List of Coronation Street characters introduced in 2013
Coronation Street is a British soap opera first broadcast on 9 December 1960. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 2013, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by series producer Phil Collinson or his successor, Stuart Blackburn. Faye Windass' biological father, [|Tim Metcalfe], arrived in January, while Katy Armstrong's best friend, Steph Britton, and Gloria Price's new fiancé, Eric Babbage, made their debuts in February. In April, former Waterloo Road actress Katie McGlynn joined the cast as Beth Tinker's niece, [|Sinead]. The year's first baby, Jake Windass, son of Gary Windass and Izzy Armstrong born out of surrogacy through Tina McIntyre, arrived in May. He was followed by Lily Platt, David and Kylie Platt's baby daughter, in August. September saw the arrival of Faye's devious new friend, Grace Piper. October delivered the introduction of Owen's old acquaintance-turned-business partner [|Pat Phelan], who would gradually become one of the show's greatest characters and is arguably the most notorious villain in the show's history. Gary's old friend from the army Kal Nazir, Dennis Tanner's acquaintance Ritchie de Vries, Steve McDonald's friend from History class Andrea Beckett and a new love interest for Sophie Webster, Maddie Heath, made their first appearances in December.
Tim Metcalfe
Tim Metcalfe, played by Joe Duttine, made his first screen appearance on 21 January 2013. Tim is the biological father of Faye Windass. The character was revealed to be entering the show in August 2012 by series producer, Phil Collinson. He stated "We know that Faye's mother is dead, but there's a father out there somewhere and he's going to come along and challenge things for Anna." On 13 January 2013, it was announced that Duttine had been cast in the role of Tim.Steph Britton
Steph Britton, played by Tisha Merry, made her first screen appearance on 18 February 2013. In November 2016, it was announced that Merry would be leaving Coronation Street after nearly four years on the show and quitting the role as Steph. The announcement came a few months after her co-star Oliver Farnworth announced his departure who plays her on-screen boyfriend, Andy Carver, she made her last appearance on 20 January 2017. In December 2017 it was announced that Merry would reprise the role for a handful of episodes in early 2018 and Steph returned from 31 January to 7 February.Steph arrives in Coronation Street alongside [|Megan Smithson] to visit their friend Katy Armstrong. They meet to discuss Steph's upcoming 18th birthday party at The Bistro. During the party, both Steph and Megan flirt with Ryan Connor. Steph later "makes a play for Ryan", making Katy jealous. In November 2013, Steph gets a job at the Bistro as a waitress and makes a good impression on Gloria Price and Gail Platt. In March 2014, Steph's brother Luke arrived on the Street and started working at the garage with Tyrone Dobbs.
Steph becomes good friends with her flatmate Tina McIntyre and serves as a confidante when she is struggling during her affair with Peter Barlow. Steph tries to convince Tina that Peter isn't worth it but she won't listen. She is devastated when Tina is pushed off a balcony and beaten with a metal pipe by Rob Donovan, and visits her in hospital. She is distraught when Tina later dies from her injuries.
At the end of 2014, Steph enters a relationship with Andy Carver, who is pretending to be the son of Michael Rodwell. She discovers Andy's secret; however, she stands by him and supports him as they both love each other. The real Gavin Rodwell soon arrives in Weatherfield and demands a large amount of money from Andy and Steph for him to keep silent. They raise the cash, but problems later appear when Gavin reveals to Michael's fiancée Gail McIntyre that Andy has been lying. Gail becomes embroiled in Andy and Steph's deceit and they are later informed that the real Gavin has died in a car accident. When the lies become too much for Steph and realises that Andy is mainly looking out for himself, she ends their relationship. Later on, when she believes that Andy is leaving Weatherfield, Steph frantically tries to contact him but he turns up at her flat and the pair reconcile.
It was announced on 6 August 2015 that James Atherton had been filming with Coronation Street as the ex-boyfriend of Steph, Jamie. A storyline was then teased as something to affect both Steph and Luke. On 1 October, it was announced that Steph would be involved in a new "shocking" storyline. The storyline saw Jamie manipulate Luke by posting intimate pictures of Steph online, a real-life issue called revenge porn. The storyline began when Luke's girlfriend Maria Connor puts a stop to his and Jamie's racing car scheme and Luke agrees, angering Jamie. He then takes action and posts the pictures online, which leaves a "devastating effect" on Steph, with her "emotional turmoil set to shock viewers". Coronation Street bosses aimed to reflect that the issue, that was made illegal in early 2015, is still an "ongoing issue in wider society". Jamie was eventually arrested for the revenge porn.
