Corrie Blog Interviews Martin Hancock - Spider Exits The Street! What Now For Toyah?

This week, Spider Nugent left Coronation Street and sweetheart Toyah behind, as he continued his undercover police career off-screen. A sad departure, and ridiculous shoot-outs aside, Spider's year-long revival and entrenchment in the right-wing grooming storyline, has been delightful. With Lauren's Dad getting jailed and Max's redemption, this particular storyline is now over? I was sad to see Spider go this week, without mentioning 'Aunty Em' aka Emily Bishop, or his former number three residency, but equally happy to chat with Martin Hancock (who has played Geoffrey 'Spider' Nugent since 1997) for my latest Coronation Street Blog Interview. June of 2022 was when we last spoke, following the announcement of Spider's return, so it seems only right, and rather ouroboros, that I write up his latest exit interview! 

Hello Martin! After this week’s kidnap drama, we've seen the end of Spider and Toyah. What do you think went wrong for these childhood sweethearts? 

Life’s gone wrong between them - it's just bad luck and circumstance! What's been happening previously in Spider’s life and what's been happening previously in Toyah’s life have conspired to do them down in the end. They are both committed people but for now, it's just not workable. 

Do you think Spider has put his job before his relationship or is it a bit more than that? 

I think we've touched on this a few times in the episodes, it was a bit spideresque and naive to think you could work undercover in the community and then stay in the community you were undercover in! His desire to be with Toyah back in Weatherfield overrode his judgement. I don't think he put his career first - he put Toyah first - his career has drawn him back in. He thought he was going to get a second chance at happiness. He will be desperately sad about the way things have ended. Whatever version of Spider we are talking about, he does love Toyah. They've had a 25-year relationship and he will be gutted that it didn't work out this time!

They've both been through a lot before and again this time. Do you think they will always have that love between them? 

I don’t think it's the end of this story. These two will always have that bit of love there. 

Did you think Spider would have been happy to have settled in Weatherfield? 

Yeah, I think the thing with Spider is that he’s such a hothead he loves getting behind a good cause and wants to change the world. I think this time may have been a wake-up call for him. It made him think that he could stay around the one place -his younger self wouldn't have thought that! 

How do you feel about Spider's departure? Do you think he’s leaving with unfinished business? 

I’d like to think he is leaving with unfinished business, not immediately, but yeah, I think there is some unfinished business for him in Weatherfield. 

Have you enjoyed your time back on the show? 

I've enjoyed it immensely coming back. When I was younger I was a bit too enamoured by the party scene, so it was nice to come back as an older and wiser person to really enjoy it for what it is, which is a great show with great people, I've really enjoyed it! 

You came back as part of Max’s grooming and right-wing extremism. Did you feel proud to be part of that? 

Massively! The rise of extremism is frightening - it's so subtle sometimes, the way it works and infiltrates young minds - it will destroy society if we don't address it, so yes massively proud to have been part of that storyline. Working with some very talented young actors, and Michael Condron (who played Griff) was just brilliant.

What's been the best thing about returning to Coronation Street this time? 

It's the same as last time - the people. It's a lovely atmosphere - the crew is hilarious they are a funny bunch. I love all that, and the green room. I will miss the banter and the Corrie one-liners, those tongue-in-cheek moments. There is a family feel to it. I will miss the gang. 

Did you enjoy playing a more mature version of Spider this time? 

Yeah although I did have a few hankerings for the more comedic older version of Spider. There were a few times when Jane Danson (Leanne) and I had some of the old Spider/Leanne rivalries come in, and it would have been fun to wind up Audrey again. Seriously, Spider was great, and we dealt with more hardcore and heavier issues!

Would you consider coming back to the show in future? 

Yes!! Of course! I said it the first, second and third time around, and this is now my fourth - I love this show! 

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Thanks, Martin! Let's hope Spider returns to the show soon? My obsession with Corrie really began to take hold in the late 90s. As my teenage years developed, Toyah and Spider's romance and Brian Parks' controversial 'axe-man' era gave the show a much-needed refresher, drawing in the younger audience, AKA me. The youthful injection worked, and nearly 30 years later, a teenage me would be proud to say I've sat in on two cast interviews with one of my all-time favourite characters!! 

What do you think about Spider's exit? Where does this leave Toyah's future on the cobbles? The qualified counsellor seems okay working at the Bistro and living in her sister's flat. Not long ago she killed Imran, escaped justice, and seems to have forgotten all about her former life as an echo warrior, ex-Rovers landlady, and staunch vegetarianism. As Spider's now gone - could she be next? Toyah’s flowery dresses and left-wing sensibilities make her one of my fave female characters, so I'd hope not, but you wonder where else she can go?  

