Owen Armstrong | |||||||||||
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Coronation Street character | |||||||||||
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Portrayed by | Ian Puleston-Davies | ||||||||||
Duration | 2010–2015 | ||||||||||
First appearance | Episode 7357 9 June 2010 | ||||||||||
Last appearance | Episode 8618 15 April 2015 | ||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
Introduced by | Kim Crowther | ||||||||||
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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 and left the show on 15 April 2015.
During his time on the show, Owen became the new landlord of Weatherfield whilst attempting to recoup father-daughter relationships with both Izzy (Cherylee Houston) and her younger sister Katy (Georgia May Foote). He then developed a feud with Izzy's boyfriend Gary Windass (Mike North); formed a relationship with Gary's mother Anna (Debbie Rush); and went into business partnership with his nefarious client Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre), who ended up conning Owen out of his £80,000 investment as revenge for Owen stealing Phelan's bike to force him in repaying him £4,000 – the result of which left both the Armstrong and Windass families virtually on the brink of financial bankruptcy. In November 2014, it was announced that Puleston-Davies had quit the serial and the character eventually left the series on 15 April 2015.
Owen Armstrong first arrived in Weatherfield to visit his daughter Izzy (Cherylee Houston), but she is reluctant to have any involvement with him. He apologizes to Izzy for his past mistakes and agrees to give her independence, though he disapproves of her relationship with Gary Windass (Mike North). Local builder Bill Webster (Peter Armitage) is angry when Owen secures a building contract, but Bill is soon persuaded to retire and sell the Builder's Yard to Owen, so he moves into the flat above with younger daughter Katy (Georgia May Foote). Owen dates his administrator Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) but is also attracted to Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard), the Landlady of The Rovers Return Inn. He kisses Liz, and Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) tells Eileen the truth.
Owen forbids Katy to date Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) but they later convince him that they are serious about committing to one another. Liz's ex-husband, Jim (Charles Lawson) disapproves of Owen and Liz's relationship and Owen realizes that Liz has feelings for Jim, so he breaks up with her. When Gary attacks Owen after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, he tries to ruin his relationship with Izzy. When Eileen's insurance company refuses to pay the costs to repair her damaged roof, she blames Owen. He informs her a full roof survey should have been done. Eileen steals a £10,000 cheque that Carla Connor (Alison King) has written for Owen. He feels guilty and offers to repair Eileen's roof. Owen's bank card is rejected and he realises that his money has been stolen. Eileen and Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) steal documents proving Owen has committed tax evasion. When Owen threatens to call the police, she blackmails him with the documents – only for Owen to later steal Jason's keys and reclaim the documents before reporting Eileen to the police. Following her arrest, Izzy convinces him to drop the charges. Owen has further reservations over Katy and Chesney's relationship when Katy becomes pregnant. She eventually manages to convince him to support her decision and Chesney buys No. 5 Coronation Street with his sister Fiz Stape (Jennie McAlpine). Katy then moves in with Chesney, Fiz and Fiz's baby daughter Hope.
Owen buys No. 6 Coronation Street so that his girlfriend, Gary's mother Anna Windass (Debbie Rush), will have a secure home for her adoptive daughter, Faye (Ellie Leach). Faye takes a dislike to Owen and tries to stop him and Anna becoming romantically involved. Anna decides to avoid Owen's advances, wanting to respect Faye's opinion. However, they later begin a relationship and following Faye's constant pranks and attitude, Owen smacks her across the legs. Anna refuses to speak to Owen, but after some time apart and an intervention from Gary, they reconcile: Faye eventually accepts Owen, who soon moves in with the Windass family and later hires Gary under his employment.
Following a miscarriage, Izzy is desperate to have a baby. Owen pays Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) to act as a surrogate mother and also lets her stay at his flat rent-free. When Tina gives birth to a baby boy, who Gary and Izzy name Jake, she decides to keep him for herself and renames him "Joe", in honour of her late father. Owen evicts Tina from the flat and demands she return the money he paid her. After realising that Joe/Jake is better off with Gary and Izzy, she hands him back; Owen later makes amends with Tina and allows her to spend time with Jake.
