Liz McDonald
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth "Liz" Jayne McDonald (née
Greenwood, previously Tomlin) 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. She later returned for two brief stints in 2000 and 2003 before becoming a series regular once again in 2004. In 2006, the character became landlady of The Rover's Return after working there on and off since 1990. It was announced on 20 October 2010, that Callard had quit the role once again and Liz departed the serial on 14 April 2011.
Liz is fiercely protective of her family and the McDonald name. Her storylines have seen her embark on a series of failed romances, including marriages to Jim McDonald
(Charles Lawson
) and Vernon Tomlin
(Ian Reddington
). She has also had many feuds notably with son Steve (Simon Gregson
)'s wives Karen Philips
(Suranne Jones
) and Becky Granger
(Katherine Kelly
).
(Charles Lawson
), and their twin sons Steve
(Simon Gregson
) and Andy (Nicholas Cochrane
). Liz and Jim were married very young when Liz got pregnant with the twins at the age of 16. They have a stormy marriage, caused by his hot temper and her habit of playing away. Soon after arriving on the Street, Liz makes friends with Deirdre Barlow
(Anne Kirkbride
), whose daughter Tracy
(Dawn Acton
) is slightly younger than the twins.
When asked in a 2010 interview with The Mirror what her favourite scenes were, Beverley Callard replied, "when Jim beat up Liz. I knew those scenes would have a huge impact. There were protests outside the studios and I had sacks of letters from battered wives. The scenes were so well written that one week viewers would have sympathy for Liz, the next Jim, then Liz. Opening those scripts gave me a buzz. And the viewing figures, 24 million, were massive."
Producer Phil Collinson
commented: "Bev has created an iconic and much-loved character in Liz. She will be greatly missed behind the bar of The Rovers by the viewers of the show. She's a lovely lady and is such a talented actress. We all wish her well in whatever she does next and we hope to see the character of Liz return sometime in the future. Plans are now being made for an exciting exit storyline for her departure next year."
In March 2011, rumors of Liz's exit started. According to The Sun, poignant scenes on the ITV1 soap will see the landlady complete one final shift at her beloved pub before putting on her coat, walking to the door and taking in her surroundings for the last time as she turns off the lights. It is thought that bosses want the scenes to mirror the way iconic Rovers favourite Bet Lynch
(Julie Goodyear
) departed the cobbles in 1995.
After ex-husband Jim (Charles Lawson
) staged an armed robbery at Weatherfield's building society. (He does so as part of a desperate attempt to raise funds in order to buy The Rovers.) His plan goes wrong; Jim is expected to be jailed for 10 years - leaving Liz heartbroken. She agrees to wait for him, but with little keeping her in Weatherfield and after reminiscing on good and bad times she decides to leaves the country without telling him or her family. She leaves for the air port with her last words being, "Go for it".
(Charles Lawson
), and their twin sons Steve (Simon Gregson
) and Andy
(Nicholas Cochrane
). Liz and Jim, who had married on 5 January 1974, have a stormy marriage, caused by his hot temper and jealous rages. Soon after arriving on the Street, Liz makes friends with Deirdre Barlow
(Anne Kirkbride
), whose daughter Tracy
(Dawn Acton
) is slightly younger than the twins. She delivers baby Rosie Webster
(Helen Flanagan
) on Christmas Eve 1990 in the back of Don Brennan (Geoffrey Hinsliff
)'s taxi.
Liz works as a barmaid at the Rovers Return Inn for some time, and is delighted to be offered her own pub, the Queens, by Newton & Ridley. She does really well there, and is in her element. At this time, she is going through a bad patch with Jim and eventually leaves him, moving into the flat above the pub. She takes up with Des Barnes
(Philip Middlemiss
)'s brother Colin
(Ian Embleton), who is also working at the pub. It always seems that the relationship means more to him than her.
Liz gets a job at the bookies in 1995, because the owner, Sean Skinner (Terence Hillyer), fancies her. He thinks it is a pity the punters can't see her legs when she is working behind the counter. She leaves there after she and Des Barnes start becoming attracted to each other. It doesn't go further than a few kisses, but they both recognise the danger, and Liz wants to stay with Jim. However, Jim didn't believe her story of being sacked because they were over-staffed, especially when someone else was hired a few weeks later. She eventually admits the real reason and Jim flew into one of his rages. In early 1996, they were still trying to put this together when she revealed another incident on the way back from Jim's army reunion. This time, she'd slept with one of Jim's friends, way back in the days when he was in the army and she was left alone for long periods with just the twins for company. She'd found it too much and had finally given in to this guy who had been assiduously trying to seduce her for months.
Jim beats her and abandons her at the service station. She is left with nothing, and has to hitch a lift back home. The family are in uproar with Jim, and Liz goes to stay with Deirdre for a few days. Liz goes back to the house and changes the locks. Jim tries to get in to see her and has to be physically restrained by Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy
) and Kevin Webster
(Michael Le Vell
) when he starts smashing the back windows of the house. Liz takes out a restraining order on Jim, and calls the police when he insists on speaking to her another time and follows her into the Rovers. Andy and Steve were angry with Liz because the blamed her that Jim would now have his bail taken away, but Liz fought back and said that he had hit her and how could they stand there saying that this "were all [her] fault".
