Izzy Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Isabelle 'Izzy' Armstrong is a fictional character
on the UK soap Coronation Street
portrayed by Cherylee Houston
. The character first appears on-screen on April 16, 2010; she is introduced as a new love interest for Kirk Sutherland
. Soon after her arrival she gets a job at the Underworld factory. She is the soap's first disabled regular character in 50 years. Izzy was the first member of the Armstrong family to be introduced, her father Owen and sister Katy arrived within two months after her first appearance.
(Andrew Whyment
). Disaster strikes when she spots Jason Grimshaw
(Ryan Thomas
) - who she believes to be Kirk. Unbeknown to Jason, Kirk's used his photo for his dating profile. As Izzy storms out of the pub, Izzy crashes her wheelchair into Gary Windass
(Mikey North
) and they immediately have cross words. Gary takes a shine to her feistiness and when he bumps into her again later in the day, there's a clear spark.
On May 7, 2010 Kirk arranges another date with Izzy. Their date goes well, as the conversation flows back and forth with ease. She meets Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine
) and Sean Tully
(Antony Cotton
) but she snaps at David Platt
(Jack P. Shepherd
) and Graeme Proctor
(Craig Gazey
) for spying on them, soon after it's not long before Izzy jumps down Liz McDonald
's (Beverley Callard
) throat, accusing her of talking down to her. Izzy then bosses Kirk into applying for the machinist job at Underworld. With that, Kirk begins to wonder what he's let himself in for.
Izzy returns again on May 21, 2010 when she applies for a machinist job at Underworld which Carla Connor
(Alison King
) lets her have after being impressed by her spirit. She finds it upsetting to tell Kirk that she has accepted the job. Kirk says he never really cared about the job anyway. She is relieved about that soon after when Carla offers Kirk a job delivering goods, which he accepts. A few days later she sees Jason in the factory she looks at him but he doesn't notice her so she gets upset.
In June 2010 Tony Gordon
(Gray O'Brien
) blows up Underworld, killing himself, Robbie Sloan (James Fleet
) and leaving her and Janice Battersby
(Vicky Entwistle
), Julie Carp
(Katy Cavanagh
) and others jobless. Also that day while drowning her sorrows her father Owen Armstrong
(Ian Puleston-Davies
) arrives in The Rovers while she is having a conversation with Gary, she snaps at him for following her. In June 2010 Izzy begins working for Nick Tilsley
(Ben Price
) with the other employees but soon works for Carla again after being persuaded by her. Later that month Owen gets a job helping to rebuild Underworld to the annoyance of Izzy and Bill Webster
(Peter Armitage
). In August 2010 Bill accidentally drops cement on her from some scaffolding, which Owen gets involved with and he and Bill begin arguing with Owen claiming that Bill is too old for the business, which resulted in endangering Izzy. However, Izzy steps in by telling Owen that the only one who treats her as disabled is him.
Izzy is secretly delighted when she sees Gary back on the Street in September 2010. She arranges to meet him for a drink, but he stands her up when he is seduced by Kylie Turner
(Paula Lane). Izzy is extremely annoyed when she sees them both on the street the following day. When a young man in the Rovers later insults Izzy, Gary is quick to step in which results in a fight outside the pub, and Gary is questioned by the police about the assault. Izzy feels bad, when she finds out what has happened, and urges Kirk, who witnessed the fight, not to tell the police anything in order to save Gary from prosecution. When Kirk, who secretly fancies Izzy, lies to the police that he started the fight, Izzy softens towards Gary and tells him that she is glad that he is free.
In November 2010, Izzy is shocked to discover that Gary has been injured in Afghanistan and one of his best friends Quinny (Steven Bell) has been killed. Gary returns home a few days later and Izzy sticks by his side. She becomes very concerned about Gary's aggressive behaviour and withdrawn manner as it is clear he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder
.