Owen soon has a run-in with his nefarious client Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre), who refuses to pay upon claiming bankruptcy. When his attempt to get Phelan's wife Valerie (Caroline Berry) to pay what her husband owed doesn't work, Owen steals Phelan's £20,000 motorbike and locks it up at the Builder's Yard; Phelan later confronts Owen, but is forced to pay when Owen makes it clear that he knows about his "shady" past. Towards the start of 2014, Phelan returns with a business proposition for Owen – offering him a 20% stake in a block of luxury flats being built if he invests. Anna and Gary become concerned that Phelan will con them, but Katy convinces Owen to move forward with the plan. Owen invests £80,000 into the deal while Anna remains insistent that Phelan is a conman.
When it appears that Phelan may have conned them after his share isn't put into the account, Owen suspects that Anna may have been right and confronts Phelan – only to learn that his share has already been secured in the account. Anna later visits Phelan to apologise for Owen's outburst, but is left uneasy when it becomes apparent that he is attracted to her. Phelan continues to show signs of attraction towards Anna, who doesn't tell Owen about this. She soon invites Phelan around to the house and tells him to stay away from her, but he makes a move on her before leaving. When Gary finds out about this, he confronts Phelan at the builder's yard and tells him to stay away from his mum. However, after Phelan brands her a "tart", Gary attacks him and knocks him out with a plank of wood. Believing him to be dead, he calls Owen in a panic. Phelan's body disappears, and a few days later, he is revealed to be alive when he confronts Owen and Gary and tells them that the attack has been caught on CCTV, which includes Gary leaving him for dead. He then proceeds to blackmail them by demanding that they work on the rest of the flats for free, which would leave Owen bankrupt, or he'd take the tape to the police and have Gary arrested. Having no other choice, Owen agrees and he loses everything. Owen and his family are forced to move into the flat at 19a Rosamund Street.
Owen's ex-wife, Linda Hancock (Jacqueline Leonard), arrives and wants to see her daughters. It is revealed that Owen lied about why she left; she had been having an affair and when Owen discovered this, he threw her out and refused to let her see their daughters. He desperately tries to explain himself but his daughters are furious, especially Katy, who feels she was robbed of having a mother-daughter relationship. Linda bonds with Izzy and Katy, much to Owen's annoyance. Linda later admits that she still has feelings for Owen and invites him to join her in Portugal, which he declines. He is stunned when Katy reveals she's moving away with her mother, and Owen's family starts to fall apart. This puts a strain on his relationship with Anna.
After discovering Faye's shock pregnancy, Owen lashes out at sixteen-year-old Craig Tinker (Colson Smith), as he and many other people suspected that he was the father, due to him being close friends with Faye. Faye is persuaded to reveal the identity of the baby's biological father, so as to clear Craig's name. Realising that his relationship with Anna is over for good, Owen cannot live in Weatherfield without her, so he decides to go and live in Aberdeen, after visiting Katy and Joseph in Portugal first. Owen and Anna share an emotional farewell, as Owen leaves the street for a new life in Scotland.
