Hilda received his glasses, she finally broke down in what is one of the show’s most poignant moments. Stan's death was written in due to Youens' death.

A fan of Stan?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 16

KEVIN WEBSTER (75 VOTES)

Duration: 1983-

Played by: Michael Le Vell

2012 character poll position (men): 22

Introduced in 1983, Kevin moved to the street with his family the following year. By the following year, Kevin was on his own again as his family moved away. After briefly lodging with Emily Bishop, he then became Hilda Ogden’s lodger.

In 1986, Kevin met Sally Seddon when he drove through a puddle and drenched her! After a few months of courtship they married and continued to lodge with Hilda. When Hilda left the street in 1987, she sold N°13 to them. For over a decade, they had a happy marriage with daughters Rosie and Sophie being born in 1990 and 1994 respectively.

Since his introduction, Kevin has always been a mechanic. Having worked for Brian Tilsley and Mike Baldwin, he bought the street’s garage in 1996. He’s had several business partners over the years: Tony Horrocks, Natalie Horrocks (a sleeping partner in more ways than one!), Tyrone Dobbs and now daughter Sophie.

In 1997, Kevin embarked on an affair with Natalie that effectively ended his marriage to Sally. Sally sought revenge by having affairs with Chris Collins and Greg Kelly. Despite Kevin wanting to reconcile, the Websters divorced in 1999.

Kevin met and married factory machinist Alison Wakefield in 2000. Alison fell pregnant and gave birth to Jake, but within hours he died after suffering a Group B Strep infection. A devastated Alison then committed suicide by running into the path of a lorry. Unknown to Alison, Kevin and Sally had slept together on the eve of Kevin and Alison’s wedding.

In 2002, for the sake of the girls, Kevin and Sally re-married. Their second marriage was fraught with arguments as Sally had morphed into Annie Walker with her wanting the best education for Rosie. Their marriage survived Sally’s affair with Ian Davenport but sadly not Kevin’s affair with (the late by then) Molly Dobbs. Molly had given birth to Jack and it turned out that Kevin was the dad and not Tyrone. Despite once again an attempt at reconciliation, the Websters divorced in 2012.

Since their second divorce, Kevin and Sally have become more like best friends and Kevin has become best buddies with Sally’s husband Tim Metcalfe. He had a relationship with Jenny Bradley this year that proved to be a mistake as she had an infatuation with his son Jack and kidnapped him. She was suffering from a breakdown after her own son died. 

He is currently the second longest running male in the programme and in the show’s history, having overtaken Mike Baldwin in 2013.

Are you a fan of Kevin?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - joint No. 17

DES BARNES & NORRIS COLE (62 VOTES)

Duration: 1990-1998 & 1994-1997, 1999- respectively

Played by: Philip Middlemiss & Malcolm Hebden respectively

2012 character poll position (men): Des didn’t appear; 8 (Norris)

While Des is a newcomer to the poll, Norris has dropped hugely in the polls since 2012. Once comfortably in the top 10, he’s now in the bottom top 20. Could lack of storylines and maybe a change in his personality from bumbling busybody to having an even crueller tongue be to blame? Personally, I believe the character has lost his spark in the last 8 years or so. What do you think? 

Des Barnes:

The bookie who moved to the street on his wedding day to Steph. He enjoyed winding up neighbours Derek and Mavis Wilton and even installed a boat in the back garden to annoy them.

Steph left him in 1991 and for many years he lived a true bachelor life and his conquests included Angie Freeman, Maxine Heavey, Lisa Duckworth and Samantha Failsworth.

His on/off relationship with barmaid Raquel Wolstenhulme was a long running storyline. While Raquel adored him, Des only used her when he was single. Des was gutted when Raquel married Curly, but viewers knew that Raquel’s dream was to become Mrs Barnes.

