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Draft:Maxine Peacock

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Maxine Peacock
Coronation Street character
Portrayed byTracy Shaw
Duration1995–2003
First appearance3 May 1995
Last appearance13 January 2003
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced bySue Pritchard
Book appearancesCoronation Street: The Complete Saga
Spin-off
appearances		Viva Las Vegas! (1997)
Coronation Street: A Christmas Corrie (2012)
In-universe information
OccupationStylist
FatherDerek Heavey
MotherDoreen Heavey
HusbandAshley Peacock (1999–2003)
SonsJoshua Peacock

Maxine Peacock (also Heavey) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Tracy Shaw. She made her first on-screen appearance on 2 May 1995 and left in 2003.[1] The hairdresser Maxine works for Denise Osbourne's (Denise Black) and later Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) in their salon. Her storylines centred on her marriage to Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and her affair with Matt Ramsden (Stephen Beckett), later resulting in a paternity dispute.

Maxine was involved in one of the soaps most high profile storylines when she was murdered by Richard Hillman (Brian Capron).[2] An estimated 17.6 million viewers tuned in to watch the episode.[3]

Storylines

[edit]

Maxine first appears in May 1995 as a college friend of Fiona Middleton's (Angela Griffin), working in Denise Osbourne's (Denise Black) salon.[4] Maxine is known for her bubbly personality.[5] She is a good-time girl and has relationships, often one-night stands, with several men, including Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy), Des Barnes (Philip Middlemiss), Andy McDonald (Nicholas Cochrane) and Tony Horrocks (Lee Warburton).[6]

Maxine then embarks on more serious relationships with Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and later Greg Kelly (Stephen Billington). She sleeps with her friends Fiona's on-off boyfriend Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), to get back at Fiona when they fall out over Greg.[7] Her mother Doreen Heavey (Prunella Gee) joins the street in 1999. Seeking security, Maxine puts behind her wild ways and marries Ashley in September 1999.[8] The following year, she suspects Ashley of an affair but realises she was wrong and he has been faithful to her.[9]

Difficulties in the marriage soon emerge when Maxine has trouble getting pregnant. However it is discovered that Ashley undergoing a simple operation will solve the problem.[10] On the night of his operation in autumn 2001, Maxine gets drunk and sleeps with local doctor Matt Ramsden (Stephen Beckett) and discovers soon afterwards that she is pregnant.[11] Maxine suffers complications in pregnancy, meaning the family rely heavily on Doctor Ramsden throughout the pregnancy.[12] In March 2002, Maxine goes into labour early and gives birth to her son, Joshua (Benjamin Beresford).[13]

Over Easter 2002, a confrontation with Ashley leads to him finds out about her one-night stand with Matt.[14] Ashley is furious but is determined not to let anyone else on the street know that the child might not be his. He is determined to get a DNA test done to be certain of Joshua's parentage, despite Maxine's protestations that it is unnecessary and they can mend their relationship. On the day the test is to be done, however, Ashley realises that Maxine is truly sorry for what has happened and that they can, in fact, be a happy family together. He forgives Maxine and takes both her and Joshua home without getting the test done.

Maxine Peacock's memorial plaque

On 13 January 2003, the street celebrate Doreen's 50th birthday party in the Rovers Return Inn. On the same day her neighbour Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) plans to kill Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) and to make it seem as if the elderly woman was killed during a bungled burglary.[15] He intended to do so to sell her house that she had sold to him as part of his "Buy Back Scheme". That evening Emily is babysitting at the Peacock house. Maxine returns early from the party at The Rovers Return Inn and walks in to find Richard attacking Emily with a crowbar.[16] In order to leave no witnesses, Richard attacks Maxine.[17] Maxine's final words are to Richard: "Richard, what are you doing?" to which he replies, "you should have stayed at the party, Maxine."[18] As Joshua starts crying upstairs, Maxine tries to run but Richard kills her instead and Ashley comes home to find Maxine's battered and bloodied body. Emily is injured but survives and makes a full recovery. Richard stages the scene in an attempt to frame local schoolboy Aidan Critchley (Dean Ashton).[19]

