Molly Dobbs
Encyclopedia
Molly Cosette Dobbs is a fictional character
in the British television ITV
soap opera
, Coronation Street
. Portrayed by actress Vicky Binns
, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 5 September 2005. On 7 May 2010, Binns announced she was quitting the soap. The character was killed off on 9 December 2010 in a live episode
celebrating the show's 50th anniversary, when she died from injuries sustained when a tram crashed into the corner shop.
Diggory Compton (Eric Potts
) in 2005. She was a former class mate of character Fiz Brown
(Jennie McAlpine
); Molly was very resentful against Fiz, who had bullied her at school. She worked in the bakery until her father's departure and worked briefly as a kennel-maid before becoming an assistant to Dev Alahan
(Jimmi Harkishin
) at the Corner Shop.
. In real life, Binns is the best friend of actress Jennie McAlpine
who plays Fiz. She told the Manchester Evening News: "They brought me in to play her rival, which is ridiculous. It really requires some acting.". In April 2010 Binns announced that she had quit the show and will leave at the end of her contract which she did when she was killed off in the 50th anniversary when a tram crashed of the viaduct and destroyed the corner shop which Molly was in at the time.
She first arrived in Weatherfield
after her father bought the bakery in May 2005. There were rumours that she would leave along with her father in July 2006, but she stayed on. Binns says she is grateful that her character appears to be "un-trendy". Molly's look changed a little at the beginning of 2008 after Binns went on a strict weight loss regime. However, the producer of Coronation Street was supportive of Binns and did not mind changing Molly's appearance slightly. Binns stated in another interview that Molly is stubborn and that honesty is the element of a relationship she wants most, which was why she was reluctant to forgive Tyrone for his deception.
Another focal point of the character's style is the rucksack which she carried frequently. Binns once stated that she didn't think her character would ever stop wearing it. Gareth McLean of the Radio times even joked that when Molly and Kevin Webster consummated their relationship, he doubted Molly would remove her rucksack.
(Alan Halsall
) began in 2006. Their relationship has been long-term and appeared perfect to begin with. After Molly moves into number 9 to be with Tyrone permanently she wants to take her relationship to the next level and forms a close bond with Vera Duckworth
(Elizabeth Dawn
) who Tyrone regarded as his mother. She even turns to her for advice on furthering her relationship with Tyrone, in scenes which Binns said were really funny. The media called the pairing the next 'Jack and Vera' with the show's bosses even stating their potential. Actress Vicky Binns stated in an interview that she was flattered but didn't think they could ever replace the couple adding that: "You can't really replace anyone like that. The show progresses and changes so much with new characters you don't even know if they'll keep Molly and Tyrone together. But I suppose Molly is quite bossy and, like Vera, will keep Tyrone under her thumb." The characters go on to buy their own home together and eventually get engaged. They hit one of their first difficulties when Molly finds out that Tyrone has been selling illegal goods with her Aunt, Pam Hobsworth (Kate Anthony
). Vicky Binns also revealed that she and Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone, work so well together and hope that they had many more scenes to come and she also stated that in real life, fans approach her in the street to ask where Tyrone is.
Tyrone's best friend and colleague Kevin Webster
(Michael Le Vell
) begins an affair with Molly in 2009 but during the Christmas Day episode he ends the relationship after discovering his wife, Sally
(Sally Dynevor), has breast cancer.
(Andrew Whyment
), whom she flirts with to get revenge on Fiz and wind her up.
After briefly working in her father's shop and at Kirk's kennels, Molly then starts working for Dev Alahan at D&S Alahans Corner shop
. Molly begins dating Tyrone Dobbs and lives with him and his foster parents Jack
(William Tarmey), and Vera Duckworth. Molly forms a close bond and friendship with Vera and asks her for advice about her relationship with Tyrone. Molly is devastated when Vera dies in January 2008.
After Vera's death, Molly and Tyrone buy the Duckworths' house and live there with Jack, and also keep Jack and Vera's grandson Paul Clayton
(Tom Hudson
) in as lodger until he leaves in May 2008.