In January 2011, She asks Owen to give Gary a job at the builder's yard. He complies with Izzy's request but Gary is accidentally locked in the van by Jason, Gary then gets out and attacks Owen. Owen tells Izzy he won't report him if she ends her relationship with him. Izzy is defiant and refuses to break up with Gary, as it is clear he is still traumatised. In July 2011, Izzy is robbed by a gang of teenagers. After learning of this Gary begins to be over protective of her and takes away her wheel chair and refuses to let her leave the house. When Katy and her boyfriend Chesney Brown
(Sam Aston
) turn up at the house asking to speak to Izzy, Gary tells them that she is asleep, Katy spots there is something wrong and tells her father Owen about Gary acting strange. Owen later goes round to the house and knocks on the door but no one answers, so he kicks the door down and spots Gary with Izzy in the corner crying, Gary later lets Izzy go and Gary goes and lives with his mum, Anna Windass
(Debbie Rush
) for a few weeks.
. Shortly afterwards the character's father was also confirmed to appear in Coronation Street in mid June 2010 along with her younger sister. Izzy is a wheelchair user. Commenting on her casting Cherylee Houston said "I’m really excited and well chuffed to be joining the show. I grew up with Coronation Street and I can’t wait to get started. I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into the character."
During the character's first episode she clashes with regulars such as Jason Grimshaw
, Anna Windass
and Gary Windass
, establishing the character's strong personality. A few weeks later she clashes with other strong characters such as Liz McDonald
to whom Liz takes a disliking. Izzy's surname was initially intended to be Butterfield, although by the transmission of her first episode it had been changed to Armstrong.
On her introduction to the programme, the character of Izzy was promoted as Coronation Street's first disabled regular, although Maud Grimes, who first appeared in 1993, also used a wheelchair. In one of Izzy's early scenes, viewers see Eddie Windass
(Steve Huison
) insult the feisty newcomer by telling Kirk: "You don't want to go out with a bird in a wheelchair." Asked how disabled viewers will have felt about the remark, Houston replied: "They were probably going, 'Thank God that's showing reality'. Shortly after her first scenes producers were pleased with her impact and decided to introduce a family for her.
Awards 2010 for her portrayal of Izzy Armstrong. But lost out to Emmett J. Scanlan
, who plays Brendan Brady
in Hollyoaks
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...
on the UK soap 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 Cherylee Houston
Cherylee Houston
Cherylee Houston is a British actress. She grew up in Morecambe, Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. She is best known for her role as Izzy Armstrong, friend of Kirk Sutherland in Coronation Street.-Early life:...
. The character first appears on-screen on April 16, 2010; she is introduced as a new love interest for Kirk Sutherland
Kirk Sutherland
Kirk Sutherland is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 22 May 2000, played by an uncredited actor ....
. Soon after her arrival she gets a job at the Underworld factory. She is the soap's first disabled regular character in 50 years. Izzy was the first member of the Armstrong family to be introduced, her father Owen and sister Katy arrived within two months after her first appearance.
Storylines
In April 2010 Izzy turns up in The Rovers for her blind date with KirkKirk Sutherland
Kirk Sutherland is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 22 May 2000, played by an uncredited actor ....
(Andrew Whyment
Andrew Whyment
Andrew "Andy" Whyment is an English television actor, best known for comedy roles, including his roles as Darren Sinclair-Jones in The Royle Family and Kirk Sutherland in the soap opera Coronation Street.-TV career:...
). Disaster strikes when she spots 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:...
) - who she believes to be Kirk. Unbeknown to Jason, Kirk's used his photo for his dating profile. As Izzy storms out of the pub, Izzy crashes her wheelchair into Gary Windass
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:...
) and they immediately have cross words. Gary takes a shine to her feistiness and when he bumps into her again later in the day, there's a clear spark.
On May 7, 2010 Kirk arranges another date with Izzy. Their date goes well, as the conversation flows back and forth with ease. She meets Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine
Jennie McAlpine
Jennie Elizabeth McAlpine is a British television actress and comedienne. She is best known for her role as Fiz Stape in the well known British soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
) and Sean Tully
Sean Tully
Sean Tully, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Antony Cotton, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 13 July 2003. Sean works as a factory machinist, and as a part-time barman in the Rovers Return...