He later fell for and married vamp Natalie Horrocks, who had destroyed the Webster marriage. But a fortnight after the wedding, Des was attacked by thugs who were after Natalie’s drug dealing son Tony. After promising to take Natalie up Blackpool Tower, he had a cardiac arrest and died.

Were you a fan of Des?

Norris Cole:

Introduced as a salesman who Derek Wilton helped in his hour of need. Over the next few years, they would become rivals. Norris even kidnapped Derek’s gnome Arthur. Derek got his revenge by driving Norris to the wrong church on his wedding day to Angela (Derek’s ex-wife!!). 

After attending Derek’s funeral, he didn’t return to the street until 1999 when he turned up as a rep at the Kabin. Rita, who was struggling to find a suitable assistant, hired him. And thus a wonderful double act began.

Initially staying at the Duckworths’ B&B, Norris became Emily Bishop’s latest lodger in 2000. Reminiscent of her relationship with Percy Sugden, Emily is often exasperated with Norris’ nosiness and interfering, but he cares deeply about her.

While Norris and Rita have had hilarious moments behind the Kabin counter, their friendship took a different turn when Norris proposed to her. A flustered Rita rejected, stating that she only saw him as a dear friend. Since then, Norris has always been wary of Rita’s choice in men, especially her third hubby Dennis Tanner.

Norris is wary of any newcomers in the street. His suspicions about Richard Hillman were proved right, but sadly too late for poor Maxine Peacock. Sadly he wasn’t so wary about con-artist Mel Hutchwright aka Lionel Hipkiss.

In 2006, he became a partner in the Kabin with Rita and in 2009 he bought Rita’s share when she decided to retire. But lonely Rita returned to the shop as Norris’ employee. In 2014, Emily also sold No.3 to Norris after he became concerned about his future when Emily would pass away. 

Norris’ storylines have included holding a séance in the Kabin; winning a contest as Eartha Kitt; representing Manchester in the Commonwealth Games; coming face to face with his brother Ramsay again; and a romance with Mary Taylor.

If Nosy Norris isn’t behind the Kabin dishing out insults with his gobstoppers, he’s often seen sweeping the pavement, waiting for the next saga on the cobbles.

Are you a fan of Nosy Norris? 

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 18

ALEC GILROY (56 VOTES)

Duration: 1972, 1975, 1986-1992, 1995, 1996-1998

Played by: Roy Barraclough

2012 character poll position (men): 21

Introduced as a theatrical agent who had a number of acts on his books, including Rita Littlewood.

After years of absence he returned to our screens as the manager of the Graffiti Club. When the Rovers was closed after the fire, the regulars frequented the Club. Alec and Bet Lynch, who was Rovers manger, were friendly rivals. When Bet ran into financial trouble, she asked Alec for help which he did.

When Bet left the street due to money problems, Alec stepped up and became Rovers licensee. He tracked Bet down and proposed marriage. Bet and Alec were married in 1987, to the chagrin and amazement of many of Bet’s friends.

The marriage did last longer than many thought it would do. Their marriage included Bet falling pregnant and suffering a miscarriage; Alec finding out he had a granddaughter and various Rovers involving storylines. The marriage became one of Corrie’s golden double acts with Alec’s tightfistedness being ridiculed by a sarcastic Bet.

The Gilroys were together until 1992 when Alec left the street for Southampton to manage cruise liners entertainment. Bet refused to go with him.

Alec returned briefly in 1995 and then permanently in 1996, running a branch of travel agents Sunliners. When he was sacked for being too old, he set his sights on the Rovers and became a partner with the Duckworths before becoming sole owner later on. He also romanced Rita.

He sold the Rovers and left the cobbles for Southampton in 1998 after a run-in with the Duckworths and Rita and hasn’t returned. 

Were you a fan of Alec?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - No. 19

TONY GORDON (51 VOTES)

Duration: 2007-2009, 2010

Played by: Gray O’Brien

2012 character poll position (men): 14

Of Scottish descent, Tony was introduced as a client of Underworld’s who was clearly smitten with Carla and they became business partners and later lovers.