In May 2008, Molly decides to make her mark on the Duckworths' house by removing the stone cladding that Vera had put on the front of the house in 1989. Jack agrees with this move but Tyrone is not happy as he sees the cladding as a memory of Vera. Eventually as the builders proceed to remove the cladding they inform Molly that the job would be much more expensive as the cladding is ruining the brick work as it is being removed. The cheapest option was for the cladding to remain on the house and Molly agrees, much to Tyrone's delight.
In July 2008, Tyrone is advised by Jack to propose marriage to Molly at an upmarket restaurant. Tyrone, however, chooses not to propose at that moment. Molly later plans a surprise proposal to Tyrone and the two get engaged, with the help of Molly's aunt Pam Hobsworth, who arrives in Weatherfield around the same time.
In August 2008, Tyrone decides that Molly should meet his mother Jackie
(Margi Clarke
). Everything goes to plan, until Molly and Tyrone discover that Jackie is £1,000 in debt to an old friend of Tyrone's father and needs the money to pay this off, much to Molly's despair. Tyrone agrees to help her and the couple use their wedding savings to pay the man off. This puts their plans on hold for Molly to afford her dream wedding dress.
In December 2008, Molly becomes suspicious of Tyrone's behaviour. He has secretly been selling illegal merchandise with Pam, to help pay for their wedding. Molly mistakenly thinks that Tyrone is having an affair with Minnie Chandra (Poppy Jhakra
), after she spots the pair flirting, when in reality Minnie was buying perfume and T-shirts from Tyrone. When Tyrone confesses that he has been selling illegal stock with Pam, Molly is furious and leaves him, saying that she can no longer trust him. She later forgives him, and the couple get married on 12 January 2009.
In Mid 2009, Molly strikes up a friendship with Tyrone's workmate Kevin Webster. The pair, along with Jason Grimshaw
(Ryan Thomas
), train together for the local fun run. Although Kevin jealously accuses Jason of sleeping with Molly, Molly laughs it off and they remain friends. Kevin is the only person to support Molly at the local fun run and, the same night, Kevin looks longingly at photos of Molly at the fun run on his mobile phone. In June 2009, Molly confronts Kevin to why he is acting so strangely around her; Kevin reluctantly admits that he is in love with her. Molly slaps him and leaves, but outside the garage she smiles to herself.
They later begin an affair which is nearly exposed at Kevin's wife Sally's 42nd birthday party in July 2009, however Molly smooths things over between the couple. Molly ends her affair with Kevin and goes on holiday with Tyrone, however, when she returns in August 2009 she does the fun run again with Kevin and they celebrate by having sex at a nearby hotel. Some weeks later Pam spots Molly kissing Kevin. When Pam confronts Molly about her affair, Molly declares that she is in love with Kevin. However, Pam disapproves and gives her an ultimatum, either she confesses to Tyrone or she ends her relationship with Kevin. As a result, Molly has no choice but to pretend to end her affair with Kevin. However, when she has a conversation with Tyrone about Kevin and Sally's marriage, Molly discovers that she is not the only liaison of Kevin's as Tyrone mentions that he has had previous affairs in the past, which she feels insulted by.
Molly and Kevin soon confess their love for each other, and pledge to leave their respective spouses and start a new life together. However, Sally had a secret of her own - she had breast cancer. On Christmas Day, just as Kevin is about to tell Sally that he is leaving her, she breaks the news of her illness. Kevin then hurries over to the Dobbs's house, on the pretence of needing stuffing for the turkey, after seeing Molly sitting Tyrone down. When Tyrone leaves the house to go to the Rovers, Kevin tells Molly about Sally's breast cancer. Selfishly, Molly tearfully says how unfair it was, not for Sally, but for them. Kevin gets angry and tells her that their relationship is over, as she was the least of his worries, and that he would support Sally through her illness.
In January 2010, Molly promises to be a better wife to Tyrone on their first wedding anniversary. However, on the second anniversary of Vera's death, Molly tells Tyrone that she is leaving him because she no longer loves him, and he begs her to stay. She denies that she has been seeing someone else and moves into the flat above Dev's shop. In March 2010, Molly is shocked to discover that she is four months pregnant, with the possibility of the father either being Kevin or Tyrone. When she informs Kevin of her pregnancy, he refuses to have anything to do with her and he coldly burns the baby scan picture in front of her. With nowhere left to turn, she tells Tyrone about the pregnancy and they reconcile and agree to give their marriage another chance. In April, Molly and Tyrone find out Molly is expecting a baby boy. Kevin is furious and demands Molly has an abortion and to pass it off as a miscarriage.
