Paul Collins | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brookside character | |||||||||||
Portrayed by | Jim Wiggins | ||||||||||
Duration | 1982–1990 | ||||||||||
First appearance | 2 November 1982 | ||||||||||
Last appearance | 25 June 1990 | ||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
Created by | Phil Redmond | ||||||||||
|
Paul Collins is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside , played by Jim Wiggins. One of the show's original characters, Paul debuted during the episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Wiggins was cast by Brookside creator Phil Redmond and Janet Goddard. Paul is introduced as the husband of Annabelle Collins (Doreen Sloane) and father to Gordon Collins (Nigel Crowley) and Lucy Collins (Katrin Cartlidge). Paul is characterised as an unlucky character who has been made redundant from a lucrative management role. He is forced to move to a small house on Brookside Close and change his lifestyle. Writers made him appear as a product of a different generation and an ex-army officer who had a sense of discipline instilled in him. Wiggins has described Paul as "aloof" and "conservative", which often made viewers unsympathetic to his plight.
Paul's stories include dealing with unemployment, depression and his son's homosexuality. He also contends with Lucy's wayward behaviour and a feud with Annabelle's mother, Mona Harvey (Margaret Clifton). Writers portrayed the Collins's marriage as a troubled one resulting in Annabelle having an affair with Brian Lawrence (Vincent Maguire). Paul forgives Annabelle and they get along better in the final stories. Producers decided to write out the entire Collins family following the death of Sloane in 1990. Paul's final storyline featured him and Annabelle moving to Lake District and opening a guest house. Paul last appeared during the episode broadcast on 25 June 1990.
As one of the original characters of Brookside, Wiggins was cast by Phil Redmond and Janet Goddard. [1] In the book 20 years of Brookside, author Graham Kibble-White revealed that they intentionally cast "relative unknown" actors to create "an added element of freshness" for the show. [1] Paul is characterised as a proud man who has his pride dented by unemployment. He believes that he is superior to jobseekers. [2] Paul is an ex-army officer and the training he received in the role had instilled a "sense of discipline" in him. [3] In a character profile published in TVTimes , Paul is described as "just been made redundant, and has been warned about heart strain and heavy drinking. His future looks bleak." [4] It was also revealed that Paul is fifteen years older than his wife, Annabelle Collins (Doreen Sloane). [4] In 1985, Wiggins told Eleanor Levy from the Record Mirror that Paul "means well - however misguided" he may seem. [5]
Writers portrayed Paul as a product of a different generation. He wore British Home Stores clothing, failed to understand modern popular music and fashion trends. [6] This left him unable to really have a rapport with his own children, let alone anyone else. Paul believed that the younger generation should still have the same discipline instilled in them that he had during his army days. [6] Wiggins believed that Paul's characterisation often made viewers unsympathetic to his plight. He branded Paul's job loss as an "emotional" story, but viewers did not care about him being down on his luck. Wiggins told Nick Fisher from TV Guide that "I suppose it's because he's rather aloof and conservative, with a small c." [7] Geoff Tibballs, author of Brookside - Life in the Close likened him to an "early Victor Meldrew" because he was likely to write a letter of complaint if he sensed any trouble. [6]
Paul and his family were forced to leave their large home on the Wirral and downsize to the smaller house, number eight Brookside Close. [8] Upon their arrival they find their new home vandalised and the toilet stolen. Paul immediately accuses Damon Grant (Simon O'Brien) and this starts a feud with the Grant family. [9] The Collinses had been used to "the good life" due to Paul's job as a production manager at Petrochem. Paul was made redundant when the company decided to remove management roles. Paul knew that living on Brookside Close would not be easy due to the small room sizes. Writers portrayed Paul and his wife Annabelle having to "grin and bear" their newfound predicament. [2]
Paul is forced to attend his local job centre and sign up for financial support. In the book Brookside: The Official Companion, it described Paul becoming "depressed" and finding unemployment "unbearable". [2] Additionally, "signing on was a weekly humiliation. It hurt his pride to stand queuing at the dole office with men and women he had once regarded as inferiors." Annabelle was more cheery about the situation and tried to help her husband, but he almost stopped talking. [2]
