List of Coronation Street characters introduced in 2008
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street in 2008, by order of first appearance.
Tina McIntyre
Tina McIntyre, played by Michelle Keegan, made her first appearance on 7 January 2008, Tina cemented herself as the new "gobby goddess" of Weatherfield. Tina was initially introduced as a new girlfriend for established character, David Platt. She was shortly joined by her father, Joe, who ended up marrying David's mother, Gail. In February 2010, Joe died after faking his own death in an insurance scam, which devastated Tina.Since then, Tina has highlighted issues such as perjury, abortion and surrogacy. She has had a few relationships, including ones with David, Graeme Proctor, Tommy Duckworth, Dr. Matt Carter and Jason Grimshaw. In May 2013, Tina gave birth to Jake Windass, whose biological parents are Izzy Armstrong and Gary Windass, but Tina acted as a surrogate for the couple. Tina decided she wanted to keep the baby and name him after Joe, infuriating the Windasses and Anna slapped Tina. Tina has also developed an unbreakable friendship with Rita Sullivan since her first appearance in January 2008, although they have had their disagreements. In late 2013, Tina began an affair with Peter Barlow, who was married to Carla Connor. Tina's boss Liz McDonald and her son Steve eventually found out. Tina has also had many feuds, particularly with Kylie Platt, Kirsty Soames and Tracy Barlow.
In May 2014, Peter decides to tell Carla about his affair with Tina and promised Tina that they will leave Weatherfield together. Meanwhile, Tina and Rita argue and Rita slaps her for insulting Rita's marital status. Tina is later visited by Rob Donovan, and they argue. Tina falls from the balcony but survives that so Rob beats her with a metal pipe to ensure that she dies. Tina's final scenes aired on 2 June 2014, where she died in hospital, ending 6 years on Coronation Street.
Barry Connor
Barrington "Barry" Connor is the father of Paul, Liam and Michelle Connor. Barry first appeared in February 2008 along with his wife, Helen, and nephew, [|Tom Kerrigan], to attend Liam's wedding to Maria Sutherland. He returned to the street on 20 October after hearing news of Liam's death in a hit and run accident. He and Helen went home after apologising to Carla for telling her what to do. Barry and Helen returned on 24 November 2008 to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary.Barry and Helen returned in July 2009 to meet their new grandson, Liam, but after clashing with Maria over Tony's involvement in baby Liam's life, they returned to Ireland. They returned in October for the first anniversary of Liam's death and they were horrified by Maria and Tony Gordon's relationship. They eventually accepted it, however, and attended baby Liam's christening and left Weatherfield on good terms with Maria and Tony. They returned again in November after Tony told the police and Maria that he did arrange for Liam to be killed. Michelle rang Barry and Helen to tell them the horrifying news. They booked a flight to Manchester immediately and comforted Maria. Deciding she needed to leave Weatherfield for a while, Maria and Liam went to Ireland to stay with Barry and Helen. In the end, he returns to Ireland after making a pass at Liz.
He returned on 4 October 2013, telling Michelle initially that her mother had gone on holiday with a friend from her book club. Suspicious, Michelle rang her parents' home to check and her mother was there but insisted that Michelle ask her father why they had separated. Michelle tried to insist that her father talk to her mother but that just led to more arguments. When Michelle caught a drunk Barry trying to seduce Liz, she was furious and insists that he return to Ireland to sort things out with Helen, but Barry tries to talk his way out of it. Eventually, he gave up and admits that Helen caught Barry sleeping with one of her friends, Aoife. Michelle was angry and booked two flights to Ireland with Barry to sort it out with Helen.
On 25 May 2015, Barry and Helen returned for Michelle's wedding to Steve McDonald, where he walked Michelle down the aisle.
On 27 January to 18 February 2017, Michelle and Steve stayed with Barry and Helen in Ireland following the loss of their stillborn son Ruairi.
Helen Connor
Helen Connor is the mother of Paul, Liam and Michelle Connor.Helen first appears in February 2008 along with her husband, Barry and nephew, Tom Kerrigan, to attend Liam and Maria's wedding. She returns to the street on 20 October 2008, after hearing that Liam has been killed in a hit and run accident. She and Barry return to Ireland after apologising to Carla for telling her what to do. Helen and Barry return on 24 November 2008 for their 40th wedding anniversary.