On 19 April 2010, Tyrone asks Kevin to check up on his car. Whilst fixing it, Kevin is distracted by his daughter Sophie
(Brooke Vincent
) who is upset. Thinking that the car is ready, Tyrone takes it and drives through the countryside with Molly to tell her father Diggory the news about her pregnancy. Kevin realises that the car is missing before he has finished his work on the brakes and frantically calls Molly and Tyrone. Molly tells Tyrone not to answer as she wants to have a peaceful trip. Tyrone loses control of the car when the brakes fail and it leaves the road and somersaults into a field. Molly and Tyrone are both left unconscious. As Tyrone regains concsiousness he finds Molly, still unconscious, next to him. Tyrone flags down a passing motorist who calls 999 and Kevin arrives after following an ambulance to the scene. Kevin and Tyrone both watch as Molly is cut from the wreckage. She is rushed to hospital where she has a scan whilst she is still unconscious and the doctors discover there is still a heartbeat from the baby. Tyrone is told, as long as Molly's life is in the balance, so is the baby's. Tyrone is horrified of the condition of his wife and the unborn child and turns to Kevin for support. When she regains consciousness Molly asks Pam, who is visiting her, what happened and she reveals that Kevin did not fix the brakes. Kevin feels guilty and arrives at the hospital. Molly accuses him of trying to kill her and the baby. Kevin apologises but a furious Molly tells him to save his story for the police. Kevin panics but with Tyrone by Molly's side she changes her mind about her decision. Kevin returns to the hospital to thank Molly but says she didn't do it for him she did it for Tyone. Molly then tries to persuade Tyrone to move away from Weatherfield for a fresh start as she did not think it was fair on Tyrone or the baby to be around Kevin.
In July 2010, Molly is thrilled when her neighbour Eileen Grimshaw
(Sue Cleaver
) expresses an interest in buying their house, much to Tyrone's despair. However, whilst Eileen and Owen Armstrong
(Ian Puleston-Davies
) are examining the house, Molly has a health scare and nearly collapses. At the hospital the doctors tell her that her collapse was caused by stress. Molly changes her mind about moving and decides to remain in Weatherfield.
On 6 September 2010, Molly gives birth to her son, Jack. She suddenly goes into labour in her home and it is left to Sally to deliver the baby as Tyrone is out on a breakdown call-out. After Kevin agrees to himself and Sally being godparents, Molly is furious and tells Kevin that she wants him to play no part in Jack's life. Kevin then asks Molly for a DNA test to prove he is the father, but she refuses, and chooses to believe that Tyrone is Jack's father. Kevin steals Jack's dummy in the Rovers following his christening and sends it away for testing. On 5 November 2010, Kevin receives the DNA test results, proving that he is the father. He shows the results to Molly and she is distraught and furious with Kevin for going behind her back.
Not long afterwards at Jack Duckworth's wake, Molly tells Kevin that she is still in love with him. However, Kevin tells her that he loves Sally and wants to be with her. Realising that Kevin no longer has feelings for her, Molly is left heart-broken.
On 6 December 2010, Molly leaves Tyrone, telling him that he is not Jack's father, but she doesn't tell him who the father is despite his demands to know. She sets out to leave with Jack, intending to go and stay at her father's. She goes to the corner shop to say goodbye to her former employer, Sunita Alahan
(Shobna Gulati
). Kevin comes into the shop to buy some milk and says goodbye to Molly and Jack after she tells him that he will never see his son again. Shortly after Kevin leaves the shop, there is an explosion in 'The Joinery' bar which throws Molly and Jack to the floor. A tram is then derailed and crashes into the shop and Molly and Jack are buried by rubble. Molly tries to comfort Jack and loses consciousness. She comes round when firefighters arrive, and Jack is removed from the wreckage and taken to hospital. Molly is trapped under a beam and has to be released by heavy lifting gear and cutting equipment. Sally enters the wreckage and sits by Molly's side to comfort her and keep her conscious. Molly's condition deteriorates and, when she realises that she is dying, she confesses her affair with Kevin and apologises to Sally, saying that Kevin chose Sally because she was beautiful inside and out and that he loved Sally and their daughters more than herself and Jack. Explaining that Kevin is Jack's father, Molly asks Sally to look after him and says that Jack is the only thing from the affair she does not regret. After Molly admits this, her hand goes limp and she dies, with a shocked Sally by her side. Shortly afterwards Tyrone returns from the hospital and is devastated when Sally emerges from the rubble and informs him of Molly's death.
