Tony Gordon
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Gordon was a fictional character in the itv
soap opera
Coronation Street
, portrayed by actor Gray O'Brien
. The character first appeared on screen on 16 September 2007 and making his final appearance on 9 June 2010 after deciding to sacrifice himself in the Underworld fire. He is a local businessman, disliked by many of Weatherfield
's residents for his ruthlessness. His storylines have revolved around his business deals, his relationships with Carla Connor
and Maria Connor, and the murder of Liam Connor
. Tony was named 'Bad Boy' of 2009 at the All About Soap Bubble awards, and 'Villain of the Year' at the 2009 British Soap Awards
.
), who later had an affair with his brother Patrick. Tony was a womaniser and only cared about money and mostly himself. He had run a business known as "Gordons Catalogues", and was also a property developer. In 2006 Tony and Lindsay divorced, although she thought that he would eventually come back to her.
) and Liam's (Rob James-Collier
) underwear factory, Underworld. He is unpopular with local residents for commissioning a new housing development in the area, destroying a colony of bats in the process. Planning to expand the Underworld factory, Tony attempts to convince corner shop owner Rita Sullivan
(Barbara Knox
) to sell her store, and mechanic Kevin Webster
(Michael Le Vell
) to sell his garage. When Kevin refuses, Tony enlists his friend Jimmy Dockerson (Robert Beck
) to sabotage his business. He also menaces elderly resident Jed Stone
(Kenneth Cope
) out of his home, wanting to redevelop the site.
Tony begins a relationship with Carla, unaware she has romantic feelings for Liam. She breaks up with him in order to prove her feelings to Liam, but they later reconcile, becoming engaged. Before their wedding, Tony realises Carla is having an affair with Liam, after seeing a video clip of them kissing.
He hires Jimmy to kill Liam, running him over on Tony's stag night. A distraught Carla briefly leaves the country, but upon her return, she and Tony marry. Upon discovering Carla's affair with Liam, his widow Maria (Samia Smith
) begins to suspect Tony's involvement in his death. She confides in Jed Stone, who threatens to go to the police. Tony strangles Jed, and initially believes him to be dead. He plans disposal of his body, but is shocked to discover Jed is still alive. He offers him a new flat in Wigan
and £3,000 to leave the area and keep his secret. Maria begins a vendetta against Tony. He attempts to depict Maria as mentally unstable, but raises Carla's suspicions in the process. She tells Tony that she loved Liam more than him, and Tony confesses to the murder. Carla escapes from Tony and flees to Los Angeles
.
Tony has a short-lived relationship with hairdresser Natasha Blakeman
(Rachel Leskovac
). Maria begins to soften towards Tony when she finds him mourning at Liam's grave. They become friends, and Tony helps her through her pregnancy with Liam's baby, delivering her son, who she names Liam Anthony. Liam's parents do not approve of the developing relationship, leading Tony to threaten them, stating that if they do not leave Maria alone, they will never see their grandson again. Eventually, the relationship becomes a romantic one, and Maria and Tony become engaged.
Carla returns to Weatherfield, and instructs Tony to sell her his shares in Underworld and leave the country, otherwise she will tell the police what he did. Tony hires Jimmy Dockerson to kill her, but changes his mind at the last moment. Carla is able to escape from Jimmy by knocking him unconscious, but Tony tricks her into thinking she has murdered him, leading them to call a temporary truce. Carla then leaves the country once more. When Maria pays a visit to her parents in Cyprus, Tony suffers a heart attack. He is taken to hospital by Roy Cropper
(David Neilson
), with whom he had previously clashed over the new housing development, and confesses Liam's murder to him.
He tries to buy Roy's silence, it doesn't work, he begins threatening him. Roy and Hayley
(Julie Hesmondhalgh
) report him to the police. Roy decides to go bat spotting at the canal. Then Maria comes looking for answers, Hayley then tells Maria about everything while not knowing Tony is hidden behind the cafe counter with a knife. This upsets Tony even more and he goes to the canal and pushes Roy in the water. He then saves Roy, confesses to the police, appears in court charged with his crimes. On 11 December 2009, Carla visits Tony in prison where he admits that Jimmy is still alive.
Tony reappears on 28 May 2010, as he plots his escape from prison with the help of cellmate Robbie Sloan (James Fleet
). Tony feigns a heart attack after initiating a riot at the prison and is quickly led to hospital by ambulance. Robbie manages to run the ambulance off the road and frees Tony as they head for Weatherfield. Together they hold Carla and Hayley at gun point. After a dispute between Tony, accomplice Robbie, Carla, and Hayley, Tony doublecrosses Robbie by revealing that he never intended to pay him the full sum of money that he promised and shoots him dead. Maria gets caught up in the siege, after she shows up at the factory, however, he lets her go along with Hayley. He then sets fire to Underworld, after dousing the place with petrol, determined that both he and Carla shall die together. However, Carla manages to escape and Tony walks into the flames and presumably dies in the explosion.
had been cast as Tony, with The Mirror's Brian Roberts heralding him as the new Coronation Street "heartthrob". O'Brien stated of his casting: "I'm delighted to be joining the cast of Corrie. Tony is a great character and I hope I'll be well received by the viewers. I've had a great time [on River City
], but I'm looking forward to the new challenge."