The Collins children provided Paul with many of his storylines. Writers also used the Collins family to explore the issue of sexuality. Paul and Annabelle's son Gordon (Nigel Crowley, later Mark Burgess) comes out as gay and they find it difficult to accept him. The worried parents yet again "wonder where they've gone wrong" and blame themselves. When Gordon goes on holiday to France, Paul and Annabelle "pray" that the experience will change his sexuality. [3] They incorrectly presume their son is no longer gay after a holiday. Gordon faces homophobia from the house cleaner, Carol Thompson (Geraldine Griffiths), when she assumes she will develop AIDS after cleaning the family toilet. Writers portrayed Paul unexpectedly defending Gordon and informs him that he is a victim of prejudice. [10] Writers portrayed Paul being supportive of his daughter Lucy Collins (Katrin Cartlidge), who begins a relationship with a married man James. Paul tries to intervene and which results in James ending their affair. When Lucy begins dating Barry Grant (Paul Usher) he is less supportive and the parents once again blame themselves. [10]
In another storyline, producers introduced Annabelle's mother Mona Harvey (Margaret Clifton) into the series. Annabelle allows Mona to live at the Collinses while she recovers from an illness. [11] Writers pitted Paul and Mona against one-another, showcasing their difficult relationship. Her dislike of Paul causes problems for Annabelle, as Mona begins to make false accusations against Paul. She accuses him of being a spy and is convinced he has tried to poison her, even disposing of meals Paul had cooked. [11] Another story for Paul was dealing with Annabelle's affair with fellow JP Brian Lawrence (Vincent Maguire). [12] Annabelle goes on a training course in Shrewsbury to escape her mother, Mona's antics. Tibballs assessed that this was the "perfect setting" for their affair, which quickly developed soon after. [13] Paul had tried to contact Annabelle but she was unavailable. He did not suspect an affair and Annabelle decides to pursue Brian and deceive Paul. He becomes suspicious when the pair arrange more secret meetings to have sex. In another episode, Annabelle books a hotel to meet Brian in and Paul finds the booking. Paul assumes it is a gift from Annabelle, which leaves her disappointed. [13] Paul's neighbour, Sheila Grant (Sue Johnston) discovers Annabelle's affair but decides to keep it a secret. [14]
Writers also involved Gordon in the storyline after he catches Annabelle kissing Brian. Like Sheila, Gordon decides to keep his mother's secret. [14] The story comes to a conclusion when Paul finds a ring that Brian gifts to Annabelle. Paul invites Brian over for Christmas, confronts them and they confess to their affair. Tibballs stated that the affair left "Paul a broken man" and "dejected". [14] Gordon decides to avenge his father by sabotaging Brian's car sales business, selling off his cars at low prices. Annabelle realises that Brian is no longer interested in her and after two months she reconciles with Paul. [14] Writers continued to use the affair as a catalyst to friction in their marriage. Paul tries to end their relationship again when he discovers that Sheila knew about Annabelle's affair. They eventually call a truce and decide to do voluntary work together. [15] Wiggins believed the storyline was a good opportunity for himself to showcase his acting. He told TV Guide's Nick Fisher that "the story of the infidelity of my wife and the effect it had on me enabled me to really put something into my character as an actor." [7] Sloane thought it was her character's best story because "suddenly Annabelle came alive". Sloane added that fans informed her that Annabelle mistreated Paul but they understood why she had an affair. [7]
On 8 April 1990, Sloane died after she had been diagnosed with cancer. [16] Sloane continued to work despite her diagnosis and at the time of her death, Sloane had filmed up to five weeks of additional episodes as Annabelle. [16] Sloane did not publicise her illness and only told those in production who needed to know. Production and stories were not compromised because of this and an exit storyline could be worked on. [16] Sloane's final episode she filmed was broadcast on 9 May 1990. [17] Their final episode and story together featured Paul and Annabelle's plans to adopt Louise Mitchell (Jenny Hesketh). They wanted to adopt her despite her bad behaviour breaking plates and reminding Paul about Annabelle's affair. [17] [18] After which, producers then decided to write out the remainder of the Collins family. [19] The family's exit story from the series featured Paul deciding to move to the Lake District and his departure was broadcast in June 1990. [12] Wiggins later discussed his time on Brookside and his upset over Sloane's death. He revealed a memorable moment with her had been filming camping scenes in the Collins's garden. The rainy weather caused them to slip on-set and the tent collapsed with Sloane inside. [20] In 1994, it was revealed that Annabelle, Paul and Mona were still living in the Lake District and were running a small guest house. [21]
