Becky McDonald
[1] Kelly was initially only cast for a three-month period when she began filming in 2006, but impressed producers and was offered an extended contract as a regular character.[6] The Daily Mirror's Beth Neil has observed that during her time on Coronation Street, Becky has morphed "from a thieving tearaway into a vulnerable young woman, clearly damaged from a troubled upbringing.Kelly opined that the character's ex-con personality would give her an advantage behind the bar,[11] explaining: "The previous producer, Steve Frost, loved the idea of a barmaid who could lose her temper and throw a punch."[12] The character's chain smoking tendencies often play out onscreen when she is experiencing stress, something which drew off-screen criticism for her disregard of littering the streets with her cigarette butts."[23] When Gregson was interviewed by entertainment website Digital Spy, he was asked if he thought that his character has had a positive impact on Becky's life.[25] Their relationship was featured in a series of romantic plots which ITV dubbed the "Summer of Love" season of the soap, with advertisements airing.[27] During an interview with Digital Spy Kelly spoke the impact Slug has had on Becky stating: "Marshall and I have invented a whole back story between us."[32] Kelly also spoke of the sadness she felt for the impact the plot has on her character adding: "She can't really put up any barriers about this – it's the worst thing that's ever happened.[31] Of this Kelly stated: "With the adoption storyline, she borrows Claire Peacock's clothes for a while because she wants to look good for the social worker coming round."[31] In an interview with tabloid newspaper Daily Mirror, Kelly revealed that she researched the storyline at the Manchester Adoption Society, who expressed their delight that two high-profile characters were given such a plot.After betraying Kelly, she leaves the area for several months, returning later in the year when she meets former workmate Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh), who is teaching an ex-offenders literacy class.Slug (Marshall Lancaster), a former acquaintance of Becky's, arrives in Weatherfield and the two joyride in the Croppers' newly acquired Morris Minor.Becky starts dating builder Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), but after being with him for several months, she cheats on him with pub landlord Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).Becky claims to have been with Steve on the night of her rampage and blackmails him to give her a false alibi, threatening to tell his partner Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) about their one-night stand.His daughter, Amy Barlow (Amber Chadwick), initially dislikes Becky, prompting her to put their wedding on hold, though Steve eventually convinces her to set a date.They plan a second ceremony, with Becky now wearing a white wedding dress with feathers on, and Slug returns,[49] seemingly reformed but actually working for Hooch.Medical tests reveal an abnormality of the womb, meaning she is unable to carry a child full-term, making Becky decide that she wants to adopt.Unfortunately Becky and Steve are refused the right to adopt because her estranged half-sister, Kylie Turner (Paula Lane) gave a bad reference and the fact that Social Services feel that it is too soon after her miscarriages.Becky intends to return to Weatherfield for Kylie's funeral; however, she is unable to make the long trip due to an ear infection.[50] Media website Digital Spy deemed Kelly a Coronation Street "icon" when the Radio Times had her recreate Manet's famous painting, A Bar at the Folies-Bergère."[53] Grace Dent of The Guardian commented on Becky's wedding describing her appearance as: "[Wearing an] Oil-stained pink princess frock carrying a two-litre bottle of street-drinker fuel, shouting football chants, with the words eruditely swapped to honour the groom.Becky's beehive lurched like a detonated high rise, her lip colour swept westward on to her earlobe, a Regal King Size blazed in her gob.[55] Ruth Deller of entertainment website Lowculture often praised Becky in her monthly columns featuring popular and unpopular soap opera characters."[58] The storyline which featured the character's old nemesis DC Hooch drew criticism of Becky's excessive littering of her cigarette butts.We all have a responsibility to keep our local area clean and we would hope that producers of programmes such as Coronation Street would support our call to encourage the public to keep our country tidy.[59] Julie Richardson, writing for Orange U.K. said she "loved a good TV scrap" and the serial had "a corker" with Becky and Kylie's fight which took place in 2011.[60] Jim Shelley of the Daily Mirror praised Becky's feud with Tracy, explaining it was a "perfectly poised, barbed battle", though he said it was ruined by Kylie's return.[61] Kevin O'Sullivan of the Sunday Mirror said that Becky had a "seismic departure" as she "checked out of soapland's asylum in characteristically crazy style"."[62] Christopher Couture, founder of self-titled celebrity gossip blog ChristopherCouture.co.uk, described Kelly as "the new Bet Lynch" on Twitter, following her final episode.Steve loved Becky, but her inability to have kids made her insecure – and Tracy exploited that pain in order to drive the pair apart.
Katherine KellySeamstressKylie PlattSteve McDonaldAmy BarlowMax TurnerLily PlattCoronation StreetTony WoodPhil CollinsonDavid NeilsonHayley CropperJulie HesmondhalghJason GrimshawRyan ThomasSimon GregsonDaily MirrorRovers Return InnDigital SpyMarshall LancasterClaire PeacockJulia HaworthLiz McDonaldBev CallardKylie TurnerPaula LaneKelly CrabtreeTupele DorguRoy CropperjoyrideMorris MinorSarah GrimshawTina O'BrienThe Rovers ReturnDC HoochDominic CarterMichelle ConnorKym MarshBeverley CallardTracy BarlowKate Fordtram crashDev AlahanJimmi HarkishinSunita AlahanShobna GulatiJim McDonaldCharles LawsonFiz StapeJennie McAlpineDeirdre BarlowAnne KirkbrideNick TilsleyBen PriceDanny StrattonJeremy SheffieldGail McIntyreHelen WorthRadio TimesManet'sA Bar at the Folies-BergèreDavid PlattJack P. ShepherdNancy Banks-SmithGrace DentThe Guardianstreet-drinkerfootball chantsOrangeLowcultureChannel 5'sHoly SoapKeep Britain TidyEve JensonEmmerdaleRonnie MitchellEastEndersOrange U.K.Jim ShelleyKevin O'SullivanSunday MirrorAll About SoapInside SoapTV Now AwardsTelevision and Radio Industries ClubBritish Soap AwardsTV Choice & TV Quick AwardsNational Television AwardsInside Soap AwardsTVTimesThe Sunday MirrorHachette Filipacchi UKSTV Group plcDaily RecordITV plcAssociated NewspapersMicrosoftWhat's on TVIPC MediaHearst Magazines UKGuardian Media Group PlcOrange.co.ukOrange (telecommunications)Channel 5Shelley, JimTrinity MirrorO'Sullivan, KevinThe Daily TelegraphSky.comBritish Sky BroadcastingHachette Filipacchi (UK) LtdTime Inc.itv.comPresent charactersKen BarlowRita TannerAudrey RobertsKevin WebsterJenny BradleySally WebsterSarah PlattLeanne BattersbyToyah BattersbyTyrone DobbsEileen GrimshawMaria Connor