The affair between Molly and Kevin received some negative attention, and criticism for changes in Molly's character, described by the author and TV critic Grace Dent as transforming her into a "sex fuelled dick-daft strumpet." Vicky Binns, however, was surprised at positive reaction: "I love playing a minx. Women give me a nudge and a wink when I'm in the supermarket and say, 'You go girl!'" Ruth Deller of entertainment website Lowculture
criticised her affair storyline stating: "Like the rest of the world, we’ve hated the Kevin/Molly storyline. We hate it even more for it turning Molly, previously somewhat likeable, into an out-and-out bitch. Let's just hope it's one of those storylines that will be swept under the carpet soon and never mentioned again…"
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 British 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 Vicky Binns
Vicky Binns
Victoria Jane "Vicky" Binns is an English actress who is best known for her two roles in the two veteran ITV soap operas Emmerdale and Coronation Street respectively. She had a lead role in 'Von trapped' opposite Caroline Quentine and also appeared in Children's Ward playing a character named...
, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 5 September 2005. On 7 May 2010, Binns announced she was quitting the soap. The character was killed off on 9 December 2010 in a live episode
Coronation Street Live (2010)
Coronation Street Live is a live episode of the British soap opera Coronation Street, which was first broadcast on Thursday 9 December 2010 on ITV1. The special live edition was to celebrate fifty years of the programme being on air. The sixty-minute episode was directed by Tony Prescott, who had...
celebrating the show's 50th anniversary, when she died from injuries sustained when a tram crashed into the corner shop.
Background
The character of Molly was introduced as the daughter of local bakerBaker
A baker is someone who bakes and sells bread, Cakes and similar foods may also be produced, as the traditional boundaries between what is produced by a baker as opposed to a pastry chef have blurred in recent decades...
Diggory Compton (Eric Potts
Eric Potts
Eric Potts is a British actor, who had parts in Coronation Street, as eccentric baker Diggory Compton, the father of Molly Compton, and Brookside as Wrexham Football Club Supporter, Mr Moore....
) in 2005. She was a former class mate of character Fiz Brown
Fiz Brown
Fiona "Fiz" Stape is a fictional character from the British ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, played by Jennie McAlpine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 April 2001. Initially appearing for five episodes, McAlpine's contract was soon extended and Fiz became a regular character...
(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:...
); Molly was very resentful against Fiz, who had bullied her at school. She worked in the bakery until her father's departure and worked briefly as a kennel-maid before becoming an assistant to Dev Alahan
Dev Alahan
Devendra 'Dev' Alahan is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Jimmi Harkishin, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 10 November 1999.-Character development:...
(Jimmi Harkishin
Jimmi Harkishin
James "Jimmi" Harkishin is an actor best known for his role as shop owner Dev Alahan in Coronation Street. He also featured in the film East is East and also Bhaji on the Beach....
) at the Corner Shop.
Casting
Vicky Binns was selected to join Coronation Street as a rival for at-the-time already established character Fiz BrownFiz Brown
Fiona "Fiz" Stape is a fictional character from the British ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, played by Jennie McAlpine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 April 2001. Initially appearing for five episodes, McAlpine's contract was soon extended and Fiz became a regular character...
. In real life, Binns is the best friend of actress 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:...
who plays Fiz. She told the Manchester Evening News: "They brought me in to play her rival, which is ridiculous. It really requires some acting.". In April 2010 Binns announced that she had quit the show and will leave at the end of her contract which she did when she was killed off in the 50th anniversary when a tram crashed of the viaduct and destroyed the corner shop which Molly was in at the time.