In January 2010, it was announced that actor Ian Puleston-Davies had joined the cast of Coronation Street as Owen, the psychotic father of Izzy (Cherylee Houston). [1] Coronation Street producer, Kim Crowther called Puleston-Davies a "wonderful actor" and added that she had "really high hopes" for him. [1] He signed an initial six-month contract. [2] Coronation Street producers approached Puleston-Davies about appearing in the show after they saw him star in the play, Everybody Loves A Winner in 2009. [2] Puleston-Davies met with producers, who created the role of Owen especially for him. [2] He began filming his scenes in February. [1] Owen was originally given the surname of Butterfield, but this was later changed to Armstrong. [3] Georgia May Foote was later cast as Owen's other daughter, Katy. [4]
Coronation Street describes Owen as "tough-but-tender". [5] Crowther described him as "a bit controlling" having brought up Izzy and Katy alone. [1] Sue Crawford of the Daily Mirror described him as a "tough-talking businessman" and "over-protective". [2] In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Puleston-Davies called Owen a "loveable rogue", stating: "He has an edge and I'm happy to report he turns out to be a player." [2] During an interview with media entertainment website Digital Spy , Coronation Street's new producer, Phil Collinson explained that Owen is "quite a dark, brooding character" who would "set the cat among the pigeons". [6] Collinson added that Owen is a "very different bad boy" and potentially dangerous. [6] In December 2010, Puleston-Davies defended Owen's violent nature and manipulative ways, saying, "He's not an evil man with an axe, or a hammer! Everything he does has reasoning behind it. He's got morals – but they're his own morals. Don't write Owen off – he's not an out-and-out bad guy... honest!" [7]
Owen meets Liz McDonald (Beverly Callard) and the pair embark on an "unlikely relationship". [1] The Daily Mirror said that Liz and Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) both fall "head over heels" for his cheeky charm. Puleston-Davies told the Daily Mirror that Owen likes Liz, but causes competition between her and Eileen and plays them off against each other. [2] Owen finds himself on the receiving end of Jim's "acid tongue" after Liz shows her feelings towards him. Jim becomes jealous of Owen and Liz and causes problems between them. [8] When asked about Owen and Liz's relationship in an interview with Digital Spy, Callard admitted that Liz can be "so stupid". [9] She said "Liz thinks he's great, but of course the viewers know different. They're just beginning to see another side of him. Liz is completely unaware of that. She's so stupid sometimes!" [9]
Eileen later discovers that Liz is really the object of Owen's affections. [10] Of this, Cleaver said that Eileen is a "very bad judge of character" and would seek her revenge on Owen. [10] In January 2011, Eileen steals a £10,000 cheque from Owen whilst balancing his books. [11] Eileen steals the cheque in order to pay for the repairs to her damaged roof. Speaking to soap opera reporting magazine Inside Soap about the plot, Cleaver explained: "Eileen's petrified because she knows what a nasty piece of work Owen is – and, at the end of the day, she's broken the law. Owen isn't a pussycat like Lloyd and Steve – he doesn't take prisoners. I think Eileen's right to be afraid!" [11] Cleaver later told soap opera reporting magazine Soaplife that Eileen thinks Owen "won't miss the money". [12] When Eileen pays the cheque into the bank, she knows she has made a mistake, and decides to pay it back. [12] Cleaver said Eileen feels guilty because Owen is being nice to her and repairing her roof. [12] Owen's bank card is then rejected, even though Carla Connor (Alison King) has told him that she paid Eileen the £10,000 she owed. Cleaver said Eileen is terrified when Owen tells her he knows she has stolen the money, and threatens to go to the police. [12] Cleaver added: "[Eileen's half-sister] Julie [Carp] (Katy Cavanagh) points out Eileen's got far more on Owen than he's got on her. But Eileen's scared." [12]
On 17 November 2014, it was announced that Puleston-Davies had quit the show. [13] Speaking of his departure, Puleston-Davies said "Next year I will have been playing Owen Armstrong for five years and it felt like a good point to move on and take some time to focus on new projects. "I have returned to my other passion of writing and in 2015 hope to put on a new play. I have had a fantastic time at Coronation Street and made some great friends. I certainly would never rule out returning to the role of Owen at some point in the future if I was asked." [13]
Crawford said that Puleston-Davies had made a "big impact" since joining Coronation Street. [2] Cleaver described Owen as "a nasty piece of work" and "not the sort of man you want to cross". [12]
Eileen Grimshaw is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by Sue Cleaver, the character first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 3 May 2000. Her storylines have often included her relationships with Dennis Stringer, Ed Jackson, Pat Stanaway, Jerry Morton, Jesse Chadwick, Paul Kershaw, Adrian Mortimer and Michael Rodwell, as well as her marriage to serial criminal mastermind Pat Phelan.
Violet Wilson is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She was portrayed by Jenny Platt making her first on-screen appearance on 8 October 2004 and remained until 29 February 2008. Platt returned for one episode on 24 April 2011, and returned again on 20 March 2024 for a short stint.
Tina McIntyre is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by Michelle Keegan, the character first appeared on-screen during the episode that was shown 7 January 2008. The character was central to many key storylines relating to issues such as perjury, abortion and surrogacy, and had relationships with David Platt, Graeme Proctor, Tommy Duckworth, Dr. Matt Carter and Jason Grimshaw, and had an affair with married man Peter Barlow. Tina has also had feuds with Kylie Platt, Tracy Barlow and Kirsty Soames.