James Moore and Clare Goldwin from the Daily Mirror described Paul's best storyline as him being a "former military man constantly at loggerheads with his neighbours." [22] Author Kibble-White stated "the Collins family had reflected an affluence at the start of the decade, albeit affluence on the decline." [23] In his book The Who's Who of Soap Operas, author Anthony Hayward described the character as "the redundant middle management man forced to leave his large house on the Wirral." [24] Matt Wolf from The Sacramento Bee branded Paul and Annabelle "right-wing social climbers" and opined that characters such as these represent the British working class and their problems. [25]
In September 1984, Roy West from the Liverpool Echo critiqued Annabelle and Paul. He wrote "a drearily pretentious pair from the Wirral in early episodes, they seem to have won sympathy lately." [26] Summarising Paul's time in the show, an Inside Soap columnist wrote "Downwardly mobile ex-headmaster. Road-safety campaigns, heart attack, gay son, mother-in-law trouble, Paul did it all." [19] Johann Hari from The Independent branded Paul and Annabelle as "Thatcherites down on their luck". [27] In 1985, the Record Mirror's Eleanor Levy branded Paul and Annabelle the show's "upper middle class slummers". [5] In 1989, Johnny Dee from the publication wrote that Paul and Annabelle are "the snobs of the close who look down on everyone else, but they had problems of their own." He also believed that their inclusion was tokenism. [28] Dee opined that Paul's "memorable moments" were being hit with a trowel by Mona and being arrested at the road safety demonstration. [28]
Brookside is a British television soap opera, set in Liverpool, England, which began on the launch night of Channel 4, 2 November 1982. It ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003. It was produced by Mersey Television and conceived by Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond.
Barry Grant is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Paul Usher. The character debuted on-screen during the first episode of Brookside, broadcast on 2 November 1982. Barry is one of the show's original characters and the only character to appear in the first and final episodes of Brookside. Usher decided to leave Brookside in 1984, but returned the following year and remained a regular cast member until 1995. He then returned for guest stints in 1997 and 2003. Actor Joe McGann was originally cast as Barry, but when McGann failed to gain an actors equity card, producers decided to recast the role to Usher. Barry is characterised as a "hard man" and constant law breaker. Writers transformed Barry into Brookside's long-standing villainous character. Despite his hard man characterisation, Barry has a special relationship with his mother Sheila Grant. He would do anything to protect Sheila and to the extent that it created problems with his father Bobby Grant.
Terry Sullivan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Brian Regan. One of the show's original characters, Terry debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 17 November 1982. Regan appeared in the show between 1982 and 1997. At the time of his departure, Regan was Brookside's longest serving cast member. Terry became one of Brookside's most iconic characters and was recognisable via his trademark curly permed hair and moustache. Terry also became known as one of soap opera's most unlucky characters because of his numerous storylines involving trauma, loss and heart-break. Writers created an on-screen partnership between Terry and Barry Grant. Their friendship is endured for their entire tenure. Their characterisation was the inspiration for the comedy sketches titled The Scousers, which appeared in the television show, Harry Enfield's Television Programme.
Katie Rogers is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Debbie Reynolds and Diane Burke. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 7 December 1987. Reynolds played the character until 1989 when Diane Burke took over the role and remained until 2003 when Brookside was cancelled. Katie was introduced as part of the Rogers family consisting of parents Frank and Chrissy Rogers and their three children Katie, Sammy and Geoff Rogers.