In June 2009, it was reported O'Brien had been asked by producers to return to the show at a later date to complete Tony's storyline. Tony's initial exit aired in November 2009 and O'Brien performed in pantomime before resuming filming in Spring 2010 for the conclusion to the story, which involved the character taking several others hostage in a siege at the factory, before killing himself in an explosion.
, O'Brien described the dynamics behind his character ahead of the murder storyline, stating: "He does have boundaries - and the boundaries are that he won't be told 'no'. Anything up to that point is good enough. I don't think he's a murderous person. Tony killing Liam is just circumstances. He's come from nothing and has worked his way up. He's a respected businessman and he thinks it's all about fairness - you play with the sword, you die by the sword. He truly believes that everyone has a price. Up until this point, that's his game. His ambition is that he wants to retire in his mid 40s with several million in the bank. But now, something's come up to stop all that- Liam." When interviewed by BBC News
O' Brien spoke of the feasible length that his bad-boy character could remain on the show: "Coming in to play the Coronation Street villain has a life span, so I was aware of that. I knew he was going to be villainous, but I think it was all based on audience reaction that they liked him and the writers just went with it. So it's been a really organic process, I don't think I expected this to happen, quite as it has happened. I've got great faith in the writers at Coronation Street and entrust that they'll keep the momentum with the character going. He's a great character to play and he's popular so I do trust whichever way it ends will be the correct ending." ITV
publicity describe him as liking having power and making a lot of money but hating the competition that goes with it.
Gray won 'Villain of the Year'.
Tony who is a fan of Celtic F.C dislikes their rivals Rangers F.C.
. In one episode he remarks: "I could no more fancy Rosie Webster
(Helen Flanagan
) than I could support Glasgow Rangers". Supporters of Rangers took offence to this remark and flooded the ITV switchboard with calls of protest as they thought the remark was a retaliation for the 2008 UEFA Cup Final Riots
involving Rangers fans. Ironically, it was revealed that his brother has a season ticket for the club. He also once said he was a modern Robert the Bruce - fighting for his honour in the street and the business world. The Scottish Tourist Board claimed that this remark lead to a 4% increase in the historical figure from tourists.
Gareth McLean of the Radio Times
has described Tony as "the sort of man who would steal your teeth and come back for your gums" and commented that his friendship with Maria Connor softened his character. In an advance press screening of the Liam Connor murder episodes, soaps editor for Digital Spy Kris Green applauded Gray O' Brien for his portrayal of Tony by saying that both he and co-star Alison King
"steal the show."
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 actor Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien is a Scottish television and film actor, best known for his portrayal of the villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in the popular British soap opera Coronation Street from 2007 to 2010, and as Dr Richard McCaig on Casualty from 1996 to 1998.O'Brien was born in Stewarton,...
. The character first appeared on screen on 16 September 2007 and making his final appearance on 9 June 2010 after deciding to sacrifice himself in the Underworld fire. He is a local businessman, disliked by many of 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...
's residents for his ruthlessness. His storylines have revolved around his business deals, his relationships with 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....
and Maria Connor, and the murder of 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:...
. Tony was named 'Bad Boy' of 2009 at the All About Soap Bubble awards, and 'Villain of the Year' at the 2009 British Soap Awards
British Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to...
.
Backstory
Prior to arriving in Coronation Street, Tony Gordon was born in Scotland in 1971, followed by his younger brother Patrick. His father had a heart attack aged 39, Tony however had witnessed this, but didn't phone an ambulance as he felt his mother didn't need his father. His grandfather had died aged 42 from a heart attack. In 1998, Tony married a woman known as Lindsay (Susie AmySusie Amy
Susie Amy is an English model and actress most famous for her role as Chardonnay Lane-Pascoe in the first two series of Footballers' Wives.-Biography:...
), who later had an affair with his brother Patrick. Tony was a womaniser and only cared about money and mostly himself. He had run a business known as "Gordons Catalogues", and was also a property developer. In 2006 Tony and Lindsay divorced, although she thought that he would eventually come back to her.
2007–2010
Tony arrives in Coronation Street in September 2007, as the owner of a clothing firm, giving a contract to Carla (Alison KingAlison 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 :...
) and Liam's (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...