Helen returns along with Barry in July 2009 to visit their new grandson, Liam. She is not happy with Tony Gordon's presence in the house and makes sure that Tony and Maria are aware of this. Helen soon begins arguing with Maria, accusing her of trying to replace Liam with Tony. Helen continues to show her dislike of Tony, and when she returns to the cobbles in October 2009, for baby Liam's christening, she tells him
that she does not approve of the situation but is willing to be civil. During their stay, they visit Liam Sr's grave, and upon returning discovers that Maria and Tony are engaged. Helen is enraged, accusing Maria of betraying Liam's memory. Helen later softened on the situation, and after attending Liam's christening, she and Barry returned to Ireland on good terms with Maria and Tony.
On 20 November, Helen and Barry returned after Tony Gordon handed himself into police and admitted that he had Liam killed. The two supported Maria, and she soon decided she wanted to go to Ireland with them and the baby rather than stay in Weatherfield and be reminded of Tony. They left on 26 November. In June 2010, she rang The Rovers wanting to speak to Michelle but ended up speaking to Ciaran. The two had a long, friendly conversation and exchanged stories about Michelle. She rang again later that week and once again spoke to Ciaran, who told her that he loved her lemon drizzle cake, when actually he did not – something which Michelle pointed out. Ciaran replied to Michelle that her mother had a 'sexy voice'.
On 25 May 2015, Helen and Barry returned for Michelle's wedding to Steve McDonald.
From 27 January to 18 February 2017, Michelle and Steve stayed with Helen and Barry in Ireland following the loss of their stillborn son Ruairi.
In January 2018, Helen texted Michelle and wished Robert Preston, her fiancé, good luck with his surgery to remove his testicular cancer.
Tom Kerrigan
Thomas "Tom" Kerrigan, played by Philip McGinley, is the cousin of Liam, Paul and Michelle Connor. He returns to Coronation Street in June 2008, having previously being seen at Liam's stag party in February that year. On his return, he flirts with Carla, Paul's widow, much to her fiancé, Tony Gordon's dislike. On 23 March 2009, it was revealed that Tom had been axed from the show.Tom makes friends with gay character Sean Tully. On 3 September 2008, Sean mistakenly thinks Tom is gay and when Tom tells Sean that he is straight, Sean leaves in a huff. This leads to Sean's partner, Marcus Dent, punching Tom after he suspects that he has slept with Sean.
In September 2008, Tom and Liam go into business together, selling men's shirts, called 'Lad Rags'. Unable to get a loan from the bank, Tom turns to Carla who gives him the £50,000 that he needs, on the condition that she can have a 25% share in the business. This angers Liam initially but he eventually accepts the partnership. He insists, however, that Carla's 25% comes out of Tom's share of the business.
Tom is devastated when Liam is killed by a hit-and-run driver in October 2008. Weeks after his death, Tom is confronted by Liam's wife Maria about Carla's involvement in 'Lad Rags' and he is forced to admit that Carla had invested money in the business. On 3 December 2008, at Tony and Carla's wedding, Tom and Michelle discover Liam and Carla's affair as Sally Webster reveals it to Maria. This infuriates her and she is about to confront Carla, but she and her new husband, Tony, have already left for their honeymoon. Tom is confused as to Maria's repeated allegations and tries his best to convince her that he knew of no affair. When Maria begins to believe Tony killed Liam, Tom tries to convince her of Tony's innocence, despite his own initial suspicions on the night of Liam's death.
In March 2009, Maria receives Carla's 25% share of 'Lad Rags' making Tom a minority shareholder to her combined 75%. Around this time, he begins to have feelings for her and is not happy when she seeks financial advice from Tony about the business. Tony warns Tom to keep out of it, saying that he knows about his crush on Maria. This infuriates Tom and as revenge, he reveals to Tony's new business partner Luke Strong that Tony is having him followed by a private investigator. Tom leaves the Street in April, following a big argument with Maria and Tony. He is last seen kissing Kelly Crabtree outside the Rovers on her birthday, leaving Tony and Maria inside.
Dylan Wilson
Dylan Wilson is the son of established characters Violet Wilson and Sean Tully and first appeared on 22 February 2008, having been delivered by Sean and his partner Marcus Dent in the Rovers. He was four weeks premature.Violet and her boyfriend Jamie Baldwin intended for Dylan to be born in London as they planned to escape Weatherfield because of what they saw as Sean's obsession. Sean immediately bonded with Dylan, and said that when he was born, he looked straight at him and was lost for words at the fact he was the first person Dylan saw. Jamie also bonded with Dylan, although found it hard due to the fact that Sean was his biological father and present at the birth.