His ruthless attitude in business infuriated many like Kevin, Norris, Roy and Jed Stone. When Kevin refused to sell the garage to him so he could expand Underworld, Tony tried to sabotage the business. He evicted Jed Stone from his home.

While engaged to Tony, Carla embarked on an affair with Liam. When he found out, Tony arranged for a hitman to run Liam down on Tony’s stag night. Liam was killed: both Carla and Liam’s widow Maria were devastated.

Tony and Carla later married. Jed Stone came to the street and lodged with Emily. When he threatened to tell the police about Tony’s involvement in Liam’s murder, he strangled him. Jed survived but moved to Wigan and kept quiet.

Carla later found out that Tony was responsible for Liam’s death and confronted him. She managed to escape his clutches and left for America. Maria, who at first accused Tony of Liam’s murder, began to soften towards him and they began a relationship. He even helped her give birth to Liam’s son!

Tony later suffered a heart attack. Thinking he was dying, he confessed his evil deeds to Roy. When he survived, he tried to drown Roy. But he jumped in and saved Roy and later confessed to the police and was jailed.

He returned in 2010 hell-bent on revenge. He kept Carla, Hayley and Maria hostage and set Underworld on fire. The hostages escaped and he perished.

A fan of Tony?

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Top 25 Favourite Corrie Males - Nos. 20

MARTIN PLATT & RICHARD HILLMAN (48 VOTES)

Duration: 1985-2005 & 2001-2003 respectively

Played by: Sean Wilson & Brian Capron respectively

2012 character poll position (men): 15 (Richard); Martin didn’t appear

Both Gail’s husbands occupy the 20th position. And what different hubbies they were!

Martin Platt:

Introduced as an assistant at Jim’s Café, working alongside Gail and Phyllis Pearce.

After a relationship with Jenny Bradley, he began courting Gail in 1989 (she was widowed after hubby Brian was stabbed). She was ten years his senior, which caused conflict between her and her mother in law Ivy.

Gail gave birth to David in 1990, and in 1991 Gail and Martin married with Martin adopting Nick and Sarah, despite Ivy’s attempts to derail the process.

Martin trained to be a nurse and was employed at Weatherfield General.

Despite nutty nanny Carmel Finnan’s infatuation with Martin and Martin’s one-night stand with nurse Cathy Power in 1994, the Platt marriage survived until he had an affair with Rebecca Hopkins, another nurse in 2000.

Gail and Martin divorced in 2001 but remained good friends.

Martin embarked on a relationship with 16 year old Katy Harris in 2002, to Katy’s father Tommy’s annoyance. The pressures they were under led Martin to end the relationship.

He left the street for Liverpool in 2005 with girlfriend Robyn, who later gave birth to a daughter.

Martin’s main friends over the years were Kevin Webster, Curly Watts and Des Barnes.

Were you a fan of Martin?

Richard Hillman:

Introduced as Alma Halliwell’s cousin (or was he?!) at her funeral and began schmoozing Audrey and Gail. He later began a relationship with Gail and they married in 2002.

A financial advisor and businessman who went into partnership with Duggie Ferguson in a property development. During an argument, Duggie fell through a stair-rail and Richard left him for dead, stealing the cash in the safe.

Thus began his descent into madness and desperation: he killed ex-wife Patricia, attempted to murder Audrey and Emily Bishop for their cash, conned the Duckworths out of their life savings, murdered Maxine Peacock, and ultimately tried to kill the Platt family by driving into the canal. He only perished.

Nicknamed Tricky Dicky and Killman Hillman by the press, the storyline gripped the nation for nearly two years and won many awards.

Gail thought that Richard was sending her cards from the grave in 2006 but it was David who had a sick vendetta against her.

Were you gripped by the Hillman saga like I was?  

Relive the whole Richard Hillman saga in Norman Bates with a Briefcase.

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

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