Steph and Andy later move in together and are still together at the start of 2017 whilst Andy has attacked Pat Phelan in December 2016 for being present at the death of Michael in November. However, in January 2017, Andy admits to Steph that Phelan is blackmailing him and that he has forced him to set Kevin Webster's garage on fire. He also admits that Phelan has been threatening to harm Steph if he does not co-operate. She and Andy plan to leave for Portugal together to live with Katy, but at the airport he leaves as he has evidence of Phelan admitting to being present when Michael died. However, Phelan supposedly bludgeons Andy to death with the laptop containing the evidence. Phelan then texts Steph on Andy's mobile phone, breaking up with her and Steph leaves for Portugal alone, never knowing Andy's fate. In August 2017, it is shown Andy wasn't killed but has been kept hostage by Phelan. Luke later figures this out in January 2018 and is murdered by Phelan. Steph returns to the street later that month for Luke's funeral and argues with Phelan over him blackmailing Andy. She leaves again the following week.
Eric Babbage
Eric Babbage, played by Timothy West, made his first screen appearance on 18 February 2013. The character and West's casting was announced on 18 December 2012. When asked if he had always been interested in appearing in Coronation Street, West replied "Well I thought 'if Ian McKellen can do it then it's good enough for me!" The actor went on to reveal that the role of Eric appealed to him, as he could not stay long term and the story had "a definite end to it".Marion McMullen from the Coventry Telegraph reported that Eric is a carpet salesman, who will be introduced as Gloria Price's new love interest. West explained that Eric is a lonely man who works in a boring business. He has some money and wants to spend it by going on a round the world trip, with some company. Eric met Gloria on holiday and they got on well, but he has started to realise that she might not be all that she seems. When Eric meets Gloria's family, he finds himself drawn to her granddaughter, Eva, because she is unhappy. West said: "He doesn't want to have a sexual relationship with her at all, he is far too old for one thing. But he does think that they might have some fun together seeing the world. She is funny and intelligent. He sees vulnerability in her that others don't, he doesn't really see the harder side of her." Eric offers to take Eva around the world, as he feels that it would benefit the both of them. Eric becomes "something of a father figure" to Eva and she is devastated when he later dies.
Gloria starts planning a lavish funeral for Eric, assuming that he has left her something in his will. Unfortunately, his solicitor arrives with Eric's wife, Doris, and reveals that not only had they never divorced but she would inherit everything as Eric hadn't changed his will. Doris refused to take over the funeral, threatening a pauper's funeral, so Eva shames Gloria into downgrading the plan slightly so they could pay for it between them. Eva sold a necklace that Eric gave her and Gloria sold her engagement ring so they could give him the send-off they felt he deserved.
Sinead Tinker
Sinead Osbourne, played by Katie McGlynn, made her first screen appearance on 19 April 2013. The character and casting was announced on 22 February 2013. Sinead is the niece of established character Beth Tinker. A writer for the serial's official website revealed that Sinead might catch Chesney Brown's eye following her arrival. The writer stated "Will new girl Sinead be his light at the end of the tunnel?" In July 2019, it was announced that Sinead would die from cervical cancer, due to McGlynn leaving Coronation Street. She died on 25 October 2019.Sinead's aunt, Beth, contacts her and asks her to come to Coronation Street for a visit. Beth tries to set Sinead up with Chesney, who has recently broken up with his girlfriend, Katy Armstrong. The pair really hit it off and Sinead agrees to go on another date with Chesney, but when Katy and her lover Ryan Connor arrive, Sinead feels that Chesney is using her to get back at Katy. When Katy moves in with Ryan and his family, Chesney acts like he could not care less, but Sinead can see that he is hurt by Katy's actions. Sinead sees through Chesney and realises that he is using her to get back at Katy, which infuriates her. After a talk with her aunt Beth, Sinead understands that she can't let Chesney use her. When Katy and Ryan ask Chesney and Sinead to look after Katy and Chesney's baby son, Joseph, Chesney tells them that they are going out for the night so they can't. But when the couple return home, Chesney reveals that they are not going out, which angers Sinead. They eventually do, with Beth and Kirk, but leave early as Sinead realises that Chesney does not want to be out. She argues with Chesney in the street, and later clashes with Katy, after she tries to give her boyfriend advice. During a date night, Sinead suggests to Chesney that they have sex, but Chesney turns her down. When Chesney reveals that he does not love her, Sinead says she understands. She stays overnight in Chesney's bed, while he sleeps on the sofa. Unhappy with the relationship, Sinead ends it and leaves. When Katy begs Chesney for another chance, Chesney rejects her and calls Sinead. She asks Chesney not to mess her about and they reunite. Sinead is very supportive when Chesney is told that his foster carer Hayley Cropper is dying from incurable pancreatic cancer. Sinead also attends Hayley's husband, Roy's, birthday party with Chesney. Sinead gets a job working at Underworld after helping Beth to win an Employee of the Month competition.