Liz, now single and on her own, and was working for Sean Skinner in the bookie's shop. She had a flirtation with Sean but it was thwarted by a criminal called Fraser Henderson. He had noticed her when she was visiting Jim in the nick and contacted her when he was released. He had Sean beaten but Liz gets involved with him anyway and he gives her a job in a wine bar he owns. Fiona's fiancé, police detective Alan McKenna (Glen Hugill) persuads Liz to get some inside info on Fraser who skips town when he finds out. But his henchman captures Liz and holds her and her sons captive in Number 11. Liz manages to use her stiletto on the thug and the police arrest him.
In 1998, after Jim has a bad accident on a building site, he becomes temporarily paralysed and Liz, taking pity on him, moves back in to help take care of him. They grow closer but Liz soon becomes distracted by Jim's physiotherapist, Michael Wall
(Dominic Rickhards) and starts an affair with him. Jim is going to propose and finds out, breaking his heart. Liz and Michael leave Weatherfield for a new life together in Milton Keynes.
) which results later in Jez's death. She is no longer with Michael. During this time she and Jim get back together and remarry in the prison chapel. Liz leaves the Street again in January 2001, following Jim around as he is transferred from one to another prison, getting jobs nearby so that she can visit.
Liz reappears again for son Steve and girlfriend Karen Phillips
(Suranne Jones
)'s wedding in February 2004. She stays for a while, causing trouble because she is spending time with Tracy (now played by Kate Ford
) and her baby granddaughter, Amy, whom Tracy and Steve had received from a one-night stand they'd had. She goes back to Brighton but returns when Fred Elliott
(John Savident
) hires her to work in the Rovers. Still wearing short skirts, high heels and plunging necklines, she incurs unwanted attention from builder Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward
) who is seeing pub manager Shelley Unwin
(Sally Lindsay
) at the time. Charlie makes sure it look like it was Liz doing the chasing and forces her out of the pub, both home and job. Liz later gets a job at the Weatherfield Arms and flat shares with Maria Sutherland
(Samia Smith
) in the flat over the cab office. She continues to encourage Tracy's attentions to Steve even though Steve wants nothing to do with Tracy. In 2005, when Jim's temper got the better of him and has his time in prison extended again, Liz decides that enough is enough and divorces Jim.
(Ian Reddington
), a workshy drummer. He is very laid-back and totally unlike Jim, but they have fun and Liz feels like a teenager again. The pair split when Liz, tired of being taken for granted and his roving eye, throws him out. He returns, begging her to take him back and they get engaged in 2007.
Liz is not happy and seeks excitement in a fling with brewery delivery man Derek (David Hough). Derek's wife, Linda (Sarah Parks), tells Liz that she knows he is having an affair but doesn't know whom with so Liz tells Derek they will have to stop seeing each other. Eventually Liz resumes things with Derek but when she finds herself on a balcony in her underwear, she realises that she cannot continue the affair. She ends the relationship and confesses to his wife.
When Jim is released in November 2007, Liz is wary of allowing him into her life. However, impressed by how he has changed, they stay friends. However, when Jim corners her on her wedding day, her initial fears are justified. He tells her he loves her and will not allow the marriage to take place, launching a violent attack when Vernon intervenes. Liz suppresses her doubts about marrying Vernon and – determined not to let Jim win – goes ahead. The couple go on honeymoon to Nashville, but only after Vernon discovers Liz had nearly called off the wedding. On returning from honeymoon, Liz reveals that she will not be changing her name. In June 2008, Vernon and Liz go to view a bar, possibly intending to buy it. Liz admits to Vernon that she would not be happy and no longer loves him, ending their marriage. A devastated Vernon moves out of the Rovers that day.
In early 2008, it is obvious there is a spark between Liz and bookie Harry Mason (Jack Ellis). In May 2008, Vernon and his bandmates go on a cruise gig. Liz is supposed to go too but tells him she cannot leave the pub. She later confides in Deirdre that she can't stand being with Vernon 24/7. When Vernon leaves, Harry takes advantage and invites Liz to the opening of a bookies.
In May 2008, Liz accepts an invitation for dinner at Harry's flat. She tells Steve that Deirdre has personal problems to get the night off work. The evening almost ends with a kiss but Liz, thinking of Vernon, rejects his advances but is tempted. The next day Liz goes to his place again, for lunch this time. However, Harry's son Dan Mason (Matthew Crompton
) guesses what is happening when he sees Liz and Harry leaving the Rovers at the same time and tells Steve. Steve confronts Deirdre, Harry and Liz but Liz tells him to stay out of her private life.
