Cheryl Gray (Coronation Street)
Encyclopedia
Cheryl Gray is a fictional character
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...

 from the British ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...

 soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...

 Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...

, played by Holly Quin-Ankrah. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing 9 April 2010. Originally introduced as a love interest for an existing character, Cheryl has been involved in storylines involving lapdancing and domestic abuse since her inception. Cheryl's age was tweaked to accommodate the much younger Quin-Ankrah's real age. In May 2011, it was announced the producers had decided not to renew Quin-Ankrah's contract. She departed on-screen on 18 November 2011.

Cheryl has been described as having "positive, caring, family oriented" personality traits. Cheryl's storyline has mainly focused around her relationships with Lloyd Mullaney
Lloyd Mullaney
Lloyd Mullaney is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Craig Charles, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 20 June 2005 and remained on screen until 23 July 2006 when Craig Charles was suspended but he...

 (Craig Charles
Craig Charles
Craig Joseph Charles is an English actor, stand-up comedian, author, poet, radio and television presenter, best known for playing Dave Lister in the British cult-favourite science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf...

) and Chris Gray (Will Thorp
Will Thorp
Will Thorp is an English actor.-Early life:Living in Frome as a youngster, Thorp attended a Catholic college in near-by Trowbridge, Wiltshire. He studied at Bath College and joined Musical Youth Theatre Company at an early age. Thorp was also a member of the National Youth Theatre...

). Quin-Ankrah has stated that throughout Cheryl's duration she has been "caught in the middle" of Chris and Lloyd's fights. In 2010, Quin-Ankrah was nominated for an Inside Soap Award
Inside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...

 for her portrayal of Cheryl.

Character creation and casting

In February 2010, it was announced that a new character, Cheryl, would be introduced to Coronation Street as the love interest of established character Lloyd Mullaney. Of Cheryl's introduction, Coronation Street series editor Louise Sutton said: "[Lloyd] soon learns she's a lapdancer but, far from being put off, he falls head over heels in love with her as he becomes her regular taxi driver. However, she tries to keep him at arm's length and when we learn more about her troubled personal life, we realise Lloyd's putting his heart and his safety on the line for the woman he loves." Cheryl was given an immediate link to Leanne Battersby
Leanne Battersby
Leanne Anika Barlow is a fictional character on the soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Jane Danson, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 4 July 1997....

 (Jane Danson
Jane Danson
Jane Danson is an English actress, most famous for playing the role of Leanne Battersby in Coronation Street.-Acting:...

) who is an old friend. Former Rock Rivals
Rock Rivals
Rock Rivals is a British television drama series following the lives of two celebrity judges on an X Factor style show as their marriage falls apart. It was produced by Shed Productions, the company behind Footballers' Wives, Bad Girls and Waterloo Road...

actress Holly Quin-Ankrah was cast in the role of Cheryl. Of her casting, Quin-Ankrah stated: "I'm really happy to be joining Coronation Street. It feels great and it's been really exciting seeing the set and meeting the cast. It's pretty scary too when you're sat in The Rovers filming a scene with Ken
Ken Barlow
Kenneth "Ken" Barlow is a long-standing fictional character from the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by William Roache, and created by Tony Warren. He is currently the world's longest-serving soap opera character, having appeared continuously from the programme's inception in December...

 (William Roache
William Roache
William Patrick Harry Roache MBE is a British actor, best known for his role as Ken Barlow in the soap opera Coronation Street...

) and Deirdre [Barlow
Deirdre Barlow
Deirdre Anne Barlow is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV Granada soap opera, Coronation Street...

] (Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride is an English actress, best known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street which she has played for thirty-nine years.-Coronation Street:...

) sat next to you!" Former Footballers Wives actress Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche is a British actress, radio presenter and former model best known for her performances as Liberty Baker in ITV's Footballers' Wives, for which she won a Screen Nations Award for Favourite TV Star....

 told the Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
The Liverpool Echo is a newspaper published by Trinity Mirror in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is published Monday to Saturday, and is Liverpool's evening newspaper while its sister paper, the Liverpool Daily Post, is the morning paper...

that she unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of Cheryl, after Coronation Street producers asked her to do a screen test with Charles. Twenty-two-year-old Quin-Ankrah did not reveal her age at the time of the casting process and dressed in clothes that made her look older. Cheryl was originally aged thirty, however this was changed to twenty-nine.

Character development

While interview by itv.com
Itv.com
itv.com is the main website of ITV plc, the UK's largest commercial television broadcaster which operates 11 out of 15 regions on the ITV network under the ITV1 brand. The website offers on-line streaming, ITV archive, news, sport, entertainment, games, soaps, lifestyle, drama and an interactive TV...

