When Corrie characters just don't work

(This post was originally posted by Clinkers (David) on the Coronation Street Blog in June 2013.)

Now then, Gloria turned out to be not so glorious after all.

For many Corrie fans the writing was on the wall from day one. Who was this spiteful interloper, this bo-ho battle-axe? There was never a chance to warm to Gloria simply because there was nothing for us to cheer for.

A mean-mouthed mother of a character no one really liked. None of this is the fault of the superb Sue Johnston. She simply worked with what she was given. For UK viewers, familiar with Sue's sterling work in Channel 4 soap Brookside, and long-running BBC comedy The Royle Family, it was a real disappointment.

Of course, it isn't the first time that a cobbles character has failed to gel. Between us we could probably name enough to stretch from the Red Rec to the Weathy Arms but here's a few of my own top flops:

Amy Burton

Played by Fanny Carby, Amy was ushered in as Vera's mother towards the end of 1987. Generally loud, uncouth and a poor replacement for Hilda Ogden, Amy was eventually uncovered as a petty thief and booted out of the Street forever. We didn't miss her.

The Clayton Family

If ever a bunch of characters made you want to scream out "wrong!" then these were the bunch to do it. Tedious trumpet playing milkman, gruff unsympathetic wife, dull-as-ditch water daughter who had an improbable liaison with Terry Duckworth. Oh and there was another daughter but who cared? Not the viewers. After some old nonsense about a frock and the bay-beh storyline, it was goodbye.

Debs Brownlow

Natalie Barnes' hair-dressing sister bored us rigid with her unconvincing 'eeh-bah-gum' accent. Memorable for 'nowt', she was cut and blown from Weatherfield with Natalie's Geordie barman.

Lauren Wilson

She lasted barely six months and that was possibly five months too many. Nothing about this grim barmaid worked and it was with no regret whatsoever that we waved her off on holiday to Spain where Sean Tully left her.

Ravi Desai

The long-forgotten former Corner Shop owner who was forever referring to Rita as 'dear lady' and generally being creepy. He disappeared overnight and returned to India . . . and was immediately replaced by the unique Dev Alahan.

Just a handful of those who maybe did not shine as brightly as anticipated. Which other characters brightened up Weatherfield by simply packing their bags and leaving?



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