After splitting from Vernon, Liz gets closer to Harry, making Harry's ex-wife Clarissa (Alexandra Boyd
) jealous. The tables are soon turned and Liz is jealous when Harry tells her that he and Clarissa are back together. In September 2008, Liz and Harry sleep together on a couple of occasions. Vernon writes Liz a letter, proclaiming his love and asking her to go to London with him. Liz, however, is preoccupied by a charity ball date with Harry to take much notice. Unfortunately, Harry lets Liz down by taking Clarissa instead. Liz rushes to catch Vernon before he leaves but is too late. She swears revenge and she and Clarissa team up to humiliate Harry. He leaves the street with Clarissa when she agrees to take him back, providing he never returns to Weatherfield.
On December 2008, Liz kisses Steve's best friend Lloyd Mullaney
(Craig Charles
) during a Brazilian crunch party whilst he is on a date with a girl named Danielle (Annie Cooper
). They then start a relationship. However, she becomes mad at him when he is too embarrassed to say that she is his girlfriend in public, but later forgives him. The relationship ends after a number of months with Liz blaming the age gap between them.
Liz disapproves of Steve and Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly
)'s marriage from the very beginning, stating that she thinks it won't go ahead. Their wedding is on March 13, but Becky turns up drunk, and they never get married, proving her right.
On her return from Spain, she avoids Lloyd and finally tells him that what they had was just a bit of fun, a tearful Lloyd attempts to win her back. Later, Liz tearfully reveals to Betty Williams
(Betty Driver
) that she has entered the menopause and she can no longer conceive. In August 2009, at Steve and Becky's wedding reception, Liz is furious when the pub is raided by the police for drugs and results in banning Becky from serving as barmaid.
Following Lloyd's drunken one-night-stand with Teresa Bryant
(Karen Henthorn
), it seems that Liz is willing to get back with Lloyd as they get ready to go out and kiss. However, once the word of Teresa gets around, Liz is furious and ends things with Lloyd once more, saying that if he went for Teresa he'd go for anyone, Lloyd is left distraught but later enters a reluctant relationship with Teresa. Liz and Teresa continue having icy exchanges and as revenge Teresa arranges a 'Vicars and Tarts' night where everyone dressed up as Liz, humiliating her. As revenge, she takes the keys to Lloyd's flat and puts his records in the oven, taking the rest and throwing them out the window at him. Teresa blackmails Lloyd into proposing to her on the condition she settles the feud with Liz, who makes it clear she couldn't care less of their 'engagement'.
In June 2010, Liz finds herself attracted to builder Owen Armstrong
(Ian Puleston-Davies
), who is new to the area and openly flirts with him across the bar. She is disgruntled when he takes Eileen Grimshaw
(Sue Cleaver
) on several dates, but tries to hide it. Eventually she and Owen begin dating. In early December 2010, Liz hears rumours that Owen arranged for former husband Jim to be beaten up. She packs her bags and heads for Andy's home in Spain, leaving Steve to reveal to Owen that the relationship is over.
Liz returns in March 2011 and is horrified to discover that Tracy, who was jailed for murdering boyfriend Charlie Stubbs, is now working behind the bar at The Rovers, having been granted an early release, and is looking after Amy (now played by Elle Mulvaney). Liz subsequently discovers that Steve and Becky bought Becky's nephew Max Turner (Harry McDermott) for 20,000 pounds, from Becky's sister Kylie
(Paula Lane). She is further stunned when she learns that Becky looted from the corner shop, on the night of the tram crash three months previously, in order to give Kylie more cash. With the pub now under severe financial pressure, due to Steve and Becky buying Max, Liz is devastated. She makes her contempt for Becky clear from the outset, who responds by kicking Liz out of the pub.
A desperate Liz then bumps into Jim at a hotel she is staying at. She seeks his suppport as she tells him of the situation that Becky and Steve have got themselves into. He suggests that she buy the pub but the bank manager refuses to give Liz a loan. Jim then suggests that he could buy the pub for Liz, as Steve and Becky decide to leave Weatherfield with Max and Amy. Liz makes her peace with the couple after they agree to the sale. Liz is now convinced that her dreams of owning The Rovers is going to come true and soon realises that she wants Jim to run it with her. The estranged couple soon reconcile.
The date for the sale is set for 11 April 2011. Liz and Steve wait patiently at the Rovers, with the solicitor, for Jim to come in with the money for the sale. Liz is astonished when the police suddenly arrive at the pub to tell her that Jim has been caught robbing a bank and now has a number of hostages. Over the phone, Liz and Jim (from inside the bank) speak, he explains that he never had the money but wanted to buy The Rovers to make her happy. A frightened Liz convinces Jim to let the hostages go, discard his firearm and surrender to the police officers waiting outside the building.
After the stress of the incident, Liz makes a sudden departure from the street, not telling anyone before hand that she is leaving. She promises Jim when she visits him in custody that she will be waiting for him when he is eventually released from prison. However, after expressing her feelings about the prospect of having to go through the stress of Jim's trial to
Steve and Becky, and realising her dream of owning the Rovers outright isn't as important to her as she thought, she decides to leave Weatherfield for Spain once more. After an emotional final look round the pub, remembering good times but also many arguments held inside over the years, she finishes her drink that she has whilst inside alone, waiting for the taxi that she's booked to the airport. She picks up the small suitcase she's packed and locks up the pub when the taxi arrives and gets in. Her last words are to the driver; 'Go for it!' as the taxi pulls out of the street.
commented on the character calling her a "dogs' dinner" and after she rejoined the soap said "hopefully she won't stay around for long. If we're lucky she may totter off her six inch heels and fall into the Manchester Ship Canal never to be seen again".