(Antony Cotton
Antony Cotton
Antony Cotton is an English actor and singer best known for his roles in Coronation Street and the original UK version of Queer as Folk.-Early and personal life:...
) but she snaps at 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....
) and Graeme Proctor
Graeme Proctor
Graeme Proctor is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Craig Gazey, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 18 April 2008....
(Craig Gazey
Craig Gazey
Craig Gazey is an award-winning English actor.He attended Eggbuckland Community College up until 1998, where he attended City College Plymouth, studying a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts. He then went on to attend Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and graduated in 2005...
) for spying on them, soon after it's not long before Izzy jumps down Liz McDonald
Liz McDonald
Elizabeth "Liz" Jayne McDonald is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Beverley Callard, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989 and remained on the series until Callard opted to leave in 1998...
's (Beverley Callard
Beverley Callard
Beverley Jane McEwan is an English actress, best known for her role as Liz McDonald in ITV's Coronation Street, and Flo Henshaw in BBC Three's Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.-Early life:Beverley Jane Moxon was born in Leeds on 28 March 1957 to Clive and Mavis Moxon...
) throat, accusing her of talking down to her. Izzy then bosses Kirk into applying for the machinist job at Underworld. With that, Kirk begins to wonder what he's let himself in for.
Izzy returns again on May 21, 2010 when she applies for a machinist job at Underworld which Carla Connor
Carla Connor
Carla Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. She is portrayed by actress Alison King. Carla was created by producer Steve Frost as part of the new Connor family....
(Alison King
Alison King
Alison King is an English actress. She has had major television roles as Lynda Block in the Sky One television series Dream Team, and as Carla Connor in Coronation Street since 2006.- Early life and education :...
) lets her have after being impressed by her spirit. She finds it upsetting to tell Kirk that she has accepted the job. Kirk says he never really cared about the job anyway. She is relieved about that soon after when Carla offers Kirk a job delivering goods, which he accepts. A few days later she sees Jason in the factory she looks at him but he doesn't notice her so she gets upset.
In June 2010 Tony Gordon
Tony Gordon
Anthony "Tony" Gordon was a fictional character in the itv soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by actor Gray O'Brien. The character first appeared on screen on 16 September 2007 and making his final appearance on 9 June 2010 after deciding to sacrifice himself in the Underworld fire. He is a...
(Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien is a Scottish television and film actor, best known for his portrayal of the villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in the popular British soap opera Coronation Street from 2007 to 2010, and as Dr Richard McCaig on Casualty from 1996 to 1998.O'Brien was born in Stewarton,...
) blows up Underworld, killing himself, Robbie Sloan (James Fleet
James Fleet
James Edward Fleet is an English actor. He is most famous for his roles as the bumbling and well-meaning Tom in the 1994 British romantic comedy film Four Weddings and a Funeral, and the dim-witted Hugo Horton in the BBC situation comedy television series The Vicar of Dibley.-Personal life:Fleet...
) and leaving her and Janice Battersby
Janice Battersby
Janice Bernadette Battersby is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Vicky Entwistle, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 6 January 1997....
(Vicky Entwistle
Vicky Entwistle
Vicky Entwistle is an English actress who is most famous for playing the role of "loudmouth" factory worker Janice Battersby in ITV1's long-running soap opera Coronation Street....
), Julie Carp
Julie Carp
Julie Carp is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, Coronation Street, played by actress Katy Cavanagh...
(Katy Cavanagh
Katy Cavanagh
Katy Cavanagh in North Shields, North Tyneside and grew up in Bolton, Greater Manchester and educated at Canon Slade School is an English actress, best known for her appearances in Coronation Street in the role of Julie Carp since 2008....
