Kelly Crabtree
Encyclopedia
Kelly Louise Crabtree is a fictional character from the UK television ITV
soap opera
, Coronation Street
. Portrayed by actress Tupele Dorgu
, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 6 September 2004.
On November 6, 2009 it was announced that Tupele Dorgu had decided not to renew her contract which meant that her character would depart the show in March 2010.. She made her last appearance on 19 March 2010.
She quits her job and Sean Tully
(Antony Cotton
) takes over. However, her fiancé has cheated on her and she decides to leave him. After begging for her job back at the factory, Danny Baldwin
(Bradley Walsh) keeps both her and Sean. She begins a short-lived flirtation with her boss who gives her the nickname of "Legs", although it never quite develops into an affair. Always one for a challenge, Kelly tries to seduce gay best friend Sean Tully, but fails.
Dorgu has also described Kelly as "sexy and uses her sexuality to get what she wants. She doesn't take any prisoners and is incredibly selfish. She looks a bit like a dolly bird, but she is not to be underestimated."
It was announced on 26 December 2007 that the character was to receive a big storyline during 2008, featuring a wager between the new father and son bookies on the street. Also lined up for the character in 2008 were parties selling underwear, which Kelly would model herself. It's also noted that Kelly's residence has never been seen or mentioned despite being on the soap for six years.
In 2005, Kelly starts seeing Lloyd Mullaney
(Craig Charles
) but after she finds out he is cheating on her, she puts laxatives in his drink. Lloyd is rushed to hospital but recovers. Kelly later admits that it was she who had put the laxatives in his drink, and they break up. Later, Lloyd wants to get back together with Kelly but she has had enough of his cheating. In December 2005, Kelly wins £2,500 on a scratch card. However, the day after she wins it, she is mugged, although she later gets what was stolen back. In a moving scene with Lloyd in his taxi following the attack, she asks whether it was her skin colour that made her a target.
In 2006, Kelly's old friend Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly
) appears on the scene. Much to Kelly's annoyance, Becky starts becoming obsessive with Kelly. She gets a job at Underworld with Kelly and starts hanging around with Kelly's mates. She later buys Kelly a watch for her birthday, but because of Becky's criminal past Kelly is suspicious that the watch is stolen. Becky later shows Kelly the receipt, and Kelly feels bad for not having trusted her friend.
It is later revealed that Becky has spent too much on the watch and that she is unable to pay her rent. She is kicked out of her flat by her landlord, and, feeling guilty, Kelly offers to let her stay with her and Lloyd for a few days. A few days turn into a few weeks, and Kelly, who has become annoyed with Becky for getting between her and Lloyd, tells her that it is time for her to move out. Becky appears to "take it on the chin", but later swears to get revenge on Kelly.
Becky starts flirting with Lloyd and plants a kiss on him, which he rejects, ordering her to leave. She also steals some of her workmates' jewellery and money and plants them in Kelly's locker. Kelly is arrested for theft and is given the sack from Underworld. Kelly's criminal past is revealed to her workmates, who disown her as her friend. Becky soon disappears and Kelly is left to face the consequences of a crime she didn't commit.
Lloyd advises Kelly to plead guilty to the thefts and receive a lesser charge. Eventually, her friends come to believe her. She is given a suspended sentence and given back her job at Underworld. Her relationship with Lloyd, however, takes a turn for the worse, as she thinks it was wrong for him to have suggested to her to plead guilty. She decides that she needed some time apart from Lloyd.
During a drunken night out, Kelly ends up drowning her sorrows with Steve McDonald
(Simon Gregson
). One thing leads to another, and they have a one-night stand. The next morning they decide it was a "one off" and agree to keep it quiet. However, Steve needs to prove he was with Kelly to get an alibi for a hit-and-run case, which he is a suspect in; this leads to everyone finding out. Even though they were on a break, Lloyd can't believe that Kelly had slept with Steve, and he decides to call off the relationship once and for all.
Kelly later gets another job working for Carla Connor
(Alison King
). She falls for Liam Connor
(Rob James-Collier
), Carla's partner in the factory, and is outraged when she discovers that he is seeing her best mate Joanne Jackson
(Zaarah Abrahams). As revenge she gets Joanne sacked but is shocked when she discovers that arch enemy Becky has been hired to replace Joanne.
) soon discovers what Kelly is up to and urges her to come clean. It all comes out when barmaid Lauren Wilson (Lucy Evans
) gets a drink spilt down her top in the Rovers. As she takes her top off Liam notices that she is wearing one of Underworlds reject bras. Both Carla and Liam pretend to put the blame onto Wiki and sack her. After that Kelly comes clean and is nearly sacked but Wiki intervenes and gets her rehired (to make up for her wrongful accusation) and is placed on a lower wage with a six month probation
period.
In October 2008, she begins dating bookmaker Dan Mason (Matthew Crompton
) following his split from Leanne Battersby
(Jane Danson
). However, Dan soon tires of Kelly asking him to lend her money and dumps her just as they are due to go on holiday, leaving the Street without her.