At her funeral Richard Hillman gives the eulogy.[20] The scenes were filmed at St Mary's Church, Prestwich.[21] Her former boss Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) suspects her son-in-law Richard of killing her, and investigates herself along with Fred Elliott (John Savident) culminating in him being exposed for his crimes In March 2003.[22]

Development

[edit]

In January 2002, ITV denied Shaw was considering leaving the role.[23][24] Tracy Shaw left the role in 2003 following the birth of her children.[25]

Reception

[edit]

In 2001, Tracy Shaw won Sexiest Soap Actress for her portrayal of Maxine Peacock.[26] In 2002, Shaw was nominated for British Soap Award for Best Actress.[27]

The sensational murder storyline was praised though the use of pre-water shed violence was criticised.[28] At the time it was written that it was the most gruesome scene in the history of the soap.[29] There were 21 complaints made.[30] The Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) upheld complaints made to ITV.[31]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hines, Dom (2021-12-31). "Corrie's Tracy Shaw unrecognisable 18 years after murder of her character Maxine". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  2. ^ "Tracy Shaw uncovered". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  3. ^ "Street sweeps soap awards". 2003-05-10. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  4. ^ "What happened to Maxine Peacock on Coronation Street? | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  5. ^ Hardie, Beth; Robinson, Lucy (2024-09-17). "Coronation Street legend unrecognisable two decades after leaving ITV soap". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  6. ^ Hines, Dom (2021-12-31). "Corrie's Tracy Shaw unrecognisable 18 years after murder of her character Maxine". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  7. ^ "What happened to Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street and where is Tracy Shaw now?". Heart. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  8. ^ "TV Interview". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 24 October 2001. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  9. ^ "Tonight's the night as soaps square up". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2001-08-10. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  10. ^ "Corrie's Maxine up to her old tricks". RTE. 2001-08-09.
  11. ^ "Steamy clinch for Corrie's Maxine and Dr Ramsden". Irish Examiner. 2001-08-09. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  12. ^ "Street's Ashley learns of Maxine's adultery". Irish Examiner. 2002-01-03. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  13. ^ "Ashley shattered by Maxine's affair". Irish Examiner. 2002-03-20. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  14. ^ "Corrie fans set for racy Easter drama". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2002-03-21. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  15. ^ "Gail force whinge". The Northern Echo. 2003-03-31. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  16. ^ Barrett, Kerry (2022-09-06). "Coronation Street fans issue warning to Gail as killer arrives on the cobbles". Entertainment Daily. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  17. ^ "Tara then, Cock". Lancashire Telegraph. 2003-01-10. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  18. ^ Fitzpatrick, Katie (2019-06-28). "Former Coronation Street star reunited with her on-screen killer". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  19. ^ "Maxine will die in Corrie bloodbath". RTE. 2002-11-29.
  20. ^ "Tracy Shaw uncovered". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  21. ^ "Mourners gather for a moving Coronation Street funeral". Lancashire Telegraph. 2003-01-07. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  22. ^ Pell, Miranda (2024-12-24). "When did Richard Hillman leave Coronation Street and what happened to him?". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  23. ^ "Corrie Street bosses deny Tracy is leaving". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2002-01-02. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  24. ^ "Shaw denies quit rumours". Digital Spy. 2002-01-02. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  25. ^ Hacon, Carly; O'Hara, Sarah (2022-01-15). "Corrie's Peacock family now - tragic death, career U-turn and co-star reunion". Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  26. ^ "EastEnders clean up at soap awards". 2001-10-02. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  27. ^ "British Soap Awards 2002: Nominations". Digital Spy. 2002-05-16. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  28. ^ "Coronation Street: Your views". 2003-01-14. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  29. ^ "We love evil TV". Broadcast. 2003-01-15. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  30. ^ "Spy show draws record complaints". 2003-07-17. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  31. ^ "Soaps censured for violence". 2003-02-27. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
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