) underwear factory, Underworld. He is unpopular with local residents for commissioning a new housing development in the area, destroying a colony of bats in the process. Planning to expand the Underworld factory, Tony attempts to convince corner shop owner Rita Sullivan
Rita Sullivan
Rita Sullivan is a long-standing character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
(Barbara Knox
Barbara Knox
Barbara Knox, MBE , is an English actress, best known for playing Rita Sullivan in the television soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:Knox was born in Oldham, Lancashire...
) to sell her store, and mechanic 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....
) to sell his garage. When Kevin refuses, Tony enlists his friend Jimmy Dockerson (Robert Beck
Robert Beck (actor)
Robert Thomas Beck real name Mark Thompson, is an English actor. Educated at St. Mary's University College, Twickenham, Middlesex.He has been appearing on British television since 1991...
) to sabotage his business. He also menaces elderly resident Jed Stone
Jed Stone
John Edward "Jed" Stone, played by Kenneth Cope, is a fictional character from the soap opera Coronation Street. He was a lodger of Minnie Caldwell's in the 1960s, and her nickname for him was "Sunny Jim"...
(Kenneth Cope
Kenneth Cope
Kenneth Cope is an English actor. He is most famous for his roles as Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk , Jed Stone in Coronation Street and Ray Hilton in Brookside.- Career :...
) out of his home, wanting to redevelop the site.
Tony begins a relationship with Carla, unaware she has romantic feelings for Liam. She breaks up with him in order to prove her feelings to Liam, but they later reconcile, becoming engaged. Before their wedding, Tony realises Carla is having an affair with Liam, after seeing a video clip of them kissing.
He hires Jimmy to kill Liam, running him over on Tony's stag night. A distraught Carla briefly leaves the country, but upon her return, she and Tony marry. Upon discovering Carla's affair with Liam, his widow Maria (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:...
) begins to suspect Tony's involvement in his death. She confides in Jed Stone, who threatens to go to the police. Tony strangles Jed, and initially believes him to be dead. He plans disposal of his body, but is shocked to discover Jed is still alive. He offers him a new flat in Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
and £3,000 to leave the area and keep his secret. Maria begins a vendetta against Tony. He attempts to depict Maria as mentally unstable, but raises Carla's suspicions in the process. She tells Tony that she loved Liam more than him, and Tony confesses to the murder. Carla escapes from Tony and flees to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Tony has a short-lived relationship with hairdresser Natasha Blakeman
Natasha Blakeman
Natasha Blakeman is a fictional character from the British ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street, played by Rachel Leskovac. The character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 12 May 2008...
(Rachel Leskovac
Rachel Leskovac
Rachel Leskovac is an Olivier award-nominated British actress best known for playing hairdresser Natasha Blakeman in the British soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
). Maria begins to soften towards Tony when she finds him mourning at Liam's grave. They become friends, and Tony helps her through her pregnancy with Liam's baby, delivering her son, who she names Liam Anthony. Liam's parents do not approve of the developing relationship, leading Tony to threaten them, stating that if they do not leave Maria alone, they will never see their grandson again. Eventually, the relationship becomes a romantic one, and Maria and Tony become engaged.
Carla returns to Weatherfield, and instructs Tony to sell her his shares in Underworld and leave the country, otherwise she will tell the police what he did. Tony hires Jimmy Dockerson to kill her, but changes his mind at the last moment. Carla is able to escape from Jimmy by knocking him unconscious, but Tony tricks her into thinking she has murdered him, leading them to call a temporary truce. Carla then leaves the country once more. When Maria pays a visit to her parents in Cyprus, Tony suffers a heart attack. He is taken to hospital by Roy Cropper
Roy Cropper
Royston "Roy" Cropper, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor David Neilson, the character was introduced during the episode airing on 19 July 1995. Originally a secondary character, he was given a more prominent role in 1997, by the...
(David Neilson
David Neilson
David Neilson is an English actor best known for portraying Roy Cropper in Coronation Street from 1995 onwards....
), with whom he had previously clashed over the new housing development, and confesses Liam's murder to him.
He tries to buy Roy's silence, it doesn't work, he begins threatening him. Roy and Hayley
Hayley Cropper
Hayley Anne Cropper is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
(Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh is an English actress.Hesmondhalgh was born in Accrington, Lancashire. As a teenager, she was moderately interested in acting, but wished to become a social worker. She applied to drama school to be with her friends, and studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art...
) report him to the police. Roy decides to go bat spotting at the canal. Then Maria comes looking for answers, Hayley then tells Maria about everything while not knowing Tony is hidden behind the cafe counter with a knife. This upsets Tony even more and he goes to the canal and pushes Roy in the water. He then saves Roy, confesses to the police, appears in court charged with his crimes. On 11 December 2009, Carla visits Tony in prison where he admits that Jimmy is still alive.
