List of Coronation Street characters introduced in 2005
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street in 2005, by order of first appearance.
Scooter Makuna
Hiren "Scooter" Makuna first appeared in early 2005 as the boyfriend of Sarah Platt. He was of Indian descent. His character was mostly remembered for not being very bright, having a fondness for fish and getting great pleasure in retrieving junk from skips. Sarah broke up with him in the autumn of 2005 after she had a fling with Jason Grimshaw and an argument. He left the Street soon afterwards.Lena Thistlewood
Lena Thistlewood is a friend of Blanche Hunt, who first appears in 2005 and regularly visits the Barlow household and she takes a fancy to Ken Barlow. She subsequently attends Ken's second wedding to Blanche's daughter, Deirdre Rachid in 2005.After the wedding, Lena booked her car in for an MOT at Webster's Autocentre and hoped to get a certificate without a test, however mechanic Tyrone Dobbs said it would due to its age. When Lena next visited the garage, she caught Tyrone having sex with Maria Sutherland. As a result, she pretended to be overcome with shock and manipulated Tyrone into giving her a free MOT and Maria into giving her a free haircut. Lena dies off-screen on New Year's Day 2006 and she leaves her dog, Lady Freckles to Blanche, who renames her Eccles.
Diggory Compton
Diggory Compton was played by Eric Potts. When he arrives in Weatherfield with his daughter Molly, Diggory opens the local bakery shop at the end of the street. He tries wooing Liz McDonald by inviting her to a Christmas dinner party, however she ended up meeting her future husband, drummer Vernon Tomlin at the event. During his time in Weatherfield, Diggory befriends Mike Baldwin. Diggory leaves Weatherfield in July 2006 after his business fails.Molly visits him in 2008 after falling out with her fiancé Tyrone Dobbs. On 5 January 2009, Molly receives a call from the hospital that Diggory's appendix has burst. Several days later, it is revealed Diggory will recover but he will ultimately miss Molly and Tyrone's wedding due to being hospitalised for a week. In December 2010, Diggory is informed by telephone that Molly has died in the tram crash caused by an explosion at the Joinery Bar. Diggory's sister Pam Hobsworth tells Molly's former lover Kevin Webster the heartbreak of having to inform Diggory of his daughter's death saying she is wondering what words to use to break the news to him. Diggory is not seen at Molly's funeral as he is reportedly too ill to attend.
Jessie Jackson
Jessie Jackson is played by actress Nailah Cumberbatch. She arrives at Underworld with her "twin sister" Joanne to replace departing machinist Sonia Marshall and is the more outgoing one of the two. In 2006, Danny Baldwin sacks Jessie after he catches her dancing on the tables, and she subsequently seeks employment as a stewardess and leaves the Street. Her "twin sister" is later revealed to be her cousin.Joanne Jackson
Joanne Jackson was played by the actress Zaraah Abrahams. The character and casting was announced in February 2005 and she debuted later that month. Joanne arrived at Underworld with her "twin sister" Jessie and proceeded to cause much amusement by claiming to be identical despite the obvious difference in appearance. Joanne was the shyer of the two and lacks confidence where men are concerned. Abrahams later left the role in 2007 and the character last appeared on 20 July 2007.Keith Appleyard
Keith Appleyard is played by Ian Redford. Keith is Angela Harris's father. When she and her family live in Sheffield, she witnesses a murder. Keith persuades Angela to tell the truth and testify at the trial, which results in their move to Weatherfield under the witness protection scheme. They are also given a new name - Nelson - but don't use it for long. Keith first appears in 2005 to help Angela after her husband Tommy dies. He stays to look after his grandchildren Katy and Craig after Angela is arrested for Tommy's murder. Katy commits suicide, unable to handle the guilt, and Angela is imprisoned for helping Katy cover up the crime. Keith stays with Craig in Coronation Street, rather than insist Craig join him in Sheffield, feeling Craig has suffered enough - plus, Weatherfield is closer than Sheffield to where Angela is in prison.After moving in, Keith dates hairdresser Audrey Roberts, who is his opposite in many ways. Keith is always watching the pennies and takes on a paper round to earn some extra money. His hobbies include taxidermy. Keith is widowed, his wife having died between 2003 and 2005. Angela telephones her mother on Christmas Day 2002, and visits her in September 2003, but she has died by the time Keith arrives in 2005. After he and Audrey end things as they are so different, Keith became enemies with builder Charlie Stubbs. Charlie bills Keith for repairing the leak on the roof but Keith refuses to pay the bill, feeling Charlie has overcharged. In revenge, Charlie removes the roof tiles, insisting he will replace them when Keith pays his bill. Keith rings the police but the police say they can't help as it isn't a police matter. Keith is delighted to see Charlie replacing the tiles, thinking that he has won, until Charlie reveals that he is his new landlord.
