Norris Cole
| Norris Cole | |||||||
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| Coronation Street character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Malcolm Hebden | ||||||
| Duration | 1994–1997, 1999– | ||||||
| First appearance | 11 March 1994 | ||||||
| Introduced by | Sue Pritchard (1994) Jane MacNaught (1999) |
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| Spin-off appearances |
Coronation Street: A Knights Tale (2010) Coronation Street: A Christmas Corrie (2012) |
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| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||
| Profile | |||||||
| Occupation | Newsagent Councillor |
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| Home | 3 Coronation Street | ||||||
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| Mother | Eunice Cole |
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| Half-brothers | Ramsay Clegg |
| Wife | Myrtle Hargreaves (1962–94) Angela Catchpole (1995–99) |
Norris Benjamin Cole is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Coronation Street, played by Malcolm Hebden .He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 11 March 1994. Hebden had previously played the role of Carlos, Mavis Riley's (Thelma Barlow) Spanish lover, in 1974. Norris appeared on a recurring basis, until he was axed in April 1997 by Brian Park. However two years later, the character was reintroduced on a regular basis. He has lived for several years with fellow character, Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) at 3 Coronation Street, first as a lodger, and more recently as the house owner.
Norris was born in March 1940. When he was twenty, his half-brother, Ramsay, turned up after tracking down his mother. This shocked Eunice and Norris as Eunice had not told anyone that she had another child. After their mother died, Norris and Ramsay had a fight at the funeral and his brother left. Norris became a salesman and married a woman called Myrtle.
Derek is surprised when Norris Cole turns up; the man who gave him a lift home from the motorway service station when he missed the coach from London. He explains he's taken Derek's advice, left his wife and has come to stay. Mavis is put out as he keeps calling Derek "Dirk". Mavis doesn't want to throw Norris out as he might do Derek's morale some good. Derek tells Mavis that he's sure Norris will help him in his career.
Norris develops a reputation as a fusspot and a busybody, but his inquisitive nature sometimes works to advantage, as when he guessed that serial killer Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) was after Emily's money and wanted her dead. Only he and Audrey Roberts realised Richard's true nature, but no one believed them, and it was not until later that the full story emerged.
Rita employs Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) to work at The Kabin, because Norris has back problems but Norris is unhappy about this. Later that month, Emily discovers ladies underwear in a bin bag of Norris's. Instantly suspicious, Tina and Rita confront Norris and ask if he is a transvestite. He explains that he had won the underwear in a competition and that he has an addiction to competitions. Norris's friend, Mary Taylor (Patti Clare), arrives on the Street; Mary was introduced for this specific storyline as she shares Norris's obsession with entering competitions. Norris initially resents Mary, as she often beats him in competitions, but they quickly become close, and Mary offers Norris a ticket she has won for a Cliff Richard concert. Norris's fellow lodger, Jed Stone (Kenneth Cope), enjoys flirting with Mary but she only has eyes for Norris. When Mary and Norris win a motor home, Norris is pleased, but begins to be concerned about how far Mary wants to take their relationship.
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