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Greenwood, previously Tomlin) is a fictional character
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 actress 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...
, 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. She later returned for two brief stints in 2000 and 2003 before becoming a series regular once again in 2004. In 2006, the character became landlady of The Rover's Return after working there on and off since 1990. It was announced on 20 October 2010, that Callard had quit the role once again and Liz departed the serial on 14 April 2011.
Liz is fiercely protective of her family and the McDonald name. Her storylines have seen her embark on a series of failed romances, including marriages to Jim McDonald
Jim McDonald (Coronation Street)
James "Jim" McDonald is a fictional character in the British television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Charles Lawson, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989...
(Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson is a Northern Irish film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born Quintin Charles Devenish Lawson in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland,...
) and 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...
). She has also had many feuds notably with son Steve (Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson is an English actor. He is known for being a cast member of the British soap opera Coronation Street in which he has played Steve McDonald since 1989....
)'s wives Karen Philips
Karen McDonald
Karen McDonald is a fictional character on the long-running British soap opera, Coronation Street from June 2000 to December 2004...
(Suranne Jones
Suranne Jones
Suranne Jones is an English actress. She first rose to prominence playing the role of Karen McDonald in ITV1's soap opera Coronation Street over a period of four years...
) and Becky Granger
Becky McDonald
Rebecca "Becky" McDonald 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 played by actress Katherine Kelly. Becky was created by producer Steve Frost as a recurring...
(Katherine Kelly
Katherine Kelly (actress)
Katherine Kelly, is a British actress and recording artist who is most well known for playing Becky McDonald in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She has also starred in the film Mischief Night.-Early life and career:...
).
Characterisation
In 1989, Beverley Callard was cast in the show as matriarch of the new McDonald family, after having previously played the part of June Dewhurst in 1984. Liz first appeared in October 1989 with her husband, ex-army sergeant Jim McDonaldJim McDonald (Coronation Street)
James "Jim" McDonald is a fictional character in the British television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Charles Lawson, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989...
(Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson is a Northern Irish film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born Quintin Charles Devenish Lawson in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland,...
), and their twin sons Steve
Steve McDonald (Coronation Street character)
Steven James "Steve" McDonald, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Simon Gregson, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 6 December 1989.-1989–2004:...
(Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson is an English actor. He is known for being a cast member of the British soap opera Coronation Street in which he has played Steve McDonald since 1989....
) and Andy (Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Cochrane is an English actor, best known for his role as Andy McDonald in long-running soap opera Coronation Street....
). Liz and Jim were married very young when Liz got pregnant with the twins at the age of 16. They have a stormy marriage, caused by his hot temper and her habit of playing away. Soon after arriving on the Street, Liz makes friends with 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:...
), whose daughter Tracy
Tracy Barlow
Tracy Lynette Barlow is a fictional character in the British television soap opera Coronation Street. She is currently portrayed, since 2002, by Kate Ford, the latest in a series of actresses who have played Tracy at various ages...
(Dawn Acton
Dawn Acton
Dawn Jean Acton is an English actress and DJ, most notable for playing Tracy Barlow in the long-running British soap Coronation Street for periods between 1988 and 1999....
) is slightly younger than the twins.
When asked in a 2010 interview with The Mirror what her favourite scenes were, Beverley Callard replied, "when Jim beat up Liz. I knew those scenes would have a huge impact. There were protests outside the studios and I had sacks of letters from battered wives. The scenes were so well written that one week viewers would have sympathy for Liz, the next Jim, then Liz. Opening those scripts gave me a buzz. And the viewing figures, 24 million, were massive."
Departure
On October 20, 2010 it was announced that Liz was to leave. Discussing her departure, Callard said "I've loved every minute of my second stint on the street - it's always a difficult decision to make the leap but I returned for the 40th, so leaving for the 50th feels like perfect timing. I'll miss everyone on the show but I'm looking forward to some new challenges and to see what life has to offer beyond Liz's famous mini skirts!"Producer Phil Collinson
Phil Collinson
Philip "Phil" Collinson is a British television producer. He was initially an actor, before switching to working behind the cameras in the industry as a script editor and writer on programmes such as Springhill and Emmerdale, later becoming the producer of Peak Practice, Doctor Who and Coronation...
commented: "Bev has created an iconic and much-loved character in Liz. She will be greatly missed behind the bar of The Rovers by the viewers of the show. She's a lovely lady and is such a talented actress. We all wish her well in whatever she does next and we hope to see the character of Liz return sometime in the future. Plans are now being made for an exciting exit storyline for her departure next year."