, Quin-Ankrah described Cheryl as being a "positive, caring, family oriented, passionate, previous stripping, cocktail making, happy, positive and lovable" character. Quin-Ankrah has spoken positively of her character's lap dancing occupation, stating: "I know girls who do it as a job and that's great but I've never fancied it myself. If you're body conscious it's not the best thing to do - and I am. Quin-Ankrah admitted that she couldn't do the profession herself but added that she would never judge anyone who does it for a living. She also stated other positives as the health benefits and it helps tone the body.

In May 2010, it was announced that former Casualty
Casualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...

actor Will Thorp had been cast as Cheryl's 'bad boy' husband Chris. Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....

reported: "It emerges that Chris and Cheryl share a son, Russ (Finton Flynn). However, things take a turn for the worse when Chris meets Cheryl's current boyfriend Lloyd." It was then revealed that Cheryl had been abused by Chris.

Speaking of how the storyline progresses Quin-Ankrah stated: "There are so many twists and turns it's exciting for me even to read the script, but it won't be as straightforward as people would imagine. There are relationship woes coming up with Chris who she's with now and turbulent times ahead. It's certainly worth watching." Co-star Charles also praised the storyline describing it as a challenge. Quin-Ankrah later admitted she was initially nervous about the storyline because she wanted to portray it with justice of the issue. She further spoke about how the plot helps educate stating: "That was interesting because, getting the scripts, you start to understand why women do that, in a way. You always think, 'If I was in that position I'd leave him', but when you're reading a script, you are inside Cheryl's head." On a separate occasion she spoke of how women like Cheryl in real life find it hard to leave their abuser because of the love they once had for the person, she also added that she hoped never to be in the same situation. Quin-Ankrah said the main reason Cheryl stopped loving Chris was because he hit her. Chris' arrival made everything complicated for Cheryl, she was stuck in the middle of his fights with Lloyd. However, they all end up playing "happy families" for Russ' sake.

In May 2011 it was revealed that Cheryl would depart the serial, after producers chose not to renew her contract. The character's on-screen family are also set to depart. Of her departure, Quin-Ankrah said that she was had been happy working on the programme and branded it an "amazing experience". In June 2011, it was revealed that Chris would develop a brain tumour. When Cheryl finds out about Chris' illness, she invites him to live with her and Lloyd. As the storylines progresses, Cheryl and Chris become close again. Charles said that Lloyd is stuck in the middle because "he can't be seen to be this horrible man". Lloyd adjusts to the arrangement because he wants "Cheryl to love and respect him". Though, he predicted that Cheryl and Lloyd's relationship would not end well in the storyline. While Thorp said "she's just by his side and kind of being his best friend. And Chris, out of everyone, is very happy for Cheryl to take that place in his life." Quin-Ankrah said that the storyline was a great opportunity for herself and Thorp to show viewers different sides of their on-screen counterparts.

Quin-Ankrah said that there is a "dramatic and exciting" fire that Cheryl will be involved in. However she said it would not be predictable. She also confirmed Cheryl survives, giving her the option of returned in the future. A Coronation Street spokesperson said that "there's no doubt" Chris has been lying about the severity of the tumour because "he wants his wife and child back". Adding that "the fire will be a game changer for all of them." Production remained secretive as to whether any of Cheryl's family would die in the fire. Cheryl departed on-screen on 18 November 2011.

Storylines

Cheryl first appears in April 2010, when she meets up with Leanne. Cheryl tells Leanne she is impressed with her for getting a respectable job. Cheryl flirts with Lloyd and gets attention from Ciaran McCarthy
Ciaran McCarthy
Ciaran McCarthy is a fictional character from the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street portrayed by Keith Duffy. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 August 2002, before departing in 2005. He returned in 2010 until Duffy temporary departed in January 2011 to go on Boyzone Tour,...

 (Keith Duffy
Keith Duffy
Keith Peter Thomas Francis John Duffy is an Irish singer-songwriter, actor, drummer, dancer and television presenter. He began his career as part of Boyzone in the 1990s. In the 2000s, he achieved critical acclaim for his acting roles, particularly in soap operas such as Coronation Street and Fair...

). Lloyd drives Cheryl to work and she leaves her mobile in his taxi. Cheryl is shocked when Lloyd comes to the lapdancing club and returns her phone.

Cheryl gradually becomes good friends with Lloyd. He tries to kiss her, but Cheryl refuses and leaves. Cheryl admits to Lloyd that she is married with a son. Lloyd sees Cheryl with a bruise on her face and punches her boss thinking he is responsible. Her boss sacks her because of Lloyd's outburst. Cheryl explains to Lloyd that Chris is violent towards her, and that she wants to leave him. As they leave, Chris sees and tries to stop them. Cheryl and Russ move in with Lloyd. Later, she grows closer to him and they sleep together, but afterwards Cheryl tells him it was a mistake. Cheryl is given a job in Prima Doner by Sunita Alahan
Sunita Alahan
Sunita Alahan is a fictional character from the British ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, played by Shobna Gulati. She made her first on-screen appearance on 23 March 2001 and remained in the show until 2005, when the character was axed from the serial by producer Tony Wood...

