Helen Cunningham
| Helen Cunningham | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Hollyoaks character | |||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Kathryn George | ||||||||||
| Duration | 1997–2004 | ||||||||||
| First appearance | 1997 | ||||||||||
| Last appearance | 20 February 2004 | ||||||||||
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| Husband |
Dennis Richardson Gordon Cunningham (1999–2004) |
|---|---|
| Sons |
Lewis Richardson Tom Cunningham |
| Daughters | Mandy Richardson |
| Stepsons | Max Cunningham (1999–2004) |
| Granddaughters |
Grace Hutchinson Ella Richardson Steph Cunningham |
Helen Cunningham (also Richardson) is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks, played by Kathryn George. George first appeared in the role in 1997 before the character was written out in 2004 when she was killed in a car accident. While on the serial Helen was central to several storylines including a relationship with Gordon Cunningham, dealing with the suicide of son Lewis and her daughter Mandy's abuse at the hands of husband Dennis.
For much of Helen Cunningham's early time in the Village she had the terrible misfortune of being saddled with a family intent on ripping itself apart. Helen had a tough time whilst she was married to Dennis Richardson (David McAllister), who had been abusive to her and had repeatedly raped their daughter Mandy. Helen was unaware of this until Mandy confessed to her brother Lewis. After Dennis was sent to prison for seven years, Helen found a new love interest in Gordon Cunningham (Bernard Latham). The pair slept together and Helen was shocked to realise that she was pregnant. Gordon did the honourable thing by asking her to marry him. They soon got married and Helen gave birth to baby Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins), but more tragedy came for Helen when she found out Lewis had attempted suicide and was slowly dying. This left Helen devastated and she found it hard to cope.
Due to Lewis's death, the relationship between Helen and Mandy fell apart and the pair barely spoke to each other. After a while, however, the pair began to rebuild their relationship. Helen then enjoyed a period of happiness running the ironing and cleaning business 'Steam Team' next door to Gordon's Drive 'n' Buy whilst raising Tom. Then suddenly, for reasons best known to herself, Helen became restless: her shop changed its identity, and so did she, indulging in an affair with Tony, Gordon's friend. This was eventually exposed when an earthquake destroyed the barge the lovesick pair had chosen as a bolt hole. After much argument, Tony told Helen that he did not want to be with her any longer and that she should get back with Gordon for Tom and Mandy's sake. Helen took Tony's advice and she and Gordon were fully reconciled.
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Wikipedia