In March 2011, rumors of Liz's exit started. According to The Sun, poignant scenes on the ITV1 soap will see the landlady complete one final shift at her beloved pub before putting on her coat, walking to the door and taking in her surroundings for the last time as she turns off the lights. It is thought that bosses want the scenes to mirror the way iconic Rovers favourite Bet Lynch
Bet Lynch
Elizabeth Theresa "Bet" Lynch is a fictional character from the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character is no longer part of current storylines. Portrayed by actress Julie Goodyear the character first appears onscreen during the episode airing on 23 May 1966. The character...
(Julie Goodyear
Julie Goodyear
Julie Goodyear, MBE is an English television actress and media personality, best known for playing the long-running role of pub landlady Bet Lynch on British soap opera Coronation Street.-Biography:...
) departed the cobbles in 1995.
After ex-husband Jim (Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson is a Northern Irish film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born Quintin Charles Devenish Lawson in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland,...
) staged an armed robbery at Weatherfield's building society. (He does so as part of a desperate attempt to raise funds in order to buy The Rovers.) His plan goes wrong; Jim is expected to be jailed for 10 years - leaving Liz heartbroken. She agrees to wait for him, but with little keeping her in Weatherfield and after reminiscing on good and bad times she decides to leaves the country without telling him or her family. She leaves for the air port with her last words being, "Go for it".
1989–1998
Liz first appears in 1989 with her husband, ex-army sergeant JimJim McDonald (Coronation Street)
James "Jim" McDonald is a fictional character in the British television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Charles Lawson, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 October 1989...
(Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson
Charles Lawson is a Northern Irish film and television actor.-Early life and education:He was born Quintin Charles Devenish Lawson in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland,...
), and their twin sons Steve (Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson
Simon Gregson is an English actor. He is known for being a cast member of the British soap opera Coronation Street in which he has played Steve McDonald since 1989....
) and Andy
Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
(Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Cochrane
Nicholas Cochrane is an English actor, best known for his role as Andy McDonald in long-running soap opera Coronation Street....
). Liz and Jim, who had married on 5 January 1974, have a stormy marriage, caused by his hot temper and jealous rages. Soon after arriving on the Street, Liz makes friends with 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:...
), whose daughter Tracy
Tracy Barlow
Tracy Lynette Barlow is a fictional character in the British television soap opera Coronation Street. She is currently portrayed, since 2002, by Kate Ford, the latest in a series of actresses who have played Tracy at various ages...
(Dawn Acton
Dawn Acton
Dawn Jean Acton is an English actress and DJ, most notable for playing Tracy Barlow in the long-running British soap Coronation Street for periods between 1988 and 1999....
) is slightly younger than the twins. She delivers baby Rosie Webster
Rosie Webster
Rosie Webster is a fictional character in the British television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 24 December 1990. Originally portrayed by actress Emma Collinge from her birth until December 1999, the character has since been...
(Helen Flanagan
Helen Flanagan
Helen Joyce Flanagan is a British actress best known for playing Rosie Webster in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.Flanagan has played Rosie Webster in Coronation Street since 2000, when she was ten years old....
) on Christmas Eve 1990 in the back of Don Brennan (Geoffrey Hinsliff
Geoffrey Hinsliff
Geoffrey Hinsliff is an English actor best known for his portrayal of Don Brennan in Coronation Street from 16 August 1987 to 8 October 1997. He had previously played other characters in the same programme, in 1963 and 1977....
)'s taxi.
Liz works as a barmaid at the Rovers Return Inn for some time, and is delighted to be offered her own pub, the Queens, by Newton & Ridley. She does really well there, and is in her element. At this time, she is going through a bad patch with Jim and eventually leaves him, moving into the flat above the pub. She takes up with Des Barnes
Des Barnes
Desmond Francis "Des" Barnes is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by Philip Middlemiss.-Creation and development:...
(Philip Middlemiss
Philip Middlemiss
Philip Middlemiss is a British television and radio actor, who played bookmaker Des Barnes in ITV's Coronation Street...
)'s brother Colin
Colin Barnes
Colin Barnes is an English former professional footballer born in Notting Hill, London, who played as a forward in the Football League for Torquay United....
(Ian Embleton), who is also working at the pub. It always seems that the relationship means more to him than her.
Liz gets a job at the bookies in 1995, because the owner, Sean Skinner (Terence Hillyer), fancies her. He thinks it is a pity the punters can't see her legs when she is working behind the counter. She leaves there after she and Des Barnes start becoming attracted to each other. It doesn't go further than a few kisses, but they both recognise the danger, and Liz wants to stay with Jim. However, Jim didn't believe her story of being sacked because they were over-staffed, especially when someone else was hired a few weeks later. She eventually admits the real reason and Jim flew into one of his rages. In early 1996, they were still trying to put this together when she revealed another incident on the way back from Jim's army reunion. This time, she'd slept with one of Jim's friends, way back in the days when he was in the army and she was left alone for long periods with just the twins for company. She'd found it too much and had finally given in to this guy who had been assiduously trying to seduce her for months.