Personality and identity
The Coronation Street official website described Molly as a bubbly, optimistic, friendly and outgoing character.She first arrived in Weatherfield
Weatherfield
Weatherfield is a fictional town, based on Salford in North West England, which serves as the setting for the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street...
after her father bought the bakery in May 2005. There were rumours that she would leave along with her father in July 2006, but she stayed on. Binns says she is grateful that her character appears to be "un-trendy". Molly's look changed a little at the beginning of 2008 after Binns went on a strict weight loss regime. However, the producer of Coronation Street was supportive of Binns and did not mind changing Molly's appearance slightly. Binns stated in another interview that Molly is stubborn and that honesty is the element of a relationship she wants most, which was why she was reluctant to forgive Tyrone for his deception.
Another focal point of the character's style is the rucksack which she carried frequently. Binns once stated that she didn't think her character would ever stop wearing it. Gareth McLean of the Radio times even joked that when Molly and Kevin Webster consummated their relationship, he doubted Molly would remove her rucksack.
Relationships
Molly's relationship with Tyrone DobbsTyrone Dobbs
Tyrone Sylvester Dobbs is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by Alan Halsall, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on November 30, 1998.- Casting :...
(Alan Halsall
Alan Halsall
Alan David Halsall is an English actor best known for playing Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street, a role which he has played for since 1998.-Early life:...
) began in 2006. Their relationship has been long-term and appeared perfect to begin with. After Molly moves into number 9 to be with Tyrone permanently she wants to take her relationship to the next level and forms a close bond with Vera Duckworth
Vera Duckworth
Veronica "Vera" Duckworth , played by Elizabeth Dawn, is a fictional character on the British soap opera Coronation Street, first appearing in August 1974 and last appearing in episode 6,734 on 18 January 2008, where the character peacefully died in her sleep at the age of 70 from heart failure...
(Elizabeth Dawn
Elizabeth Dawn
Elizabeth 'Liz' Dawn MBE , is an English actress, best known for her role as Vera Duckworth in the long-running British soap opera, Coronation Street...
) who Tyrone regarded as his mother. She even turns to her for advice on furthering her relationship with Tyrone, in scenes which Binns said were really funny. The media called the pairing the next 'Jack and Vera' with the show's bosses even stating their potential. Actress Vicky Binns stated in an interview that she was flattered but didn't think they could ever replace the couple adding that: "You can't really replace anyone like that. The show progresses and changes so much with new characters you don't even know if they'll keep Molly and Tyrone together. But I suppose Molly is quite bossy and, like Vera, will keep Tyrone under her thumb." The characters go on to buy their own home together and eventually get engaged. They hit one of their first difficulties when Molly finds out that Tyrone has been selling illegal goods with her Aunt, Pam Hobsworth (Kate Anthony
Kate Anthony
Kate Anthony is a British actress.She has appeared in Doctors playing Ellen Murray, Sparkhouse playing Jenny Bullock, Casualty playing Angela Phillips, and As Time Goes By. More recently she has appeared in Totally Frank, heartbeat and EastEnders playing Annie Grey...
). Vicky Binns also revealed that she and Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone, work so well together and hope that they had many more scenes to come and she also stated that in real life, fans approach her in the street to ask where Tyrone is.
Tyrone's best friend and colleague 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....
) begins an affair with Molly in 2009 but during the Christmas Day episode he ends the relationship after discovering his wife, Sally
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 breast cancer.
Storylines
Molly is introduced the daughter of local baker, Diggory Compton. When she first arrives, it becomes clear that she was a victim of bullying at school, with one of the bullies being Fiz Brown. Molly starts to work for Fiz's boyfriend Kirk SutherlandKirk 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:...
), whom she flirts with to get revenge on Fiz and wind her up.
After briefly working in her father's shop and at Kirk's kennels, Molly then starts working for Dev Alahan at D&S Alahans Corner shop
General store
A general store, general merchandise store, or village shop is a rural or small town store that carries a general line of merchandise. It carries a broad selection of merchandise, sometimes in a small space, where people from the town and surrounding rural areas come to purchase all their general...
. Molly begins dating Tyrone Dobbs and lives with him and his foster parents Jack
Jack Duckworth
John Harold "Jack" Duckworth is a long-standing 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. He is played by actor William Tarmey. The character debuted onscreen during the episode...