Susannah Morrisey is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Karen Drury. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 22 July 1991. Susannah was created as the ex-wife of established character Max Farnham and writers instantly used her to create problems in Max's marriage to Patricia Farnham. Susannah's feud with Patricia and desire to reunite with Max formed the basis of her early storylines. Susannah's initial characterisation was only that of a mean, disgruntled ex-spouse but Drury decided to play her more sweet and snobbish. Susannah's persona allowed writers the versatility to create both tragic and comedic stories for her. Susannah's tragedies were formed via her difficult marriage to Max, family bereavements and poor mental health. Writers later transformed her into a promiscuous and scheming woman which gained her infamy in the British press.
Michael "Mike" Dixon is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Paul Byatt. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 1 October 1990.
Billy Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by John McArdle. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 27 August 1985. Billy was introduced as part of the show's new family, the Corkhills, consisting of Billy, his wife Doreen Corkhill and their teenage children Rod and Tracy Corkhill. Billy is characterised as the reluctant husband of Doreen, an aspiring woman who wants the Corkhills to own their own home. Her mission to present a good image for the family is marred by her secret spending which gets the family into debt. Writers explored their debt issues throughout Billy's early tenure. They portrayed him as desperate to provide, tampering with the electricity and committing fraud with the help of his brother Jimmy Corkhill.
Doreen Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Kate Fitzgerald. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 27 August 1985. Doreen was introduced as part of the new Corkhill family consisting of herself, husband Billy and their two children Tracy and Rod. Doreen was portrayed as the aspiring housewife who wants to buy her own home. Billy risks financial ruin to help Doreen get her ideal home on Brookside Close. She is characterised as competitive and wants to portray a positive family image to her neighbours. She is a shopaholic and over spender, a trait writers used to get the Corkhills into debt. Her behaviour causes her family many problems, Billy begins committing fraud and robberies to fund their lifestyle.
Margaret Clemence is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Nicola Stephenson. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 14 September 1990. Margaret is characterised as a college drop-out unsure about her future. She leaves her home town of Oldham to escape her ex-boyfriend, Kieran, and relocates to Liverpool. She takes a job working as a nanny for Max and Patricia Farnham and becomes their lodger. Stephenson has described Margaret as a domestic and organised character but when it comes to romance she is confused and unstable.
Diana Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Paula Frances. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 19 November 1990. Diana was introduced as a love interest of the established character Rod Corkhill and it was Frances' first television role. Diana is characterised as a kindly soul who is desperate to overcome hardships. Diana works as a sales assistant at a chemist but is hiding a secret about her education. She is the daughter of Freddie Spence, who disapproves of her relationship with Rod. Writers made their relationship fraught with arguments because of his police career.
Heather Haversham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Amanda Burton. Heather is one of the show's original characters and debuted on-screen during the first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Heather and her husband, Roger Huntington assume the roles of the show's young professional characters. Portrayed as yuppies, they work in accountancy and prioritise their careers over anything else. Writers characterised Heather ambitious and studious, determined to be a successful accountant. Another theme writers often used in developing Heather was heartbreak via her numerous failed romances. She transformed into an unlucky-in-love character with a failed marriage to Roger and hopeless relationships with Stuart Griffiths, Don Summerhill and Tom Curzon.
George Edward Jackson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Cliff Howells. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 2 February 1983. George was introduced as the brother-in-law of established character Petra Taylor, following the death of her husband, Gavin Taylor. Writers soon introduced viewers to the remainder of The Jackson family, including his wife Marie Jackson, their sons Little George Jackson, Gary Jackson and his sister-in-law Michelle Jones. George, a firefighter, is portrayed as a easygoing and unassuming.
Tracy Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Justine Kerrigan. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 10 September 1985. Tracy was introduced as part of a new family, the Corkhills, which also includes her brother Rod Corkhill and their parents Doreen Corkhill and Billy Corkhill. Kerrigan had previously appeared as a guest character, Pat in 1984. She auditioned for the role after her grandfather and actor Peter Kerrigan encouraged her. Kerrigan was aged fourteen and still attending school when she took on the role. Tracy is characterised as brash and headstrong. She has aspirations of becoming a model but settles for a hairdressing career. Kerrigan disliked Tracy's style and early persona. Tracy transformed into a more adult character over time and Kerrigan admired her newfound attitude.