Jim beats her and abandons her at the service station. She is left with nothing, and has to hitch a lift back home. The family are in uproar with Jim, and Liz goes to stay with Deirdre for a few days. Liz goes back to the house and changes the locks. Jim tries to get in to see her and has to be physically restrained by Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy
Kevin Kennedy (actor)
Kevin Kennedy is an English actor, writer, producer, singer, and guitarist, best known for playing the bottle-lensed Curly Watts in ITV's long running soap opera Coronation Street between 1983 and 2003.-Early life:Kennedy was born in Manchester. He attended St Paul's RC Secondary High School...
) and Kevin Webster
Kevin Webster
Kevin John Webster is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Michael Le Vell, the character first appeared onscreen on 19 October 1983...
(Michael Le Vell
Michael Le Vell
Michael Le Vell is an English character actor, who since 1983 has played the role of garage mechanic, Kevin Webster, in the soap opera Coronation Street....
) when he starts smashing the back windows of the house. Liz takes out a restraining order on Jim, and calls the police when he insists on speaking to her another time and follows her into the Rovers. Andy and Steve were angry with Liz because the blamed her that Jim would now have his bail taken away, but Liz fought back and said that he had hit her and how could they stand there saying that this "were all [her] fault".
Liz, now single and on her own, and was working for Sean Skinner in the bookie's shop. She had a flirtation with Sean but it was thwarted by a criminal called Fraser Henderson. He had noticed her when she was visiting Jim in the nick and contacted her when he was released. He had Sean beaten but Liz gets involved with him anyway and he gives her a job in a wine bar he owns. Fiona's fiancé, police detective Alan McKenna (Glen Hugill) persuads Liz to get some inside info on Fraser who skips town when he finds out. But his henchman captures Liz and holds her and her sons captive in Number 11. Liz manages to use her stiletto on the thug and the police arrest him.
In 1998, after Jim has a bad accident on a building site, he becomes temporarily paralysed and Liz, taking pity on him, moves back in to help take care of him. They grow closer but Liz soon becomes distracted by Jim's physiotherapist, Michael Wall
Michael Wall
Michael Wall , was a British playwright. He wrote over forty plays, the most well-known of which are Amongst Barbarians and Women Laughing....
(Dominic Rickhards) and starts an affair with him. Jim is going to propose and finds out, breaking his heart. Liz and Michael leave Weatherfield for a new life together in Milton Keynes.
2001–05
Liz returns two years later when Jim is in prison, having confessed to beating Jez Quigley (Lee BoardmanLee Boardman
Lee Boardman is an English actor and narrator.-Television:He is best known for playing Murray Priestman in Drop Dead Gorgeous as well as the drug dealer Jez Quigley in Coronation Street...
) which results later in Jez's death. She is no longer with Michael. During this time she and Jim get back together and remarry in the prison chapel. Liz leaves the Street again in January 2001, following Jim around as he is transferred from one to another prison, getting jobs nearby so that she can visit.
Liz reappears again for son Steve and girlfriend Karen Phillips
Karen Phillips
Karen Anne Phillips , known after marriage as Karen Anne Higgison, was an Australian butterfly and individual medley swimmer of the 1980s, who won the silver medal in the 200 m butterfly at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics....
(Suranne Jones
Suranne Jones
Suranne Jones is an English actress. She first rose to prominence playing the role of Karen McDonald in ITV1's soap opera Coronation Street over a period of four years...
)'s wedding in February 2004. She stays for a while, causing trouble because she is spending time with Tracy (now played by Kate Ford
Kate Ford
Kate Connerty is a British actress best known for playing the role of Tracy Barlow in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2002 to 2007. Kate returned to Coronation Street on Christmas Eve 2010....
) and her baby granddaughter, Amy, whom Tracy and Steve had received from a one-night stand they'd had. She goes back to Brighton but returns when Fred Elliott
Fred Elliott
Frederick Handel "Fred" Elliott is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by John Savident from 1994 until 2006.-Development:...
(John Savident
John Savident
John Savident is a British actor, best known for playing the part of Fred Elliott in the soap opera Coronation Street from 1994 to 2006. And also was a frequent guest on Soccer AM alongside fellow actor Jack 'The Rigger' Spooner....
) hires her to work in the Rovers. Still wearing short skirts, high heels and plunging necklines, she incurs unwanted attention from builder Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward
Bill Ward (actor)
Bill Ward is an English actor who played Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street.-Biography:He completed a degree in History at Bristol University. He is a former advertising executive. After Coronation Street, he had a role in the ITV series Cold Blood with Pauline Quirke...
) who is seeing pub manager Shelley Unwin
Shelley Unwin
Shelley Victoria Unwin is a fictional character who appeared in ITV's British soap opera Coronation Street. She is the daughter of Bev Unwin and the late Charlie Unwin...
(Sally Lindsay
Sally Lindsay
Sally Lindsay is an English actress best known for playing the role of Shelley Unwin in the long-running ITV1 Soap opera Coronation Street...
) at the time. Charlie makes sure it look like it was Liz doing the chasing and forces her out of the pub, both home and job. Liz later gets a job at the Weatherfield Arms and flat shares with Maria Sutherland
Maria Sutherland
Maria Jane Connor , is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street, portrayed by actress Samia Smith. The character first appeared on-screen on 19 May 2000...