Dylan was named by Violet and Jamie. They wanted a name that would go with Wilson and Baldwin. His middle name is "James" after Jamie. Sean suggested changing his last name to "Wilson-Tully" and asked if they would name him as Dylan's father on his birth certificate – Violet and Jamie didn't refuse, making Sean hope they would agree. Dylan left the Street with Violet and Jamie. They decided to put Jamie on the birth certificate, rather than Sean, so Jamie could be his legal father, and so their start in London would be easier for all of them.
Two years later, Sean decided to get back into contact with Dylan and posing as Liz McDonald on a social networking site, added Violet as a friend and saw updated photos of Dylan. However, he was found out when Sean asked her how she'd feel if she had Dylan stolen from her. Violet phoned Liz angrily and Sean's deception was uncovered. Liz sacked Sean, but forgave him as she knew how much he wanted to get in contact with Dylan and told Violet. Violet later added Sean as a friend and allowed him to have contact with Dylan.
In 2011, over the Easter period, Sean went to visit Dylan, where he also reunited with Marcus, who was also in contact with Violet. Violet was going through a rough patch with Jamie, so Marcus and Sean took Dylan out for the day. When they returned, Jamie had gone after breaking up with Violet. Violet made a homophobic remark against Sean when he offered to look after Dylan and he later left. A couple of months later, Violet was injured in a car accident and Dylan stayed with Sean and Marcus. During his stay, Sean wanted to make Dylan a star by auditioning him for a Freshco advert, although the producers wanted Marcus to be with Dylan. In September 2011, Dylan returned to Violet after she recovered, although Sean still has contact with him, and went to visit him over Christmas. Dylan came to stay with Sean again in April 2012, then later in the year for the Christmas period. In July 2016, Sean made plans to see Dylan and introduce him to his boyfriend Billy Mayhew. However, before Sean and Billy were to set off to London, Billy broke off with Sean. Regardless, Sean left to go on his own. In October 2020, Dylan came to stay with Sean in Weatherfield.
In late 2023, Dylan and Liam Connor Jr befriend a boy at Weatherfield High called Mason Radcliffe. However after a while, Mason turns against Liam and begins to bully him with a reluctant Dylan joining in. One day, Mason threatens Liam with a knife and later has Dylan hide it for him.
In January 2024, Mason steals Liam's phone and says to meet him at school to get it back. Dylan tries to convince Liam not to meet Mason, but Liam decides it was time to stand up to Mason. Though Mason gives Liam back his phone, he then goads him into fighting Dylan. This is witnessed by the school's deputy headmistress Mrs Crawshaw, who is told by Mason that Liam attacked Dylan unprovoked. This results in Liam being suspended from school. After hearing about what had happened, Sean reports Liam to the police. As the fight was Liam's first offence, the matter is resolved by Liam apologising to Dylan in front of their families and Mrs Crawshaw.
After Liam returns to school following his suspension, Mason destroys a puppet he brought into school whilst Dylan films it. Dylan and Mason are later confronted by Liam's mother Maria Connor who told them that Liam would be moving schools because of them, which Dylan felt guilty about. Dylan and Mason later encounter Liam's stepfather Gary Windass, who attacks Mason after he threatens Liam before Sean intervenes. Wishing to put an end to accusations of Dylan bullying Liam, Sean has Dylan hand over his phone to him, only to be shocked by the messages Dylan has sent Liam including a homophobic one. Dylan denies being homophobic and claims that the messages were just banter. Dylan is later visited by Mason, who tells him not to tell Mrs Crawshaw about him bullying Liam.
On Dylan's 16th birthday, Sean gives him his present. Dylan guiltily opens the present to find a watch in it. After George Shuttleworth talks about his bullying experience, Dylan decides to apologise to Liam. However before he can, he encounters Mason and claims that Sean wanted him to apologise to Liam. Mason tells Dylan not to speak to Liam and has him leave with him.
In 2025, Dylan befriends Brody Michaelis and they begin working for Carl Webster stealing cars. They both take an interest in Betsy Swain and compete for her attention, but it is Dylan who has sex with her the night before her 18th birthday in September 2025. The next day while driving a stolen car with Brody, Dylan swerves to avoid hitting Betsy and hits Tyrone Dobbs instead, resulting in him being hospitalised with a spinal injury.
For his role as Dylan, Liam McCheyne was longlisted for "Best Young Performer" at the 2024 Inside Soap Awards.