Claire Casey
| Claire Peacock | |||||||||
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| Coronation Street character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Julia Haworth | ||||||||
| Duration | 2003–2011 | ||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 5483 9 April 2003 |
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| Last appearance | Episode 7514 14 January 2011 |
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| Created by | Kieran Roberts | ||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||
| Occupation |
Childminder taxi driver switch operator |
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| Home | France | ||||||||
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| Mother | Yvonne Casey |
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| Husband | Ashley Peacock (2004–2010) |
| Sons | Freddie Peacock |
| Adoptive sons | Joshua Peacock |
Claire Jane Peacock (née Casey), is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Julia Haworth, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 9 April 2003, as the new nanny of established character Ashley Peacock's (Steven Arnold) son Joshua (Benjamin Beresford). Her storylines have since seen her fall in love with and marry Ashley, developing post natal depression after giving birth to their son Freddie. Claire was originally intended to be central to a long-running child abduction storyline, however, this was dropped by the show's producers as a result of its close resemblance to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
The character has been criticised by Coronation Street's former executive producer David Liddiment, for being used as a vehicle to support a politicised corporate campaign, encouraging social action and volunteer work. The storyline which saw Claire sectioned for mental health issues after developing post natal depression was similarly criticised by health workers, who opined that the plot line was poorly handled, and could potentially prevent women suffering from the condition from seeking help.
Haworth has commented that she sees the role of Claire as "one job in a career of many jobs". The actress took a temporary break from the show in mid-2008 to give birth to her first child, though her character never left officially onscreen. The character appears back on the Street on Monday 16 February 2009. On 23 April 2010 it was announced that the Peacock family had been axed from the ITV soap and Claire made her last appearance on 14 January 2011.
Upon her 2003 arrival in Coronation Street, Claire is described by the show's producers as "Weatherfield's answer to Mary Poppins". Of her personality, they stated that "On the surface she seems quiet, but is more than capable of fighting her corner." Although Claire and on-screen husband Ashley temporarily separate after Ashley's affair with Casey Carswell (Zoe Henry), the show's producers have described their renewed relationship as being "domestic bliss". Actress Julia Haworth has called Claire "a one man girl", commenting: "I truly believe with Claire and Ashley that what doesn't kill them only makes them stronger. I really do think that they're a solid couple and they can get through whatever life throws at them. They're probably the only couple in the Street I can say that about."
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