Keith is horrified and says that the landlord would have told him but Charlie says that he asked the former landlord to let him do that. Charlie's girlfriend, Tracy Barlow, is delighted. She thinks, when Charlie tells Keith and Craig that he wants them out, that he intends to live there. Keith decides that he and Craig will move to Sheffield but Craig doesn't want to leave Coronation Street as his girlfriend, Rosie, lives there too. Initially Keith agrees to stay but after an angina attack, he is told by the doctor that it is a warning and things have to change. Keith tells Craig that they are moving to Bournemouth with Keith's sister, Marjorie. Craig is determined that he won't leave the street but Keith and Rosie's mother Sally persuade him and they leave. Keith later returns to the Street when Craig runs away from Bournemouth and refuses to return there.
Nathan Cooper
Nathan Cooper is played by Ray Fearon. He first appears in 2005 when Kevin Webster is looking for a new mechanic, following the death of Tommy Harris. Nathan leaves the job after breaking up with his girlfriend Frankie Baldwin largely to do with the fact her ex-husband, Danny is still in the picture.In his final scene he punches Danny as he leaves the cobbles. He had previously romanced factory machinist Joanne Jackson as well as Tracy Barlow, while he also enjoyed a brief flirtation with hairdresser Maria Sutherland in The Rovers Return Inn. His fiery temperament is revealed when he almost blinds Ashley Peacock when they argue over their women while giving him boxing lessons.
Louise Hazell
Louise Hazell, played by Nora Jane Noone, meets Steve McDonald on the Red Rec. He is immediately attracted to her and when she says she's going into town he organises a free taxi. Steve is delighted the taxi driver gives him a note from Louise with her phone number on it. On 3 April 2005, Louise enjoys a drink with Steve, much to the indignation of his ex Tracy Barlow. Louise is unfazed by Tracy and tells her to move on and leave her and Steve alone. Steve keeps Louise waiting in the pub while he comforts Tracy following the sudden death of her father Ray Langton.When he finally arrives at the Rovers and convinces Louise to go home with him and the couple then sleep together. On 13 April 2005, Louise shares a sad farewell with Steve as she has to return to Ireland. Louise returns to the Street on 12 June 2005, as she is visiting relatives and calls to Steve, who is delighted. However, Tracy threatens Louise telling her to leave Steve alone.
Mel Hutchwright
Carol Baldwin
Carol Baldwin was played by Lynne Pearson. Carol is the first ex-wife of Danny, and the mother of Jamie. While she is still married to Danny, he is sleeping with her son's babysitter Frankie. Carol is oblivious to this, as she completely trusted Frankie; she only finds out when Danny leaves her to marry Frankie, taking Jamie with him. Jamie doesn't see Carol for many years; he is raised by Danny and Frankie. In 2005, he tracks down Carol to Birmingham and decides to pay her a visit. It soon becomes clear that past events have affected Carol's life very badly; she has never remarried, is living in a run down flat, and is an alcoholic with no job or money. Jamie becomes very concerned for his mother and visits her many times in Birmingham; she appears in Weatherfield for the first time for Jamie's 25th birthday party, much to the horror of her ex-husband, Danny, his wife, Frankie and their son Warren.Carol appears regularly for months, and when Danny begins an affair with his girlfriend, Leanne, Carol was the one who tells Jamie. When Frankie and Danny split up, Carol moves in with them to be closer to Jamie and he makes her promise to give up alcohol. However, in January 2006, Jamie and Frankie throw Carol out when she accuses them of sleeping together, and her drinking continues. In 2007, it becomes apparent that Carol has ditched the drink, and is now engaged. On 25 September 2007, Jamie and Violet Wilson attend Carol's wedding.
Lloyd Mullaney
Viv Baldwin
Vivian "Viv" Baldwin is the mother of Danny Baldwin. She is first seen on the street in July 2005, following her husband Harry's death and later revealing to her brother-in-law Mike that he is in fact Danny's biological father, not Harry. Viv makes a reappearance in Weatherfield at Christmas 2005, when the family go out to Christmas dinner.In December 2006, she returns enquiring about her son's disappearance, only to find out the truth about her grandson Jamie's affair with his former stepmother and her and Mike's daughter-in law Frankie Baldwin. After finding this, Viv storms back home to London.