Peter Barlow

One minute you love him, the next you hate him - that's the appeal of tortured soul Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne). He wants to be a decent bloke, but his alcoholism keeps tripping him up.

Marriages Jessica Midgeley (divorced), Lucy Richards (deceased), Shelley Unwin (declared void)

Children Simon

1965 Born with twin sister Susan to Ken and Valerie Barlow.

1971 Mum dies and he goes with Susan to live with grandparents in Scotland.

1978 Joins the Navy.

1990 Marries Jessica Midgeley.

2000 Returns in December, after Jessica leaves him.

2001 Helps catch man who raped Toyah Battersby (after being a suspect). Talks about Susan's son Adam, not realising Mike Baldwin, the boy's father, didn't know of his existence. Susan flees and has a car crash. Blames himself for her death. Starts dating barmaid Shelley Unwin. Moves in with Shelley.

2002 Has an affair with florist Lucy Richards.

2003 Marries Lucy in secret when he discovers she's pregnant. Marries Shelley bigamously. His double life is exposed and he moves to Portsmouth.

2007 Returns to testify at the murder trial of stepsister Tracy (she killed lover Charlie Stubbs). Leaves with nephew Adam to open a bookies in Portsmouth.

2008 Returns again in October, this time to try to offload Simon, whose mother has died of breast cancer. Ends up staying when she leaves him her money to care for Simon. Buys the bookies but struggles as a single parent and turns to drink. Starts relationship with Leanne Battersby.

2009 Cheats on Leanne, who leaves Weatherfield. Accidentally sets fire to his flat while drunk and nearly kills Simon and himself. Vows never to drink again. Has a one-night-stand with Michelle Connor. Leanne returns and moves in.

2010 Falls off the wagon and ruins the opening night at his Leanne's wine bar. Forms a bond with Carla after he recognises signs she's an alcoholic. Is dstraught when Simon goes missing, but the boy's found in Blackpool. Is badly injured in the gas explosion and wayward fiance Leanne marries him in hospital when she thinks he's about to die.

Played by Chris Gascoyne

Born in 1968, Chris Gascoyne trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has appeared as Peter Barlow in Coronation Street since 2000. Other notable roles include Al Ware in New Street Law (which co-starred John Thomson, who also appears... Read More