) and others jobless. Also that day while drowning her sorrows her father Owen Armstrong
Owen Armstrong
Owen Armstrong is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Ian Puleston-Davies. He made his first on-screen appearance on 9 June 2010.-Casting:...
(Ian Puleston-Davies
Ian Puleston-Davies
-Early life and career:Born in Flint, Wales, Puleston-Davies has starred in the ITV drama Vincent alongside Ray Winstone, and Ghostboat , alongside David Jason. He has also played the lead roles in Conviction and the BBC Three series Funland.He has starred in long-running dramas such as Holby...
) arrives in The Rovers while she is having a conversation with Gary, she snaps at him for following her. In June 2010 Izzy begins working for 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...
) with the other employees but soon works for Carla again after being persuaded by her. Later that month Owen gets a job helping to rebuild Underworld to the annoyance of Izzy and Bill Webster
Bill Webster
William Geoffrey "Bill" Webster is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Peter Armitage, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 6 February 1984. He remained in the show until 1985 when Armitage decided to leave,...
(Peter Armitage
Peter Armitage
Peter Armitage is a statistician specialising in medical statistics.Peter Armitage attended Huddersfield College and went on to read mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge. Armitage belonged to the generation of mathematicians who came to maturity in the Second World War...
). In August 2010 Bill accidentally drops cement on her from some scaffolding, which Owen gets involved with and he and Bill begin arguing with Owen claiming that Bill is too old for the business, which resulted in endangering Izzy. However, Izzy steps in by telling Owen that the only one who treats her as disabled is him.
Izzy is secretly delighted when she sees Gary back on the Street in September 2010. She arranges to meet him for a drink, but he stands her up when he is seduced by Kylie Turner
Kylie Turner
Kylie was initially described as having a "full on" personality, similar to Becky. She was also labelled a "firecracker". Lane described her as a "messed up girl, dragged up by an alcoholic mother". In her life she had to "fight for survival". Lane has also expressed her admiration of Kylie's...
(Paula Lane). Izzy is extremely annoyed when she sees them both on the street the following day. When a young man in the Rovers later insults Izzy, Gary is quick to step in which results in a fight outside the pub, and Gary is questioned by the police about the assault. Izzy feels bad, when she finds out what has happened, and urges Kirk, who witnessed the fight, not to tell the police anything in order to save Gary from prosecution. When Kirk, who secretly fancies Izzy, lies to the police that he started the fight, Izzy softens towards Gary and tells him that she is glad that he is free.
In November 2010, Izzy is shocked to discover that Gary has been injured in Afghanistan and one of his best friends Quinny (Steven Bell) has been killed. Gary returns home a few days later and Izzy sticks by his side. She becomes very concerned about Gary's aggressive behaviour and withdrawn manner as it is clear he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Posttraumaticstress disorder is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma. This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else, or to one's own or someone else's physical, sexual, or psychological integrity,...
.
In January 2011, She asks Owen to give Gary a job at the builder's yard. He complies with Izzy's request but Gary is accidentally locked in the van by Jason, Gary then gets out and attacks Owen. Owen tells Izzy he won't report him if she ends her relationship with him. Izzy is defiant and refuses to break up with Gary, as it is clear he is still traumatised. In July 2011, Izzy is robbed by a gang of teenagers. After learning of this Gary begins to be over protective of her and takes away her wheel chair and refuses to let her leave the house. When Katy and her boyfriend Chesney Brown
Chesney Brown
Chesney Brown is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Sam Aston, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 14 November 2003....
(Sam Aston
Sam Aston
Samuel David "Sam" Aston is an English child actor, best known for having played, since 2003, the role of Chesney Battersby-Brown on Britain's longest running soap opera, Coronation Street...
) turn up at the house asking to speak to Izzy, Gary tells them that she is asleep, Katy spots there is something wrong and tells her father Owen about Gary acting strange. Owen later goes round to the house and knocks on the door but no one answers, so he kicks the door down and spots Gary with Izzy in the corner crying, Gary later lets Izzy go and Gary goes and lives with his mum, Anna Windass
Anna Windass
Anna Windass is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Debbie Rush, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 14 November 2008.-Creation and casting:...
