Linda Armstrong's return, for better or worse

I was looking forward to Owen's ex-wife's return. I thought it would be a good storyline to lead to the departure of Katy and, at some point, Owen. I looked forward to Owen getting a comeuppance by having his charade blown out of the water. And don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying that aspect very much.

Owen has never been a sympathetic character. He's a bully and has a temper and he's not usually very nice. He was brought in to be the "next" Len Fairclough, or that sort of character, and I think they did do that well. I never found Len all that likeable or sympathetic, either! Owen was a good father, though, even if a bit strict. We now find out that his ex-wife left the family for very different reasons than they believed and that Owen refused to let Linda see her children.

I've had a couple of points in this that have fallen flat for me. One was Linda not taking legal action and the other is the actor herself. I have no prior experience seeing her in anything so I don't know if her acting style is typical of her or not. I don't like it. Linda should be a bit more fiery, I think, pushing back and getting angry at Owen with a bit more spirit that she seems to be so far.  I had a few thoughts about it all over here.


Download our App | Follow on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog | Like on Facebook



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

Where have you seen Owen's ex-wife before?

If you're wondering where you've seen Linda, Owen Armstrong's ex-wife before, then wonder no more.

Actress Jacqueline Leonard is playing the role of Linda.  She originally auditioned for the role of Stella Price, but as we all know by now, that role went to Cindy Beale from 'Stenders. Speaking of which, Jacqueline Leonard starred in 'Stenders as Lorraine Wicks.

Jacqueline is a seasoned actress who has appeared in many and various television and stage productions, including Casualty, River City, Holby City, The Bill, Doctors, Peak Practice, Inspector Morse and many more.   On stage she has worked with the Royal Shakespeare company, appeared in six British films and one radio play. 

Check out full details here.

See also: Where have you seen?
Steve McDonald's counsellor, Beth's mum, Diane the sofa woman from Hale Barnes, Mark the motorcycle medic, Mrs Waddle, Michael Rodwell's Aunt Barbara, Peter Barlow's cellmate Clelland, Carla Connor's solicitor Pauline Mansell, Pat Phelan, The Corrie clairvoyant, Eric's wife Doris, Audrey's date Henry, Lewis' friend Patrick,The Corrie Registrar, Marcus' friend Aiden, Kirsty's parents, Jenny Sumner, Corrie's prison Governor, Sunita's Aunties, Ken and Deirdre's pottery teacher, Tommy Duckworth,  Mrs Hargreaves who died in Audrey's salon, Sally Webster's fella Jeff, Joy Fishwick's investigator, Charlotte's Parents, Ken Barlow's grandson James, Ken Barlow's son Lawrence, Dr Matt Carter, Saucy Charlotte, Izzy's dad Owen Armstrong,The Corrie coppers, Colin Fishwick, Trevor the binman, Connie Rathbone, Uncle Umed,Julie Carp's mum, Luke Strong, Sophie Webster's boyfriend, Eileen Grimshaw's dad, Norris' girlfriend, Graeme Proctor,Molly's Aunty Pam, Maria's mum and dad, Gail's dad, Scary Brian, Tina's dad, Tony Gordon's henchman, Little Simon Barlow

Download our App | Follow on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog | Like on Facebook



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

Owen's ex-wife is cast for Coronation Street

Veteran actor Jacqueline Leonard is going to be joining Coronation Street in February as Owen Armstrong's ex-wife, Linda. Viewers will remember that we've been told  the mum of Katy and Izzy left the family because she couldn't cope but ITV says Owen may have been a bit economical with the truth.

Linda wants to reconnect with her now grown daughters but will they feel the same? It sounds like the Windass/Armstrong family is going to have yet another crisis and we'll have more hand wringing from Anna who is going to be worried about Linda's effect on Owen.

Jacqueline is thrilled to be joining the cast (possibly leading to Ian Puleston-Davies' exit?). Stuart Blackburn says

“Linda's arrival will have a devastating affect on how Owen's family see him and he'll have the fight of his life to hold on to everyone and everything he holds dear. The sins of the father really will visit Owen's children."

I reckon it's not so much of a retcon as it is showing that Owen didn't want to be the bad guy in his daughters' eyes. We know he can be a bit of a brute and has in the past been a bit dodgey with his building business. We will find out why his wife left the children with him and legged it to Portugal and it's going to change their relationship with their father.



Download our App | Follow on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog | Like on Facebook



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