Norris Cole (Coronation Street)

For the American professional basketball player, see Norris Cole (basketball).

Norris Cole
Coronation Street character
Malcolm Hebden as Norris Cole (2009).
Portrayed by	Malcolm Hebden
Duration	1994–1997, 1999–
First appearance	11 March 1994
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Sue Pritchard (1994) Jane MacNaught (1999)
In-universe information Occupation Newsagent/Entrepreneur Mother Judith Cole Half-brothers Ramsay Clegg Wife Myrtle (?–?) Angela Hawthorne (1995–1999)

Norris Benjamin Cole is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Malcolm Hebden, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 11 March 1994 and remained until his departure on 14 April 1997, only to return on 1 December 1999 and continues to appear in the series to the present day. He has lived for several years in the soap opera as a lodger of fellow character, Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire), at 3 Coronation Street.

Storylines

Backstory

In March 1940, Norris was born to mother Eunice Cole. When Norris was around 20 years old, his brother Ramsay whom Norris did not know existed turned up after tracking down his mother. Later, in January 1960, Eunice died and Norris ended up getting into a fight with Ramsay at the funeral and wanting nothing to do with him again. Ramsay later left. Norris later became a salesman and married a woman called Myrtle.

1994–2008

In 1994 he picked up a stranded Derek Wilton whose car had broken down, and gave him a lift up to Derek's home in Coronation Street. Norris later left his wife and moved in with Derek and Mavis, much to the disbelief of Mavis. A year later, Norris played a joke on Derek by kidnapping one of his beloved gnomes Arthur and sending a ransom note demanding sweets. He also lured Derek to the Red Rec to meet up, and Derek was arrested when believed to be a flasher who was going around Weatherfield. When Norris asked Derek to be best man when marrying Derek's ex-wife Angela, Arthur was discovered by Derek in Norris' cupboard, when taking a drunken Norris home on his stag night. The next day when taking Norris to the wedding, Derek drove him to the wrong church as revenge towards him. When Derek died in 1997 from a heart attack following a road rage incident, Norris attended his funeral, but Angela was unable to as she was too upset.

Norris turned up back on the street in 1999 after splitting from Angela, and moved in with the Duckworths briefly. But it didn't work out after Tyrone Dobbs's dog Monica gave birth to puppies on his bed. He later took up residence at 3 Coronation Street with Emily Bishop and got himself a job in the newsagents the Kabin, working with Rita Sullivan.

In May 2001, Norris was caught in Jack Duckworth's bird cage, he was initially accused of fondling the pigeons, but it later emerged that he was attempting to milk the queen pigeon and so acquire mystical powers. Luckily Jack saw the funny side, and let Norris off, provided that he bought him a pint. Then in July, Norris and Emily slept together, however it was a one night stand as Emily felt guilty, as she knew Rita was in love with Norris. Another humorous mix up followed soon after when Norris was accused of being a member of Sinn Fein by Ken Barlow. However after a hilarious turn of events it was revealed that Norris had been mistaken for Gerry Adams (who had appeared on a previous episode as a special guest).

In 2002, Norris got into a scrape with local killer Richard Hillman when convinced that Richard was after Emily's money and wanted her dead. He, along with Audrey Roberts, were convinced that Richard was a killer and tried to convince people in the street. It was later found out that Richard was a serial killer, and he met his demise after drowning in the canal while trying to kill his family. On 2 September 2007, Norris proposes to Rita, with Rita declining Norris's proposal. On 25 November 2007, Norris proposes to Doreen Fenwick (Barbara Young) before he found out that both George Trench (Keith Barron) and Ivor Priestley (Paul Copley) had also proposed to her. She tells them all that she will think about their proposals while Rita describes them all as mad as each other.

In May 2008, a gang of teenage boys rob the Kabin, and during which, Norris is shoved to the ground. The experience leaves him shaken and angry. In July 2008, Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien) approaches Norris and Rita, and tries to persuade them to sell the Kabin to him. Rita eventually appears enthusiastic about the idea, and eventually decides that she is going to take Tony's offer, while Norris seems angry, Tony later buys Norris, Rita, and Emily a drink in The Rovers, in an attempt to manipulate Norris to seem less reluctant about the situation.

Norris finds an envelope belonging to Emily on 22 August 2008, reading "to be opened after my death". Later on, Emily shows Norris that it is plans for her funeral. A few days later, Norris discovers that there is something else inside and uncovers some photos of Rita in earlier life. When eventually Emily and Rita discover this Emily claims that the photos must have slipped in when she had a clear out several years before. She had planned on returning them to Rita but had mislaid them.

In October 2008, Rita employs Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) to work at The Kabin, due to Norris having back problems. Norris takes an instant disliking to the situation. Later that month, Emily discovers ladies underwear in a bin bag of Norris's. Instantly suspicious, Tina and Rita confront Norris about it and ask him if he is a transvestite. He explains that he had won the underwear in a competition and that he has an addiction to competitions.

On 26 November 2008, Norris's love interest, Mary Taylor (Pattie Clare), arrives on the Street. The character is introduced for this specific storyline as Mary and Norris have an obsession with entering competitions. Mary lives with and takes care of her invalid mother and uses competitions as a way to enjoy life. Norris initially resents Mary, as she often beats him in competitions, but when they meet, they quickly become close, and Mary offers Norris one of the tickets she has won for a Cliff Richard concert. Mary begins to visit Norris more often. Norris's fellow lodger, Jed Stone (Kenneth Cope), enjoys flirting with Mary, but she only has eyes for Norris. Norris invites her to his home for Christmas.