(Debbie Rush
Debbie Rush
Debbie Rush is an English actress. She is currently playing the role of Anna Windass in Coronation Street.After training at the Manchester School Of Acting when she was in her thirties, she has also starred in Shameless and Hollyoaks in the City. Rush also filmed the role of "Pam" in the horror...
) for a few weeks.
Creation
Izzy grew up in a council house with her family. Her father Owen was faithful but her mother was an alcoholic and a drug addict who cheated on her husband. Izzy's mother left Owen for a man called Billy Jefferson. The character of Izzy was announced in early 2010 as a love interest for Kirk. It was announced that Izzy would be played by actress Cherylee HoustonCherylee Houston
Cherylee Houston is a British actress. She grew up in Morecambe, Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. She is best known for her role as Izzy Armstrong, friend of Kirk Sutherland in Coronation Street.-Early life:...
. Shortly afterwards the character's father was also confirmed to appear in Coronation Street in mid June 2010 along with her younger sister. Izzy is a wheelchair user. Commenting on her casting Cherylee Houston said "I’m really excited and well chuffed to be joining the show. I grew up with Coronation Street and I can’t wait to get started. I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into the character."
Casting and development
Cherylee began fillming in February 2010 and signed a contract for an initial seven episodes, which was soon extended for six months. Izzy is described as having a feisty and fiery personality. She is usually attracted to bad boys and has been known in the past to be a heartbreaker due to her troubled background and messy romantic history.During the character's first episode she clashes with regulars such as 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...
, Anna Windass
Anna Windass
Anna Windass is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Debbie Rush, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 14 November 2008.-Creation and casting:...
and Gary Windass
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:...
, establishing the character's strong personality. A few weeks later she clashes with other strong characters such as Liz McDonald
Liz McDonald
Elizabeth "Liz" Jayne McDonald is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Beverley Callard, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989 and remained on the series until Callard opted to leave in 1998...
to whom Liz takes a disliking. Izzy's surname was initially intended to be Butterfield, although by the transmission of her first episode it had been changed to Armstrong.
On her introduction to the programme, the character of Izzy was promoted as Coronation Street's first disabled regular, although Maud Grimes, who first appeared in 1993, also used a wheelchair. In one of Izzy's early scenes, viewers see Eddie Windass
Eddie Windass
Edward "Eddie" Windass is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Steve Huison, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 14 November 2008. On 5 December 2010, it was announced that Eddie is to leave Coronation Street...
(Steve Huison
Steve Huison
Steve Huison , is a British actor, mostly on TV and occasional films. He trained at the Rose Bruford College in Sidcup. He is best known for his role as "Lomper" in the massively successful UK box-office and critical hit The Full Monty . He also appeared in a Ken Loach film The Navigators, made in...
) insult the feisty newcomer by telling Kirk: "You don't want to go out with a bird in a wheelchair." Asked how disabled viewers will have felt about the remark, Houston replied: "They were probably going, 'Thank God that's showing reality'. Shortly after her first scenes producers were pleased with her impact and decided to introduce a family for her.
Reception
Actress Cherylee Houston was Nominated for Best Newcomer at the Inside SoapInside Soap
Inside Soap is a weekly UK magazine, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the United Kingdom....
Awards 2010 for her portrayal of Izzy Armstrong. But lost out to Emmett J. Scanlan
Emmett J. Scanlan
Emmett J. Scanlan is an Irish actor from Dublin.In 2008 and 2009, Scanlan appeared in the Justin Timberlake-produced MTV series The Phone, as "The Operator"...
, who plays Brendan Brady
Brendan Brady
Brendan Brady is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Emmett J. Scanlan. The character was introduced in 2010 by series producer Paul Marquess during part of the show's overhaul the character has become incredibly popular and liked.He is the older half...
in Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
External links
- Izzy Armstrong at ITV.comItv.comitv.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...