I am @rybazoxo, your Coronation Street Blogger and die-hard Corrie fan!  

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Spider returns to Coronation Street. Corrie Blog interviews Martin Hancock

When Coronation Street announced the return of 90s Corrie legend Geoffrey ‘Spider’ Nugent, the Corrie fan fraternity went into a Twitter meltdown! For those of a certain age (aka, me) who’ve been watching the show for 25 years, my heady Britpop memories merge nicely with those of Toyah Battersby's teenage crush on Emily Bishop’s hippy echo-warrior vegan nephew, Spider. For those who aren't, ITV3 Classic Corrie repeats have only cemented Spider's legacy in Weatherfield fan folklore. 

I was overjoyed to be invited to an ITV Coronation Street online press event to chat with Martin Hancock (who plays Spider) to learn more about this epic character revival

Hi Martin, Welcome back to Coronation Street!!! How does it feel to be returning after 25 years away? 

It is really exciting and a little bit scary. It's lovely and I'm really happy!!

Have you always been interested in a return, and if yes, why did you feel that now is the right time? 

I always said if I was to be asked to return, I would always say yes. I’ve gone off and done other things - you'd be amazed the places that Corrie reaches around the world -or not. Then it was last Christmas, Georgia (Taylor - Toyah Battersby) posted a picture up online, an old one, of Toyah and Spider together, arm and arm with each other, and it went in the papers. My mother-in-law, who is the oracle on all things #Corrie, saw it, rang me up, and said ‘Eh ah duck - you're in the papers’ (Martin said this is a faux Yorkshire accent, so I'm assuming she is) I got sentimental upon seeing the pictures, and my wife said 'You’ve always said you’ll go back, and you're not getting any younger, so pull your finger out!' I called my agent, my agent then rang Corrie, we had some toing and froing, and here I am! 

How easy has it been for you to slip back into the role of Spider? 

Ahhhh! I want to say it's been difficult and challenging, but you know what, part of me is Spider - obviously. I've always carried a bit of that militancy with me, not to the same extent as he has, I'm more Spider-lite. In that aspect, it has been quite easy to step back into it but at the same time, a bit odd. The funny thing is, going through the years, whenever there’s been any sort of echo news story in the papers around the world, it does make me think back to Spider and how he would react. I think to think Spider is my better self!

Were you nervous to start filming again, and what has the reception been like? 

Yes, extremely nervous! I did have sleepless nights and I was very nervous. My first day back was for orientation as it's a new studio, and the first person I bumped into was one of our assistant directors, who was my first when I started originally on the show. The first cast members I met were Georgia (Toyah) and Jane (Leanne) That was just brilliant. A huge warm blanket of love was thrown over me! I was near the dressing rooms and saw some of the older cast members, the years just rolled back! 

Are there any new cast members that would particularly like to work with? 

Well, he’s not that new, but yes, Joe (Duttine - Tim Metcalfe) because I went to drama school with him. In our 30-year careers, we've never worked together. I think his character is brilliant, I love it. It would be great to work with him. 

So why is Spider back in Weatherfield? 

The story is that Toyah has a protest with the council - about the recycling and them not meeting up to their responsibilities. Toyah puts a call out to the activist community and Spider answers the call. I think he was around, he happened to hear about it and went anyway. He clambers through a crowd of people and just jumps into a bin wagon that Toyah is sitting in, he's next to her and says’ whatcha - long time no see’ very cheerily like he's never been away. I thought it was just what Spider would be like. Toyah asks him what he’s doing there - and he says he's still around and still in the (protesting) game

Is he the same Spider that we’ve always loved, or has changed somewhat over the years? 

He’s a bit creakier than he used to be - but aren't we all! No, he will be pretty similar to the Spider we know and love, without giving away anything. 

Toyah and Spider have such a long history together. They both left the street together in 2003 but we viewers are unsure as to what happened next. Do you think there is any unfinished business between them? 

Whenever they've parted ways, it's always been with love in their hearts and kind words - they've always been friends. Spider thinks the world of Toyah and she’s the same as Spider, they've always been that way. They are a partnership and a partnership for life. 

   

Toyah has been through a lot recently. When Spider hears what she’s been through, is he more than happy to be a shoulder to cry on or is he hoping for a bit more? 

Ooh, saucy! I think that Spider is a man who wants the best for everyone and for those he cares about. He’s happy to be a shoulder to cry on and who knows what else? : you never know with Spider!

Thanks, Martin!!

Spider and Toyah were a brilliant on-screen couple who left Weatherfield together for London in 2003. We don't know what happened next but they did split up again, and quite sometime before Toyah's return to the street on Christmas Day of 2016. 

