Thursday 6 August 2009

Top 50 Coronation Street Characters

47. Derek Wilton

Although he first appeared in 1976, gnome lover Derek didn’t become a permanent character until over a decade later. He was brought into the serial as the love interest of reserved Kabin assistant Mavis Riley. He was off our screens until 1983, when he had to fight against potter Victor Pendlebury for Mavis’ affections, a triangle that ran side by side with Ken, Mike and Deirdre. Derek won the battle and in 1984 they planned to marry, but Mavis had cold feet and when Rita went to tell Derek in church, he wasn’t there, he’d had cold feet as well! A Wilton jilting indeed! Derek disappeared again until 1987, when he returned to romance Mavis. He also revealed that he had indeed married Angela Hawthorne, but it was Mavis he truly loved. The couple married in 1988 and moved into the Kabin flat. Although they were mocked for their eccentricity, they were regarded as pillars of the community and are still a firm favourite with viewers. Only married for nine years, the marriage ended when Derek died of a heart attack, due to Peter Baldwin (who played Derek) being sacked by then producer Brian Park.


So, do you think Derek should be at 47? Leave comments!

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