In March 2009, Kelly's bitterness towards Becky resurfaces when they get into a blazing row in The Rovers Return. Ignoring Becky's excuses that she is under pressure to serve her, due to a large group of music fans wanting food, Kelly goes behind the bar and starts helping herself. Becky is furious and throws her out of the pub just as landlady Liz McDonald
(Beverley Callard
) arrives back from lunch. Liz, to Becky's outrage, apologises to Kelly and offers her free drinks.
In early 2010, Kelly has a lot of friction with boss Carla regarding time off, being angry that Sally Webster
(Sally Dynevor) has got a lot of time off. On discovering that Sally has breast cancer, Kelly shows little sympathy towards her, calling her colleagues hypocrites for suddenly liking someone they hated, over an illness, causing further rivalry. Kelly's hatred of Carla boils over in March 2010, when she complains about her being lazy at work and labels her a "slapper" much to Kelly's indignation. Nick Tilsley
(Ben Price
), wanting to buy into the factory, spots an opportunity to use Kelly in his quest to attain shares. After sleeping with her, he persuades her to help him get access to the factory's accounts behind Carla's back. She complies with his request.
Nick successfully buys into Underworld but Carla guesses correctly that Kelly has supplied him with information. Both Nick and Carla sack her. After an angry confrontation with Nick outside the factory for betraying her, Kelly then insults the factory girls in the Rovers about their dead-end working class lives as machinists. She announces that she is leaving Weatherfield before having an emotional goodbye with close friend Janice Battersby
(Vicky Entwistle
) who understands her anguish. She walks away, shouting, "I'm Kelly Crabtree with the legs!" before disappearing into the night. She has not been seen or mentioned since this and her current whereabouts are unknown; Janice mentioned the next morning that Kelly was not at her flat when she called around.
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 Tupele Dorgu
Tupele Dorgu
Tupele Dorgu is a British actress, best known for playing the role of Kelly Crabtree on the soap opera Coronation Street from 2004 to 2010....
, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 6 September 2004.
On November 6, 2009 it was announced that Tupele Dorgu had decided not to renew her contract which meant that her character would depart the show in March 2010.. She made her last appearance on 19 March 2010.
Background
Kelly first appeared in September, 2004. She had been working in the background of the Underworld clothing factory for some time. On the day that the rest of the workers take any notice of her she is leaving to get married and move away.She quits her job 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:...
) takes over. However, her fiancé has cheated on her and she decides to leave him. After begging for her job back at the factory, Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin
Daniel "Danny" Baldwin, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Bradley Walsh, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 28 May 2004 and remained until his departure on 31 December 2006.-Creation and...
(Bradley Walsh) keeps both her and Sean. She begins a short-lived flirtation with her boss who gives her the nickname of "Legs", although it never quite develops into an affair. Always one for a challenge, Kelly tries to seduce gay best friend Sean Tully, but fails.
Casting
Kelly has been described as a feisty girl, who has a mouthy and outspoken nature, also she is from a mixed race background. The official Coronation Street website describes the character as "brash and bolshy, Kelly is the sort of girl who goes for what she wants and rarely thinks of the consequences of her actions".Dorgu has also described Kelly as "sexy and uses her sexuality to get what she wants. She doesn't take any prisoners and is incredibly selfish. She looks a bit like a dolly bird, but she is not to be underestimated."
It was announced on 26 December 2007 that the character was to receive a big storyline during 2008, featuring a wager between the new father and son bookies on the street. Also lined up for the character in 2008 were parties selling underwear, which Kelly would model herself. It's also noted that Kelly's residence has never been seen or mentioned despite being on the soap for six years.
2004–07
Kelly was first mentioned in 2004 when she was leaving Underworld to get married to her fiance, but shortly arrives back when she discovered he cheated on her.In 2005, Kelly starts seeing 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...
) but after she finds out he is cheating on her, she puts laxatives in his drink. Lloyd is rushed to hospital but recovers. Kelly later admits that it was she who had put the laxatives in his drink, and they break up. Later, Lloyd wants to get back together with Kelly but she has had enough of his cheating. In December 2005, Kelly wins £2,500 on a scratch card. However, the day after she wins it, she is mugged, although she later gets what was stolen back. In a moving scene with Lloyd in his taxi following the attack, she asks whether it was her skin colour that made her a target.
In 2006, Kelly's old friend 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:...
) appears on the scene. Much to Kelly's annoyance, Becky starts becoming obsessive with Kelly. She gets a job at Underworld with Kelly and starts hanging around with Kelly's mates. She later buys Kelly a watch for her birthday, but because of Becky's criminal past Kelly is suspicious that the watch is stolen. Becky later shows Kelly the receipt, and Kelly feels bad for not having trusted her friend.
It is later revealed that Becky has spent too much on the watch and that she is unable to pay her rent. She is kicked out of her flat by her landlord, and, feeling guilty, Kelly offers to let her stay with her and Lloyd for a few days. A few days turn into a few weeks, and Kelly, who has become annoyed with Becky for getting between her and Lloyd, tells her that it is time for her to move out. Becky appears to "take it on the chin", but later swears to get revenge on Kelly.