Is Spider’s return a retcon? Did something happen, that we don’t know about, during 2003 - 2011 that is now about to reemerge? Is this going to be relevant to Toyah’s mindset and maybe mitigate the death crash? Will Toyah and Spider reunite again in the face of adversity? Spider’s return to Coronation Street airs in Episode 10679 on Friday 1st of July 2022 so make sure you're tuned in!

I am @rybazoxo Coronation Street Blog Blogger and ardent Corrie Superfan 

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Bring back Coronation Street eco-warrior Spider Nugent

Anyone who knows me (hello!) will know that my favourite Coronation Street male character was Spider Nugent.  I know, I know.  Anyway, Martin Hancock, the actor who played Aunty Em's favourite nephew has been interviewed by The Express. 

It's one of those 'where are they now' type of interviews and Martin talks about getting the role of Spider on Coronation Street. He says:

"The casting director of Coronation Street, June West, came to see the play and thought I might work for the role of a new character they were developing. So I went for an audition for eco-warrior Spider Nugent in London, as they were auditioning a lot of people all over the country.  When my agent rang, I thought she was joking when they said I was going to be Spider. I went to live in Manchester for a five-month contract, with an option to extend it if the storyline worked. It was an amazing experience. My mother was thrilled as Coronation Street is almost a religion in New Zealand. She was really proud of me."

 

As to the future, Martin says: "... well, I may go back to Coronation Street one day. Who knows when Spider Nugent might return?”

 

Oh go on, Corrie, take him back and soon - and Toyah could return too!

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Bring back Spider to Coronation Street

Am I the only Corrie fan who wishes they'd bring back Spider Nugent to the Street?

He's much missed and could do wonders in a storyline for Norris and Aunty Em.

Even better, bring Spider back with Toyah to set up a juice bar on Rosamund Street.

Want more on Spider? Have a look here and remind yourself just how brilliant Weatherfield's only eco-warrier was.

Corrie's Spider returns to soap

Anyone who knows me will know that my favourite all-time Coronation Street fella, ever, is Spider Nugent.  Played by Martin Hancock, Spider turned up at his Aunty Em's door looking to save the world, and that. He wooed Toyah Battersby and left to run a juice bar in that London, never to be seen again. 

Come on, Corrie, get Martin Hancock back to play Spider again! He's clearly still up for acting roles as Digital Spy have revealed today that the actor has signed up for a guest role on Doctors.

Martin will play a homeless man on Doctors, called Beano who has spent 20 years on the streets across various cities, having dropped out of university and turned to alcohol.  Homelessness is now a way of life for Beano, and show bosses have billed him as "intelligent, wily with a good sense of humour" and "rather expert at spotting lucrative opportunities".

Hancock's appearance on Doctors will air next year. Doctors airs weekdays at 1.45pm on BBC One.

Please let Spider return to Coronation Street, please! I'm on a one-woman campaign to get him back on the Street.

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Eileen's No Saint

Inside Soap have been running some 'where are they now?' features recently and this week's victim is the much missed Martin Hancock, who played the wonderful Geoffrey 'Spider' Nugent.

He reveals that Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) and Amanda Barrie (Alma Baldwin) used to get him into trouble when filming by tickling him (lucky beggar). "They were tickling me and giggling but the minute the cameras were on, the pair of them straightened up and I got done for laughing!"

Spider Nugent - from Corrie to Quizmaster

Did you know that Martin Hancock, who played the very fantastic Spider Nugent on Coronation Street, (be still, my beating heart) is the pub quiz master at The Westbury Pub Quiz in Kilburn? Well, he is.

Corrie's Spider to guest star in Demons

Martin Hancock, who played Coronation Street's Spider Nugent, is to guest star in Demons on ITV1. The fab Ian Wylie at the Manchester Evening News even includes a photo of Martin in his role as Redlip.

Want to see Martin Hancock in the nude? Click here.

Coronation Street's Spider behind bars

Martin Hancock, who played the gorgeous Spider Nugent in Coronation Street, is taking a break from filming and is working behind the bar of the The Queen Boadicea pub in Clerkenwell, London.

I'm reliably informed by someone who was there that Martin was pulling pints in the pub just this very week. And if you turn up on quiz night, well, you might be in for another surprise. Anyway, if you're a fan of Martin or Spider, you might like to see him in the nuddy. I know I did. It's here. And isn't it about time for Spider to come back to the Street? Oh go on, just for me.

Watch Coronation Street's Spider, in the nude

Did you know that Coronation Street's Spider once appeared in the nuddy? Well, ok, strictly speaking he didn't. But actor Martin Hancock, who played my favourite male Corrie character, did appear nude in an ad for Ikea.

And thanks to Corrie fan Rick we've got the video and it's online. Spider fans, brace yourself and click here. Isn't it about time Spider was back on the Street?