Cosy crimes and gritty sagas by Corrie Blog editor Glenda, published by Headline. Click pic below!

Friday 6 November 2015

The mystery of Mary's mother on Coronation Street


Much has been mentioned by Mary about her mother since Mary first appeared in Coronation Street.  There is a little confusion, not least in our house, over whether her mother is still alive, or dead. I thought she was dead but Sunny Jim reckons she's alive.  

According to Corriepedia, Mary told Norris that her mother had died, but that she wasn't upset as she had been very domineering.  However, she might just have been wishing her out of her life. Mary often talks about her mother in the present tense, as if she is still alive.  Does anyone know for sure about Mary's mother being dead or alive?

I loved the line last week when Mary said her mother didn't venture outside after 7pm because she was scared of owls. And then we saw Mary wearing a jumper covered in owls...

There's a good radio interview here with Patti Claire (Mary) and Malcolm Hebden (Norris) talking about their on-screen relationship and off-screen friendship.




Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter @CoroStreetBlog

Download our free App | Visit Corrie.net



Creative Commons Licence All original work on the Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

10 comments:

Cobblestone said...

'Mother' is still alive. Mary originally claimed she was dead, then, during the 'Misery' plot line, when she virtually held Norris prisoner in that country cottage, he convinced himself that Mary had done the old girl in. He reported her to the police for murder, upon which Mary admitted Mother was alive & well. She just felt she was dead to her. Personally I'd love to see Mother. Last night's revelation that she's a Bennite took me by surprise. It would be a casting challenge.

Humpty Dumpty said...

Whether the mystery stems from writer's amnesia or was, indeed, only Mary's wishful thinking, the writers are now keeping their options open. On the one hand, deceased Mother may be a constant presence in Mary's febrile imagination. On the other, one day when the story suits, Mary's mother could appear on the Street with a suitcase.

C in Canada said...

I do recall Mary stating that her mother was alive. It was some time ago, but I do remember it. However, as Humpty Dumpty states, that could change to suit the storyline of the day. :/

Anonymous said...

Yep she said she was alive and well and liveing in newton le willows I remeber that cause at the time I was working at newton le willows and the staff were talking about it next day

Tvor said...

I don't think we've seen Mary have any current contact with her mother in some time by phone or a mention of a visit. There's clearly a very contentious relationship there. It really would be fun to see her turn up some day even just for a short time. They'd have to be very careful about the casting and it would have to be someone really awesome even if it's celeb casting. someone like Maggie Smith! No, I don't think she'd do it, either, but wouldn't that be the ultimate fantasy casting? Any actress from the age of late 50s up could do it, since Mary's only in her early 40s. Helen Mirren would be a very good, cranky, imperious Mrs. Taylor, and if we hadn't already had the magnificent Maureen Lipman as Lillian Spencer, she'd also be perfect! I could picture Lillian turning out to be Mary's mother, except of course she had two children that we met and even if Mary was her daughter, unseen at the time, Mary has never mentioned siblings. I"m sure the writers could work around that somehow!

Scott Willison said...

Mother's reached "Maris from Frasier" levels of insanity now; no-one could play her! She's far more fun as a spoken of but never seen character, like our own Fat Brenda.

Anonymous said...

I think she's very much alive and always will be, like Les Dawson's Mother In Law. I hope we never see her, it would ruin it.

Ancient corrier said...

When I think of Mary's mother Miriam Margaloyes always comes into my mind.

Anonymous said...

We should never see her.

Lily Bigfield said...

I agree, that like Maris, we should never see her, but I do love the thought of Miriam Margolyes playing her!

GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!

You might also like...

Coronation Street Books for Fans

GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!