Becky starts flirting with Lloyd and plants a kiss on him, which he rejects, ordering her to leave. She also steals some of her workmates' jewellery and money and plants them in Kelly's locker. Kelly is arrested for theft and is given the sack from Underworld. Kelly's criminal past is revealed to her workmates, who disown her as her friend. Becky soon disappears and Kelly is left to face the consequences of a crime she didn't commit.
Lloyd advises Kelly to plead guilty to the thefts and receive a lesser charge. Eventually, her friends come to believe her. She is given a suspended sentence and given back her job at Underworld. Her relationship with Lloyd, however, takes a turn for the worse, as she thinks it was wrong for him to have suggested to her to plead guilty. She decides that she needed some time apart from Lloyd.
During a drunken night out, Kelly ends up drowning her sorrows with Steve McDonald
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....
). One thing leads to another, and they have a one-night stand. The next morning they decide it was a "one off" and agree to keep it quiet. However, Steve needs to prove he was with Kelly to get an alibi for a hit-and-run case, which he is a suspect in; this leads to everyone finding out. Even though they were on a break, Lloyd can't believe that Kelly had slept with Steve, and he decides to call off the relationship once and for all.
Kelly later gets another job working for 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 :...
). She falls for Liam Connor
Liam Connor
Liam Barrington Connor is a fictional character from the British ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, played by Rob James-Collier from 2006 to 2008.-Creation:...
(Rob James-Collier
Rob James-Collier
Robert James-Collier is a British actor and model. He is known for his roles as Liam Connor in Coronation Street and as Thomas on Downton Abbey.- Background :James-Collier was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester...
), Carla's partner in the factory, and is outraged when she discovers that he is seeing her best mate Joanne Jackson
Joanne Jackson (Coronation Street)
Joanne Jackson may refer to:*Joanne Jackson , British swimmer*Joanne Jackson , former character on Coronation Street...
(Zaarah Abrahams). As revenge she gets Joanne sacked but is shocked when she discovers that arch enemy Becky has been hired to replace Joanne.
2008–10
In early 2008, Kelly, desperate to earn some extra cash, begins stealing leftover material from the knicker bins at the factory. She then proceeds to sell her own products on the side. Fellow factory worker Wiki Dankowska (Wanda OpalinskaWanda 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:...
) soon discovers what Kelly is up to and urges her to come clean. It all comes out when 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...
) gets a drink spilt down her top in the Rovers. As she takes her top off Liam notices that she is wearing one of Underworlds reject bras. Both Carla and Liam pretend to put the blame onto Wiki and sack her. After that Kelly comes clean and is nearly sacked but Wiki intervenes and gets her rehired (to make up for her wrongful accusation) and is placed on a lower wage with a six month probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
period.
In October 2008, she begins dating bookmaker 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...
) following his split from Leanne Battersby
Leanne Battersby
Leanne Anika Barlow is a fictional character on the soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Jane Danson, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 4 July 1997....
(Jane Danson
Jane Danson
Jane Danson is an English actress, most famous for playing the role of Leanne Battersby in Coronation Street.-Acting:...
). However, Dan soon tires of Kelly asking him to lend her money and dumps her just as they are due to go on holiday, leaving the Street without her.
In March 2009, Kelly's bitterness towards Becky resurfaces when they get into a blazing row in The Rovers Return. Ignoring Becky's excuses that she is under pressure to serve her, due to a large group of music fans wanting food, Kelly goes behind the bar and starts helping herself. Becky is furious and throws her out of the pub just as landlady 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...
(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...
) arrives back from lunch. Liz, to Becky's outrage, apologises to Kelly and offers her free drinks.
In early 2010, Kelly has a lot of friction with boss Carla regarding time off, being angry that Sally Webster
Sally Webster
Sally Webster is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Sally Dynevor, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 27 January 1986.-Casting:...
(Sally Dynevor) has got a lot of time off. On discovering that Sally has breast cancer, Kelly shows little sympathy towards her, calling her colleagues hypocrites for suddenly liking someone they hated, over an illness, causing further rivalry. Kelly's hatred of Carla boils over in March 2010, when she complains about her being lazy at work and labels her a "slapper" much to Kelly's indignation. 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...
), wanting to buy into the factory, spots an opportunity to use Kelly in his quest to attain shares. After sleeping with her, he persuades her to help him get access to the factory's accounts behind Carla's back. She complies with his request.
Nick successfully buys into Underworld but Carla guesses correctly that Kelly has supplied him with information. Both Nick and Carla sack her. After an angry confrontation with Nick outside the factory for betraying her, Kelly then insults the factory girls in the Rovers about their dead-end working class lives as machinists. She announces that she is leaving Weatherfield before having an emotional goodbye with close friend 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....
) who understands her anguish. She walks away, shouting, "I'm Kelly Crabtree with the legs!" before disappearing into the night. She has not been seen or mentioned since this and her current whereabouts are unknown; Janice mentioned the next morning that Kelly was not at her flat when she called around.