Darryl Morton
Encyclopedia
Darryl Morton is a fictional character
in the UK television ITV
soap opera
, Coronation Street
. Portrayed by former Grange Hill
actor Jonathan Dixon
, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 18 March 2007.
Darryl first appears on-screen March 18, 2007. He lives in the shed of the garden of Number 6. He gets into trouble with the law for several motoring offences, and is horrified when twin sister Mel
(Emma Edmondson
) says that she plans to join the police. Soon after his arrival he strikes up a close friendship with next door neighbour David Platt
(Jack P. Shepherd
) (coincidentally his real life childhood friend).
who plays David Platt in the show.
In August 2008, it was thought the character Darryl would exit the street in November, two months after the rest of the Morton family. However in September, it was announced he had signed a new 6-month contract.
It was reported on 15 May 2009 that Dixon and co-star Wanda Opalinska
would be written out of the soap and would be departing later in the year with it being said that this was due to "natural storyline progression."
(Michael Starke
), grandfather Wilf (Rodney Litchfield
), and sisters, Jodie (Samantha Seager
), Mel and Kayleigh
(Jessica Barden
). In April 2007 it was announced that he would be involved in a heavy marijuana smoking scene with Vernon Tomlin
(Ian Reddington
). It caused controversy, and the soap's executive producer Kieran Roberts stated that: "Not all stories are to the taste of all our viewers. But the vast majority of the time we get it right. We do not set out to shock and sensationalise." Although the scene did not air, there is a milder scene at the Morton's house-warming party where Vernon takes on a mellow disposition after smoking a joint Darryl gives him.
On 16 September 2007, Darryl's friend 'Stig' asks him to look after some ecstasy
tablets. Afraid that his dad would find them, he asks David to look after them, but he hides them in one of his niece's dolls. However, when Bethany (Amy & Emily Walton) swallows one, David decides to protect his friend and bails Darryl out by taking the blame for possession. After a brief flirtation in the Rovers with barmaid Lauren Wilson (Lucy Evans
), Darryl begins dating her. After a few dates of playing hard to get, they begin seeing each other on a more regular basis. He often pays for their dates and drinks, even though Mel tells him that his money is the only reason she is interested. Their involvement with each other comes to an end when Lauren becomes angry with him having no money, and states they were never an item.
Originally, Darryl was supposed to be leaving with the rest of the Morton clan. However, in an interview with the Liverpool Echo
, Michael Starke who plays his father Jerry revealed they had kept Darryl's character on because of "his character links in with David Platt". Jerry collapses on 27 August 2008 and goes into care on 31 August, where Darryl and the rest of the family were told that Jerry is still alive and has a high chance of staying that way, but also that he may die. Jerry makes a full recovery but discovers that wife Teresa Bryant
(Karen Henthorn
) has been poisoning him. Darryl, along with his siblings order Teresa out of the family home as a result. Amber Kalirai
(Nikki Patel
) becomes close to Darryl and they subsequently start a relationship.
Darryl opts to stay on in Weatherfield when Jerry decides that he is moving Kayleigh and Finlay (Ramone Quinn) to Spain
in September 2008 due to his job and friends being on the Street. He allowed Teresa back into the house after finding her drunk on the street. He subsequently gets into trouble with Amber's overprotective father Dev
(Jimmi Harkishin
) after he discovers that he is having sex with Amber. In November 2008, Dev takes over Jerry's takeaway shop as it proves too much for Darryl to run alone. Darryl is dismayed to learn that as well as selling the business to Dev, Jerry is putting No. 6 on the market. After much difficulty of running the shop alone on his first day as owner, Dev eventually relents and asks Darryl to run the place for him.
Prior due to Jerry's departure, Darryl and his mother Teresa have been evicted form their home as Jerry decides to rent the house to new family, the Windasses. However, before the family can move in, Teresa protests to the idea by barricading herself in the house, refusing to come out. This prompts Darryl to bribe her by putting money in the letter box, but to no avail. The Windasses run out of patience and decide to do the job themselves by smashing the front door window with a crutch. When they run into the house, they discover that Teresa has handcuffed herself to the kitchen oven and cupboard doors. Since she has lost the keys to the handcuffs, the family's son Gary
(Mikey North
) decides to drag her out of the house. Having nowhere to go, Amber offers Darryl a place to stay with her and Dev, and agrees to the offer to stay, without Teresa.
In December 2008, Darryl becomes involved in a scheme of Pam Hobsworth (Kate Anthony
)'s to make money. He agrees to sell her the used oil from the takeaway to convert into a form of biofuel. However, the project backfires for the pair during the New Year's Eve episode when Pam accidentally ignites the fuel causing it to explode. Luckily, Darryl is unharmed by the explosion.
