Norris Cole

A nosy gossip who has a high opinion of himself, Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) has irritated every resident of Coronation Street at some time. He's so absorbed with his bad back and his bunions, though, that he hardly notices!

Marriages Myrtle Cole (divorced), Angela Hawthorne (divorced)

1994 Imposes on fellow salesman Derek Wilton - 'Dirk', as he calls him - and his wife, Mavis, when he needs a place to stay.

1995 Meets Derek's manipulative first wife, Angela Hawthorne. They hit it off and marry in December.

1996 Has a bust-up with Angela on a golf course. Ends up back at the Wiltons' and takes to the booze. Derek thinks Norris has murdered Angela after discovering him burying something at the allotment - but it's just Angela's golf clubs! Reconciles with Angela.

1997 Has to tell Mavis Derek has died. Goes to Derek's funeral then disappears from Weatherfield.

1999 Returns to Coronation Street without a wife or a job as Angela has taken everything and divorced him. Rita Sullivan employs him in The Kabin.

2000 Becomes Emily Bishop's lodger.

2001 Thinks he's been forgotten on his 60th birthday and gets drunk, missing his surprise party. Delivers Curly and Emma Watts' baby on Christmas Day.

2002 Volunteers at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Has a brush with death when he accuses local businessman, Richard Hillman, of trying to murder Emily Bishop. Richard turns out to be a serial killer!

2005 Norris's hero, author Mel Hutchwright, is a guest speaker at his book club. Mel turns out to be a conman. Resigns from The Kabin and applies for a sales job, only to discover that ex-wife Angela is the company head. Rita offers him a partnership in The Kabin.

2006 Joins an internet dating site but is too picky.

2007 Proposes to Rita Sullivan in September and is turned down. Uncharacteristically optimistic, he proposes to Doreen Fenwick in November. Discovers she's considering several other proposals and withdraws his.

2008 Starts a friendship with fellow competitions enthusiast Mary Taylor, which becomes a romance of sorts.

2009 Plans to travel with Mary but she leaves and he stays. Horrified when his half-brother Ramsay Clegg visits from Australia, as he blames Ramsay for their mother's fatal heart attack. Ramsay dies.

2010 Reluctantly goes on holiday with Mary when she wins a weekend break prize. But believes she is actually trying to trap him and escapes, raising the alarm with the police. Mary is arrested, but let go when it's apparent he's mistaken.

Played by Malcolm Hebden

Malcolm was born on 5 March 1940 and brought up in Burnley, Lancashire. Malcolm’s mum was a barmaid, but he developed his interest in showbiz from his dad, who was part of a wartime music hall double act.

He left school when he... Read More