It was announced on 30 October 2014 that Coronation Street would air a mini-bus crash, involving the members of Underworld – including Sinead, after Steve McDonald crashes the bus. A show spokesperson commented: "Exact details are being kept under wraps, but more than one character will be hospitalised as a result of the crash and one Underworld knicker stitcher's life will be on the line! Locations for the smash are currently being explored to find a suitably dramatic setting for what promises to be a high octane start to 2015 for Corrie fans." The scenes were filmed on 19 November 2014. The show released more information on the crash aftermath in January 2015. It was revealed that Sinead would be left worst from the crash, with "devastating" effects for her and Chesney. Producer, Stuart Blackburn, said that Sinead would be injured very seriously and that they would be "heartbreaking" scenes airing, "I have been watching some early scenes that have been shot of Katie McGlynn, who plays Sinead, and Sam Aston, who plays Chesney. It is just truly, truly heartbreaking. They have a long way to go. We all know how forgiving Sinead is, but I don't think Chesney is ever going to stop blaming Steve for that." McGlynn later spoke to Digital Spy, revealing Sinead's recovery is a long process and that she will be left wondering if she will walk again.
It was revealed on 6 January 2015 that former Hollyoaks star, Peter Mitchell, would be starring in Coronation Street as a character that one established character – revealed to be Sinead – would meet after the bus crash. Mitchell is disabled and it was thought Sinead would be involved with him after she is made paralysed. Mitchell later spoke to Digital Spy about his new role as patient Sam, who would become friends with Sinead, revealing that he would become an "ally" for Sinead when she is left paralysed. He also praised McGlynn and Aston and commented that they are "brilliant" to work alongside. Sinead's storyline played out onscreen from January until April 2015, with her back to her previous self by May.
In 2016, Sinead starts modelling which is met with criticism by Chesney. In January 2017, Sinead grows bored of Chesney and begins sleeping with Daniel Osbourne. Chesney finds out and breaks up with her leading to her moving in with Daniel. After finding out she is pregnant Daniel turns down his Oxford university application causing Daniel's father Ken Barlow's to turn on Sinead which prompts her to have a secret abortion. Due to this Sinead was a major suspect in the "Who Attacked Ken?" storyline. Daniel later finds out about this and they split up with Sinead later getting back with Chesney who she becomes engaged to; however, they split on their wedding day after Chesney tells Sinead he does not love her and that he feels like he is just marrying her for a mother for his son Joseph, who returned in October after his real mother, Katy, died in a car accident. Sinead visits Daniel's flat in just lingerie and they have sex, getting back together again. She later gets pregnant and gets engaged to Daniel. However, she starts bleeding, goes for a baby scan and is told she may have cervical cancer, which she does not tell Daniel about. Daniel arranges for them to have a pagan wedding with Kirk officiating. Sinead is then diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer and is told she will have to terminate her pregnancy if she wants to have radiotherapy. After being told this Sinead says she doesn't want radiotherapy as she wants to keep her baby and breaks down in hospital. She confides in Ken about the cancer after he sees her in hospital.
Sinead eventually tells Daniel about her cancer diagnosis, but she remains adamant that she does not wish to receive treatment until the baby is born. Sinead eventually gives birth to a boy called Bertie, to which Sinead finally begins treatment for her cancer. The treatment works and the cancer goes into remission. Happy to have a new lease on life, Sinead decides she wants to leave the Street and live somewhere new with Daniel and Bertie. They agree to do this when an opportunity arises, and they decide to have a larger wedding reception to make up for the smaller one that was postponed. During the reception, Sinead discovers another lump, and upon returning to the hospital, she learns the cancer has recurred and is now terminal, with Sinead being given a months, if not weeks, left to live.
Although devastated, Sinead decides to settle loose ends, such as reconnecting with family she lost contact with, and ensuring with Carla that the money Underworld made using Sinead's formula of beard oils is placed into a trust fund for Bertie for when he is older. In the following weeks, Sinead's health deteriorates, with family and friends visiting her on her deathbed in home to say their last goodbyes. When alone with Daniel, she tells him not to spend the rest of his life mourning her and says he will always have her blessing for whatever relationship he may enter once she is gone. When Daniel goes to put Bertie to bed, he returns to discover Sinead has peacefully died in her sleep. Her funeral takes place the following weeks, with many in the Street attending or paying their respects.
In May 2017, Laura-Jayne Tyler from Inside Soap called Sinead's relationship with Chesney a "snore-fest" and asked Coronation Street to "put us out of our misery" and end their relationship "for the love of all that is good in this world".