2009—

In January 2009, Mary returns, telling Norris they'd won a motor home. Norris is pleased, but begins to be concerned about how far she wants to take their relationship. In February, in the Rovers, they say an awkward goodbye to each other, Mary is expecting a kiss or a hug from Norris, but gets nothing, leaving her surprisingly devastated.

Mary subsequently returns, with the news that her mother has died. This brings her closer to Norris, as she is able to spend more time with him, but he remains uncertain about their relationship—not least as she seems to lack any real grief at her bereavement. She then invites him to accompany her on a world cruise, as she now has the time and (inheritance) money to enjoy life for the first time. Norris agrees to the tour but in contrast to Mary's excitement, he seems nervous and at times even reluctant about the enterprise.

In April 2009, he reacts with shock to Rita's engagement to Colin Grimshaw (Edward DeSouza), and the two share a poignant moment in the Rovers. Genuinely wishing each other well, it is clear that Norris still harbours thoughts of what might have been. He is a great support to Rita when she later calls off the engagement after discovering that he fathered a child with a fourteen-year old girl.

In April 2008, Malcolm Hebden suggested to Coronation Street producers that Andrew Sachs should have a guest role in the soap playing Norris's brother, Ramsay. Writers and producers began discussions with Sachs, with a view to bringing Ramsay onto the show in 2009. Sachs had accepted the part by December 2008. Ramsay appears for three months from 15 May 2009. He turns up in Weatherfield looking to make amends with estranged brother Norris who refuses to speak to him. Norris blames Ramsay for their mother's death, stating that the shock of his reappearance in her life caused her demise. Despite Ramsay's best efforts at a reconciliation, Norris refuses to see him as anything other than an illegitimate half brother and Ramsay eventually leaves the Street to return to Australia. Norris is left reeling at the news that Ramsay has died on the flight; he had an incurable brain tumour, which he never told Norris about. Some of Ramsay's possessions are left to Norris and amongst them is a letter written by their mother, who cruelly rejected Ramsay. Norris is left devastated that he had blamed Ramsay all along.

After Ramsay's death in August 2009, Rita decides that life is too short and decides to sell up the Kabin. When Norris receives £172,000 pounds from Ramsay in his will, he buys the Kabin from Rita. In September 2009, he employs Sheila Wheeler (Janice Connolly), however, he finds her quite irritating to work with. He hires another shop assistant to replace her; Joan (Maggie Tagney), but he then finds her too quiet and boring to work with. He also hires Horace Steele (who is actually the spitting image of Norris), but he is rude to a customer so Norris gets rid of him as well.

Norris begins doing competitions with Emily's niece Freda (Ali Briggs), and they both win £1,000. They get a picture taken before splitting the money and Freda leaves the street. However, Norris' friend and old competition partner Mary reads about it and returns to the street, much to the surprise of Norris. After briefly meeting him, she goes up to Scotland, but returns a few days later. When Norris begins getting tired and needing a break, Mary suggests that she does some work in the Kabin so he can take a break.

Mary enters a competition for them and if they win, they would win a week at a cottage in the countryside. She manages to win it and persuades Norris to attend, which he later agrees to. Norris is delighted when Rita returns to the Street and offers her to work for him again at the Kabin. She also offers to look after it when he goes away with Mary.

One of the nights that Norris and Mary are at the cottage, causes Norris to realise that Mary is trying to ensure that he cannot escape, and even witnesses Mary mentioning the two of them married; a horrific thought for Norris. She then breaks his glasses, leaving him more or less housebound, as his eyesight is quite poor. He attempts to escape from the cottage but Mary tracks him down. Eventually, he contacts the Police telling them that Mary is holding him captive. No charges are brought against her, and Norris subsequently makes amends with her.

Creation and development

Background

File:Norris Cole 1996.jpg

Norris as he appeared in 1996.

Norris is portrayed with a camp persona. He has got into many scrapes due to his nosiness and his constant gossiping. It was due to this reputation that no one believed his suspicions about Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) being a sinister character in 2002, which ultimately proved to be true. He returned to the street for Derek's funeral after he died of a heart attack shortly following a road rage incident, which was how he arrived in Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox)'s shop, The Kabin, where he now works and is owner. He and Rita form the traditional shop comedy double-act. He has a big ego and an inaccurate view of his own potential.

Casting

Auditions were held for the part of Norris with actor Malcolm Hebden going on to secure the role. After leaving the series in 1997 Hebden returned to filming with the series in 1999 and has remained on the show to the present day. In 2009 it was noted that the character of Norris has become one of the shows most recognisable characters.

Departure and return

Norris was axed along with a lot of characters in a massive cull in 1997. However, the character was reintroduced two years later in 1999, when he had a more regular role than before.

In other media

A trailer for promotion of the Coronation Street website on ITV, which was released in July 2009 to air on television, portrays Norris Cole as James Bond, using high-tech devices to spy on many of his neighbours, in reference to his character's curiosity to know everyone's business in the street. Norris also has an official profile on the social networking website Twitter. Norris is the primary recurring antagonist in the Grand Theft Auto video game series. In Grand Theft Auto Vice City he appears as an expensive prostitute, whom can only be bought when the player has gained 6 'wanted stars'.