(William Tarmey), and Vera Duckworth. Molly forms a close bond and friendship with Vera and asks her for advice about her relationship with Tyrone. Molly is devastated when Vera dies in January 2008.
After Vera's death, Molly and Tyrone buy the Duckworths' house and live there with Jack, and also keep Jack and Vera's grandson Paul Clayton
Paul Clayton (Coronation Street)
Paul Clayton is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by Lee Booth, the character first appeared on-screen during an episode that aired on 29 November 2000...
(Tom Hudson
Tom Hudson
Tom Hudson is an English Actor who can also be credited as Thomas Hudson.Hudson is best known for his roles as Baz Wainwright in Grange Hill between 2003 and 2007 and as Paul Clayton in Coronation Street between 2007 and 2008.In February 2008, ten months after landing the role of Terry Duckworth's...
) in as lodger until he leaves in May 2008.
In May 2008, Molly decides to make her mark on the Duckworths' house by removing the stone cladding that Vera had put on the front of the house in 1989. Jack agrees with this move but Tyrone is not happy as he sees the cladding as a memory of Vera. Eventually as the builders proceed to remove the cladding they inform Molly that the job would be much more expensive as the cladding is ruining the brick work as it is being removed. The cheapest option was for the cladding to remain on the house and Molly agrees, much to Tyrone's delight.
In July 2008, Tyrone is advised by Jack to propose marriage to Molly at an upmarket restaurant. Tyrone, however, chooses not to propose at that moment. Molly later plans a surprise proposal to Tyrone and the two get engaged, with the help of Molly's aunt Pam Hobsworth, who arrives in Weatherfield around the same time.
In August 2008, Tyrone decides that Molly should meet his mother Jackie
Jackie Dobbs
Jacqueline "Jackie" Dobbs, played by Margi Clarke, is a fictional character in the soap opera, Coronation Street. She was introduced in 1998, but written out in 1999 due to the personal problems of the actress who played her. Nine years later, in 2008, the character was reintroduced, once again...
(Margi Clarke
Margi Clarke
Margi Clarke is a British actress . She was born in Liverpool and raised in Kirkby , and is known for her Scouse accent and platinum-blonde hair.-Early career:...
). Everything goes to plan, until Molly and Tyrone discover that Jackie is £1,000 in debt to an old friend of Tyrone's father and needs the money to pay this off, much to Molly's despair. Tyrone agrees to help her and the couple use their wedding savings to pay the man off. This puts their plans on hold for Molly to afford her dream wedding dress.
Poppy Jhakra
Poppy Jhakra is an actress from West Yorkshire in England. She is currently in the cast of Waterloo Road as English Teacher, Eleanor Chaudry....
), after she spots the pair flirting, when in reality Minnie was buying perfume and T-shirts from Tyrone. When Tyrone confesses that he has been selling illegal stock with Pam, Molly is furious and leaves him, saying that she can no longer trust him. She later forgives him, and the couple get married on 12 January 2009.
In Mid 2009, Molly strikes up a friendship with Tyrone's workmate Kevin Webster. The pair, along with 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:...
), train together for the local fun run. Although Kevin jealously accuses Jason of sleeping with Molly, Molly laughs it off and they remain friends. Kevin is the only person to support Molly at the local fun run and, the same night, Kevin looks longingly at photos of Molly at the fun run on his mobile phone. In June 2009, Molly confronts Kevin to why he is acting so strangely around her; Kevin reluctantly admits that he is in love with her. Molly slaps him and leaves, but outside the garage she smiles to herself.
They later begin an affair which is nearly exposed at Kevin's wife Sally's 42nd birthday party in July 2009, however Molly smooths things over between the couple. Molly ends her affair with Kevin and goes on holiday with Tyrone, however, when she returns in August 2009 she does the fun run again with Kevin and they celebrate by having sex at a nearby hotel. Some weeks later Pam spots Molly kissing Kevin. When Pam confronts Molly about her affair, Molly declares that she is in love with Kevin. However, Pam disapproves and gives her an ultimatum, either she confesses to Tyrone or she ends her relationship with Kevin. As a result, Molly has no choice but to pretend to end her affair with Kevin. However, when she has a conversation with Tyrone about Kevin and Sally's marriage, Molly discovers that she is not the only liaison of Kevin's as Tyrone mentions that he has had previous affairs in the past, which she feels insulted by.