Julie Carp is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Katy Cavanagh. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 25 April 2008 and was originally introduced as a new girlfriend of established character Kirk Sutherland and in a later storyline she was revealed to be Eileen Grimshaw's half-sister. On 4 February 2015, it was announced that Cavanagh had decided not to renew her contract with the show in order to go and pursue other projects. She departed on 3 July 2015.
Eddie Windass is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by Steve Huison, the character's first appearance on-screen was broadcast on 14 November 2008. On 5 December 2010, it was announced that Eddie was to leave Coronation Street in spring 2011 after being axed by producer Phil Collinson. Huison made his final appearance as Eddie on 25 April 2011. This was Huison's second role in the soap; he previously played criminal Andy Morgan in 2003.
Anna Windass is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Debbie Rush. The character was introduced in the episode first broadcast on 14 November 2008. Rush announced her decision to leave the series in July 2017 and Anna departed in the episode first broadcast on 22 January 2018. She appeared in two further episodes first broadcast on 31 May to 1 June 2018.
Gary Windass is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Mikey North. The character first appeared on 14 November, 2008, along with his parents, Eddie and Anna Windass.
Izzy Armstrong is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Cherylee Houston. The character first appears on-screen on 16 April 2010; she is introduced as a new love interest for Kirk Sutherland. Following her arrival, she gets a job at the Underworld factory. Upon her debut, she was heralded as the soap's first disabled regular character in 50 years. Izzy was the first member of the Armstrong family to be introduced, her father Owen and sister Katy arrived within two months after her first appearance.
Chesney Winter-Brown is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Sam Aston. He made his first on-screen appearance on 10 November 2003. The character is named after the singer, Chesney Hawkes.
Ciaran McCarthy is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Keith Duffy. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 August 2002, before departing in 2005. He returned in 2010 until Duffy temporary departed in January 2011 to go on Boyzone Tour, and returned on 3 November 2011. Duffy departed the role again on 25 November 2011 due to family commitments although he stated his intention to eventually return as Ciaran. In his duration on the show the character has been at the centre of several romances including relationships with Sunita Alahan, Tracy Barlow and Michelle Connor. Ciaran has been characterised as a ladies' man and a charmer. The character is also known for his "sex symbol" status. Duffy has received nominations at various soap award ceremonies for his portrayal of Ciaran.
Faye Windass is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Ellie Leach. She was introduced as a potential adoptive child for Anna and Eddie Windass in the episode aired on 24 January 2011. Faye's early storylines have included being adopted by Anna and Eddie, being the victim and perpetrator of bullying, contacting her birth father Tim Metcalfe and accusing Anna of abusing her. Her later storylines include her falling pregnant at the age of 13 and keeping it secret from her family. Faye's struggling to bond with her daughter, Miley results in her giving her up to Jackson Hodge, Miley's dad. Other storylines involve her relationships with Seb Franklin and Craig Tinker, being imprisoned after attacking Adam Barlow after a case of mistaken identity, being sexually assaulted and being diagnosed with premature menopause. In April 2023, it was announced that Leach had been written out after 12 years, with her final scenes airing on 24 May 2023.
Katy Armstrong is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Georgia May Foote. The character's first appearance was broadcast on 30 July 2010 and she made her final appearance on 20 March 2015.
Pat Phelan is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Connor McIntyre. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 2 October 2013. The character was introduced as an acquaintance of builder Owen Armstrong, who he soon goes into business with as part of a revenge plot. He departed on 14 April 2014.
Tim Metcalfe is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Coronation Street, played by Joe Duttine. He made his first on-screen appearance on 21 January 2013. Duttine had previously appeared in the soap between February and June 2010 as D.S. Carr, the police officer that arrested Gail McIntyre for the murder of her husband, Joe McIntyre. Tim is introduced as Faye Windass' biological father. His storylines initially focused on his relationship with his long-lost daughter Faye and her adoptive family - mother Anna Windass and her partner Owen Armstrong. Tim's storylines have since revolved around his relationship to Sally Webster - whom he illegally married, and the birth of his granddaughter Miley.