 (Shobna Gulati
Shobna Gulati
Shobna Gulati is an English actress, writer, and dancer of Indian origin, best known for playing Anita in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies, and Sunita Alahan in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street from 2001 to 2006, a role to which she returned at the end of 2009...

). Cheryl is horrified when Chris starts working at Underworld and he agrees to quit in order to help their relationship.

Cheryl argues with Leanne when Simon Barlow
Simon Barlow
Simon Barlow is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, and has been played by Alex Bain since 2008. The character was played by twins Jake and Oscar Hartley on his birth in 2003.-Character development:...

 (Alex Bain) hits Russ, and insists that Russ isn't bullying him at school. Leanne apologises to Cheryl. She tells Leanne she was wrong and forgives her. Leanne later offers Cheryl a job at The Joinery bar which she is opening with Nick Tilsley
Nick Tilsley
Nicholas Paul "Nick" Tilsley is a fictional character in the British soap opera Coronation Street. Originally known as "Nicky", he was the first-born child of Brian Tilsley and Gail Platt , and has been portrayed by three different actors. Warren Jackson from 1981 to 1996, then by Adam Rickitt...

 (Ben Price
Ben Price
Ben Price is a British actor, best known for playing the third incarnation of Nick Tilsley in the ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...

). On 6 December 2010 Cheryl is working when the Joinery explodes, destroying the viaduct above and sending a tram crashing onto the street. She is later rescued and brought out of the wreckage alive and is reunited with Russ.

When the Joinery re-opens as a Bistro, Cheryl continues to work there. Nick realises he needs a manager so Cheryl applies for the position and eventually gets it after the selected candidate drops out. Cheryl and Lloyd's offer to purchase No. 13 Coronation Street proceeds. She redecorates the property and moves in. Cheryl finds out that Chris has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and decides to support him. Lloyd thinks Cheryl is having an affair with him and confronts her. When she tells him the truth, she suggests that Chris moves in with them while he fights his illness. Lloyd agrees but feels increasingly pushed out.

Over time, Chris is determined to win Cheryl back again and gradually she begins to fall for him, despite him secretly knowing that his treatment for the tumour has been a success. In October 2011, the pair kiss and subsequently sleep together while Lloyd is away at work. Cheryl is guilt-ridden because of her infedelity but admits to Chris that she has fallen in love with him once again. In November 2011, Lloyd begins to suspect that Chris is lying about his illness, as Cheryl walks in on the confrontation, Chris announces that him and Cheryl are back together, leaving Lloyd devestated and furious at both Cheryl and Chris for taking advantage of him.

On 18 November 2011, Cheryl goes back into number 13 with Chris to move her belongings, Lloyd walks in and angrily accuses her of robbing him, before dragging the sofa out onto the Street and setting it alight. Lloyd punches Chris who crashes his head on the kerb. At the hospital, Cheryl questions whether his tumour has been affected by this, only to be informed that the tumour had receded weeks ago and Chris was lying. A distraught Cheryl tells Lloyd about Chris' lies, tearfully asking him to forgive her, Lloyd makes it clear that their relationship is beyond repair now. Having lost both men in her life, Cheryl tells Leanne that she and Russ are leaving Weatherfield for good and departs in a taxi after another confrontation with Chris and telling Lloyd that leaving him was something she'll regret forever.

Reception

In July 2010, Quin-Ankrah received a nomination in the "Best Newcomer" category at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards
Inside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...

 for her portrayal of Cheryl. Jim Shelley
Jim Shelley (TV critic)
Jim Shelley is a British television critic who writes a column for the Daily Mirror each Monday titled Shelleyvision. Prior to writing for the Daily Mirror he wrote for The Guardian and his collection of reviews "Interference: Tapehead vs. Television" was published by Atlantic Books...

 of the Daily Mirror said that the serial had a lot of "dead wood" characters such as Cheryl and branded her "deadly boring". A writer for the website of television programme This Morning
This Morning (TV series)
This Morning is a British daytime television programme broadcast on ITV. As of September 2011, its main presenters are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with various other presenters standing in for illness or contributing to sections of the programme.The...

, said that Cheryl's life "seemed to be going well once she shacked up with kind-hearted cabbie Lloyd." They described her as "silly" for letting her feelings for Chris re-surface.

External links

  • Character profile on the official Coronation Street website
  • Character profile at the Internet Movie Database
    Internet Movie Database
    Internet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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