Molly and Kevin soon confess their love for each other, and pledge to leave their respective spouses and start a new life together. However, Sally had a secret of her own - she had breast cancer. On Christmas Day, just as Kevin is about to tell Sally that he is leaving her, she breaks the news of her illness. Kevin then hurries over to the Dobbs's house, on the pretence of needing stuffing for the turkey, after seeing Molly sitting Tyrone down. When Tyrone leaves the house to go to the Rovers, Kevin tells Molly about Sally's breast cancer. Selfishly, Molly tearfully says how unfair it was, not for Sally, but for them. Kevin gets angry and tells her that their relationship is over, as she was the least of his worries, and that he would support Sally through her illness.
In January 2010, Molly promises to be a better wife to Tyrone on their first wedding anniversary. However, on the second anniversary of Vera's death, Molly tells Tyrone that she is leaving him because she no longer loves him, and he begs her to stay. She denies that she has been seeing someone else and moves into the flat above Dev's shop. In March 2010, Molly is shocked to discover that she is four months pregnant, with the possibility of the father either being Kevin or Tyrone. When she informs Kevin of her pregnancy, he refuses to have anything to do with her and he coldly burns the baby scan picture in front of her. With nowhere left to turn, she tells Tyrone about the pregnancy and they reconcile and agree to give their marriage another chance. In April, Molly and Tyrone find out Molly is expecting a baby boy. Kevin is furious and demands Molly has an abortion and to pass it off as a miscarriage.
On 19 April 2010, Tyrone asks Kevin to check up on his car. Whilst fixing it, Kevin is distracted by his daughter Sophie
Sophie Webster
Sophie Lauren Webster is a fictional character in the British television ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She is currently portrayed by actress Brooke Vincent, after previously being portrayed by both Ashleigh Middleton and Emma Woodward. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode...
(Brooke Vincent
Brooke Vincent
Brooke Levi Vincent is an actress in the British soap opera Coronation Street. She joined the soap in 2004, taking over from Emma Woodward in the role of Sophie Webster.- Career :...
) who is upset. Thinking that the car is ready, Tyrone takes it and drives through the countryside with Molly to tell her father Diggory the news about her pregnancy. Kevin realises that the car is missing before he has finished his work on the brakes and frantically calls Molly and Tyrone. Molly tells Tyrone not to answer as she wants to have a peaceful trip. Tyrone loses control of the car when the brakes fail and it leaves the road and somersaults into a field. Molly and Tyrone are both left unconscious. As Tyrone regains concsiousness he finds Molly, still unconscious, next to him. Tyrone flags down a passing motorist who calls 999 and Kevin arrives after following an ambulance to the scene. Kevin and Tyrone both watch as Molly is cut from the wreckage. She is rushed to hospital where she has a scan whilst she is still unconscious and the doctors discover there is still a heartbeat from the baby. Tyrone is told, as long as Molly's life is in the balance, so is the baby's. Tyrone is horrified of the condition of his wife and the unborn child and turns to Kevin for support. When she regains consciousness Molly asks Pam, who is visiting her, what happened and she reveals that Kevin did not fix the brakes. Kevin feels guilty and arrives at the hospital. Molly accuses him of trying to kill her and the baby. Kevin apologises but a furious Molly tells him to save his story for the police. Kevin panics but with Tyrone by Molly's side she changes her mind about her decision. Kevin returns to the hospital to thank Molly but says she didn't do it for him she did it for Tyone. Molly then tries to persuade Tyrone to move away from Weatherfield for a fresh start as she did not think it was fair on Tyrone or the baby to be around Kevin.
In July 2010, Molly is thrilled when her neighbour 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...
) expresses an interest in buying their house, much to Tyrone's despair. However, whilst Eileen and 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...
) are examining the house, Molly has a health scare and nearly collapses. At the hospital the doctors tell her that her collapse was caused by stress. Molly changes her mind about moving and decides to remain in Weatherfield.