Jonathan Gordon-Davies is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Steven Pinner. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 6 April 1987. Pinner was cast in the series after a period of unemployment and he credited the role as being his saviour from depression. Jonathan is characterised as an upper class solicitor from a wealthy family in London. Writers created Jonathan alongside his fiancée Laura Wright. Together they represented the young urban professionals (yuppies) of 1980/1990s British society. The two characters move into number nine Brookside Close, the house previously occupied by similar upper class character Heather Haversham. Writers created a wedding story for them, which was broadcast on 11 August 1987 and commemorated the 500th episode of Brookside. Jonathan was portrayed at odds with his interfering father-in-law Geoff Wright. He would invite himself into Jonathan's home and perform DIY home improvements to Jonathan's chagrin. His faulty repair of a light switch causes Laura to electrocute herself and fall down some stairs. The story formed Cunliffe's departure from the series after less than one year on-screen. Laura was killed off in January 1988, but writers decided to develop Jonathan's character further.
Robert "Bobby" Grant is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Ricky Tomlinson. One of the show's original characters, Bobby debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Tomlinson attended a series of auditions in Liverpool after being invited by his friend Tony Scoggo. Various actors were invited back and auditioned in different groups to observe who worked well together. Bobby was cast by show creator and executive producer Phil Redmond and production team member Janet Goddard. The latter expressed her interest in Redmond meeting Tomlinson, as she believed him best suited to the role aesthetically. Tomlinson performed an improvised monologue in front of them to secure the role.
Sheila Corkhill is a fictional character from British soap opera Brookside, played by Sue Johnston. Sheila appeared in Brookside from the first episode in 1982 until the character's departure in 1990. Her most famous storyline was in 1986, when the character was attacked, raped and beaten by an unknown assailant. Everyone was a suspect, including family friend Matty Nolan, and most residents of Brookside Close found themselves accused. It was later revealed that the taxi driver raped Sheila.
Cyril Alan Partridge is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Dicken Ashworth. Alan appeared in the series until 18 July 1984. Ashworth was happy with his casting because he had previously been typecast in villainous roles. Alan is characterised as a "friendly type" and Ashworth relished the opportunity to play him. Writers portrayed him vastly different to other characters in the show. Alan is "scatter-brained" and an eccentric who enjoys computers, rugby and keeps a boat on his driveway. Other characters in the series view Alan as odd and find it difficult to understand his personality. Writers gave Alan enthusiastic dialogue in scenes which made him appear different to everyone else in his stories.
Gordon Collins is a character in the Channel 4 soap-opera Brookside. He was portrayed by Nigel Crowley from the show's debut in 1982 until 1984 and later on by Mark Burgess beginning in 1986 and ending with his departure in 1990. Gordon is notable for being the first openly gay character on a British television soap opera.
Annabelle Collins is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Doreen Sloane. One of the show's original characters, Annabelle debuted during the episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Annabelle is characterised as an intelligent woman who is used to a luxurious lifestyle. She is married to Paul Collins and they move into Brookside Close during the show's first episode. The move is a downsize from a big house after Paul loses a lucrative management role. Annabelle struggles to adjust to her new lifestyle but eventually becomes active in her new community. She is portrayed as generous and neighbourly, but also displays characteristics of snobbery. Writers created a difficult marriage for Annabelle and Paul.
Roger Huntington is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Rob Spendlove. One of the show's original characters, Roger debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Roger is characterised as an ambitious solicitor who thinks highly of himself. He is a fitness enthusiast with an interest in DIY home improvements. These traits make him a comical figure and source of laughter for the show's other characters. His main storylines are centric to his marriage to Heather Haversham. Together they set up a home on Brookside Close and maintain careers to ascend the British social class hierarchy system. Writers portrayed an unhappy marriage between the two, depicting them constantly arguing.