March 2009 sees Darryl expressing concern that his relationship with Amber may not survive when she speaks of going to university in London but she reassures him that they will be fine. However, he is unconvinced and several months later, Amber kisses Mitch, a Uni friend after an argument with Darryl. He dumps her and she departs to University alone and upset.
Amber returns during Freshers' Week and makes up with Darryl at Jason Grimshaw
(Ryan Thomas
) and Tina McIntyre
(Michelle Keegan
)'s party. However, Amber's father Dev, not keen on having Amber choose Darryl over University, bribes him with £500 to dump Amber. Darryl took the money but doesn't cash it and tells Dev what he thinks of him. Amber later finds out thanks to Teresa's interference, and she leaves for Uni once again on the bus, with neither Darryl or Dev able to convince her to stay.
On 16 October 2009, Dev discovers that Umed Alahan (Harish Patel
) and Teresa are selling curry in the kebab shop, although this is not Darryl's idea. Dev warns him that he is on thin ice, but Darryl, fed up with Dev, quits his job anyway. He then decides to go and live with his family in Spain
. He bids farewell to Teresa before boarding the bus to the airport.
In May 2010, when Teresa departs Weatherfield, after her relationship with Lloyd Mullaney
(Craig Charles
) comes to an end, it is possible that she has gone to Spain to live with Darryl, this is implied after she makes a phone call, presumingly to Darryl, asking for a favour.
Fictional character
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...
in the UK television ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
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...
. Portrayed by former Grange Hill
Grange Hill
Grange Hill is a British television drama series originally made by the BBC. The show began in 1978 on BBC1 and was one of the longest running programmes on British television...
actor Jonathan Dixon
Jonathan Dixon (actor)
Jonathan Dixon is a British television actor, best known for playing playground bully Matthew "Mooey" Humphries in long-running CBBC show Grange Hill....
, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 18 March 2007.
Background
Darryl is the less serious-minded of the Morton twins, Darryl can be just plain daft, lazy and is closest to his twin sister Mel. In the interview with Digitalspy Jonathan went on to confirm this, speaking of his character he said:Darryl first appears on-screen March 18, 2007. He lives in the shed of the garden of Number 6. He gets into trouble with the law for several motoring offences, and is horrified when twin sister Mel
Mel Morton
Melanie "Mel" Jade Morton is a fictional character from the long-running UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character was portrayed by Emma Edmondson from the character's inception into the episode airing on 18 March 2007 until her departure on 3 October 2008.-Casting:During the...
(Emma Edmondson
Emma Edmondson
Emma Edmondson is a British television actress, best known for playing Mel Morton in Coronation Street.She is currently appearing in Manchester-based soap opera Coronation Street playing one of the members of the Morton family, Mel Morton. She joined the soap in March 2007...
) says that she plans to join the police. Soon after his arrival he strikes up a close friendship with next door neighbour David Platt
David Platt (Coronation Street)
David Daniel Platt is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 26 December 1990 and is portrayed by actor Jack P...
(Jack P. Shepherd
Jack P. Shepherd
Jack Peter Shepherd is an English actor. He plays David Platt in the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street. He joined the show in April 2000, taking over the role from Thomas Ormson.Shepherd was born in Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire....
) (coincidentally his real life childhood friend).
Casting
During the casting for the character of Darryl Morton different actors were called in for auditions for the role. Actor Jonathan Dixon revealed in an interview with Digital Spy that he was called back through five stages of auditioning and eventually got down to the last two where he had to audition against a long term friend. During each stage of auditioning the hopefuls had to audition as sets of twins. Jonathan continually met fellow cast member Emma Edmondson who plays his on-screen sister Mel. In the final audition the two were paired up, and went on to be cast as twins Mel and Darryl. It also emerged that the actor is real life friend of fellow cast member Jack P. ShepherdJack P. Shepherd
Jack Peter Shepherd is an English actor. He plays David Platt in the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street. He joined the show in April 2000, taking over the role from Thomas Ormson.Shepherd was born in Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire....
who plays David Platt in the show.
In August 2008, it was thought the character Darryl would exit the street in November, two months after the rest of the Morton family. However in September, it was announced he had signed a new 6-month contract.
It was reported on 15 May 2009 that Dixon and co-star Wanda Opalinska
Wanda Opalinska
Wanda Opalinska is a British-Polish actress, best known for playing the part of Polish immigrant and Underworld factory worker Wiki Dankowska in Coronation Street.-Early life:...
would be written out of the soap and would be departing later in the year with it being said that this was due to "natural storyline progression."