On 6 September 2010, Molly gives birth to her son, Jack. She suddenly goes into labour in her home and it is left to Sally to deliver the baby as Tyrone is out on a breakdown call-out. After Kevin agrees to himself and Sally being godparents, Molly is furious and tells Kevin that she wants him to play no part in Jack's life. Kevin then asks Molly for a DNA test to prove he is the father, but she refuses, and chooses to believe that Tyrone is Jack's father. Kevin steals Jack's dummy in the Rovers following his christening and sends it away for testing. On 5 November 2010, Kevin receives the DNA test results, proving that he is the father. He shows the results to Molly and she is distraught and furious with Kevin for going behind her back.
Not long afterwards at Jack Duckworth's wake, Molly tells Kevin that she is still in love with him. However, Kevin tells her that he loves Sally and wants to be with her. Realising that Kevin no longer has feelings for her, Molly is left heart-broken.
On 6 December 2010, Molly leaves Tyrone, telling him that he is not Jack's father, but she doesn't tell him who the father is despite his demands to know. She sets out to leave with Jack, intending to go and stay at her father's. She goes to the corner shop to say goodbye to her former employer, Sunita Alahan
Sunita Alahan
Sunita Alahan is a fictional character from the British ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, played by Shobna Gulati. She made her first on-screen appearance on 23 March 2001 and remained in the show until 2005, when the character was axed from the serial by producer Tony Wood...
(Shobna Gulati
Shobna Gulati
Shobna Gulati is an English actress, writer, and dancer of Indian origin, best known for playing Anita in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies, and Sunita Alahan in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street from 2001 to 2006, a role to which she returned at the end of 2009...
). Kevin comes into the shop to buy some milk and says goodbye to Molly and Jack after she tells him that he will never see his son again. Shortly after Kevin leaves the shop, there is an explosion in 'The Joinery' bar which throws Molly and Jack to the floor. A tram is then derailed and crashes into the shop and Molly and Jack are buried by rubble. Molly tries to comfort Jack and loses consciousness. She comes round when firefighters arrive, and Jack is removed from the wreckage and taken to hospital. Molly is trapped under a beam and has to be released by heavy lifting gear and cutting equipment. Sally enters the wreckage and sits by Molly's side to comfort her and keep her conscious. Molly's condition deteriorates and, when she realises that she is dying, she confesses her affair with Kevin and apologises to Sally, saying that Kevin chose Sally because she was beautiful inside and out and that he loved Sally and their daughters more than herself and Jack. Explaining that Kevin is Jack's father, Molly asks Sally to look after him and says that Jack is the only thing from the affair she does not regret. After Molly admits this, her hand goes limp and she dies, with a shocked Sally by her side. Shortly afterwards Tyrone returns from the hospital and is devastated when Sally emerges from the rubble and informs him of Molly's death.
Reception
Ian Wylie of The Manchester Evening News praised the character and actress for scenes which aired during the highly publicised death of long-term character Vera Duckworth, stating: "readers will know how impressed I was by the acting of Vicky Binns in scenes immediately following the death of Vera Duckworth".The affair between Molly and Kevin received some negative attention, and criticism for changes in Molly's character, described by the author and TV critic Grace Dent as transforming her into a "sex fuelled dick-daft strumpet." Vicky Binns, however, was surprised at positive reaction: "I love playing a minx. Women give me a nudge and a wink when I'm in the supermarket and say, 'You go girl!'" Ruth Deller of entertainment website Lowculture
Lowculture
lowculture.co.uk is a UK television website founded in January 2003 by Paul Lang, who currently works as the art director of Doctor Who Adventures.-Purpose:...
criticised her affair storyline stating: "Like the rest of the world, we’ve hated the Kevin/Molly storyline. We hate it even more for it turning Molly, previously somewhat likeable, into an out-and-out bitch. Let's just hope it's one of those storylines that will be swept under the carpet soon and never mentioned again…"
External links
- Profile 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...
- Profile at What's On TVWhat's On TVWhat's on TV is a weekly television listings magazine published by IPC Media, a Time Warner subsidiary.-Overview:What's on TV is a weekly UK television magazine. It publishes features, TV listings, news and gossip from soap operas, as well as puzzles and competitions...