Tony reappears on 28 May 2010, as he plots his escape from prison with the help of cellmate Robbie Sloan (James Fleet
James Fleet
James Edward Fleet is an English actor. He is most famous for his roles as the bumbling and well-meaning Tom in the 1994 British romantic comedy film Four Weddings and a Funeral, and the dim-witted Hugo Horton in the BBC situation comedy television series The Vicar of Dibley.-Personal life:Fleet...
). Tony feigns a heart attack after initiating a riot at the prison and is quickly led to hospital by ambulance. Robbie manages to run the ambulance off the road and frees Tony as they head for Weatherfield. Together they hold Carla and Hayley at gun point. After a dispute between Tony, accomplice Robbie, Carla, and Hayley, Tony doublecrosses Robbie by revealing that he never intended to pay him the full sum of money that he promised and shoots him dead. Maria gets caught up in the siege, after she shows up at the factory, however, he lets her go along with Hayley. He then sets fire to Underworld, after dousing the place with petrol, determined that both he and Carla shall die together. However, Carla manages to escape and Tony walks into the flames and presumably dies in the explosion.
Character creation and casting
In August 2007, it was announced that actor Gray O'BrienGray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien is a Scottish television and film actor, best known for his portrayal of the villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in the popular British soap opera Coronation Street from 2007 to 2010, and as Dr Richard McCaig on Casualty from 1996 to 1998.O'Brien was born in Stewarton,...
had been cast as Tony, with The Mirror's Brian Roberts heralding him as the new Coronation Street "heartthrob". O'Brien stated of his casting: "I'm delighted to be joining the cast of Corrie. Tony is a great character and I hope I'll be well received by the viewers. I've had a great time [on River City
River City
River City is a Scottish television soap opera, first broadcast in Scotland on BBC Scotland on 24 September 2002. River City storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional district of Shieldinch in Glasgow...
], but I'm looking forward to the new challenge."
In June 2009, it was reported O'Brien had been asked by producers to return to the show at a later date to complete Tony's storyline. Tony's initial exit aired in November 2009 and O'Brien performed in pantomime before resuming filming in Spring 2010 for the conclusion to the story, which involved the character taking several others hostage in a siege at the factory, before killing himself in an explosion.
Character development
In an interview with entertainment website Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
, O'Brien described the dynamics behind his character ahead of the murder storyline, stating: "He does have boundaries - and the boundaries are that he won't be told 'no'. Anything up to that point is good enough. I don't think he's a murderous person. Tony killing Liam is just circumstances. He's come from nothing and has worked his way up. He's a respected businessman and he thinks it's all about fairness - you play with the sword, you die by the sword. He truly believes that everyone has a price. Up until this point, that's his game. His ambition is that he wants to retire in his mid 40s with several million in the bank. But now, something's come up to stop all that- Liam." When interviewed by BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
O' Brien spoke of the feasible length that his bad-boy character could remain on the show: "Coming in to play the Coronation Street villain has a life span, so I was aware of that. I knew he was going to be villainous, but I think it was all based on audience reaction that they liked him and the writers just went with it. So it's been a really organic process, I don't think I expected this to happen, quite as it has happened. I've got great faith in the writers at Coronation Street and entrust that they'll keep the momentum with the character going. He's a great character to play and he's popular so I do trust whichever way it ends will be the correct ending." 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...
publicity describe him as liking having power and making a lot of money but hating the competition that goes with it.
Reception
In March 2009, at the All About Soap Bubble awards, the character won the trophy for 'Bad Boy'. Two months later at the British Soap AwardsBritish Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to...
Gray won 'Villain of the Year'.
Tony who is a fan of Celtic F.C dislikes their rivals Rangers F.C.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. In one episode he remarks: "I could no more fancy 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....
) than I could support Glasgow Rangers". Supporters of Rangers took offence to this remark and flooded the ITV switchboard with calls of protest as they thought the remark was a retaliation for the 2008 UEFA Cup Final Riots
2008 UEFA Cup Final riots
The 2008 UEFA Cup Final riots, also known as the Battle of Piccadilly, was a serious public disorder incident that took place in the city of Manchester, England, before, during and after the 2008 UEFA Cup Final....
involving Rangers fans. Ironically, it was revealed that his brother has a season ticket for the club. He also once said he was a modern Robert the Bruce - fighting for his honour in the street and the business world. The Scottish Tourist Board claimed that this remark lead to a 4% increase in the historical figure from tourists.
Gareth McLean of the Radio Times
Radio Times
Radio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
has described Tony as "the sort of man who would steal your teeth and come back for your gums" and commented that his friendship with Maria Connor softened his character. In an advance press screening of the Liam Connor murder episodes, soaps editor for Digital Spy Kris Green applauded Gray O' Brien for his portrayal of Tony by saying that both he and co-star 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 :...
"steal the show."