Storylines
Darryl Morton arrives in Coronation Street with his father JerryJerry Morton
Jerry Morton, played by Michael Starke, is a fictional character on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. He was introduced in March 2007. It was announced in April 2008 that Jerry and the rest of the Mortons would leave the show later in 2008....
(Michael Starke
Michael Starke (actor)
Michael Starke , is a British actor best known for his role as Thomas 'Sinbad' Sweeney which he played for 16 years in the soap opera Brookside...
), grandfather Wilf (Rodney Litchfield
Rodney Litchfield
Rodney Litchfield is an English actor born in Wigan, Lancashire.Litchfield's first TV appearances were in the 1980's, the first of which was the episode "First Leg" of the British drama Travelling Man....
), and sisters, Jodie (Samantha Seager
Samantha Seager
Samantha Seager is a British born actress from Atherton, near Wigan, England who played the role of Jodie Morton in the soap opera Coronation Street....
), Mel and Kayleigh
Kayleigh Morton
Kayleigh Morton is a fictional character on the British soap-opera Coronation Street. She is a member of the Morton family and lived at No. 6 with the rest of her family, until her father Jerry moved the family to Spain...
(Jessica Barden
Jessica Barden
Jessica Barden is an English actress who was a regular cast member on Coronation Street.In 2007 it was announced that she would play the part of Kayleigh Morton on the ITV Soap Opera Coronation Street...
). In April 2007 it was announced that he would be involved in a heavy marijuana smoking scene with Vernon Tomlin
Vernon Tomlin
Vernon Tomlin was a fictional character of the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Ian Reddington. he originally appeared from December 2005 till September 2008.-Background:...
(Ian Reddington
Ian Reddington
- Early life :Ian Reddington was born in Sheffield. He was educated at Frecheville Comprehensive. He had no formal drama training, but became a leading figure in the Meatwhistle youth theatre project run by youth workers in the city. This gave him his first appearance as The Herald in Peter...
). It caused controversy, and the soap's executive producer Kieran Roberts stated that: "Not all stories are to the taste of all our viewers. But the vast majority of the time we get it right. We do not set out to shock and sensationalise." Although the scene did not air, there is a milder scene at the Morton's house-warming party where Vernon takes on a mellow disposition after smoking a joint Darryl gives him.
On 16 September 2007, Darryl's friend 'Stig' asks him to look after some ecstasy
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
MDMA is an entactogenic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of drugs. In popular culture, MDMA has become widely known as "ecstasy" , usually referring to its street pill form, although this term may also include the presence of possible adulterants...
tablets. Afraid that his dad would find them, he asks David to look after them, but he hides them in one of his niece's dolls. However, when Bethany (Amy & Emily Walton) swallows one, David decides to protect his friend and bails Darryl out by taking the blame for possession. After a brief flirtation in the Rovers with barmaid Lauren Wilson (Lucy Evans
Lucy Evans
Lucy Evans is a female actress best known for playing the role of Lauren Wilson in Coronation Street in 2007–2008.Other roles include that of Debs in Mile High...
), Darryl begins dating her. After a few dates of playing hard to get, they begin seeing each other on a more regular basis. He often pays for their dates and drinks, even though Mel tells him that his money is the only reason she is interested. Their involvement with each other comes to an end when Lauren becomes angry with him having no money, and states they were never an item.
Originally, Darryl was supposed to be leaving with the rest of the Morton clan. However, in an interview with 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...
, Michael Starke who plays his father Jerry revealed they had kept Darryl's character on because of "his character links in with David Platt". Jerry collapses on 27 August 2008 and goes into care on 31 August, where Darryl and the rest of the family were told that Jerry is still alive and has a high chance of staying that way, but also that he may die. Jerry makes a full recovery but discovers that wife Teresa Bryant
Teresa Bryant
Teresa Bryant , is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Karen Henthorn. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 28 March 2007...
(Karen Henthorn
Karen Henthorn
Karen Henthorn is a British character actress who portrayed the role of Teresa Bryant in the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. She appeared in the role briefly in 2007 and became a regular character in 2008. Her character was involved in major story lines. In late 2008, she left...
) has been poisoning him. Darryl, along with his siblings order Teresa out of the family home as a result. Amber Kalirai
Amber Kalirai
Amber Kalirai is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Nikki Patel, the character first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 9 November 2005. In May 2011 it was announced that Patel had returned to filming and Amber appeared again from 11 July...
(Nikki Patel
Nikki Patel
Nikki Patel is a British actress. She is best known as the character Amber Kalirai in Coronation Street. Some may also recognise her from the BBC hit drama Waterloo Road, where she played Shazia...
) becomes close to Darryl and they subsequently start a relationship.