(Samia Smith
Samia Smith
Samia Maxine Ghadie , is an English actress best known for playing Maria Connor in the ITV Soap Coronation Street.-Early life:...
) in the flat over the cab office. She continues to encourage Tracy's attentions to Steve even though Steve wants nothing to do with Tracy. In 2005, when Jim's temper got the better of him and has his time in prison extended again, Liz decides that enough is enough and divorces Jim.
2006–11
After several romantic encounters, Liz meets Vernon TomlinVernon 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...
), a workshy drummer. He is very laid-back and totally unlike Jim, but they have fun and Liz feels like a teenager again. The pair split when Liz, tired of being taken for granted and his roving eye, throws him out. He returns, begging her to take him back and they get engaged in 2007.
Liz is not happy and seeks excitement in a fling with brewery delivery man Derek (David Hough). Derek's wife, Linda (Sarah Parks), tells Liz that she knows he is having an affair but doesn't know whom with so Liz tells Derek they will have to stop seeing each other. Eventually Liz resumes things with Derek but when she finds herself on a balcony in her underwear, she realises that she cannot continue the affair. She ends the relationship and confesses to his wife.
When Jim is released in November 2007, Liz is wary of allowing him into her life. However, impressed by how he has changed, they stay friends. However, when Jim corners her on her wedding day, her initial fears are justified. He tells her he loves her and will not allow the marriage to take place, launching a violent attack when Vernon intervenes. Liz suppresses her doubts about marrying Vernon and – determined not to let Jim win – goes ahead. The couple go on honeymoon to Nashville, but only after Vernon discovers Liz had nearly called off the wedding. On returning from honeymoon, Liz reveals that she will not be changing her name. In June 2008, Vernon and Liz go to view a bar, possibly intending to buy it. Liz admits to Vernon that she would not be happy and no longer loves him, ending their marriage. A devastated Vernon moves out of the Rovers that day.
In early 2008, it is obvious there is a spark between Liz and bookie Harry Mason (Jack Ellis). In May 2008, Vernon and his bandmates go on a cruise gig. Liz is supposed to go too but tells him she cannot leave the pub. She later confides in Deirdre that she can't stand being with Vernon 24/7. When Vernon leaves, Harry takes advantage and invites Liz to the opening of a bookies.
In May 2008, Liz accepts an invitation for dinner at Harry's flat. She tells Steve that Deirdre has personal problems to get the night off work. The evening almost ends with a kiss but Liz, thinking of Vernon, rejects his advances but is tempted. The next day Liz goes to his place again, for lunch this time. However, Harry's son Dan Mason (Matthew Crompton
Matthew Crompton
17 July 1971) is an actor from the United Kingdom, most famous for his role as Sam Harker in ITV's The Bill. He has also appeared in various other TV shows, including two distinct roles in Brookside . From 3 December 2007 he has played Dan Mason in Coronation Street, signing a new one year...
) guesses what is happening when he sees Liz and Harry leaving the Rovers at the same time and tells Steve. Steve confronts Deirdre, Harry and Liz but Liz tells him to stay out of her private life.
After splitting from Vernon, Liz gets closer to Harry, making Harry's ex-wife Clarissa (Alexandra Boyd
Alexandra Boyd
Alexandra Boyd is a British actress, who is best known for playing Clarissa Mason in Coronation Street. On British TV Alexandra has also appeared in two episodes of Doctors was Denis Waterman's love interest in New Tricks and has also appeared in Holby City...
) jealous. The tables are soon turned and Liz is jealous when Harry tells her that he and Clarissa are back together. In September 2008, Liz and Harry sleep together on a couple of occasions. Vernon writes Liz a letter, proclaiming his love and asking her to go to London with him. Liz, however, is preoccupied by a charity ball date with Harry to take much notice. Unfortunately, Harry lets Liz down by taking Clarissa instead. Liz rushes to catch Vernon before he leaves but is too late. She swears revenge and she and Clarissa team up to humiliate Harry. He leaves the street with Clarissa when she agrees to take him back, providing he never returns to Weatherfield.
On December 2008, Liz kisses Steve's best friend 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...
) during a Brazilian crunch party whilst he is on a date with a girl named Danielle (Annie Cooper
Annie Cooper
Annie Cooper is a British actress, singer and dancer. Born in Sweden she was brought up in London.She attended Sylvia Young Theatre School alongside Amy Winehouse and Jodi Albert....
). They then start a relationship. However, she becomes mad at him when he is too embarrassed to say that she is his girlfriend in public, but later forgives him. The relationship ends after a number of months with Liz blaming the age gap between them.
Liz disapproves of Steve and Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly
Katherine Kelly (actress)
Katherine Kelly, is a British actress and recording artist who is most well known for playing Becky McDonald in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She has also starred in the film Mischief Night.-Early life and career:...
)'s marriage from the very beginning, stating that she thinks it won't go ahead. Their wedding is on March 13, but Becky turns up drunk, and they never get married, proving her right.
