Concepta Riley
Concepta Riley | |
---|---|
Christopher Hewitt | |
Stepdaughters | Lucille Hewitt |
Concepta Riley (also Hewitt and Regan)[1] is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Coronation Street, played by Doreen Keogh. Concepta was created by Tony Warren as one of Coronation Street's original characters. She debuted in the soap opera's fifth episode which was broadcast on 23 December 1960.
Concepta is recognised as the first ever barmaid of the
When Tim Aspinall took over as the producer of Coronation Street, he decided to write Concepta and Harry out of the series. They left to begin a new life in Ireland, but left Lucille behind. Both Keogh and Beavis agreed to reprise their roles in 1967, but Harry was killed off when he is crushed by a van. After a five-year hiatus, Keogh reprised the role in 1972 and 1975. She then married Sean Regan (Tony Doyle) and her return stories focused on Sean kissing Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear) and Concepta accepting his infidelity. At her final appearance, Keogh appeared in a total of 320 episodes of Coronation Street.
Creation
Concepta is one of Coronation Street's original characters. She was created by
Development
Career and family
Concepta is portrayed as a "chirpy" character who works at the local pub the
The character has a place in the show's history as the first ever Rovers Return barmaid featured on the show.[8][9] The barmaid role became so iconic that by the time of Keogh's death in 2017, she was still remembered well as the original.
Producers paired Concepta with
Producers soon set about expanding the Hewitt family, with the birth of Concepta and Harry's son
Departure and returns
In June 1963, Concepta's father
In September 1967, Keogh and Beavis both reprised their roles as Concepta and Harry. Keogh was asked first and informed that it would be a two-week guest role. Beavis was shocked to learn Harry's return would be subject to a story in which he would be killed off. Beavis claimed that he told Keogh of his shock stating "bloody hell, they're going to kill me off and you're staying for the funeral."
Viewers could not understand why they brought Harry and Concepta back for the story. Moss, who played Lucille was not happy with the decision. She told author Daran Little that "to bring him back and finish him off was just a reminder of what had gone on in 1964."[23]
Keogh agreed to return to the series twice during the 1970s. A return happened during October 1972 episodes, which feature Concepta visiting Lucille. She announces that she plans to remarry after becoming engaged to Sean Regan (Tony Doyle).[26] Her final return to the show occurred during November 1975. Concepta and Sean arrive to visit Lucille, but Sean's behaviour causes concern. He visits the Rovers Return and kisses Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear), who then slaps him across the face. She then threatens to tell Concepta that Sean is promiscuous.[27] In her final scenes, Conecpta confides in Annie that she is aware Sean has been unfaithful, but stays with him because she loves him. Keogh appeared as Concepta in a total of 320 episodes of Coronation Street.[4]
Reception
In 2018, Rebecca Day from the
References
- ^ "Showbiz Sam". Daily Record. (Reach plc. 12 June 1999. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019.
- ^ a b c Little 1998, p.25.
- ^ a b c d Little 1998, p.26.
- ^ a b Hayward, Anthony (5 January 2018). "Doreen Keogh obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Little 1997, p.20.
- ^ Randall 2010, p.12.
- ^ a b c d e Little 1997, p.88.
- ^ "50 not out! Celebrating Coronation Street's barmaids". What's on TV. TI Media. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Coronation Street 50 Years: The 51 barmaids at the Rovers Return". Manchester Evening News. Reach plc. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Kay 1991, p.91.
- ^ Tinker 1985, p.76.
- ^ "Coronation Street 50 Years: The 88 Weatherfield weddings". Manchester Evening News. Reach plc. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Tinker 1985, p.24.
- ^ Tinker 1985, p.42.
- ^ Kay 1991, p.93.
- ^ a b c d Randall 2010, p.18.
- ^ Kay 1991, p.72.
- ^ a b Hayward, Anthony (27 February 1998). "Obituary: Ivan Beavis". The Independent. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Kay 1991, p.95.
- ^ Tinker 1985, p.31.
- ^ Tinker 1985, p.32.
- ^ Kay 1991, p.98.
- ^ a b c Little 1998, p.73.
- ^ Kay 1991, p.106.
- ^ Nown 1985, p.46.
- ^ Nown 1985, p.149.
- ^ Nown 1985, p.161.
- ^ Day, Rebecca (2 January 2018). "Former Coronation Street actress who was the first ever Rovers Return barmaid, dies age 91". Manchester Evening News. Reach plc. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Doreen Keogh, Irish actress and original Coronation Street barmaid โ obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- Dublin Live. Reach plc. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Quinn, Michael (17 January 2018). "Obituary: Doreen Keogh". The Stage. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "The 100 greatest soap stories ever told". Inside Soap (100). Attic Futura UK: 8. 2โ15 May 1998.
- Bibliography
- Tinker, Jack (1985). Coronation Street. ISBN 0-8627-3240-9.
- Nown, Graham (1985). Coronation Street, 1960-1985 : 25 Years. ISBN 0-7063-6405-8.
- Kay, Graeme (1991). Life in the Street. Boxtree. ISBN 1-85283-161-8.
- Little, Daran (1995). The Coronation Street Story: Celebrating Thirty-Five Years of the Street. ISBN 0-7522-1019-X.
- Little, Daran (1997). Around the Coronation Street Houses. ISBN 0-7522-1049-1.
- Randall, Tim (2010). 50 Years of Coronation Street. ISBN 978-0-7553-1846-9.