Darryl opts to stay on in Weatherfield when Jerry decides that he is moving Kayleigh and Finlay (Ramone Quinn) to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in September 2008 due to his job and friends being on the Street. He allowed Teresa back into the house after finding her drunk on the street. He subsequently gets into trouble with Amber's overprotective father Dev
Dev Alahan
Devendra 'Dev' Alahan is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Jimmi Harkishin, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 10 November 1999.-Character development:...
(Jimmi Harkishin
Jimmi Harkishin
James "Jimmi" Harkishin is an actor best known for his role as shop owner Dev Alahan in Coronation Street. He also featured in the film East is East and also Bhaji on the Beach....
) after he discovers that he is having sex with Amber. In November 2008, Dev takes over Jerry's takeaway shop as it proves too much for Darryl to run alone. Darryl is dismayed to learn that as well as selling the business to Dev, Jerry is putting No. 6 on the market. After much difficulty of running the shop alone on his first day as owner, Dev eventually relents and asks Darryl to run the place for him.
Prior due to Jerry's departure, Darryl and his mother Teresa have been evicted form their home as Jerry decides to rent the house to new family, the Windasses. However, before the family can move in, Teresa protests to the idea by barricading herself in the house, refusing to come out. This prompts Darryl to bribe her by putting money in the letter box, but to no avail. The Windasses run out of patience and decide to do the job themselves by smashing the front door window with a crutch. When they run into the house, they discover that Teresa has handcuffed herself to the kitchen oven and cupboard doors. Since she has lost the keys to the handcuffs, the family's son Gary
Gary Windass
Gary Windass is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Mikey North, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 14 November 2008.-Background:...
(Mikey North
Mikey North
Michael "Mikey" North is an English actor best known for his role as Gary Windass in Coronation Street.-Early life and career:...
) decides to drag her out of the house. Having nowhere to go, Amber offers Darryl a place to stay with her and Dev, and agrees to the offer to stay, without Teresa.
In December 2008, Darryl becomes involved in a scheme of Pam Hobsworth (Kate Anthony
Kate Anthony
Kate Anthony is a British actress.She has appeared in Doctors playing Ellen Murray, Sparkhouse playing Jenny Bullock, Casualty playing Angela Phillips, and As Time Goes By. More recently she has appeared in Totally Frank, heartbeat and EastEnders playing Annie Grey...
)'s to make money. He agrees to sell her the used oil from the takeaway to convert into a form of biofuel. However, the project backfires for the pair during the New Year's Eve episode when Pam accidentally ignites the fuel causing it to explode. Luckily, Darryl is unharmed by the explosion.
March 2009 sees Darryl expressing concern that his relationship with Amber may not survive when she speaks of going to university in London but she reassures him that they will be fine. However, he is unconvinced and several months later, Amber kisses Mitch, a Uni friend after an argument with Darryl. He dumps her and she departs to University alone and upset.
Amber returns during Freshers' Week and makes up with Darryl at Jason Grimshaw
Jason Grimshaw
Jason Grimshaw, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Ryan Thomas, the character first appeared during the episode airing on 25 December 2000, when he comes looking for mother Eileen at the Battersbys' home.Jason is very much the...
(Ryan Thomas
Ryan Thomas
Ryan James Thomas and is an English actor who is currently starring as the character, Jason Grimshaw on ITV's Coronation Street.-Career:...
) and Tina McIntyre
Tina McIntyre
Tina McIntyre is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Michelle Keegan, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 7 January 2008...
(Michelle Keegan
Michelle Keegan
Michelle Elizabeth Keegan is an English actress who currently plays Tina McIntyre in the soap opera Coronation Street.-Biography:...
)'s party. However, Amber's father Dev, not keen on having Amber choose Darryl over University, bribes him with £500 to dump Amber. Darryl took the money but doesn't cash it and tells Dev what he thinks of him. Amber later finds out thanks to Teresa's interference, and she leaves for Uni once again on the bus, with neither Darryl or Dev able to convince her to stay.
On 16 October 2009, Dev discovers that Umed Alahan (Harish Patel
Harish Patel
Harish is an Indian actor. He has a relative called Himesh Patel, he is Tamwar in EastEnders. Although mainly associated with the stage, he has also appeared in comedy films and on television. He began performing at the age of seven, when he played both male and female parts in the Hindu epic...
) and Teresa are selling curry in the kebab shop, although this is not Darryl's idea. Dev warns him that he is on thin ice, but Darryl, fed up with Dev, quits his job anyway. He then decides to go and live with his family in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. He bids farewell to Teresa before boarding the bus to the airport.
In May 2010, when Teresa departs Weatherfield, after her relationship 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...
) comes to an end, it is possible that she has gone to Spain to live with Darryl, this is implied after she makes a phone call, presumingly to Darryl, asking for a favour.