On her return from Spain, she avoids Lloyd and finally tells him that what they had was just a bit of fun, a tearful Lloyd attempts to win her back. Later, Liz tearfully reveals to Betty Williams
Betty Williams (Coronation Street)
Elizabeth "Betty" Williams is a long-standing fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by former music hall star Betty Driver. Driver was cast as Betty in 1969, after first auditioning for the role of Hilda Ogden...
(Betty Driver
Betty Driver
Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Driver, MBE was an English singer, actress and author, best known for her role as Betty Williams on the British soap opera, Coronation Street, appearing in more than 2,800 episodes...
) that she has entered the menopause and she can no longer conceive. In August 2009, at Steve and Becky's wedding reception, Liz is furious when the pub is raided by the police for drugs and results in banning Becky from serving as barmaid.
Following Lloyd's drunken one-night-stand with 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...
), it seems that Liz is willing to get back with Lloyd as they get ready to go out and kiss. However, once the word of Teresa gets around, Liz is furious and ends things with Lloyd once more, saying that if he went for Teresa he'd go for anyone, Lloyd is left distraught but later enters a reluctant relationship with Teresa. Liz and Teresa continue having icy exchanges and as revenge Teresa arranges a 'Vicars and Tarts' night where everyone dressed up as Liz, humiliating her. As revenge, she takes the keys to Lloyd's flat and puts his records in the oven, taking the rest and throwing them out the window at him. Teresa blackmails Lloyd into proposing to her on the condition she settles the feud with Liz, who makes it clear she couldn't care less of their 'engagement'.
In June 2010, Liz finds herself attracted to builder 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...
), who is new to the area and openly flirts with him across the bar. She is disgruntled when he takes Eileen Grimshaw
Eileen Grimshaw
Eileen Grimshaw, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by Sue Cleaver, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 3 May 2000....
(Sue Cleaver
Sue Cleaver
Sue Cleaver is an English actress. She is best known for her regular role in Coronation Street.She studied at the Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre and her first television appearance was a small part in an episode of A Touch of Frost...
) on several dates, but tries to hide it. Eventually she and Owen begin dating. In early December 2010, Liz hears rumours that Owen arranged for former husband Jim to be beaten up. She packs her bags and heads for Andy's home in Spain, leaving Steve to reveal to Owen that the relationship is over.
Liz returns in March 2011 and is horrified to discover that Tracy, who was jailed for murdering boyfriend Charlie Stubbs, is now working behind the bar at The Rovers, having been granted an early release, and is looking after Amy (now played by Elle Mulvaney). Liz subsequently discovers that Steve and Becky bought Becky's nephew Max Turner (Harry McDermott) for 20,000 pounds, from Becky's sister Kylie
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). She is further stunned when she learns that Becky looted from the corner shop, on the night of the tram crash three months previously, in order to give Kylie more cash. With the pub now under severe financial pressure, due to Steve and Becky buying Max, Liz is devastated. She makes her contempt for Becky clear from the outset, who responds by kicking Liz out of the pub.
A desperate Liz then bumps into Jim at a hotel she is staying at. She seeks his suppport as she tells him of the situation that Becky and Steve have got themselves into. He suggests that she buy the pub but the bank manager refuses to give Liz a loan. Jim then suggests that he could buy the pub for Liz, as Steve and Becky decide to leave Weatherfield with Max and Amy. Liz makes her peace with the couple after they agree to the sale. Liz is now convinced that her dreams of owning The Rovers is going to come true and soon realises that she wants Jim to run it with her. The estranged couple soon reconcile.
The date for the sale is set for 11 April 2011. Liz and Steve wait patiently at the Rovers, with the solicitor, for Jim to come in with the money for the sale. Liz is astonished when the police suddenly arrive at the pub to tell her that Jim has been caught robbing a bank and now has a number of hostages. Over the phone, Liz and Jim (from inside the bank) speak, he explains that he never had the money but wanted to buy The Rovers to make her happy. A frightened Liz convinces Jim to let the hostages go, discard his firearm and surrender to the police officers waiting outside the building.
After the stress of the incident, Liz makes a sudden departure from the street, not telling anyone before hand that she is leaving. She promises Jim when she visits him in custody that she will be waiting for him when he is eventually released from prison. However, after expressing her feelings about the prospect of having to go through the stress of Jim's trial to
Steve and Becky, and realising her dream of owning the Rovers outright isn't as important to her as she thought, she decides to leave Weatherfield for Spain once more. After an emotional final look round the pub, remembering good times but also many arguments held inside over the years, she finishes her drink that she has whilst inside alone, waiting for the taxi that she's booked to the airport. She picks up the small suitcase she's packed and locks up the pub when the taxi arrives and gets in. Her last words are to the driver; 'Go for it!' as the taxi pulls out of the street.
Reception
The Daily RecordDaily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
commented on the character calling her a "dogs' dinner" and after she rejoined the soap said "hopefully she won't stay around for long. If we're lucky she may totter off her six inch heels and fall into the Manchester Ship Canal never to be seen again".