List of Coronation Street characters introduced in 1996
Stephen arrives in Weatherfield to get to know his biological mother and to carry out some business for his firm, KBec, with local tycoon Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs).During his stay, Mike's wife and Audrey's best friend, Alma Baldwin (Amanda Barrie), becomes besotted with him and makes her feelings clear, but Stephen is not interested and returns to Canada once his work is completed.In 1999, following the break-up of his marriage to Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), Nick again turned to Stephen, who offered him a job in Canada.On 10 December 2007, Stephen returned to Weatherfield to spend Christmas with Audrey en route to Italy, where he intended to expand his business empire into Europe.[1] In September 2022, Stephen accidentally killed Jenny Connor's boyfriend, Leo Thompkins (Joe Frost), after the latter confronted him about his true financial situation.After admitting to Jenny that he killed Leo, Teddy, and Rufus, Stephen took her hostage in the street as horrified residents, including Audrey, looked on.Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell) administered CPR, but despite all efforts to save his life, Stephen succumbed to his injuries and died, leaving Audrey heartbroken.Kelly Thomson, played by Sarah Moffett, first appears on 9 February 1996 when Ken Barlow (William Roache) hires her as a childminder for his son, Daniel Osbourne (Lewis Harney).Lee was also in attendance at Fiona and Alan's wedding which was called off when her one-night-stand with Jim McDonald (Charlie Lawson) was revealed.Joyce Smedley, played by Anita Carey, was introduced in February 1996 as the mother of Judy Mallett (Gaynor Faye).In February 1997, while walking her dog, Scamper, Joyce is run over and killed by a car driven by Tony Horrocks (Lee Warburton).Clive argues with his son Lee Middleton (Nicholas Bailey) upon learning that he lent Fiona money when he refused to lend him £2,000 for a new car.Clive and Pam later meet Fiona and her fiancé Alan McKenna (Glenn Hugill) for dinner and offer to pay for their wedding.Clive argues with his son Lee Middleton (Nicholas Bailey) upon learning that he lent Fiona money when he refused to lend him £2,000 for a new car.Clive and Pam later meet Fiona and her fiancé Alan McKenna (Glenn Hugill) for dinner and offer to pay for their wedding.Pam returns to help and advise Fiona to sell up and leave the Street, after she discovers her partner Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) has had an affair.A few months later, however, Claire sees Des making a pass at Samantha Failsworth (Tina Hobley); she immediately packs her bags and leaves.Becky moves to the Street when her mother meets Des Barnes (Phillip Middlemiss) at the market and they begin a relationship.Samantha Failsworth (previously Fitzgerald), played by Tina Hobley, makes her first appearance on 17 July 1996 when she asks landlord Jack Duckworth for a job at the Rovers Return.They were due to marry in 1997, but Alan called the engagement off when Jim McDonald (Charlie Lawson) exposed his one-night-stand with Fiona.Tony's former henchmen, Nev and Rik, barge into Barlow's Buys and demand money he owes them for some foot spas from Tracy.In 2019, Robert cheated on Michelle by having an affair with resident Vicky Jefferies (Kerri Quinn), who later fell pregnant and gave birth to their son, Sonny.He was hospitalised on Christmas Day that year after being shot by Derek Milligan (Craige Els), a client of local builder Gary Windass (Mikey North), whom he had sought to kill for ruining his chances of reconciling with his family.After apologising to Michelle for cheating on her, and despite his efforts to recover, Robert dies from his gunshot injury in hospital after going into cardiac arrest, as he has had previous heart issues.